Some quotes of drivers and teams for Chinese Grand Prix.

Nick Heidfeld, BMW Sauber
2008 Qualifying - 9th, 2008 Race - 5th

According to Nick Heidfield this year's race is scheduled much earlier than last year. So he expect lower temperatures. This should make some difference to tyre performance. According to him the first corner is very exciting and is the highlight of the race.

Robert Kubica, BMW Sauber
2008 Qualifying - 11th, 2008 Race - 6th

According to Robert Kubica there is a high chance of rain in Shanghai and this could impact the whole weekend. He thinks the circuit is very challenging and has some interesting corners and very long straight. He has not been very lucky in Shanghai but he expects that this should change this year.

Willy Rampf, BMW Sauber head of engineering

He quotes that shaghai circuit requires higher downforce and greater stability. This year aerodynamic restrictions have been introduced and so the BMW will be running with maximum downforce. The circuit has higher run off areas and they are tarred so the drivers dont have the risk to get stuck in the gravel track. So there will be high amount of overtaking. He says it is a very challenging circuit both for the drivers and for the engineers because the cars should be well balanced.


Mario Theissen, BMW Motorsport Director

The Shaghai race will commence after a short Easter Break. He feels Shanghai circuit is of commercial interest for BMW and its partners. So he is keeping his fingers crosssed to get a good result for his team.

Hirohide Hamashima, Bridgestone director of motorsport tyre development

According to him Shanghai circuit is sevre on tyres. He says that is graining on front left tyres for this track due to the increasing radius turn 2 and banked turn 13. He also say there could be graining on rare tyres too. Bridgestone's super soft tyres already grain faster. Lets see what happens in Shanghai.

Lewis Hamilton, McLaren
2008 Qualifying - 1st, 2008 Race - 1st

Lewis Haminlton loves this track because it has long straights and slow corners too. He thinks that right set up is very important to find the correct balance. He is hoping for some good results this year but is not very confident because of the lack of performance of the MP4-24. But some new upgrades added to the MP4-24 should make some difference.

Heikki Kovalainen, McLaren
2008 Qualifying - 5th, 2008 Race - DNF

According to him turn 6 and 7 are the best corners in Shanghai. All feel the same that finding the right balance in the car is difficult due to a variety of corners and long straights. He did not finish last year, lets see where he lands up this season. Already he has to opening lap mishaps in the first 2 races. He feels overtaking can be done at turn 4, 10 and 13. Lets see if does any!

Martin Whitmarsh, McLaren team principal

He has reasons both to be disappointed and optimistic about the performance of the car. The MP4-24 is not a package which can fight the front runners but lets hope the new upgrades do something food for the team. As for Martin Whitmarsh, it seems his future with the team also looks in great danger after the incident at the season opening Austalian Grand Prix. I personally feel Ron Dennis should take back the charge of the team.

Norbert Haug, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport vice-president

He says that this years traget for them is to start the race at a higher grid place than the first 2 races. He is very optimistic about the new upgrades done to the car and feels it will help them rank higher on the grid.