Shanghai Grand Prix Roundup

Shanghai International Circuit at a glance:

• Laps – 56
• Track length – 5,451 km
• Total race distance – 305,066 km
• Total corners – 16
• Average speed – 126 mph
• Lap record – 1:32.238 (Michael Schumacher for Ferrari, 2004)
• First Grand Prix – 2004

The Shanghai Grand Prix is due to get off the starting line on the 12^th of April, and as always it’s promising to be a spectacular race.

As the most expensive Formula 1 facility at the time of its creation, Shanghai International Circuit cost $240 million to build and is a real mix of hairpin bends, straights and tricky turns. With a layout designed to look like the Chinese character ‘Shang’, which stands for ‘high’ or ‘above’, it is often described as one of the toughest races in the F1 calendar.

Despite the fact the course is relatively new by F1 standards, it’s already seen some seminal F1 events – such as the final victory for Michael Schumacher back in 2006.

Racers are looking forward to tackling the quirky, exciting track which offers a challenge for even the most experienced drivers. The grandstands of the track offer full commanding views of around 80% visibility, so it’s one of the most exciting for punters.

Currently, the odds with ladbrokes sports are on 25-year-old Sebastian Vettel taking the pole position, with a price of 15/8. This is after he won back in 2009. He’s currently leading the world driver’s standings with 40 points, while second place is taken by Kimi Raikkonen with 31.

However, Mercedes’ teammate Lewis Hamilton is already showing promising signs after the 28-year-old took fifth and third in the initial races this year.

Speaking of the forthcoming race, Hamilton has expressed his eagerness to get racing again after the three week break following the Malaysia Grand Prix. The Mercedes newcomer has enjoyed a better start than expected after moving from previous team McLaren this year.

Hamilton, who is currently 4^th in the world driver’s standings – with 25 points – is just behind Red Bull’s Mark Webber by one point. Hamilton has previously won the Chinese Grand Prix twice – in 2008 and 2011.

Following the Malaysia Grand Prix, both Ferrari drivers Massa and Alonso take the 5^th and 6^th place in F1 standings respectively.

With cloudy but warm weather expected, with highs of 17°C and lows of 11°C across the three days, racers can expect good driving conditions for the race ahead.