Red Bull Racing looks to put the controversy of the Malaysian Grand Prix behind it as it prepares for this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix at Shanghai.
The defending champions recorded their first one-two finish of the season in Malaysia, but the result was heavily overshadowed by Sebastian Vettel’s defiance of team orders. Despite being told to remain in position behind Mark Webber, he overtook his team mate to take a deeply controversial victory and early lead in the championship.
Nevertheless, the triple champion is looking forward to returning to the track where he won his first race for Red Bull in 2009.
“My best memory of the Chinese Grand Prix is my first win with Red Bull Racing in 2009. We had a good qualifying, followed by an amazing race. There was a lot of rain, but we held it together and got our first team win and one-two,” he said.
“The circuit has lots of corners, making it hard for the tyres and tricky for the drivers. I really like the middle sector. Turns 12 and 13 are difficult to get right, as they demand a lot of technique, especially Turn 13 which leads into a really long straight.”
The track also holds good memories for Mark Webber, who had an inspired run at the race just two years ago due to a poor qualifying session and a differing tyre strategy.
“My best memory is coming from the back of the grid to finish on the podium in third place in 2011,” he said.
“The middle sector, Turns 5 and 6, is my favourite part of the circuit because it’s a nice and flowing section and it’s very important to get the technique right there,” he concluded.
