[Official] Chinese Grand Prix 2016: Grand Prix Weekend Thread

[wnut]

How much would you put on this changing guys?

So it seems that Vettel was entitled to overtake in the pitlane entry provided he didn't have all four wheels off the track (and he only put two off). TrapezeArtist

[steve_r]

Why were the cars in front going so slowly way before the pit lane speed limit??

[Richard C]

Originally Posted by steve_r

Why were the cars in front going so slowly way before the pit lane speed limit??

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/123825

Force India was pitting both cars at the same time. Hulkenberg was going slowly to allow Perez to finish his stop before he showed up.

Richard

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by wnut

How much would you put on this changing guys?

So it seems that Vettel was entitled to overtake in the pitlane entry provided he didn't have all four wheels off the track (and he only put two off). TrapezeArtist

He didn't need DRS either.

[steve_r]

Originally Posted by Richard Casto

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/123825

Force India was pitting both cars at the same time. Hulkenberg was going slowly to allow Perez to finish his stop before he showed up.

Richard

Thanks. That makes more sense now. Good on Vettel.

[chillibowl]

so there is more than a little irony in that we had a very interesting race in part caused by a mixed up grid but that mixing up had almost nothing to do with quali or the quali format.

a testament to the number of quality drivers on the the grid this season imo.

[JeremySmith]

The track leaves me a little cold to be honest, it's not one of my favourite weekends on the calendar ...

[chillibowl]

other then on the main straights it seems that attendance here has taken another dip. during the drivers parade (which is a great addition to the broadcast so glad we are getting it in Canada now) there were some completely deserted grandstands.

i believe their contract runs out next year and cant say i will miss it either if it goes the way of several other incredibly expensive tracks built in regions with little to no love for F1 (or its ticket prices).

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by chillibowl

other then on the main straights it seems that attendance here has taken another dip. during the drivers parade (which is a great addition to the broadcast so glad we are getting it in Canada now) there were some completely deserted grandstands.

i believe their contract runs out next year and cant say i will miss it either if it goes the way of several other incredibly expensive tracks built in regions with little to no love for F1 (or its ticket prices).

It's been like that for years, with those empty stands and it is hardly surprising. There's no motorsports heritage in China and in the 12 years China has hosted the GP, it doesn't seem to have developed any grass roots motorsport. I won't be sorry to see it go after next year.

[chillibowl]

yep for many years now. if memory serves they used to give away a lot of seats including tickets for the army.

looks like they cant even be bothered to maintain the illusion of a well attended event any longer.

that said though i do think the venue put up a very good race this year. the poor quality of the tarmac (including a rather large crack/bump across the main drag) presented the teams with enough issues to aide with the spectacle.

[bjohnsonsmith]

It was a similar situation with Turkey. No one went to it but it was an excellent track, for a Tilkedrome.

[RichardRenes]

Originally Posted by wnut

How much would you put on this changing guys?

So it seems that Vettel was entitled to overtake in the pitlane entry provided he didn't have all four wheels off the track (and he only put two off). TrapezeArtist

All nice and well, but.. it was still a safetycar situation.... which means no overtaking anywhere? or is suddenly the pitlane entry still a place where you can overtake?

Inquiring minds want to know.

[Peter Mallett]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

It was a similar situation with Turkey. No one went to it but it was an excellent track, for a Tilkedrome.

I went to it.

[dsg]

Originally Posted by RichardRenes

All nice and well, but.. it was still a safetycar situation.... which means no overtaking anywhere? or is suddenly the pitlane entry still a place where you can overtake?

Inquiring minds want to know.

I can't remember who it was, but one of the Sky commentators read out the rule and it said overtaking is allowed in the pit lane and in the pit lane entry during a safety car period.

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

I went to it.

I have always wondered who that lone spectator was; now we know!

[TwoSheds]

Originally Posted by dsg

I can't remember who it was, but one of the Sky commentators read out the rule and it said overtaking is allowed in the pit lane and in the pit lane entry during a safety car period.

2016 F1 Sporting Regulations published on 12.04.16 (PDF file)

See point f) below...



39.8 With the exception of the cases listed under a) to h) below, no driver may overtake another car on the track, including the safety car, until he passes the first safety car line for the first time when the safety car is returning to the pits. However, if the safety car is still deployed at the beginning of the last lap, or is deployed during the last lap, Article 39.15 will apply.
The exceptions are :
a) If a driver is signalled to do so from the safety car.
b) Under 39.12 or 39.16 below.
c) When entering the pits a driver may pass another car remaining on the track, including the safety car, after he has reached the first safety car line.
d) When leaving the pits a driver may overtake, or be overtaken by, another car on the track before he reaches the second safety car line.
e) When the safety car is returning to the pits it may be overtaken by cars on the track once it has reached the first safety car line.
f) Whilst in the pit entry, pit lane or pit exit a driver may overtake another car which is also in one of these three areas.
g) Any car stopping in its designated garage area whilst the safety car is using the pit lane (see 39.11 below) may be overtaken.
h) If any car slows with an obvious problem.

[S griffin]

Having just watched the race today, IDK why Vettel complains about Kyvat, he was just taking the normal inside line. Maybe Vettel was just surprised by him being there

[chillibowl]

first column by all around good guy Massa on motorsport.com

he talks about his fans in China, a drivers dinner, and his strategy of keeping LH behind him.

[wdave0]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Having just watched the race today, IDK why Vettel complains about Kyvat, he was just taking the normal inside line. Maybe Vettel was just surprised by him being there

I think Vettel has that champion disease, like Schumi and others before him- "how dare that upstart try to pass me".

[S griffin]

Originally Posted by chillibowl

first column by all around good guy Massa on motorsport.com

he talks about his fans in China, a drivers dinner, and his strategy of keeping LH behind him.

Thanks for the link, a proper gentleman in the sport. I was so pleased about the time he spent at the AI in January this year.

[chillibowl]

he really is.

with the discussions in the 'best driver thread' alluding to the culture of gentleman racers from prior eras....i feel like Massa would have fit in very nicely back then as well.

[chillibowl]

not sure where else to put this but things are heating up in the world of social media where Ricciardo is getting tired of being bullied by Massa's son. apparently the little guy has decided to challenged Ricciardo to a kart race.

DR's response!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BEeX9ZNHLQx/




http://wtf1.co.uk/massa-vs-ricciardo-kart-challenge/

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by chillibowl

not sure where else to put this but things are heating up in the world of social media where Ricciardo is getting tired of being bullied by Massa's son. apparently the little guy has decided to challenged Ricciardo to a kart race.

DR's response!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BEeX9ZNHLQx/




http://wtf1.co.uk/massa-vs-ricciardo-kart-challenge/

https://www.facebook.com/massafelipe19
Massa Jr wins!!!

[chillibowl]

Originally Posted by FIRE

https://www.facebook.com/massafelipe19
Massa Jr wins!!!

haha good stuff!

two lessons learned...qualifying should just be rock paper scissors and all races should be broadcast for free on social media!

[S griffin]

Felipe himself said when he was young he tried to get Senna's autograph, but he didn't get it and so felt upset, so he now always gives fans time. So I've got a lot of respect for him for doing that. Remembering that he was like us once