[Official] Driver of the Race - 2011 Chinese Grand Prix

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

Do you mean like Montreal last season?

I mean on the Pirelli tyres, which are nothing like the Bridgestone tyres were last season, even though the racing in Canada was much the same to watch as it was today.

It was interesting that during Friday practice (when the track temps were slightly hotter than today), Hamilton struggled with the tyres.

There will be some races when the tyres suit one driver better than another, for whatever reason.

It's obvious that the teams and drivers are still learning quite a bit about the tyres at the moment. I'm certain that Red Bull and a lot of other teams learned a lot today.

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

I shouldn't bite I know...

[JeremySmith]

Originally Posted by Marbot

I mean on the Pirelli tyres, which are nothing like the Bridgestone tyres were last season, even though the racing in Canada was much the same to watch as it was today.

It was interesting that during Friday practice (when the track temps were slightly hotter than today), Hamilton struggled with the tyres.

There will be some races when the tyres suit one driver better than another, for whatever reason.

It's obvious that the teams and drivers are still learning quite a bit about the tyres at the moment. I'm certain that Red Bull and a lot of other teams learned a lot today.

Yes they are learning to keep as many sets in reserve as possible..

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by JeremySmith

Yes they are learning to keep as many sets in reserve as possible..

It certainly worked for Webber! Who looked to be all at sea during the first part of the race on hard tyres (actually fell back to 20th place at one point!), but then drove a brilliant race on his 3 sets of fresh soft tyres.

However, that won't always be the best way to use the tyres.

[JeremySmith]

Originally Posted by Marbot

It certainly worked for Webber, who looked to be all at sea during the first part of the race on hard tyres (actually fell back to 20th place at one point!), but then drove a brilliant race on his 3 sets of fresh soft tyres.

However, that won't always be the best way to use the tyres.

I know he even joked after the race saying "who needs to qualify" even..

[Adam43]

Hamilton or Webber. eenie, meenie...
Webber for me.

[fieldodreams79]

Mark for me.

Don't think he put a wheel wrong in his run to the front from the rear. Simply AWESOME drive.

[Vettel in a Williams]

Has to be Webber.

[HughGJohnson]

Originally Posted by fieldodreams79

Mark for me.

Don't think he put a wheel wrong in his run to the front from the rear. Simply AWESOME drive.

Was that a shot at the Diet Red Bull guys for their snafu on Algesuari's tire?

Hamilton for me. He learned well from last week. Great job overtaking and not trying anything silly against Vettel. Webber was great and all, but Hamilton won and did his overtaking without the advantage of the soft tires. Jenson Button's evil twin made another appearance... he seems to be having as much problems with the tires as everyone else, maybe more at times.

[steve_r]

Hamilton for me, some good clean overtakes and pushed through for the win. Webber was impressive thanks to a very good strategy. Rosberg too had a great race.

[Martin Bull]

Head says Hamilton, heart says Webber.

I went with heart........

[Aysedasi]

Hamilton for me - top notch. Webber was amazing though - what a crying shame he hadn't had another lap to demote Vettel.......

[Pitstop]

Webber - super drive - followed by Hamilton. Great race!

[strider]

An extraordinary drive from Webber. I still can't work out how he managed it.

Otherwise Hamilton.

[greenracer]

webber by a long margin , uncompetitive on the prime tyre and fuel load in the early stages of the race while the front runners had the best of fuel load and track position to manage their stint on the prime tyre and they failed, with their performance over last few laps was dismal one or two laps more and webber was the winner.

[newlaprecord]

Originally Posted by greenracer

webber by a long margin ....

I wouldnt say by a long margin, basically the same thing has worked out for Webber and Hamilton, but whereas saving a set of the option tires was an edcuated choice in Hamilton's case, who knowingly built up his weekend for a nice 3 stopper and an extra set of the fresh softs. Webber was just simply too slow to make it thru q1 and found a sh1tload of tires laying around in his garage.

also winning the race is always a nice touch

[Razor]

Originally Posted by HughGJohnson

Jenson Button's evil twin made another appearance...

Did he manage to sport a goatee?

[E.B]

Originally Posted by genevieve_autumn

I reluctantly vote for Webber as I was impressed by how well he did even if I don't like the man himself, I can respect his driving.

That is about my take on it. I dont think I have ever voted for Webber in anything before.

But, credit where credit is due, he drove a good hard nose to the grindstone race today. And not a whinge about anything over the qualy messup.

Very different from the tantrum and scandalising he did when Mark was not fussed about the new nose at Silverstone, not believing it was any benefit. So when Newey said the nose must be run for data collection the decision was that as Mark was non plussed by it give it to someone who cares, someone who does believe it has benefits.

Mark turned that very much into a Vettells influence / fault and doing, when it was as much a surprise to Vettel to see the new nose on his car for the race as it was Mark.

Now had Mark dealt with that in the same adult way as the qualy messup there likely would have been no drama between them last year.

Anyway the purpose of this post was to praise his drive and attitude, not hark on old wounds.

[Meroo]

Webber

[MCWB]

Originally Posted by E.B

Anyway the purpose of this post was to praise his drive and attitude, not hark on old wounds.

Mark drives a great race when he is ****ed off. I reckon RBR's strategy should be to lock him in a room with Helmut Marko for an hour before every race.

[rich07]

Webber gets the nod for me by just a whisker from Hamilton. Two fantastic drives from two fantastic drivers.

[Taprobane]

Webber for me. I'm still not sure how he appeared in 7th or 8th after what seemed to be a disappointing first stint! Excellent stuff in the middle of the race went unnoticed I think.

[GTRMagic]

Originally Posted by MCWB

Mark drives a great race when he is ****ed off. I reckon RBR's strategy should be to lock him in a room with Helmut Marko for an hour before every race.

I can see it now... an hour with Dr Marko, the same afterwards with Mr Horner trying to calm him down... some British journos to ask stupid questions... and fresh Renault engine to belt the bejeezus out of

Yes Please!!

[fredd1]

Works for me!

[Marbot]

Great race from Webber. Had there been a safety car period while he was on the hard tyres, I reckon he would have easily won it.

[GTRMagic]

Fastest Laps @ China

WOW!!