Official 2012 Formula 1 UBS Chinese Grand Prix

[moose82]

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

I would love that. I am really hopeful the Lotus/Renault can stay competitive all season. It would be great to see Kimi have a clean/normal weekend to see how he does.

[kfzmeister]

I'm thinking that we could really see the Lotus come alive here with both drivers challenging the McLarens.

[PolskiHetzen]

I'm thinking that we could really see the Lotus come alive here with both drivers challenging the McLarens.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98628

That team is too much of a cluster f-ck to be any real threat IMO. RBR, Ferrari and Mercedes will all finish ahead of Lotus this year. I hate that I dislike that team so much, first because Kubica drove for them, and now Kimi, but it seems just like a huge marketing campaign, and a poor one at that. They'll put any logo on that car as long as it means money. And it seems that's all they care about with bout 350 test drivers, all meant to just market themselves in their home markets. Other teams at least try to appear as if they're passionate about racing. Lotus and Genii or whoeverthefck are there just to make contacts and grow their capital group.

/rant

[PolskiHetzen]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98628

That team is too much of a cluster f-ck to be any real threat IMO. RBR, Ferrari and Mercedes will all finish ahead of Lotus this year. I hate that I dislike that team so much, first because Kubica drove for them, and now Kimi, but it seems just like a huge marketing campaign, and a poor one at that. They'll put any logo on that car as long as it means money. And it seems that's all they care about with bout 350 test drivers, all meant to just market themselves in their home markets. Other teams at least try to appear as if they're passionate about racing. Lotus and Genii or whoeverthefck are there just to make contacts and grow their capital group.

/rant

I remember when they became Lotus-Renault for the first time and Kubica was there at testing and being interviewed about it. He didn't outright say it, but you could tell he thought the whole Lotus thing and livery that was meant to look like the one from decades ago was all stupid. He basically said "whatever" works and it sounded so forced, like he knew he had to say that.

I hope they hire two drivers I hate/don't care about so I can go full on in hating them.

[mx5er]

What the frak is goin' on with lotus? So Lotus withdrew their sponsorship yet the team is still named Lotus

It seem lotus is slappin' their name on anything that moves:



The car is a Lola coupe with a Toyota engine entered by a team named Rebellion but it's somehow a Lotus.

[nickthaskater]

With JPS livery despite no tobacco sponsorship, lol.

[kfzmeister]

With JPS livery despite no tobacco sponsorship, lol.

Is Tobacco sponsorship not allowed still only here in the US, or has international Racing adapted it world-wide??

[wiredvw]

Is Tobacco sponsorship not allowed still only here in the US, or has international Racing adapted it world-wide??

I think it has to do with where the race will be televised. Since most well known racing events are broadcasted in the US and Europe, which do not allow tobacco adverts, the cars just are not sponsored by tobacco companies.

[kfzmeister]

Looks like Ferrari is upping the pace on development. They are bringing 5 critical updates to China this week in hopes of increasing performance. Some of these updates were meant for Spain, but are being brought in earlier.
I'm hoping that they can make a difference, since currently they are .8 seconds off the lead pace.
It would be so much nicer if Alonso could regularly battle at the front with a more competitive car.

[Sump]

Man 3 weeks feels like forever! Finally get to see some racing this weekend.

[Binary Star]

Man 3 weeks feels like forever! Finally get to see some racing this weekend.

I was expecting it to be last weekend but when Saturday came around didn't see anything on the DVR, I was disappointed. Bring on the weekend!!

[nickthaskater]

Man 3 weeks feels like forever! Finally get to see some racing this weekend.

This.

I can't believe we may be looking at an even bigger gap if Bahrain falls through

[Sump]

This.

I can't believe we may be looking at an even bigger gap if Bahrain falls through

Yeah it'll be like the August month gap.

But honestly Bernie needs to wipe the dollar signs from his eyes and cancel that race.

[kfzmeister]

One minute Bernies says that he can't make the teams race there, the next minute he says if they don't that it's a breach of contract.
I read that 10 of the 12 teams would like to cancel the race.

[wiredvw]

One minute Bernies says that he can't make the teams race there, the next minute he says if they don't that it's a breach of contract.
I read that 10 of the 12 teams would like to cancel the race.

That is why I love his quote on the USGP at Indy, "It's permanent for the moment." Bernie will go anywhere for money and let's not forget the various investments the Middle Eastern countries have in F1, Bernie would be stupid not to entertain them with multiple GPs. However, I am not looking forward to a long gap if Bahrain falls off the calendar again this season. Do they still have to pay their fee to FOM even if they do not have the race? Didn't Bernie wave the fee last season?

Ferrari have a lot more on their hands than just the .8 gap or new parts. It seems that their car is very complicated to setup which Alonso seems to handle pretty well, not so much for Massa. But if Webber was there...

