Official 2012 Formula 1 UBS Chinese Grand Prix

[Mk1Racer]

It will be here before you know it, so might as well get it started.

Can Hamilton repeat, or will he continue to be snake-bit?
Another McLaren front row?
Will we see any penalty / sanction against Vettel?
Who will qualifying higher, Kimi or Grosjean?
What about Mercedes, will Michael continue to qualify well?
Is Masa still in a Ferrari?
What about Perez?

[jsmyle1%...]

I see at least someone is trying to change the subject....

Well done!!!!

[dubsix]

This where LH will get it together. Last year he was nothing short of spectacular here, if he grabs another pole he should be on target for his first win of '12.

[Mk1Racer]

This where LH will get it together. Last year he was nothing short of spectacular here, if he grabs another pole he should be on target for his first win of '12.

Which should prove interesting, as Vettel will be under even more pressure to perform. A Vettel / Hamilton front row could make for an interesting start. Especially the way the track tightens between 1 and 2, going into 3. And if Grosjean gets another one of those amazing launches, it's going to be REALLY interesting.

[kfzmeister]

Which should prove interesting, as Vettel will be under even more pressure to perform. A Vettel / Hamilton front row could make for an interesting start. Especially the way the track tightens between 1 and 2, going into 3.

I don't see the McLaren being beaten during Quali. If so, then not by RB.
I would fancy a Mercedes or Lotus before RB. Race probably different.

I'm gonna put my money on Hamilton this time. Unless there are other than complete dry conditions. Would really like to see strong performances from Lotus/Kimi and Schumacher/Merc....

If it is dry race, i'm thinking Ferrari (Alonso) no higher than 5-7th....

[Mk1Racer]

I don't see the McLaren being beaten during Quali. If so, then not by RB.
I would fancy a Mercedes or Lotus before RB. Race probably different.

I'm gonna put my money on Hamilton this time. Unless there are other than complete dry conditions. Would really like to see strong performances from Lotus/Kimi and Schumacher/Merc....

If it is dry race, i'm thinking Ferrari (Alonso) no higher than 5-7th....

I agree. Regardless of how talented Alonso is, there's only so much he can do w/ that car.

[Vento]

Which should prove interesting, as Vettel will be under even more pressure to perform. A Vettel / Hamilton front row could make for an interesting start. Especially the way the track tightens between 1 and 2, going into 3. And if Grosjean gets another one of those amazing launches, it's going to be REALLY interesting.

I would love to see Vettle and Hamilton go at it for 1st place... but alas not sure where RBR will be with their car.

[Sump]

I would love to see Vettle and Hamilton go at it for 1st place... but alas not sure where RBR will be with their car.

China relies more heavily on top end than Malaysia.



Last year RBR made up enough time through sector 2 to make up for the lack of speed, but this year they don't have that cornering advantage. McL should be able to walk away with this if they can run a clean race.

In other news my bet with Mr. KFZ is looking dismal at best.

[24vEngineer]

This is Hamilton's race for sure. I think he is feeling some frustration given the fact that his car has the pace.

If it is dry it will be:

1.) Hamilton
2.) Button
3.) Vettel
4.) Kimi
5.) Rosberg
6.) Alonso

If it is wet I would presume there will be another incident involving Vettel that will spark a 6 page thread between Nicky-baby and the MK1meister.

[Mk1Racer]

This is Hamilton's race for sure. I think he is feeling some frustration given the fact that his car has the pace.

If it is dry it will be:

1.) Hamilton
2.) Button
3.) Vettel
4.) Kimi
5.) Rosberg
6.) Alonso

If it is wet I would presume there will be another incident involving Vettel that will spark a 6 page thread between Nicky-baby and the MK1meister.

Both Rosberg and Alonso ahead of Webber? Doubtful. China was one of Webber's better showings last year. Came from 18th to 3rd. Granted, the RBR isn't the dominant car it was last year, but it's certainly faster than the Ferrari, even w/ Alonso at the wheel. Rosberg did well there last year, so yeah, he may be up there.

[Kidstar]

It will be here before you know it, so might as well get it started.

Can Hamilton repeat, or will he continue to be snake-bit?
Another McLaren front row?
Will we see any penalty / sanction against Vettel?
Who will qualifying higher, Kimi or Grosjean?
What about Mercedes, will Michael continue to qualify well?
Is Masa still in a Ferrari?
What about Perez?

Yeah for MK1!!! Fresh meat...nothing like it...

Yes. If Hamilton dominates Quali, look out for a good performance. Not gonna call a front row, but I expect a good showing.

Vettel, needs to be humbled... Growing a little face stubble does make you Flatbush Ave ready... Hit this sucka up already...

