2015 Chinese Grand Prix thread

AdrianBelmonte_ · Post by **AdrianBelmonte_** » 08 Apr 2015, 05:44

It's Shanghai time!

watka · Post by **watka** » 08 Apr 2015, 12:01

JP will be getting a run-out in FP1. Shame that this year's Force India is a bit of a dud: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/32094143

Peteroli34 · Post by **Peteroli34** » 08 Apr 2015, 14:13

watka wrote:JP will be getting a run-out in FP1. Shame that this year's Force India is a bit of a dud: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/32094143

Its a good thing that Palmer is not driving a Force India then

Jocke1 · Post by **Jocke1** » 08 Apr 2015, 19:48

watka wrote:JP will be getting a run-out in FP1. Shame that this year's Force India is a bit of a dud

Shame this particular JP isn't Juan-Pablo instead.

Montoya for the comeback.

Post by **Bobby Doorknobs** » 08 Apr 2015, 20:55

It looks like Alonso's record of completing every single lap of every single Chinese Grand Prix will be brought to an end this weekend, unless either a.) The Honda PU manages to last the distance, b.) McLaren gain a LOT of pace and don't end up getting lapped by the Mercs/Ferraris/someone else, or c.) a really chaotic race ensues that sees several safety car periods, most of the frontrunners eliminated and a win for Marcus Ericsson, with both Manors in the points.

You know which outcome I prefer.

Nessafox · Post by **Nessafox** » 08 Apr 2015, 22:29

Simtek wrote:It looks like Alonso's record of completing every single lap of every single Chinese Grand Prix will be brought to an end this weekend, unless either a.) The Honda PU manages to last the distance, b.) McLaren gain a LOT of pace and don't end up getting lapped by the Mercs/Ferraris/someone else, or c.) a really chaotic race ensues that sees several safety car periods, most of the frontrunners eliminated and a win for Marcus Ericsson, with both Manors in the points.

You know which outcome I prefer.

Or d) the race itself gets cancelled or stopped due to heavy rain or something like that.

gnrpoison · Post by **gnrpoison** » 09 Apr 2015, 02:15

I hope for more steady progress from Manor, hopefully both drivers can qualify within the 107% time on merit. Hopefully the Mehri's race data will serve them well from Malaysia, as hopefully both can race this weekend as I presume it will be easier now then it was before a few weeks ago.

watka · Post by **watka** » 09 Apr 2015, 23:37

peteroli34 wrote:
watka wrote:JP will be getting a run-out in FP1. Shame that this year's Force India is a bit of a dud: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/32094143

Its a good thing that Palmer is not driving a Force India then

Haha, I'm obviously living in the past.

tBone · Post by **tBone** » 10 Apr 2015, 07:57

Both Stevens (FP1) and Merhi (FP2) were within 107% of the fastest time once, if I calculated it correctly. Merhi's best time in FP2 may even be enough to qualify tomorrow.

UncreativeUsername37 · Post by **UncreativeUsername37** » 11 Apr 2015, 08:02

*Hamilton on pole
*Manors within 107%
*Williams have a display behind the wheel, on the front of the cockpit

Post by **Bobby Doorknobs** » 11 Apr 2015, 08:07

Both Manors inside 107%

Aguaman · Post by **Aguaman** » 11 Apr 2015, 10:24

Saubers looking good.

Post by **Miguel98** » 11 Apr 2015, 10:32

Rosberg is getting frustrated, for sure. The way he reacted to the team message that was only 0.042 away from pole position, and he shouted "Come on guys" makes me think he's either getting a bit tired of beeing #2, or is slowly turning into "Nico Coulthard", like Klon puts it, or into the new Mark Webber.

DanielPT · Post by **DanielPT** » 11 Apr 2015, 11:48

Miguel98 wrote:Rosberg is getting frustrated, for sure. The way he reacted to the team message that was only 0.042 away from pole position, and he shouted "Come on guys" makes me think he's either getting a bit tired of beeing #2, or is slowly turning into "Nico Coulthard", like Klon puts it, or into the new Mark Webber.

His sound bites by saying the team was putting too much pressure on him at the wrong moments during qualifying looks like desperation to me. That is stage two in becoming a solid number 2 driver.