I am rooting for Mercedes to finally show some more consistent pace. They seem fast, then fall off. I also am looking for Renault or Lotus or whoever they are now and Kimi to pester the front runners more often.

[Sump]

Chinese GP, relevant:

[atoson]

Yao looks like a giant t-3rd while lewis is a midget

[Binary Star]

Now can we get a normal Chinese person next to Lewis...

[kfzmeister]

Yao looks like a giant t-3rd while lewis is a midget

Yeah, but did you notice the huge feet on..........Lewis??? Lmao

[kfzmeister]

Much better than that farking finger!!!

[Binary Star]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98719

is Lotus just trying to stay in the news or something? This team (save Kimi and Grosjen) blows donkeys.

[Blaspherion]

New gearbox for Lewis. 5 grid spot penalty.

Stan...

[capsaicin]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98719

is Lotus just trying to stay in the news or something? This team (save Kimi and Grosjen) blows donkeys.

I can't blame them.
Teams don't know for certain if this design will hold up. Macca for example has said they are holding back any similar upgrades until they know it will hold up to the rules and regulations. Everyone deserves a solid answer.

[kfzmeister]

Everyone deserves a solid answer.

How much more solid can it get? Teams are simply applying pressure with the hopes that individual race stewards may deem it illegal. Manipulative tactic.

[kfzmeister]

New gearbox for Lewis. 5 grid spot penalty.

Stan...

Ouch. That'll keep things interesting. I love F1!

[capsaicin]

How much more solid can it get? Teams are simply applying pressure with the hopes that individual race stewards may deem it illegal. Manipulative tactic.

That's the other side of the coin. Make certain it's legal before you develop your own OR Keep challenging it to bring Merc in line with everyone else. The latter is a whole lot easier

[Binary Star]

Everyone deserves a solid answer.

Like last two races?

[wiredvw]

Like last two races?

Remember Ferrari's flexi floor or Renaults mass damper deal? All legal according to the FIA for the first many races of their respective seasons only to be banned because of other teams protesting. What I find odd is that the DRS is an APPROVED driver engaged aero device by the FIA and all teams use this technology. Is there wording in the rules that bans the DRS system from affecting other parts of the car? In my eyes, the driver is engaging the DRS system and a static device that the driver has no direct involvement in engages. It's an uphill battle for the teams protesting the device.

[dubsix]

[Binary Star]

Remember Ferrari's flexi floor or Renaults mass damper deal? All legal according to the FIA for the first many races of their respective seasons only to be banned because of other teams protesting.

True. In that sense, can see why they're lodging protest but seems like Lotus and Redbulls are the only ones really pushing forward with this (well, officially only Lotus now). Other teams are a bit more silent about it and watching it from the sidelines. Lets hope it is here to stay.

What I find odd is that the DRS is an APPROVED driver engaged aero device by the FIA and all teams use this technology. Is there wording in the rules that bans the DRS system from affecting other parts of the car? In my eyes, the driver is engaging the DRS system and a static device that the driver has no direct involvement in engages. It's an uphill battle for the teams protesting the device.

This is where Merc is going to come out on top, imo.

[Kidstar]

It's an uphill battle for the teams protesting the device.

Just goes to show that Brawn continues to out "think" even the great Adrian Newey.... This is far more a superior innovation than the DD. This one has the tech sanctioning, rules and enforcement in a catch 22...

[wiredvw]

Just goes to show that Brawn continues to out "think" even the great Adrian Newey.... This is far more a superior innovation than the DD. This one has the tech sanctioning, rules and enforcement in a catch 22...

The fact that Lotus and RBR are the two most vocal opponents of the system makes me think they have the hardest time implementing it. Newey is wickedly smart, but he leaves very little room for changes like this. We have an engineer at my company that works in the same manor. He's incredibly smart and can innovate incredible things, but leaves so little room for change it hampers development more than anything. The other teams most likely already have a solution, but want to be certain it's legal before taking the time and resources to physically make parts. I bet we see a few when the circus arrives back in Europe.

[capsaicin]

Just goes to show that Brawn continues to out "think" even the great Adrian Newey.... This is far more a superior innovation than the DD. This one has the tech sanctioning, rules and enforcement in a catch 22...

I wouldn't say he has out thought Newey. Adrian still has a better car.

Brawn has proven to be good at finding innovative solutions that stretch the spirit of the rules, but still stick to the letter. And he's got the balls to implement it. He's the lawyer of the rulebook

[nickthaskater]

Last I checked, Brawn wasn't a car designer; why is he getting the credit for the system? That's like saying Horner developed RBR's diffuser and wing setup last year.

[Binary Star]

and FIA rejects Lotus' protest.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98736

Time to move on.