The latest data regarding the air quality near the Shanghai International Circuit reveals that the practice sessions and qualifying could be run in potentially dangerous air quality conditions. However, air quality is expected to improve before the start of the race on Sunday.
Data available from the World Air Quality Index Project website at the time of publication shows that the air quality in the area of the Chinese Grand Prix is expected to decrease as the week progresses. By 8:00am local time, the air quality is forecasted to reach unhealthy levels (151-200 on the AQI), but could reach levels considered very unhealthy (201-300 on the AQI).
However, the air quality is expected to return to mildly unhealthy levels (101-150 on the AQI) after Sunday morning, as the temperature slightly decreases and wind speeds slightly increase.
The event has had issues with smog in the past. In 2014, there was a threat that the Friday practice sessions could be delayed because of heavy expected smog conditions that would have prevented the safety helicopter to fly.
At this time, it is unknown whether this year’s event could face similar threats. The air quality is not expected to descend to conditions considered hazardous by the air quality index at any point throughout the weekend.
