WITH six former world champions on the starting grid and some early season shocks, the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai looks like it will be a fantastic race. Several top drivers give their thoughts on what to expect tomorrow. Ni Yinbin reports.

This year is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in Formula One history. After only two races, there have already been some big surprises, which means tomorrow's Chinese Grand Prix will likely be hotly contested.

Ferrari's Fernando Alonso tops the driver's standings with 35 points after his win, which even his team admits was a suprise, in Malaysia while the McLaren-Mercedes duo of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, who bagged the first race of the season in Australia, sit second and third with 30 and 25 points respectively.

Defending world champion Sebastian Vettel has disappointed so far and is in sixth place with 18 points after two races.

Kimi Raikkonen's return further shakes things up. The 2007 world champion returns after two years and gives the field six former world champions along with Vettel, Button, Hamilton, Alonso and Michael Schumacher.

These six drivers also have something else in common - they've all been on top of the podium in Shanghai.

Vettel is already feeling the pressure as the advantage of the Red Bull car has not been as obvious this season compared to last year.

The two-time world champion may also face a disadvantage on the starting grid. The 24-year-old did not follow the direction of his team to quit the race during the last grand prix in Malaysia due to a gearbox problem. If the German wants to change the gearbox before the Chinese Grand Prix, he will have to go back five positions on the start grid, according to the rules.

But don't count him out. He won here in 2009. Meanwhile, Alonso, 30, who has struggled the past two years, now sees an opportunity after finishing fifth in Australia and winning in Malaysia. The two-time world champion won the Chinese Grand Prix in 2005.

Among the six, Hamilton may like the Shanghai circuit the most as he is the only driver to win here twice - 2008 and 2011.

"I'll be heading to China looking to win, but it's just as important to pick up some good points if, for whatever reason, a win isn't on the cards. I have some vivid memories of racing in China - some good, some not so good! I've won there twice - both were victories I'm really proud of: in 2008, it was a very important race, and I really needed a good result for the championship," the 27-year-old said on Formula One's official website.

"We had a pretty much perfect weekend with pole position, fastest lap and the race win. Then in 2011, coming off the back of a difficult weekend in Malaysia, I had a great race, kept pushing every lap and managed to take the lead right at the end. It was a very important win because it showed that we could be a force in the championship that year," said Hamilton. "I won't deny that I'm disappointed to have had two pole positions and not to have been able to convert either of them into victories, but I prefer to think of it that luck just hasn't been on my side, and that it will swing my way sooner or later.

"I also think last year taught me the value of consistency: it's no use chasing a great result if you can't back it up with another strong finish the following week," Hamilton added. "So maybe I'm just playing myself in gently: after all, in 2007, I didn't win a race until the sixth round, and I was in the hunt for the title all through the year. I still don't think the pecking order has settled down yet, so it's important to get some good results in the bag while we can. It's going to be an interesting weekend."

Hamilton is not the only driver who likes racing in Shanghai. His McLaren teammate Button, who won here in 2010, said the track is one of the better ones in F1.

"The facilities are amazing, but it's a very good, modern circuit - the first two sectors are pretty technical, there are some interesting combinations of corners and you need a good, responsive car to go well," the 32-year-old said on Formula1.com. "Then the track opens up, the straight is one of the longest in Formula One - it just keeps going - then you're into the hairpin and the final turn, both of which offer good opportunities for overtaking. There's no one particular corner that stands out, but that's good, because it means they've done a good job with the whole track.

"And if it rains, then it's going to be another extremely unpredictable race as we're all still learning about the cars and tires in damp conditions. Whatever happens, it should be interesting."

Button said there will be the usual setup compromises: setting the car up to offer good downforce through some of the faster corners, but without sacrificing too much speed along the straights.

"We saw different teams address that balance in different ways over the first two races, so it will be interesting to see if things start to converge this weekend after a few weeks back in Europe," he said. "Tire wear will also be very important - last year we saw a real disparity between the compounds - so getting the preparation right will be crucial."