Kimi.... Grosjean, is still timid...not a limit driver...

I actually am dying to see MS back at the front... DYING!

Massa ship has sailed. Fcars PR is terrible...

Checo.....is good... Can be better, no Nico Hulk, but at least satifactory. I didn't put alot of stock in his fluke performance. The Williams is just a step up from last car...so we're seeing that play out in track. Even Kobe looks a bit "faster"

[nickthaskater]

If Michael can get through the first lap without being pummeled, I give the nod to him and Mercedes, though Rosberg will probably pull his usual disappearing act regardless.

[Sump]

If Michael can get through the first lap without being pummeled, I give the nod to him and Mercedes, though Rosberg will probably pull his usual disappearing act regardless.

They need to get their tire wear / race grip sorted. Saw an interview with Nico and he was plummeting back last race because he said the tires were going off very quickly. But then the team said the tires were fine. So he was really confused why his race pace was so dismal.

[Kidstar]

If Michael can get through the first lap without being pummeled, I give the nod to him and Mercedes, though Rosberg will probably pull his usual disappearing act regardless.

MS?

Oh boy.... Ms has traditionally done poorly at CHN

12-04, Retired-05, 1st-06, 10th-10, 8th-11.... What basis do you place your assertions on? I understand the MB GP 04 looks good, but they're limping on tire issues.

You do everything in your power to deny clear reasoning....

[nickthaskater]

MS?

Oh boy.... Ms has traditionally done poorly at CHN

12-04, Retired-05, 1st-06, 10th-10, 8th-11.... What basis do you place your assertions on? I understand the MB GP 04 looks good, but they're limping on tire issues.

You do everything in your power to deny clear reasoning....

Thanks for finally pushing me to click "ignore".

[24vEngineer]

Both Rosberg and Alonso ahead of Webber? Doubtful. China was one of Webber's better showings last year. Came from 18th to 3rd. Granted, the RBR isn't the dominant car it was last year, but it's certainly faster than the Ferrari, even w/ Alonso at the wheel. Rosberg did well there last year, so yeah, he may be up there.

Well, I was going to say Webbo for 4th but since Vettel has shown such displeasure with how things are going this season, I would imagine that Dietrich Mateschitz and the other top brass at Red Bull are going to help the 2 time champion with all the new development parts. Meanwhile Webbo's poor starts will magically return and he will get caught up in the first turn malay.

[Mk1Racer]

Well, I was going to say Webbo for 4th but since Vettel has shown such displeasure with how things are going this season, I would imagine that Dietrich Mateschitz and the other top brass at Red Bull are going to help the 2 time champion with all the new development parts. Meanwhile Webbo's poor starts will magically return and he will get caught up in the first turn malay.

Yeah, that thought crossed my mind as well.

[nickthaskater]

Well, I was going to say Webbo for 4th but since Vettel has shown such displeasure with how things are going this season, I would imagine that Dietrich Mateschitz and the other top brass at Red Bull are going to help the 2 time champion with all the new development parts. Meanwhile Webbo's poor starts will magically return and he will get caught up in the first turn malay.

Vettel didn't need any "help" getting past Webber from 6th to 2nd in Australia. He got past Webber again in Malaysia as well

[Mk1Racer]

Vettel didn't need any "help" getting past Webber from 6th to 2nd in Australia. He got past Webber again in Malaysia as well

Vettel passed Webber in the pits, not on the track. The time Vettel got by Webber on the track, Webber passed him back straight away.

[nickthaskater]

Vettel passed Webber in the pits, not on the track. The time Vettel got by Webber on the track, Webber passed him back straight away.

You're saying passing someone in the pits doesnt count? Considering that's how most passes in F1 occur...A pass via pit stop is still a pass that's earned; it's not like they don't have to put in quick laps to close and eclipse the gap to make it work.

[Mk1Racer]

You're saying passing someone in the pits doesnt count? Considering that's how most passes in F1 occur...A pass via pit stop is still a pass that's earned; it's not like they don't have to put in quick laps to close and eclipse the gap to make it work.

Most passes in F1 for position occur in the pits? Citation please. I really don't think that's been the case the last 2 years w/ KERS and DRS.

I agree, that if the driver ahead pits, and the driver behind was being held up and gets clear air, that yes, you can pass in the pits (the whole 'undercut' thing). However, there are so many other factors involved in that that are out of the driver's control. For example, problems w/ the equipment (jack, gun, etc.), or getting held up because another car is coming down the pit lane and you can't release your driver, or not timing it right, and getting caught up among other cars. Passing someone in the pits is more about strategy than it is racecraft / driver ability.

