Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton have opted for slightly different tyre allocations for the Chinese Grand Prix, with Ferrari also taking a different mix of compounds for its drivers.
Under this year's regulations, drivers are allowed to choose how many of each of the three compounds they want to use over the weekend. Hamilton has opted for an extra set of medium-compound tyres over team-mate Rosberg at the cost of a set of softs. Drivers have to save at least one set of mediums and one set of softs for the race, while a set of super-softs must be reserved for the Q3 session of qualifying.
However, it is likely Mercedes' two drivers will go into Sunday's race with the same tyres available, as seven sets have to be returned to Pirelli during the three practice sessions and qualifying, leaving each driver with six sets for the race. By Saturday morning it is expected that Hamilton will have used and returned his extra set of mediums after one of the practice sessions, while Rosberg will have done the same with his softs.
Ferrari has opted for an extra set of supers-softs over both Mercedes drivers, which is more likely to be significant in Sunday's race, while Williams has gone for two more sets of super-softs than the world champions at the expense of other compounds. McLaren and Haas are the only other two teams to load up on seven sets of super-softs for Shanghai, which could see aggressive strategies in Sunday's race. Perhaps reflecting its pessimism about reaching the latter stages of qualifying, Sauber has loaded up on five sets of mediums for both of its drivers -- the most of any team.
The Shanghai International Circuit is unusual on the F1 calendar as it is one of just a few tracks where the front tyres tend to wear at a faster rate than the rears.