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The last Chinese Grand Prix was only six months ago but thanks to a change in the 2009 schedule F1 returns to Shanghai this weekend and it is time for round 3 of the f1buzz prediction game.

Like Sepang, the Shanghai International Circuit is a modern, smooth track designed by Hermann Tilke.  The unique first corner with its constantly tightening radius can be hard on tyres so, as in Australia, tyres could be critical.

KERS will play a role, too.  The first two races showed that KERS is as useful for defending a position as it is for overtaking so if Renault, Ferrari or McLaren can get in front they could be hard to pass.

But the favourites are still likely to be the ‘diffuser’ teams that dominated the first two races.  Brawn GP will be hoping to make it a hat trick in China but Red Bull and BMW won’t make it easy for them.

The other big question mark that is looming over Brawn, Toyota and Williams is the outcome of the FIA Court of Appeal proceedings into the legality of the controversial diffusers the three teams are running.  The decision is expected on Wednesday afternoon so you might want to hold your predictions until then.  Of course, the deadline for predictions is qualifying on Saturday so there is plenty of time!

To enter, leave a comment on this post with your driver predictions for the race in the following format:

Pole:
First:
Second:
Third:
Fastest lap:

Here is the full list of drivers names.

Good luck!

With the Chinese Grand Prix just days away, here is a video of a Chinese Formula One car made entirely from scrap metal.  According to Jalopnik, this is the fourth of these replicas built by the Zhao brothers and it is capable of hitting 100mph.  Whether you would want to drive something made from scrap while sitting on a folding chair at 100mph on the streets of China is debatable but you have to admit the end result looks pretty damn cool.  Some might say it even looks better than some of the new 2009 F1 cars.

The video shows the adjustable rear wing and extensive ‘wind tunnel’ testing of the chassis.  A number of ‘things’ are also highlighted with red circles but as my Chinese is non-existent I have no idea what they are.

Bernie Ecclestone has had a lot of criticism over his efforts to take Formula One to new markets in Asia and the Middle East but I think it’s pretty clear from this video that there are at least four guys in China who will be watching the race on Sunday.