[nickthaskater]

I don't recall Webber having any pit difficulties.

Also, you can't really make a pit strategy work if you don't have a driver to pull it off. Take a look at Ross Brawn and Schumacher and the strategies they pulled off thanks to Michael's ability to push that extra bit harder when it counted.

But whatever, I really don't feel like engaging in another pissing match with you. If you want to believe Webber is better than Vettel, go for it

[Mk1Racer]

I don't recall Webber having any pit difficulties.

Also, you can't really make a pit strategy work if you don't have a driver to pull it off. Take a look at Ross Brawn and Schumacher and the strategies they pulled off thanks to Michael's ability to push that extra bit harder when it counted.

But whatever, I really don't feel like engaging in another pissing match with you. If you want to believe Webber is better than Vettel, go for it

Martin Brundle commented after the pit stops that it hadn't worked out for Webber. And I didn't say that Webber was better than Vettel. What I said was that when they were battling for position on the track, Webber got right back by Vettel, after Vettel passed him, and that the reason Vettel was ahead later in the race, was because he passed Webber in the pits.

I would still like to see the data behind your claim that most passes in F1 occur in the pits. You know, because you always present facts.

[Baby Schu]

Would be nice to see the Mercs get their tire issue under control and translate some of the quali day results into a strong performance on the sunday.

[nickthaskater]

Martin Brundle commented after the pit stops that it hadn't worked out for Webber. And I didn't say that Webber was better than Vettel. What I said was that when they were battling for position on the track, Webber got right back by Vettel, after Vettel passed him, and that the reason Vettel was ahead later in the race, was because he passed Webber in the pits.

I would still like to see the data behind your claim that most passes in F1 occur in the pits. You know, because you always present facts.

*shrug* just going on my gut for that one. In the years preceding DRS/KERS, I'd bet anything on that being the case save for during the wet races. For the last few years, it's probably pretty even. Unfortunately it doesn't seem to be a stat that anyone cares about enough to bother recording, which is a shame considering I think it'd be pretty interesting and a good way to judge the effectiveness of DRS/KERS overtaking.

PS. No need to give me that snide bullsh*t at the end of your post

[Mk1Racer]

*shrug* just going on my gut for that one. In the years preceding DRS/KERS, I'd bet anything on that being the case save for during the wet races. For the last few years, it's probably pretty even. Unfortunately it doesn't seem to be a stat that anyone cares about enough to bother recording, which is a shame considering I think it'd be pretty interesting and a good way to judge the effectiveness of DRS/KERS overtaking.

PS. No need to give me that snide bullsh*t at the end of your post

No need to spout stuff off like it's fact, not be able to back it up, claim that you 'present facts', and then act butt-hurt when you get called on it.

[nickthaskater]

No need to spout stuff off like it's fact, not be able to back it up, claim that you 'present facts', and then act butt-hurt when you get called on it.

I didn't spout anything; I freely admitted that was just a gut opinion, so I'm not sure what you're doing other than trying to instigate another pointless argument. If you think I'm acting "butthurt", I can't imagine what your behaviour these last couple posts would be labeled...

I'm making an effort to be civil and all you can do is continue to try and drag things out into a pissing match. Get over it.

[Mk1Racer]

/edit

You know what nick, you win. Welcome to my ignore list.

[nickthaskater]

/edit

You know what nick, you win. Welcome to my ignore list.

Finally

[GTIVRSEX2]

Finally

Get a room you two!



I hope for Michael to get a good and decent race without crashes, gearboxes, excuses, etc....

[Baby Schu]

I hope for Michael to get a good and decent race without crashes, gearboxes, excuses, etc....

Amen

[10Ten]

i'm hoping to see the real 10/10th's from Perez since he's on a true high and is clicking with his car. meanwhile Alonso & Maranello are praying for the rainiest season in F1's history. JB/LH on the front of course.

[Binary Star]

Lewis will most likely pull another pole here... 3 in a row. Unless McL messes something up with tires/strategy, it should be his to loose.

I doubt Alonso will be able to pull off another miracle, but predict his lovely 5th place again.

Perez should shine again, unfortunately will be lower in the points rather than up. Most likely behind Schumacher/Rosberg. Should be a fun battle between them and Kimi.

Massa - LOL... doubt he'll be in points again.

Vettel/Webber will be in their usual form, but doubt Webber will be able to beat Vettel during qualifying, hoping otherwise.

Button for his second win of the season?

[kfzmeister]

Kimi on the podium. Perhaps P2.....

[Baby Schu]

Kimi on the podium. Perhaps P2.....

That would be pretty sweet. And we'd get a post race conference with him!!!