2012 Pole lap
Pole time: a very wet 1:40.621
Last winner: Fernando Alonso
Fastest Lap Micheal Schumacher: 1:18.725
2014 tires: Soft(prime), Super Soft (Option)
The track only has the one high speed "straight", the parabolic turn 5. The rest of the lap is characterized by tricky braking zones that dare you to late brake as much as possible, two very tricky high speed right handers(turns 1, and 12), two very tricky mid speed corners 10, 11, and 17. Three very tricky acceleration zones turns 3, 4 turn 6, and the exit of turn 8. Finally the very technical sector three which exposes any weakness in mechanical grip.
Downforce levels are somewhat in between Canada, and Austria. You need good top speed for the parabolic straight, but you also need good downforce for the high and medium speed corners and excellent mechanical grip to ride the kerbs as much as possible, particularly after turn 8.
There are three heavy braking zones turns 2, 6, and 8, one medium heavy in turn 13, and this will provide plenty of KERS energy. After that there is a lot of brake modulation involved, particularly after turn 8, and this will put a premium on braking stability and good medium speed downforce.
Despite other's mix feelings about this track, I like it, particularly from a driver's perspective, you always feel like you can find time somewhere.