Post by **mario** » 11 Apr 2015, 12:26

DanielPT wrote:
Miguel98 wrote:Rosberg is getting frustrated, for sure. The way he reacted to the team message that was only 0.042 away from pole position, and he shouted "Come on guys" makes me think he's either getting a bit tired of beeing #2, or is slowly turning into "Nico Coulthard", like Klon puts it, or into the new Mark Webber.

His sound bites by saying the team was putting too much pressure on him at the wrong moments during qualifying looks like desperation to me. That is stage two in becoming a solid number 2 driver.

I have to say that, since the radio transmission restrictions came in, it looks as if Rosberg has lost a little of his edge and been slightly more unsettled within the cockpit than before. It wouldn't be surprising if at least some of those frustrations at being unable to unlock the performance that he had before came to the fore in that message.

Furthermore, I wonder if there is also an element of feeling concerned about Ferrari's considerable turnaround in form this season - given that Nico has also been beaten three successive times in qualifying, he knows that, strategically, he is more exposed to being beaten by Ferrari than Hamilton is, and I wouldn't be surprised if that has also created just a little bit of uncertainty and frustration in his mind.

Post by **Londoner** » 11 Apr 2015, 12:33

Either Bernie's continuing to go senile, or he's taking trolling to a whole new level. :roll:

Wallio · Post by **Wallio** » 11 Apr 2015, 14:28

East Londoner wrote:

Either Bernie's continuing to go senile, or he's taking trolling to a whole new level.

Well to be fair, that was the original intention. Sports car racing "The World Championship for Makes" was for constructors. Now though, its silliness, the WCC is where the money is, and that's the one the teams want to win.

CoopsII · Post by **CoopsII** » 11 Apr 2015, 15:32

As it's a joke Twitter feed should we even be taking it seriously? I mean, I really enjoyed the Commander Riker one but...

Post by **Londoner** » 12 Apr 2015, 06:12

And what are Red Bull doing?

Paul Hayes · Post by **Paul Hayes** » 12 Apr 2015, 06:19

Can we sound the "Noah's Ark" cliche klaxon?

AdrianBelmonte_ · Post by **AdrianBelmonte_** » 12 Apr 2015, 06:22

BANZAI MAX!

Salamander · Post by **Salamander** » 12 Apr 2015, 06:27

That was almost a big wreck between Verstappen and Ericsson... can't say Max earned any respect from me for that.

Paul Hayes · Post by **Paul Hayes** » 12 Apr 2015, 06:44

Interesting to see the Ferraris getting closer. I wonder if they really can mount a serious challenge here?

GerhardTalger · Post by **GerhardTalger** » 12 Apr 2015, 07:01

Salamander wrote:That was almost a big wreck between Verstappen and Ericsson... can't say Max earned any respect from me for that.

Was a little disputable. Ericsson left some room and Verstappen was going for it. I like it when drivers dare to do that much, but this one could have gone very, very wrong.

I'd rather see that action three times over than the current borefest.

good_Ralf · Post by **good_Ralf** » 12 Apr 2015, 07:18

Maldonado back to being himself LOL. More points thrown away by Lotus.

AdrianBelmonte_ · Post by **AdrianBelmonte_** » 12 Apr 2015, 07:31

good_Ralf wrote:Maldonado back to being himself LOL. More points thrown away by Lotus.

Nah, Button's fault, not his fault, not this time

good_Ralf · Post by **good_Ralf** » 12 Apr 2015, 07:34

AdrianBelmonte_ wrote:
good_Ralf wrote:Maldonado back to being himself LOL. More points thrown away by Lotus.

Nah, Button's fault, not his fault, not this time

I meant the pit lane incident and the earlier spin.

AdrianBelmonte_ · Post by **AdrianBelmonte_** » 12 Apr 2015, 07:34

good_Ralf wrote:
AdrianBelmonte_ wrote:
good_Ralf wrote:Maldonado back to being himself LOL. More points thrown away by Lotus.

