A look at the GPS in China and Baku

THE MAIN EVENT

China first appeared on the Formula 1 calendar 14 years ago, but the Shanghai International Circuit still looks like a new arrival thanks to its ultra-modern architecture and top-of-the-range facilities.

Built on reclaimed marshland and supported by 40,000 stone pillars, the circuit is roughly shaped as the Chinese character ‘shang’ (meaning ‘high’) while team paddock buildings are set on stilts within a lake, resembling Shanghai’s famous classical Yuyuan Garden.

A huge main grandstand, which can hold up to 29,000 spectators, offers views of almost 80 per cent of the front-limited circuit, which largely comprises long-radius, late-apex corners. A lot of the engineering focus is to preserve the life of the front-left tyre, particularly through the high-loads at Turns 1 and 2 and Turns 11-13.

Low cloud, smog and rain often affect this region and it was particularly troublesome last year when Friday practice was cancelled as the medical helicopter was unable to fly.

CLASSIC RACE: 2007

Lewis Hamilton arrived in Shanghai with a shot at the championship in his rookie year, but China proved to be his downfall thanks to the wet weather of Typhoon Krosa.

He had made the perfect start to the weekend, storming to pole position and controlling the early stages of the race. But as the damp track dried, he stayed out too long on ageing intermediate tyres and overshot his entry to the pits, ending his race in a gravel trap.

Ferrari’s Kimi Räikkönen took a crucial win, with Hamilton’s Mclaren team-mate Fernando Alonso second, and in doing so closed the points gap to the Brit as they headed to Brazil for the season finale.