2016 Chinese Grand Prix - Practice Sessions

FP1 DEFLATIONS NOT A TYRE-RELATED ISSUE AS THE AFFECTED TEAMS ACKNOWLEDGE

RAIKKONEN FASTEST FOR FERRARI IN FP2 ON SUPERSOFT AT THEIR CHINESE DEBUT

PIRELLI SPONSORS CHINESE GRAND PRIX FOR THE FIRST TIME

Conditions were warm for Friday’s free practice sessions in the Chinese Grand Prix at Shanghai, peaking at a track temperature of nearly 37 degrees centigrade, in contrast to some of the cooler conditions seen in recent years. Kimi Raikkonen set the fastest time of the day in FP2, while FP1 was interrupted by two rear tyre deflations for Williams and one for Renault. A swift investigation concluded that these deflations were not in any way related to the tyre itself, but instead caused by an entirely separate technical issue, which has now been rectified by the teams in question. Paul Hembery, Pirelli motorsport director: “First of all, regarding the deflations in FP1, as acknowledged by the teams themselves, none of these issues were related to the tyre. In FP1 we had a very slippery and ‘green’ track, which caused some issues with traction and grip. As expected, more rubber was laid down on the track during FP2 and we experienced a considerable degree of track evolution. This enabled the drivers to get the best out of the supersoft compound in particular, which we expect to be the tyre to qualify with tomorrow. Of course, this race is always a special one for us at Pirelli as for the first time we are the title sponsor of the grand prix, and we’d like to thank everyone for the warm welcome that we’ve received here, at a circuit that nearly always gives us some very interesting races.”

FP1 - BEST TIME PER COMPOUND

FP2 - BEST TIME PER COMPOUND

LONGEST STINTS OF THE DAY

Tyre statistics of the day:

* The above number gives the total amount of kilometres driven in FP1 and FP2 today, all drivers combined. ** Per compound, all drivers combined. Minimum prescribed slick tyre pressures: 23 psi (fronts) 20 psi (rears) Pirelli fact of the day: The first Chinese driver to try a Formula 1 car was Ho Pin Tung, who earned a Williams test back in 2003 after winning the Formula BMW Asia Series. Although he tested for other teams including BMW Sauber and Renault, he never took part in a race weekend: that honour fell to Ma Qing Hua, who first took part in an FP1 session at the 2012 Italian Grand Prix. Spotted in the paddock today: Sun Yue Yang. Not heard of him? You will do in future. The 15-year-old is seen as one of the brightest prospects in Chinese karting, which is why he has been selected to join the Renault Sport Academy, with the goal of securing a Formula 1 race seat within the next 10 years. For more information: please visit our all-new website, which is regularly updated with exclusive in-depth features, news and reviews. To find out more, please visit: www.pirelli.com/global/en-ww/shanghai-2016-practice