Official Round 03: Chinese Grand Prix - Page 2

**Peter Mallett** · 15 Apr 2011, 15:19 (Ref:2863812)

Peobably a point for a separate thread but having every race a lottery, at least behind the Red Bulls, is just as bad as Bernie's randon water spray joke.

We seem to have gone down the, "if the drivers can't do it, we'll do it for them" route.

frostie · 15 Apr 2011, 16:02 (Ref:2863831)

Quote:

Originally Posted by broadrun96

Looked like Virgin was a second plus behind the HRT, maybe they shouldn't be there?

Yeah Virgin are having an absolute nightmare, am I right in thinking that they are going to do some wind tunnel testing on the car in the near future?

I've been quite critical of HRT, mostly to the owners and not the team, but their performance in Malaysia was quite solid and it would be little surprise to see them qualify ahead of both Virgins in the near future.

On a side note I had an absolute nightmare trying to watch practice, SKY was playing up and I had no internet! I'll be lucky to watch it this evening I think!

Andy77 · 15 Apr 2011, 18:34 (Ref:2863904)

Quote:

Originally Posted by frostie

Yeah Virgin are having an absolute nightmare, am I right in thinking that they are going to do some wind tunnel testing on the car in the near future?

I've been quite critical of HRT, mostly to the owners and not the team, but their performance in Malaysia was quite solid and it would be little surprise to see them qualify ahead of both Virgins in the near future.

On a side note I had an absolute nightmare trying to watch practice, SKY was playing up and I had no internet! I'll be lucky to watch it this evening I think!

hey frostie,
Do you have satelite, aerial or cable TV ?

Don't miss to join 10 Tenth Chatroom for the 3rd session and qualifying later on.
P3 starts from 2300 EST / 0300 UTC / 0400 BST / 0500 CET
and Qualifying from 0200 EST / 0600 UTC / 0700 BST / 0800 CET

**bjohnsonsmith** · 15 Apr 2011, 19:12 (Ref:2863920)

An excellent intro as always.

Apparently there could be a one stop race, as opposed to the plethora of stops at Sepang according to this article:

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/90734

Marbot · 15 Apr 2011, 19:47 (Ref:2863941)

So much better than last seasons: soft tyre - pit around lap 20 - hard tyre - sprint to flag monotony.

No rain forecast for qualifying or the race.

**Peter Mallett** · 16 Apr 2011, 04:18 (Ref:2864108)

Red Bull suffering KERs problems again. Whilst I'm sure this is all a challenge it is making the racing a complete farce. Webber not a happy bunny today.

Seb V fastest with Button second, the Rosberg Merc going well but Lewis is struggling although with his pace that's a relative term.

Ferrari not doing so well either. Bet they can't wait to get back home. Wonder who'll be shot this time?

parkingjedi · 16 Apr 2011, 06:22 (Ref:2864123)

Mark Webber Out in Q1!!!! only running on the hard tires, what a muppet! P18 in the race.
Unbelievable!

frostie · 16 Apr 2011, 06:25 (Ref:2864124)

Quote:

Originally Posted by parkingjedi

Mark Webber Out in Q1!!!! only running on the hard tires, what a muppet! P18 in the race.
Unbelievable!

That was ridiculous from Webber and Red Bull. I know that they have a clear speed avadvantage but if you are in any doubt at the end of Q1 surely you have to use the option tyres. The lack of KERS cant be blamed solely for this effort but it was definitely very costly

delta · 16 Apr 2011, 06:43 (Ref:2864126)

Sounds like the Lotus has run out of fuel

steve nielsen · 16 Apr 2011, 07:00 (Ref:2864128)

Quote:

Originally Posted by delta

Sounds like the Lotus has run out of fuel

probably a gear box problem, they could'nt push the car away.

**Peter Mallett** · 16 Apr 2011, 07:01 (Ref:2864129)

It's a Renault. Di Resta through to Q3.

Andy77 · 16 Apr 2011, 07:01 (Ref:2864130)

How ironic that it was Petrovs faulty Renault that messed with Heidfelds quali chance

Super Hans · 16 Apr 2011, 07:02 (Ref:2864132)

Yep. A double blow for Renault. They looked quick.

