2013 Chinese Grand Prix Thread

[dj_bytedisaster]

f1.com Webber originally qualified 14th but moved to the back of the grid for failing to provide a one-litre fuel sample after qualifying Q: has some little Fwit threated to quit if beaten by webber

Q: has some little dwit failed to find an outlet for his hatred?

[jens]

I don't really see the benefit of opting for medium tyres like Button and Vettel have done, if you need to use both sets of tyres anyway. Like we saw with Sutil in Australia, the end of the race can be painful with a good position slipping through your hands if you run the worse tyres in the end. I'd like to get rid of them in the beginning. Ok, maybe except in Monaco, where you'd like to try to hold everyone up at the end of the race, like Vettel did in 2011 in different circumstances.

Anyway, I guess Kimi's best qualifying position since his comeback. And encouraging effort considering he has often lost better race positions due to compromised grid position. A golden opportunity to capitalize now.

Ricciardo also impressive. He really needs to get a string of similar performances together now to catch the attention of top teams.

[dj_bytedisaster]

I don't really see the benefit of opting for medium tyres like Button and Vettel have done, if you need to use both sets of tyres anyway.

Those, who start on the comedy softs will have to pit after 5-7 laps, so they will drop back right into midfield traffic and are likely to lose quite some time. If you can avoid switching to the bubble gum tires until 5 laps from home, you have a better chance of making it as the track will be well rubbered in by then.
The softs are much more ridicuous here than the softer compund was at Melbourne.

[AndyL]

Those, who start on the comedy softs will have to pit after 5-7 laps, so they will drop back right into midfield traffic and are likely to lose quite some time. If you can avoid switching to the bubble gum tires until 5 laps from home, you have a better chance of making it as the track will be well rubbered in by then.

Plus the benefit of running them when light on fuel of course.

[AndyL]

I'm pretty surprised that Vettel didn't go for a time on the softs, I thought he might have the potential to start on the second row there. For McLaren, Sauber and Torro Rosso that Q3 tactic was more expected. Sets up an interesting race anyway. The key for the first guys on primes will be taking it really easy to start with, so they have something left to make the most of the clear air when they get it.

[Tazio]

Poor Webber, probably will end up back of the grid due to not enough fuel for a sample.

RB behaving like dorkminder's :

[Zico]

Plus the benefit of running them when light on fuel of course.

That's exactly what I was thinking. I can understand Button doing it but yep was also very surprised at Seb, I can only imagine that they didn't think they would get beyond the third row and decided to take a calculated gamble. It could yet turn out to be a master stroke of genius... can't wait to see how it plays out tomorow.

[pino]

Final starting grid for tomorrow :

1. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes
2. Kimi Raikkonen Lotus-Renault
3. Fernando Alonso Ferrari
4. Nico Rosberg Mercedes
5. Felipe Massa Ferrari
6. Romain Grosjean Lotus-Renault
7. Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso-Ferrari
8. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes
9. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault
10. Nico Hulkenberg Sauber-Ferrari
11. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes
12. Sergio Perez McLaren-Mercedes
13. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes
14. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Renault
15. Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso-Ferrari
16. Valtteri Bottas Williams-Renault
17. Esteban Gutierrez Sauber-Ferrari
18. Jules Bianchi Marussia-Cosworth
19. Max Chilton Marussia-Cosworth
20. Charles Pic Caterham-Renault
21. Giedo van der Garde Caterham-Renault
22. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault

[pino]

Final starting grid for tomorrow :

1. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes
2. Kimi Raikkonen Lotus-Renault
3. Fernando Alonso Ferrari
4. Nico Rosberg Mercedes
5. Felipe Massa Ferrari
6. Romain Grosjean Lotus-Renault
7. Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso-Ferrari
8. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes
9. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault
10. Nico Hulkenberg Sauber-Ferrari
11. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes
12. Sergio Perez McLaren-Mercedes
13. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes
14. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Renault
15. Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso-Ferrari
16. Valtteri Bottas Williams-Renault
17. Esteban Gutierrez Sauber-Ferrari
18. Jules Bianchi Marussia-Cosworth
19. Max Chilton Marussia-Cosworth
20. Charles Pic Caterham-Renault
21. Giedo van der Garde Caterham-Renault
22. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault

[Tazio]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpZ3j...rics - YouTube