China F1 (*spoiler*)

[yellowperil]

Friday practice: Tires looking bad, Ferrari looking good, especially Massa.

Tires seem only good for 5 laps today, maybe with more rubber down it could be advantage for some. Hoping for a interesting race and wishing the best for Massa.

Mercedes complaining their tires are junk (softs). Didn't they have two cars front row last year and Nico winning? Anybody but Alonso or Vettel makes it a good race for me.

[andyt11]

I'd be pleased to see Massa do well too. Nice guy.

[Aragorn]

I heard something about McLaren switching back to last years car. Not enough downforce and hard on tires. Looks like Button won't be on the podium anytime soon...

[intakexhaust]

Lotus sandbagging... c'mon Iceman - P11.

edit: 2nd session... thats better

[tevake]

Did anyone hear the interview with the tire rep during practice? It was funny they were showing parts of the track that were covered with clag (as they call it) I mean totally covered except for the line. And the REP WAS SAYING THAT THE TIRES WERE GOOD. Right 9/10 laps then done, Good.

Looks like we are in for a mix of players going for the lead this year.

Cheers Richard

[tevake]

A very interesting Quali session, Red Bull played a tactical game in putting Vettel on the prime tires for the end of the third session. But were they also being tactical in having Webber "have a fuel pressure problem" A good way to keep their kids apart from each other.

Right about now, Hamilton is starting to look almost clairvoyant in his choice to switch teams .

Great seeing Massa on pace.

[intakexhaust]

^^ Richard - indeed. Think those guys are o.d. on RedBull?

Qualiy was a fun to watch cat and mouse game, especially Q3. Kimi snags front row.... hehe

[oldE]

Originally Posted by tevake

A very interesting Quail session, Red Bull played a tactical game in putting Vettel on the prime tires for the end of the third session. But were they also being tactical in having Webber "have a fuel pressure problem" A good way to keep their kids apart from each other.

Right about now, Hamilton is starting to look almost clairvoyant in his choice to switch teams .

Great seeing Massa on pace.

As you probably know by now, a fueling rig did not perform properly, Mark was under fueled, had to stop on the course and will now start from the back of the pack for a fueling violation, ie: not having enough fuel remaining in his tanks for the FIA sample, nor enough to get his car back to the pits.

Not, I think what Red Bull would have wanted.

Best
Les

[yellowperil]

Pretty cagey stuff for Red Bull during quali. If it goes according to plan, Vettel may have it in the bag. He got an OK grid spot and the right tires. Good plan, hope it doesn't work.

No fuel for Weber??, that malfunction is about as genuine as the latest celeb wardrobe malfunction. IMO. Not sure what they're up to but something smells fishy.

Hope the podium is...in any order...Ham, Kimi, Massa. Also was good to see Ham win pole, would like to have seen Vettel give it a try. Actually I thought the type of manipulation they pulled off was outlawed. I thought you had to make a genuine effort in those things, for fans sake. Kind of tarnished Ham's winning pole, I think.

[James Brown]

great race!! finally some good ol wheel to wheel racing, hamilton ALMOST blew it, and kemi, "we don't need no stinking wing!" (maybe one turn)

[CMDR Perry]

I like the old style numbers on the Mercedes F1 cars, I wish they were used by the other teams as well. Vettel's #1 is barely visible. Do the Ferrari or McLaren cars even have numbers? DP

[yellowperil]

Originally Posted by CMDR Perry

I like the old style numbers on the Mercedes F1 cars, I wish they were used by the other teams as well. Vettel's #1 is barely visible. Do the Ferrari or McLaren cars even have numbers? DP

Right you are, old style big visible numbers should come back. Guess sponsor space is more valuable than numbers.

All in all todays race was pretty good. Kimi seems to be able to handle a few less
parts on his car.

[Noah930]

Originally Posted by CMDR Perry

I like the old style numbers on the Mercedes F1 cars, I wish they were used by the other teams as well. Vettel's #1 is barely visible. Do the Ferrari or McLaren cars even have numbers? DP

F1 is also mandating specific coloring (or is that colouring?) of the cameras over the roll bar this year. The primary driver's camera must be in black, IIRC, and the secondary driver's in yellow.

[Noah930]

WTF was Gutierrez thinking?

And Webber's contact seemed a bit overly optimistic as well.

[jyl]

Hard to watch, the air was so hazy (smoggy?). Colors washed out, details indistinct. Good race. A shame about Webber, I think he'll pack it up at the end of this season.

[silverc4s]

Originally Posted by jyl

Hard to watch, the air was so hazy (smoggy?). Colors washed out, details indistinct. Good race. A shame about Webber, I think he'll pack it up at the end of this season.

Love to see him driving the 991 RSR next year...

[jyl]

Yeah, I like him and would like to see him keep racing. he seems like an old time race driver, would fit perfect at Le Mans or similar. He's out of place in F1, has gone as far as he can there, and can't enjoy going to work anymore.

[silverc4s]

Webber likely has the money and the reputation to field his own team, given the opportunity. Porsche could do worse.

[Don Plumley]

Originally Posted by James Brown

great race!! finally some good ol wheel to wheel racing, hamilton ALMOST blew it, and kemi, "we don't need no stinking wing!" (maybe one turn)

Agreed - fun race to watch. I'm down in Sydney, found it on a big screen and enjoyed a few pints and snacks Really nice to see a race live - I see almost all of them on delay, having the live sporting dimension was great.




Last week I was able to walk the paddock and pit area of the Singapore circuit. The view of the track from the top of the Marina Bay Sands (and other neighboring buildings) was great - that would be a fun race to go to.

[intakexhaust]

Premature comments but who knows?...

Red Bull owner Dietrich Mateschitz has admitted he could look to lure Kimi Raikkonen to the team for the 2014 campaign.

If Webber was to leave Red Bull at the end of the current campaign, the two Toro Rosso drivers Jean-Eric Vergne or Daniel Ricciardo would be in contention, according to Mateschitz.

However, the Red Bull boss has admitted Raikkonen would be in the running to fill the void, should Webber decide to call it a day later this year.

I would hope not. I'm liking the 'Iceman' right where he's at.