Formula One 2009 Pulls into Shanghai

The flag will drop on the Grand Prix of Shanghai at the Shanghai International Circuit in a week or so, and the drivers and teams have probably been contemplating the winding turns and high-speed straights designed into the amazing architecture of the circuit. The track combines a nice variety of high-speed corners and slow turns that put demands on the grip of the cars, and throws a few wrenches into the mix. The most challenging and enjoyable corners for both the racers and the drivers will probably be turns six and seven, sweeping left and right hand turns. The Shanghai circuit has always been hard on tires because of the severe lateral forces the cars will experience at speed. The track design requires a medium down-force setup for the race cars because of the two long straight stretches combined with many technical turns. The cars need the right setup to race effectively and fast with the heavy braking, fast accelerations, and constant changes in velocity.

The Shanghai Grand Prix is a technical track that Lewis Hamilton won on last year, so expect McLaren to do well, although, they probably won’t do as well as last year because they won’t have the same performance advantage they had last year. It will be even more important for Hamilton to start farther up the grid, if he’s able to do so; he might be able to finish high in the points or even on the podium, even though his car is running a little slower.

The Shanghai Grand Prix kicks off earlier this year than in previous years, so the temperatures should be a little easier to handle for both the drivers and the cars, but the chance of rain will increase, and they will need to keep their rain tires close by. The first turn should be spectacular and might be the real eye-grabber of the race as the drivers take their cars in a high speed on the throttle, then suddenly drop the car into second gear as the track tightens up.

“Images: Newscom.com”

Post from: EveryJoe

Formula One 2009 Goes to Shanghai

Let the adrenalin flow

Fans will be lined up along the track Friday to watch the opening rounds of testing that will carry a new level of importance and significance this year with all the changes to regulations. The limitations on testing will mean teams will need to ramp up the speed from the start and get their cars ready as they only have so much track time to get their car up to standards. BMW Sauber, Renault, Ferrari, and McLaren will be running KERS systems on their cars, while Force India, Williams, and Brawn have decided to race without the controversial system.
The testing season has been dominated by the power and speed of Brawn through the testing season that started in March, so Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button will pull up to the start line confident and full of expectations for the 2009 Formula One season. There has been a lot of controversy over the Brackley car’s diffuser design as we approach the start of the season, Red Bull has even stated they intend to protest the design if the Albert Park race stewards certify it okay for race day.
Ferrari appears to have the F60 ready to challenge for the 2009 FIA Formula One World Championship. They have had a few problems with their car’s reliability, but they have been primarily keeping a track on the progress of Brawn, who testing indicates will be a major force on the track.
McLaren will be a front runner again despite problems with their car’s aerodynamics while testing in Spain, they made changes late in the Jerez testing sessions which appear to have improved the aerodynamics, so the current world champion Hamilton should be ready to challenge for a repeat of 2008.
Toyota will be appearing on the grid, Red Bull and Toro Rosso will be fielding their new Adrian Newey designed cars, while Williams expects their FW31 to challenge for the championship. Force India will be using Mercedes power, instead of Ferrari, but they will have to get the aerodynamics of their car working correctly before they can challenge for points.

Images: Newscom.com

Post from: EveryJoe

The Formula One 2009 Season