After mixed feelings following the Malaysian Grand Prix (disappointed to need brake assist, pleased to come from 13th to 5th), I took on the Chinese Grand Prix at Shanghai.
In practice I was generally able to go pretty fast and put in some very competitive lap times. I dare say I enjoyed this track, which featured some meaty corners and good straights to really put the hammer down. Turns 9 and 10 were a good test (9 being fairly slow but leading into a deceptively fast turn 10), and turn 16 is one you think you can attack quickly but you do need a healthy application of the brakes!
Qualifying went extremely well. I secured my 2nd pole of the season (a tad to my own surprise), but the race was not as great. I didn’t have a great start, and was somewhat clumsy on more than one occasion, running wide here and there. I also taxed my tyres too hard (especially my soft tyres) which hindered me considerably.
5th was the best I could achieve, which was a bit disappointing considering my qualifying performance. Still, three points-scoring finishes in three races was quite good!