Chinese Grand Prix: A Turn-by-Turn Breakdown

The Corners of the Chinese Grand Prix: A Turn-by-Turn Breakdown

It's that time of the week when Senate Grand Prix talks about the coming grand prix race and analyzes the corners of the Shanghai International Circuit. The 5.451 km layout features a mix of long straights, tight hairpins, and sweeping corners. Any fans who have played this on the Playstation will know the first corner and last corners are tricky and very difficult. 

Turn 1 & 2 – The Endless Spiral

Turn 1 is a right-hander that spirals into Turn 2. It's a test for any driver, and throttle control is vital as drivers gradually slow down at high speeds.

Turn 3 & 4 – Tight Hairpin and Acceleration Zone

After a very slow exit from Turn 2, Turn 3 is a left-hand hairpin where traction is vital. If drivers are not switched on, they lose time heading into Turn 4.

             

Turn 5 & 6 – Flow and Commitment

Turn 5 is a high-speed, left-hander where drivers must commit. It sets up for Turn 6, a tight right-hand hairpin requiring heavy braking.

Turn 7 & 8 – High-Speed Challenge

These fast corners require confidence and balance. Turn 7 is a left-hander that flows into the tighter Turn 8, a right-hander where maintaining momentum is key. 

Turn 9 & 10 – Precision Over Speed

This left-right combination requires precision. Turn 9 is a medium-speed left-hander followed immediately by Turn 10, a right-hand turn that leads into another short straight.

Turn 11, 12 & 13 – The Long Right-Hander

After a tricky braking zone into Turn 11, a tight left-hand hairpin, drivers quickly sweep into Turn 12, a medium-speed right, before entering Turn 13, a long, gradually tightening right-hander. 

Turn 14 – The Best Overtaking Spot

At the end of the 1.2 km back straight, Turn 14 is a heavy-braking hairpin where most overtaking happens. 

The DRS zone leading into this corner allows drivers to get alongside their rivals and make a move under braking.

Turn 15 – The Setup for the Final Corner

Turn 15 is a quick left-hand kink almost flat-out in modern F1 cars. It sets the approach for the final corner. 

Turn 16 – The Final Corner

Turn 16 is a tight right-hand turn leading onto the start/finish straight. It demands good traction for a strong launch down the straight. A poor exit can leave a driver vulnerable to overtakes into Turn 1 on the next lap.

As usual, Senate Grand Prix makes a race prediction. This is always a hot topic in the office before each race, so hours of debate and arguments go into this top five. 

P1. Max Verstappen 

P2. Oscar Piastri

P3. Lewis Hamilton

P4. Liam Lawson

P5. Charles Leclerc