Grand Prix 2014 Chinese Grand Prix Practice, Qualifying & Race Discussion

Ni hao!!

Welcome to the discussion for the 11th running of the Chinese Grand Prix, in 'Shanghai' (i.e. the middle of nowhere). The imposing circuit, with its 200,000 capacity grandstands, stand tall and large in the middle of marshland. Unfortunately, there is very little danger of anything like 200,000 people entering the circuit (despite whatever the Chinese government claims!!) This was the scene of Nico Rosberg's win in the Mercedes in 2012, and, given the form of the Silver Arrows this season, who says that the team can't repeat that feat?

As I'm sure you all know by now, thanks to previous Chinese discussion threads, the circuit, designed by Hermann Tilke, was created in the shape of the Chinese symbol 'shang', which means up/above/on top of. Whilst the circuit may not be the most thrilling in the world, it does often produce great races, mainly down to its tight hairpin preceded by a 1km long straight at the end of the lap. Most notable of these was perhaps in 2007, where Lewis Hamilton's title hopes were postponed and eventually crushed in the Chinese gravel in the pit lane.

After the thriller in the Bahraini desert, the pressure will be on the F1 circus to continue to provide the thrills and spills for the Chinese Grand Prix. With the teams sure to be closely matched (apart from the Mercs, obviously), there is little to suggest that it won't be a competitive event, with many questions to be answered. Will the team-mate grudges continue? Will Maldonado stop driving like a nutter? Will a Sauber finish the race? And, most importantly, will Chilton not finish last?

All that remains for me to say is..... Ready, Steady, Discuss!!!
 
Another early one this coming weekend.

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If ever there was a race intended to follow up what we saw in Bahrain, the Chinese Grand Prix is it. The circuit never lets us down in providing a thrilling race, can't wait to see what it holds for us this year
 
I beg to differ, the wheel covers really negatively affected the looks of the 2008-2009 cars for me but other than the tusks on the nosecone I think it looks great.
 
I remember the 2008 race very clearly as we were setting off our honeymoon and I was trying to figure all the ways of watching while queuing at the airport etc. And Lewis won so I quite enjoyed it!
 
Slyboogy - I know. I saw they were broadcasting Abu Dhabi 2011 as well, which was not a classic.

They've mixed up the words "Classic" and "Old", which is a rather sad mistake to make, really. China 2008 is comfortably the worst race Shanghai has ever produced.
 
This could be a gem of a race if Alonso can get himself in the mix with the two Mercedes. So much more interesting than just having teammates beating up on each other. Alonso will have to perform in qualifying as well as he has in 1st and 2nd practice. :)
 
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