Virgin aim to hold double hand in Shanghai

Having confounded the critics a fortnight ago when Lucas Di Grassi finished 14th in Sepang in only his third grand prix, the Yorkshire-based team are aiming for both their drivers to complete the 56-lap Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai.

Brazilian Di Grassi surprised everyone at the Malaysian Grand Prix just nine days after the revelation that the team had not built a fuel tank big enough to finish the race.

Fuel-saving techniques got him to the chequered flag and the cars will only be modified when they return to Dinnington in South Yorkshire after this weekend's race.

Di Grassi's team-mate Timo Glock also aims to complete this weekend's race in his VR-01 car, having been forced out on only the second lap in Sepang when he collided with the Lotus of Jarno Trulli.

Speaking in Shanghai, the experienced German said: "It goes without saying that the race in Sepang was disappointing for me, ending almost before it began. Until that point, things were looking very good and we seemed to get most things right during the free practice and qualifying days. I hope this weekend in China follows a similar pattern, but with a different result on race day.

"Shanghai International Circuit is a great track for so many reasons, but from a driver's perspective it is mainly the technical challenge that this race provides.

"It has a huge range of corners and features a long back straight leading into a hairpin. It's the most exciting part of the track because cars reach around 300kmph on that section and you're at full throttle for a long time, which can take your breath away."

Di Grassi, who drove for race principal John Booth's Manor Racing in Formula 3 before Sir Richard Branson's Virgin stepped in as main sponsors for F1, said: "Malaysia was a great race weekend as we finished ahead of the other newcomers. Now we need more of that kind of result.

"I went back to England to use the simulator so I could practice on the Shanghai circuit, as I have never been there before. For us right now, it's all about hard work and we're all doing a lot of that to try to keep moving us forward."

By the time they return to Britain next week, the Virgin team will have clocked up 45,000 miles of air travel over the first four rounds. Looking ahead, John Booth said: "At the same time as maximising our chances for China, we're head-long into preparations for the European races, a big part of which will rely on having a solid infrastructure on the road.

"I'm delighted to say that our new race preparation building in Dinnington is nearing completion and this will help us enormously for the five months of European races that lie ahead, where we can look forward to a more fluid turnaround operation in between races."

Regarding the fuel tank problems, Nick Wirth, technical director, added: "Since our first race finish in Sepang, we've been working to improve the VR-01 further, and we plan to bring improvements to the aerodynamics, mechanical package and transmission, as well as modifications to the fuel system to help with low-fuel pickup.

"These should allow us to improve our low-fuel qualifying performance and also help our race-pace.

"Our aim for the weekend is to build upon the clear improvements we demonstrated at Sepang."

At the other end of the F1 scale, Lewis Hamilton knows consistency is key if he is to reclaim the world title this season.

The 2008 world champion is sixth in the standings after three races but just eight points behind Felipe Massa with the Ferrari driver leading the way on 39 points.

It has been a mixed season for Hamilton, having started in positive fashion with third in Bahrain before two successive sixth-place finishes in Australia and Malaysia.

The McLaren driver endured plenty of frustration both on and off the circuit during the last two race weekends but superb drives in both races meant he arrived in Shanghai on the coat tails of the leading pack.

"At the moment it is very close and I am hoping it stays like that for some time," said Hamilton.

"Anything can happen and it can happen to any of us. We just have to try and stay as consistent as possible and we can't afford too many DNFs (did not finish).

"Each team is trying to remain as consistent as possible right now."

The drivers' championship could easily have looked very different by now but for reliability problems having denied Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel from claiming victories in Bahrain and Australia.

The 22-year-old German finally exorcised his mechanical demons in Sepang for his first win of the season and Hamilton believes Red Bull will once again be the team to beat.

"At the last race weekend we seemed to be very competitive with them (Red Bull) in practice but in the race their pace was better," added Hamilton.

"We have to keep our eye on the ball and keep pushing.

"The Red Bulls and the Ferraris are the ones to beat here and you don't know what other updates Mercedes have brought here so, for me, it is the same as the other races."

The return to Shanghai will evoke mixed emotions for Hamilton, with the 25-year-old having seen his hopes of winning the 2007 championship in his debut season dealt a blow when he ran wide into the gravel trap before beaching his car for the first retirement of his career.

He returned the following year to go on and win the race before securing the championship and he believes experiencing both highs and lows on the circuit have made him a better driver.

"I definitely know where the gravel trap is now so I won't be doing that again," he said.

Vettel has also tasted victory on the circuit after leading a Red Bull one-two ahead of Mark Webber last year.

His success last time means he is just two points behind Massa in the championship and is favourite to win again on Sunday.