Grandpa_Rob · 16 Apr 2011, 07:42 (Ref:2864147)

Fantastic run from Vettel he really is switch on .

bravo · 16 Apr 2011, 08:15 (Ref:2864156)

Seb sitting in the car a long time there because they were "waiting for the FIA to tell them they could get out the car".

Do they really need to wait for permission to get out the car, or should I put my tinfoil hat on and suggest with such a quick exit from the racetrack, they didn't have time to put something back into position?

**chunterer** · 16 Apr 2011, 08:24 (Ref:2864161)

Good laps from Rosberg, Alguersuari and Di Resta. Very well done all!

Perez outqualified Kobayashi for the first time. Did anyone catch that monster moment Checo had at the first corner (just as he went off camera) on that last lap rush?? I reckon he did well to hold that......

**Peter Mallett** · 16 Apr 2011, 11:42 (Ref:2864229)

Quote:

Originally Posted by bravo

Seb sitting in the car a long time there because they were "waiting for the FIA to tell them they could get out the car".

I suspect they were worried about the KERS on his car so wanted it to drain?

Knowlesy · 16 Apr 2011, 12:32 (Ref:2864251)

And Vettel wins!

**Adam43** · 16 Apr 2011, 12:38 (Ref:2864258)

What a great lap from Vettel. Mighty.

**Peter Mallett** · 16 Apr 2011, 13:16 (Ref:2864278)

Yup, he was just about inch perfect. The gap between him and the Macaroons is enourmous and we know he can handle the tyres from pole.

Good stuff from DiResta. I really hope he gets a good result. Could be replacing Webber at RB next year.

And Webber. Terrible luck. At least the team took the blame for the tyre choice.

I think the Renaults are the dark horses for good results tomorrow. Unlike Australia I expect Nick to be in the mix at the end.

stripedcat · 16 Apr 2011, 15:33 (Ref:2864315)

Another good qualifying session from Vettel. What the hell happened to Webber? Was it the team's decision to stick him out on hard tyres? That is not a good idea. I don't know how much more of this Webber can take? I don't how far up the grid he will get tomorrow, in the race. We can hope that he will spice up the race tomorrow with some overtaking moves.

Well done to Button. Excellent second place. Maybe Hamilton can get into the mix tomorrow with more tyres?

Looks like it is going to be Vettel's race to lose, he just needs to keep his head. Maybe a one stop will pay off for him. Sad that there is still no rain.

Hopefully, Rosberg and the Renaults can get in the mix as well. Possibly challenge the Ferraris as the "best of the rest" pack.

JamesH · 16 Apr 2011, 16:38 (Ref:2864343)

Interesting - I think all the weirdness in quali (no last minute dashes makes it a bit of an anticlimax) is down to teams trying to retain enough of the right tyre for the race. Will be interesting to see how that goes.

SV is leagues ahead though. 0.7s is a lifetime. The combo of him and the RB is a tough nut to crack. Still, I have high hopes for the Maccas, esp. Button who I think likes the new tyres better than LH.

Think we may see another fast start from the Renaults Lotuses though.

E.B · 17 Apr 2011, 00:46 (Ref:2864595)

I would not be surprised to see Webber crash out tomorrow in the race. He has a habit of getting too impatient with the extra traffic he will be tripping over from 18th, and make a rash / ill considered move as he did in Valencia.

The fact he is more than a tad rattled at the moment, and no doubt frustrated by the pace of Vettel against his own and might feel the need to prove something.

The reality of it is that he is just having the sort of bad luck that Seb suffered to a greater extent from last year. Oh yeah, and Seb is in the form of his life at the moment, and Mark is unable it would seem to match Sebs race pace and ability to make the rubber last as well, no doubt increasing his anxiety.

**chunterer** · 17 Apr 2011, 06:54 (Ref:2864723)

Marvellous stuff from Humphrey on the grid walk there!

Pokes Vettel in the back whilst he's on the floor busy doing something with his drink bottle helmet attachments and despite Seb obviously not wanting to talk carries on with fairly inane questions.

Jake leave the grid walk stuff to DC and Brundle please and stick to the presenting duties!

Problems for Hamilton's air filter or something pre-race I heard?

Knowlesy · 17 Apr 2011, 07:00 (Ref:2864725)

Air filter was flooded with fuel.

Really, just hand Vettel the championship and let's get that out the way!

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