Italian job unlikely

"Red China" was once a popular appellation for the People's Republic and in past years it has proved a ominous omen for any Formula One team coming up against the famous scarlet of Scuderia Ferrari at the Shanghai International Circuit.

The Chinese Grand Prix has been won by the Italian manufacturers three out of its five editions, yet it would take a major surprise for Kimi Raikkonen or Felipe Massa to finish top of the podium tomorrow.

The constructors' champions have endured their worst start to an F1 season since 1992. Stefano Domenicali's team failed to collect a single point at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne after Massa, last year's runner up in the drivers' championship, retired after 13 laps and his Finnish team-mate crashed out with three laps remaining.

The clouds darkened further in Sepang where the Malaysian Grand Prix was rained off after 31 laps; Massa and Raikkonen finished ninth and 14th respectively.

Since then a storm of an altogether different nature has swirled around the Scuderia base in Maranello.

Criticism was levelled at team manager Luca Baldisserri for his controversial decision-making in Malaysia and the Italian has been left at home for this weekend's race – his track duties instead being handed to engineer Chris Dye.

Former Ferrari driver Rubens Barrichello won the inaugural event in 2004 and he posted the third fastest time in yesterday's practice sessions. Now driving for Brawn-GP, the Brazilian was pipped only by team-mate Jenson Button and Williams-F1's Nico Rosberg.

Barrichello's team have made a sensational start to the season winning the first two races meaning they lead both the Drivers' and Constructors' championships.

Reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton won in Shanghai last year and is hoping to bounce back after finishing seventh in Sepang.

The Briton has endured a tumultuous time these past few weeks following the lying scandal that came in the wake of his performance in Melbourne and then this week's resignation of McLaren team manager – and the 24-year-old's long-term mentor – Ron Dennis.

Hamilton, who is running with a new interim diffuser in Shanghai, was much improved in yesterday's practice session.

However, Ferrari's duo, who completed the podium last year behind Hamilton, struggled for speed, with both drivers failing to finish in the top 10 in either of the two sessions.

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