2012 Chinese Grand Prix Practice, Qualifying & Race Discussion

Thanks guys. That makes sense

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So many different forecasts out there. Which weather site do most people use on here?

All sites are redundant. Check with Jos for the most accurate weather predictions known to man.

I usually go for the Weather Channel. Currently says Saturday is going to be cloudy and fine. In fact it has the least chance of rain of any day for the next 10 so they're pretty sure we'll get a dry quali. Says AM showers on Sunday so whilst it looks like a dry race it seems all the rubber and what not will be washed off the track before race starts and as we have no GP2 this weekend it could mean its a pretty green track to begin with.

Not sure who's hands that plays into. The only thing I know is that Alonso will be doing a rain dance right now

Might put a punt on Perez for a top 5 finish

So who is going to start on pole? With my favourite Hamilton out, Jenson Button could have his first Mclaren pole, Nico Rosberg could have his first ever pole, but Michael Schumacher who was about a tenth out at Malaysia could be there for number 69. Romain Grosjean was strong in Oz and Raikkonen has only got to 5th (before grid drop) so it's anyones guess, but don't rule out Red Bull, Vettel and Webber would both like a shout at it!

Well technically Hamilton would still have a pole position to his name, he just wouldn't start on pole. I bet the other drivers are happy, if you're driving a McLaren, Red Bull, Lotus or Mercedes you have a good chance of moving up one grid slot.

Yeah I got that! I've edited it to start instead of be!

A Lotus and Mercedes front row! That would be refreshing! Mr Button will probably spoil that though.

Schumi vs Kimi! just like the old days eh! Nico vs Romain, the new kids, that will be worth watching!
Also predict your strategy, last years winner, Lewis Hamilton, finished on a 3 stop and saved those new tyres he was so proud of, however second placed Vettel was on a 2 stop http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/race-strategy-calculator/
Edit: Managed to beat James' strategy, stops on Lap 16, used options, Lap 37, new options and Lap 46, new primes about 6/8 seconds quicker than James'

So possibly a green track for Sunday. Would it be worth trying to start on the harder tyre as the softer will have a faster wear rate due to the abrasive nature of a green track?

the amusement of the paddock is that Vettel was given a gherkin by the German Media in reference to his comments about Narain last race

That would be for the lower cars though, and aren't the softs easier to heat up? So on a cold track that could help or have i got it the wrong way?

I bet we see a few try it - especially after Hamilton's and Webber's grandstand finishes on the soft last year. If that DRS zone works as well as it did last year then for once maybe track position isn't as important and a late charge might be the way to go.

I shall be interested in quali to see if anyone's trying to save sets of tyres after what happened with Webber last year although it seems to be less of an advantage this year.

Hamilton was on hards at the finish

Could someone answer a question for me. I'm just wondering if Hamilton does qualify on pole, but then takes his 5 place grid penalty will it still count as an official pole for him in the records of number of poles he has, etc. Also, will he still go into the top 3 drivers press conference after?

Y

Yes and yes.

He does go into the press conferance as we saw at India last year!

Hang on (at the risk of opening more controversy) If a driver gets pole position then gets a grid penalty but the pole still counts as his own. Why does Hungary 2007 count as Hamiltons pole?