The 2015 Formula One season continues along its merry way, as the third round of the championship will take place at the Shanghai International Circuit this weekend, located approximately 20 kilometers outside the city in the Jiading district.
However, there is one fact that now exists ahead of the action on the 5.451km track come tomorrow - Mercedes can be beaten. Last time out in Sepang, Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel had their number, as excessive temperatures and botched strategies showed chinks in the champions' armour.
What can we expect as the biggest talking points this weekend?
Mercedes looking for glory, and Ferrari staying realistic for starters.
Seeing Vettel on the top step last time will be a motivational tool for the current champions, who clearly floundered in the heat in Malaysia. Their unbeaten streak was tossed away like a bad habit, so Toto Wolff and the crew will be doing their utmost to get the natural order back in place.
Ferrari team principal Maurizio Arrivabene will be exuding the calm demeanour that has brought equilibrium to the force from Maranello. They may be one win off the target that the team has been set by its new leader, but there is a more positive outlook towards what lies ahead. Expect them to be the best of the rest.
Red Bull, on the other hand, will be trying to resolve their issues.
It's been a fall from grace for the former champions, who lost not only the title to Mercedes last year, but also their star driver to the colours of the Prancing Horse. It's been another start for them to forget, as both Daniel Ricciardo and Daniil Kvyat have had issues with drivability, along with the Renault Power Unit being at a clear disadvantage.
Public disagreements between Renault and Red Bull have not helped the issue, with the French manufacturer now looking to consider its options in the sport.
Toro Rosso is out for itself. The youngest pairing in Formula One history have shown that they have earned their place, with both Carlos Sainz and Max Verstappen respectively scoring a sixth place finish.
They both have something to prove, as the next generation of potential future champions could be lying in wait. To have the upper hand on their sister team is something to watch out for over the season.
The Shanghai International Circuit, which now will host its 11thFormula One race, has its fair share of tight, technical turns and high straights, with speeds reaching 330 km/h.
Sixteen turns in all will challenge the drivers, with the power units being pushed hard, as 55 percent of the track will be at full throttle. There will be plenty of overtakes, with a possibility of most drivers opting for a two-stop strategy.
Last year's winner Lewis Hamilton will be out for blood, but will someone else like Nico Rosberg get there first? Sunday will tell us all we need to know.
