Shanghai GP this weekend - third race of Formula 1 season

ltr317 · « **on:** 14 Apr 2011, 05:26 pm »

I'm looking forward to this race as the Shanghai track has the longest straight on the F1 circuit. With both KERS and the moveable rear wing this year, there should be plenty of passing at the end of the back straight. Since the race is still in Asia, it's going to be another late night or early morning. Robin - better get the coffee brewing.

The drivers are always interviewed before a F1 race and are asked their impressions of the upcoming race, city and track. This is what Sauber-Ferrari driver Kamui Kobayashi (who is one of the most daring passers in F1) said:

“For me it is an exciting track and I have always had good results there in whatever I have driven. Last year it was not brilliant as I was the innocent victim in an accident immediately after the start. However, I hope this year we have good performances from qualifying and the race, as this is what we have to do there. China is a very big country and it is close to Japan. I like the food there, so I always enjoy going there and find it interesting. The circuit is very big and it is a shame it is so far away from the centre of Shanghai. I would not be confident to drive on their roads as I a little bit scared of their driving.”

satfrat · « **Reply #1 on:** 14 Apr 2011, 05:53 pm »

Speed Channel will be showing the China race live this Sunday 4/17 with coverage starting at 2:30 am est and the race starting at 3:00 am est. Speed Channel will have a repeat on Monday 4/18 at noon est.

For this viewer, there will be a piping cup of joe for the show.

Cheers,
Robin

ArthurDent · « **Reply #2 on:** 14 Apr 2011, 06:05 pm »

Just finished watching last week's race in Malaysia, courtesy of a friend's recording. Very interesting how the tires are dictating a good bit of the racing. Would be nice to see the Pirelli techs jump the learning curve a couple of notches. Also interesting that the Red Bulls are still that far ahead of everyone else that they can lose/not use their KERS, and still run with or ahead of the rest.

Seems except for the big 3, RBR, McLaren, Ferrari, a fair bit of the rest of the field is closing the gap with this seasons versions. A Lotus on the podium, even if with Renault power, is of worthwhile note. Now if Mercedes(Brawn) could just get things rollling. Would be nice to see Schumie & Rossberg competing with the front runners, rather than simply working on development. Given Ross's expertise I'd expected better things with the factory budget behind him going into their 2nd season.

ltr317 · « **Reply #3 on:** 14 Apr 2011, 07:38 pm »

Quote from: ArthurDent on 14 Apr 2011, 06:05 pm

Just finished watching last week's race in Malaysia, courtesy of a friend's recording. Very interesting how the tires are dictating a good bit of the racing. Would be nice to see the Pirelli techs jump the learning curve a couple of notches. Also interesting that the Red Bulls are still that far ahead of everyone else that they can lose/not use their KERS, and still run with or ahead of the rest.

Seems except for the big 3, RBR, McLaren, Ferrari, a fair bit of the rest of the field is closing the gap with this seasons versions. A Lotus on the podium, even if with Renault power, is of worthwhile note. Now if Mercedes(Brawn) could just get things rollling. Would be nice to see Schumie & Rossberg competing with the front runners, rather than simply working on development. Given Ross's expertise I'd expected better things with the factory budget behind him going into their 2nd season.

Pirelli has done a good job implementing the tires to degrade fairly quickly, per instructions from the F1 honchos. I think Heidfeld having been one of the Pirelli test drivers gives him a slight advantage, that plus Renault has a pretty quick car so far this year. It is surprising that Mercedes/Brawn haven't produced the results so far this year like they did in the first two races last year. But the season is early, and with the resources they have can back into the thick of the battle soon.

jonwb · « **Reply #4 on:** 14 Apr 2011, 11:18 pm »

Yeah, I was skeptical of the movable rear wing, but I gotta say it seems to be doing the trick. It was always a pet peeve of mine how slower cars could hold behind them the faster cars. The only real issue I have with the tires is the crazy amounts of 'marbles' they throw off. Makes a mess and certainly hinders some passing angles.

I thought Kubayashi's comments about driving in Shanghai were pretty funny. It IS a crazy place to drive. I've driven all over the world (Paris, Rome, autobahn, etc), but would never drive in Shanghai! Taxi's only for me. Besides they are the only cheap thing in the city ('cept for counterfeit stuff). I was there a few weeks ago and finally got around to catching a ride on the maglev train. 272MPH for $8!

Anyway, looking forward to this weekends' race! Vettle is on a role. Seems the only thing that'll stop him is a mechanical failure of some sort!

ltr317 · « **Reply #5 on:** 15 Apr 2011, 02:26 am »

Quote from: jonwb on 14 Apr 2011, 11:18 pm

Yeah, I was skeptical of the movable rear wing, but I gotta say it seems to be doing the trick. It was always a pet peeve of mine how slower cars could hold behind them the faster cars. The only real issue I have with the tires is the crazy amounts of 'marbles' they throw off. Makes a mess and certainly hinders some passing angles.

I thought Kubayashi's comments about driving in Shanghai were pretty funny. It IS a crazy place to drive. I've driven all over the world (Paris, Rome, autobahn, etc), but would never drive in Shanghai! Taxi's only for me. Besides they are the only cheap thing in the city ('cept for counterfeit stuff). I was there a few weeks ago and finally got around to catching a ride on the maglev train. 272MPH for $8!

