Shanghai, a unique circuit layout
Everybody in the paddock at the Chinese Grand Prix last year only talked about one thing - the 'snail corner'. This is what the combination of the first three corners is called, which has the shape of a snails shell, i.e. it becomes tighter the further you go. For Sam Michael, Williams F1's Technical Director, this corner is just one of the many highlights of this 5,451 kilometre circuit.
Sam Michael "Shanghai circuit has unique layout. The first corner is really special, and the course as a whole offers a balanced mixture of various corner speeds and straights. Certain sections are quite twisty, and the back straight leads into a corner, prior to which overtaking is possible."
Prior to the last race of the season, Michael, like the entire team, hopes for successful Grand Prix in China.
"After Suzuka, we are looking forward to finshing the year well. Although this year has not yielded the results that would be satisfactory for Williams F1, it has given us added incentive to correct our position in 2006. In China, we also bid farewell to BMW with whom we have enjoyed many successful races over the last six years."