After leaving Formula One for two years, Raikkonen may be the big surprise in Shanghai and this season. No one knows how fast he can go. After all, he won here in 2007, the year he won the world championship.

But the 32-year-old doesn't look too far ahead.

"It's just another race track - I don't have particular favorites or anything like that. It's quite similar to Albert Park and Sepang in what it requires from the car so that should be good for us," he said. "We have some new parts for the E20 so that should also be good. I'm sure all the other teams have new parts for their cars too, so we won't know where we are until we get there. I won there in 2007 and that was a good feeling as that was the year I won the championship. It's a proper race track and there are good opportunities for overtaking. Our car looks good so let's see what happens when we get out on track."

Last but not least, no one would forget Schumacher's greatness in the sport although he is no longer in his prime.

Still, the heart, will and experience of a champion can never be ignored. The seven-time world champion's last win was in Shanghai in 2006. The 43-year-old is still the most popular driver in China. Fans across the country will cheer for him in tomorrow's race.

"When I think about the Chinese Grand Prix, the fans are the first thing that comes to mind," Schumacher said. "For many years now, I've had a big and loyal fan base there, and it's still very touching to see the lengths they go to in supporting me. A big thank you to all of them!

"As for the race itself, I've never had much luck in Shanghai, apart from my win in 2006; however that could change this year. In the first two races of 2012, we didn't manage to maintain our qualifying pace in race conditions. We've been working intensively on this, so that we can offer our fans a strong performance in China."



Race fans share their stories

Guan Yue, freelancer



I have watched Formula One races for almost 30 years. I am a die-hard fan of Michael Schumacher and the Ferrari team.

There is one experience with my son that can explain my love for them. In 2004, I took my son to the first race held in Shanghai, expecting Schumacher to win. However, things went contrary to my wishes and he withdrew from the race. I told my disappointed son that Schumacher would win next year. But he lost again and my son was even more disappointed. Even so, I comforted him with the same words because I didn't lose faith in Schumacher. Finally, he did it, winning in 2006. That day turned out to be the happiest day of my life as a F1 fan. We walked out with pride, waved our Ferrari flag and enjoyed the envy of other fans. Now that you know my standpoint, my prediction for F1 in Shanghai will remain the same, despite the worrying condition of Ferrari's cars. I once said I would always back Ferrari's team no matter where it stands in the ranking. As for other teams and racers, I respect them all.



Shi Rong, teacher



I met you in my youth. Before I knew it, I was already in love. You were like lucifer but also an angel. Sometimes you were an elegant beauty, sometimes as fierce as a beast. You stole my heart with your passion and pursuit for speed. As fast as time goes by, quickly as a flower may wither, my love for you will never change. I've seen the glory days of Schumacher, witnessed the miracles made by Kimi, and experienced growth with Vettel. I didn't get to know you before I fell for you, and once I did, I couldn't stop adoring you. I'm so into you that I am desperate to be with you. So, here I am in April, the most beautiful time of the year with all the blossoms blooming. F1, I have a date with you.



Mikki Xu, Shanghai 333 Racing Club Administration & Media Manager



I've watched F1 races for almost 10 years. There have been many exciting races, especially those in Shanghai, my hometown. This year my favorite driver Kimi Raikkonen returns and I believe the Shanghai race will be the most amazing yet. Although the Mclaren MP4-27 car has shown great strength in the first two rounds, I still think the Lotus E20 car is performing well. Whether it is a single lap or in the long distance race, the E20 car is very stable. With Kimi's experience, the E20 car absolutely has the ability to reach the podium. What they lack is a bit of luck. But it is Formula 1 and it's a funny sport. No one knows what will happen. So I think enjoying the race is the most important thing. Let's just wait and see what will happen in Shanghai this year. Good luck to Kimi and all the teams.