Anyway, looking forward to this weekends' race! Vettle is on a role. Seems the only thing that'll stop him is a mechanical failure of some sort!

Yeah, I agree with you on Shanghai drivers, and drivers in China in general. That's why I posted Kobayashi's remark. If a F1 driver with vast talent can make a comment like that, you can believe the Chinese drivers are nuts. Wow, the maglev train is super fast!

ltr317 · « **Reply #6 on:** 15 Apr 2011, 02:29 am »

Practice 1 has started in Shanghai. The Speed channel is delaying the broadcast until 2 am on the east coast, but one can follow the live feed on formula1.com or read the ongoing commentary on BBC sports. Webber is on top in the early going.

sebrof · « **Reply #7 on:** 15 Apr 2011, 04:57 am »

I was in SH on business Wed with some guys from Italy. They were all over this race, and planned to be there starting yesterday (Thursday) I believe. I think they were saying that Thu and Fri they have open driving or something, I got the impression it was the drivers doing laps and getting used to the track. Seemed to be big fans and were pretty excited about it.

nonoise · « **Reply #8 on:** 15 Apr 2011, 04:22 pm »

Vetel is going to be the one to beat, at least in the first half of the season. I just hope that Weber doesn't go 'Alonzo' and throw a tantrum or two like Alonzo did when he was partnered with Hamilton a couple of seasons ago. Alonzo would go so far as to suggest his car was tampered with, kick down doors, and at one point he deliberately delayed his last practice lap so Hamilton couldn't do his last lap (to get his best time) which resulted in his starting further back than normal.
I like the fact that this is an open field and that Renault is back in the hunt. I think the Pirellis are the equalizer here. Since Bridgestone left the series, no one has an advantage like the one Ferrari enjoyed all these years. They had a special relationship with Bridgestone who went to extra lengths to supply them with tires and test with them and now that they are on Pirellis, they aren't as dominant as they once were. For once, the rules and regs are creating a more level playing field.

jonwb · « **Reply #9 on:** 15 Apr 2011, 06:13 pm »

Some day I'll actually be in China during the GP weekend...

I watched practice this morn. Heidfeld sure was going thru front wings. Seems like the tires (on his car at least) didn't leave much room for error. I didn't realize that the Shanghai circuit still had some gravel only run-offs. Certainly lead to the death of his second wing of the day. They just bounce right across that sand/gravel. Sure doesn't seem to suit F1 cars very well. Of course re-entering the track after a trip into the asphalt run-off lead to quite a take-off for Petrov last weekend.

Another image from last weekend that I think is fitting for the situation Ferrari finds themselves enduring:

OK, one more pic! Fuzzy pic of the speed display from my mag lev ride a few weeks ago:

Looking forward to a good race this weekend! Looks like the field is really struggling to match Red Bull....

ltr317 · « **Reply #10 on:** 16 Apr 2011, 05:04 am »

Nice photos. Button looks like he can give Vettle a run for it in the race. Qualifying is on the Speed Channel at 2 am on the east coast.

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #11 on:** 16 Apr 2011, 05:21 am »

A F1 steering wheel. Costs around 100K dollars.

ltr317 · « **Reply #12 on:** 16 Apr 2011, 05:53 am »

Quote from: FULLRANGEMAN on 16 Apr 2011, 05:21 am

A F1 steering wheel. Costs around 100K dollars.

That steering wheel has way too many buttons and controls. F1 has become too high tech. I like the cars when they had fewer electronic aids.

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #13 on:** 16 Apr 2011, 06:14 am »

Those times seems better now, but I feel no missing.

satfrat · « **Reply #14 on:** 16 Apr 2011, 07:37 am »

Vettel will be on point with the pole for the 3rd straight race of the season.

JakeJ · « **Reply #15 on:** 16 Apr 2011, 09:27 am »

Excellent post, Fullrangeman! Mucho funny!

jonwb · « **Reply #16 on:** 16 Apr 2011, 03:31 pm »

Ug! Vettel dropped the hammer on the field! Pretty impressive stuff. I can't imagine what was going on w/ Webber. Sounds like his KERS was DOA, but even that doesn't explain not getting out of Q1. Heidfeld laid an egg too (no thanks to his teammate).

Should be a good race. I hope the field makes it thru the first couple corners OK. I hate it when a bunch of cars get wrecked in turn 1. So far this year they've done pretty well.

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #17 on:** 16 Apr 2011, 07:18 pm »

Quote from: JakeJ on 16 Apr 2011, 09:27 am

Excellent post, Fullrangeman! Mucho funny!

Thanks for whatever the reason. I was not intend to be funny.
As race cars were unsafe, street cars and audio equip were bad and expensive in the past, at least in my country, so Iam relieved those times are gone.
Regards, Gustavo

> Never go to a psychiatrist, adopt a cat or dog from the street. On the streets pets live only two years average.

JakeJ · « **Reply #18 on:** 16 Apr 2011, 09:37 pm »

I don't mean to disparage. I simply found humor in the fact that one car has over a dozen buttons just on the steering wheel compared to a car having only one switch.

satfrat · « **Reply #19 on:** 16 Apr 2011, 09:47 pm »

Quote from: FULLRANGEMAN on 16 Apr 2011, 05:21 am

A F1 steering wheel. Costs around 100K dollars.

I would have had more interest in this picture had there been a description for each numbered button on the steering wheel. It left me more curious than anything else.

Cheers,
Robin