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!!!
 
Brogan is very subtle

On China. Am I the only one hoping for some rain on race day? Seems like an age since we've had a wet race day and it'll be really interesting to see how they handle these new cars in wet race conditions.

I have a funny feeling we might end up with a Marcus Winklehock situation.
 
To clarify, that link was Slyboogy's post.
Try clicking the same link for your own post and you see this:

upload_2014-4-10_10-16-41.png


Which is what's known as an "easter egg" in software.
 
I needed to post something just to check whether that worked or not...

And I am actually looking forward to China, lets see if any of the testing has changed the competitive order!
 
Does the Formula 1 website not have the weather forecast for practice, qualifying and the race no more?

Guess it didn't add much as they predicted rain for mostly every session.
 
Looking at the f1.com website it showed just three teams testing this week. However, Marussia and Ferrari were there also. There may have been other teams there as well? Did something change?
 
All teams attend all of the 2 day tests.
Only some of them have to do dedicated Pirelli tyre testing at each one.
Which is:

Bahrain test (April 8-9)
Day 1 - Caterham
Day 2 - Mercedes and Williams

Barcelona test (May 13-14)
Day 1 - Sauber and Toro Rosso
Day 2 - McLaren and Force India

Silverstone test (July 8-9)
Day 1 - Ferrari and Lotus
Day 2 - Red Bull and Marussia
 
Back
Top Bottom