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Lights go out for the 2013 Chinese Formula One Grand Prix at 5.00PM AEST. Join The Roar for live updates on all the on-track action from Round 3 of the World Championship.
It’s been a long three long weeks since Formula One left Malaysia – but the memory of a Formula One driver isn’t easily faded.
Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel return to the spotlight as men at war, and both carrying the wounds of Sepang.
For Sebastian, his damage is self-inflicted – but the extra seven points sitting in his account can console him and his marked reputation.
But for Mark, the scars inflicted by the unconscionable act of treason committed by his teammate may never heal.
The relationship had always been strained at best, but the explosive decision by Vettel to pass Webber in total disregard of team orders has turned it toxic.
From here on in, the gloves are off. There’ll be no quarter asked and none given as Red Bull goes to war within itself.
As the battle brews inside Red Bull, outside of the team Formula One continues to grapple with the 2013-spec tyres.
An increasing number of drivers are adding their names to the list of unsatisfied Pirelli customers, as the teams attempt to harmonise car, rubber, and track.
While Shanghai will prove less stern a test than Sepang, the cooler track temperatures mean it’ll be getting heat into the tyres, rather than keeping them cool, that’ll define good strategy.
Red Bull continues to be the class act of the field, but expect its fellow frontrunners to be snapping at its heels, with the Austrian team yet to translate its blistering one-lap pace into a confident race performance.
Hanging over Mercedes’ head is its sole victory for 2012 – at this circuit, where it seemed unbeatable.
Can the new-look silver arrows make it back-to-back wins in Shanghai? Will McLaren improve on its woeful opening to the season? Will there be anyone watching from the grandstands at all?
For answers to these question, and probably more, we’ll go racing at 5.00pm AEST. Join us for some pre-race commentary, and coverage of all the action right here on The Roar.