"I have good memories of last year's Chinese Grand Prix, when I took my second podium for
Toyota," Schumacher said, "That was the result of great strategy work and it was a great way to cap off my first year with the team.
The Shanghai International Circuit is an impressive facility, with a combination of technically challenging corners without being too high speed.
It was well designed and it has some features that are unique, especially the long corners. Turn one is so long that you almost complete an entire circle, so you need to be committed! There are chances to overtake, particularly at the end of the long straight into turn 14, and that makes the track a fun place to race."
Trulli has less experience of the circuit, as its varying position on the calendar mean that it coincided with his time out in 2004. The Italian heads to Shanghai with the boost of a couple of points in his pocket, having fended off the close attentions of both
Nick Heidfeld and Massa at Monza.
"Unlike most of the drivers on the grid, I have only competed in one Chinese Grand Prix," he said, "I missed the first event in 2004 because I had only just joined Toyota, so last year's race is my only experience of the circuit and my only visit to Shanghai. I didn't have the best of races because I lost ground when the safety car came out at just the wrong time, but I still enjoyed trying the circuit, which has a mixture of slow twists and long straights, making it a challenge to find a suitable compromise on set-up.
After my two points in Italy, we will go to China hoping to score well to set us up for the final leg of the season."
Williams F1 - Mark Webber (#9), Nico Rosberg (#10):
Williams
F1's fortunes got no better at Monza, with Nico Rosberg taking his turn to suffer a retirement, while Mark Webber only managing tenth place at one of the fastest circuits of the year. The Australian at least had the satisfaction of seeing the chequered flag for only the sixth time this season, and was unlapped at the end, but the team will be looking for more in China, having now failed to score since the European Grand Prix in May.
