Formula One: The McLaren drivers Kimi Raikkonen and David Coulthard believe this weekend's inaugural Chinese Grand Prix will be a tough test of the car's ability.
The newly-built Shanghai International Circuit will play host to the event, with no one knowing what to expect of the track which has been designed by German engineer Herman Tilke, who was also responsible for the circuits in Bahrain and Sepang.
The McLaren team have endured a mediocre season and they currently lie fifth in the constructors' championship as they have failed to find the form which, in recent years which has seen them rated as one of the top manufacturers.
Their fortunes appeared to have turned around in Belgium when Raikkonen drove to victory, but the Finn's engine failed him in Italy and he now hopes to rediscover the success of Spa in China.
"Following the Italian Grand Prix, the McLaren Mercedes team has been testing at Silverstone. We had a productive test where we focused on set-up for China," Raikkonen said.
"The Shanghai International Circuit looks like a great track to drive. It has an equal number of right and left handers, a good mix of corner types, from long sweeps to tight hairpins, and a number of straights where we can stretch the legs of the MP4-19B, the longest of which is over 1km and links turns 13 and 14 at the end of the lap.
"Due to this mix we will need downforce and mechanical grip for the slower bends while ensuring we maximise speed on the long straights.
"We have of course used simulation techniques at the McLaren Technology Centre prior to the race to get an initial understanding of the characteristics of the track and now I am looking forward to actually driving it".
Coulthard, whose top finish this season was his fourth place in Germany, is looking forward to the challenge ahead and thinks the circuit will not only push the cars but the drivers as well.
"I believe the Chinese Grand Prix will be one of the key events of the 2004 Formula One season. In addition to the sport visiting a country that is very different culturally and the enthusiasm that you always get with new fans, the circuit has been designed to maximise spectator viewing and racing excitement," Coulthard said.
Sauber's Giancarlo Fisichella is confident he and team-mate Felipe Massa can put in a good performance at the weekend.
The Italian driver is not wary of the new Circuit, but is looking forward to the challenge of a new track. Fisichella, who has only failed to finish one race this season - Monaco - has been involved at the top level of motorsport for eight years and believes his wealth of experience will help him around the circuit.
"I've been lucky to go to quite a few new circuits in my career, such as Malaysia, Indianapolis and Bahrain, so now I am really looking forward to Shanghai, especially as China is a new country for me to visit, too," Fisichella said.