Nah, Button's fault, not his fault, not this time

I meant the pit lane incident and the earlier spin.

ah

Post by **Londoner** » 12 Apr 2015, 07:37

Verstappen going all 420, blaze it up, yeah.

good_Ralf · Post by **good_Ralf** » 12 Apr 2015, 07:38

Verstappen nooooooooo!!!! Grumble!!!!

EDIT: Is this the first season ever where the SC is deployed in all of the first 3 races without being caused by rain?
And also the first time since 2000/1 where the same drivers lock out the podium for 3 straight races I believe, sums up the increasingly insurmountable gap between the top 3 and the rest. Ugh.

Post by **Londoner** » 12 Apr 2015, 07:39

Welp, a shite end to a shite race. At least we have Euro F3 and IndyCar later today to look forward to.

Paul Hayes · Post by **Paul Hayes** » 12 Apr 2015, 07:42

Well, if we couldn't have an exciting finish to the race, at least we had an amusing one!

GerhardTalger · Post by **GerhardTalger** » 12 Apr 2015, 07:43

Good marshalling here :roll:

AdrianBelmonte_ · Post by **AdrianBelmonte_** » 12 Apr 2015, 07:45

The marshals, ROTR i guess

Post by **Miguel98** » 12 Apr 2015, 07:46

That was a useless grand prix. Just useless.

Salamander · Post by **Salamander** » 12 Apr 2015, 07:49

GerhardTalger wrote:
Salamander wrote:That was almost a big wreck between Verstappen and Ericsson... can't say Max earned any respect from me for that.

Was a little disputable. Ericsson left some room and Verstappen was going for it. I like it when drivers dare to do that much, but this one could have gone very, very wrong.

I'd rather see that action three times over than the current borefest.

I don't care if it was the only interesting thing to happen all race, I will never have time for Senna-style "we're gonna wreck if you don't get the hell out of my way" overtakes - though to be fair, that was the only instance of that by Verstappen in what was clearly the best race from the Red Bull quartet.

Aguaman · Post by **Aguaman** » 12 Apr 2015, 07:49

Well beats the footy I guess.

It was not really that bad but this is the first race I saw live this year on TV, so yeah.

UncreativeUsername37 · Post by **UncreativeUsername37** » 12 Apr 2015, 07:54

There were enough little battles in the lower midfield to make the race entertaining.

I already know the top six championship positions, but I guess I'll keep watching.

Post by **mario** » 12 Apr 2015, 07:56

CoopsII wrote:As it's a joke Twitter feed should we even be taking it seriously? I mean, I really enjoyed the Commander Riker one but...

The Twitter feed may be a joke, but those words are indeed what Bernie said in an interview with Sky.

Paul Hayes wrote:Well, if we couldn't have an exciting finish to the race, at least we had an amusing one!

At least there was some quick thinking by the Toro Rosso team to take the front wing off - still, I couldn't help but laugh at the cheers from the crowd over that incident.

Salamander wrote:
GerhardTalger wrote:
Salamander wrote:That was almost a big wreck between Verstappen and Ericsson... can't say Max earned any respect from me for that.

Was a little disputable. Ericsson left some room and Verstappen was going for it. I like it when drivers dare to do that much, but this one could have gone very, very wrong.

I'd rather see that action three times over than the current borefest.

I don't care if it was the only interesting thing to happen all race, I will never have time for Senna-style "we're gonna wreck if you don't get the hell out of my way" overtakes - though to be fair, that was the only instance of that by Verstappen in what was clearly the best race from the Red Bull quartet.

To a certain extent, it almost looked like an accidental overtake - as Brundle commented, it looked as if Verstappen had slightly overcooked it on the brakes before entering the corner and ended up turning it into an overtaking move by throwing it down the inside of Ericsson.
Furthermore, to a certain extent Ericsson was kind of forced into making a highly aggressive move due to the power deficit of the Renault powertrain - he was only just about able to keep up on the straights even with DRS, so it was always going to require a very late braking move to catch Ericsson by surprise.

Aguaman · Post by **Aguaman** » 12 Apr 2015, 07:57

UgncreativeUsergname wrote:There were enough little battles in the lower midfield to make the race entertaining.

I already know the top six championship positions, but I guess I'll keep watching.

It's basically like 2001, 2002 and 2004 all over again which isn't bad. I love the lower midfield battles