Chinese GP 2010 - Shanghai

[Hannah.]

And there I was thinking we might get something different today, d'oh! Oh well, another well-deserved pole, interesting to see Alonso so very far ahead of Massa, and Rosberg (now really showing his pace) infront of Schumacher. But Button pipped Hamilton, what's that all about, Lewis has been flying all weekend Sutil in Q3 AGAIN

Anyway, rain predicted for tomorrow so everything could, and probably will, change!!!

[Miguel]

Does anybody know what happened with Hamilton? After seeing him break into the 34's in Q2, I really expected him to get pole. However, he was the only driver not to improve his time in Q3. OK, his Q2 time would have only gained one position, but even then I was surprised.

Oh, and the replay that the BBC put of Schumacher's lap was pretty telling. You didn't need to compare it to Vettel's to know he wasn't really using the full track. Even worse, even I could spot a couple of mistakes.

[Paul Oz]

Yes, strange lap from Lewis - and a strange tactic from Mclaren - was it really wise running the first Q3 effort with 5 laps of fuel in the car? There 3 10's lost straight away - effectively just throwing the effort away! Is there much point in 'a banker' on a dry track in Q3?

[Miguel]

Yeah, Paul, it was weird. At one point in Q3 I actually thought that McLaren were running hard tires for tomorrow's race, but that ilusion ended when we were shown the McLaren "pitstop".

[Paul Oz]

Yeah, Paul, it was weird. At one point in Q3 I actually thought that McLaren were running hard tires for tomorrow's race, but that ilusion ended when we were shown the McLaren "pitstop".

I missed that - was he running harder tyres as well as 5 laps extra fuel!? What did they do with Jenson? Was a good method for a clear lap tho.

Like you signature comment Miguel...... but the consensus is that an F1 car genarates so much downforce it could drive upside down - so lets see it in Monaco!? Shortcut overtaking manoeuvre on the roof of the tunnel for those who have the balls ;o)

[raymondu999]

Does anyone know what kind of setup Vettel was using? Wets/dries? I hear Buemi's taking the middle ground. But how about Vettel? Anyone?

[Miguel]

I missed that - was he running harder tyres as well as 5 laps extra fuel!?

I think that today all of them were on the soft tyres. OK, maybe Sutil wasn't. I am convinced that both of Lewis runs were on soft tyres, but I was watching it through the BBC feed in a laptop screen. Hardly what you'd call ideal.

BTW: Regarding my signature, if you ever drive through the basque country, save 8€ for the toll of an 80km highway. You won't get bored, especially between Eibar an Zarauz. It's the only highway I've seen in which driving isn't utterly boring. Keep in mind that the speed limit in spanish highways is 120 km/h (75 mph), and that at least three turns are limited to 80 km/h.

[multisync]

I think the whole 3rd driver thing for FI is to get Luizzi back as test driver. he's had one good result (his first last year) and seems to have lived off that ever since..

FI really need a top flight driver to move the car along..

[Pedro]

Qualification - Top speeds

Speed Trap


Notice HRT's cars


Sector sensors




Source: F1news.cz
http://f1news.cz/novinky/34545-v-maxima ... -williams/

[Giblet]

I guess if you have no downforce, than you have a lot of top speed

[Paul Oz]

I guess if you have no downforce, than you have a lot of top speed

You say that.... but everyones a lot closer to the top speed of the Mclarens than they have been - so I guess Mclarens running higher down force comparatively? Is that then the problem - theyve lost their advantage but not gained as much in the high speed corners?
How does that pan out if it rains......

[Pedro]

I guess if you have no down-force, than you have a lot of top speed

I know it is a question of setup but they never have neither down-force nor top speed! I have found that interesting because Senna was just a second behind Lotuses (best newcomer so far) so it looks like they did not compromise their setup too much.

[CHT]

Best place to spy on the Mclaren F duct..

[ESPImperium]

After Quali analysis of times, the thingg im doing this year to evaluate what car is the best car, the list is as follows:

01] Red Bull RB6
02] McLaren MP4/25A
03] Ferarri F60
04] Mercedes MGP W01
05] Renault R30
06] Toro Rosso STR5
07] Williams FW32
08] Force india VJM/03
09] BMW Sauber C29
10] Lotus T127
11] Virgin VR-01
12] Hispania F110

Some intresting points, Hispania have inproved their car by 2.43% whitch is roughly a 25.3% increase in their car from Bahrain. This is a car that is basically from the way it came out of the factory, stock. They have improved on laptime on setup alone. Now if they developed it a little, they would be in with Vrigin and Lotus easily. Need to sort out the Dalarra/Chassis data situation as well.

Virgin have flatlined a little, but id expect a step at Barcelona. Need their new chassis with bigger fuel tanks, as well as fuel pickup issues and hydrolic problems sorted.

Lotus have had some good success, altho helped via the weather in Malaysia to show they have a car with a good development baseline. A step at barcelona is expected. Suspension, Gerabox and Hydrolic system are on the way, this will mean they can then start on better aero packaging after those are all put on and they are happy with them.

BMW Sauber have just got a little lost, they have enherited the dregs from BMW, developed a car for 2010 from the car that was the poor F1.09, and cannot get the car much better, relyability and manufacturing issues do not help, but we will see what James Key can come up with for the remainder of the season, probably expect the C29 to have development stopped arround half way so James Key can get a fresh sheet of paper car out for 2011.

Force India have seen a good car have some good showings, but now need development and evolution of the car. This will be difficult with the loss of James Key to Sauber, but id expect that Mark Smith may have his plans in place for Barcelona.

Williams are in need of development, already showing it could be a year that Rubens helps Hulk, then Hulk matures and gets his way. Car needs some refinement in many areas. They need to work with Cosworth for a stronger engine package.

Toro Rosso are having a strong year, improving race by race, small incremental performance updates make the car better, altho maybes a little fragile looking with recent events. Id expect this car to go to be a strong car, but not as domanant as the sister teams car.

Renault are showing that with a strong driver, the car is really good, best of the rest as far as im concerned. If they have the attitude they had in 2004 to 2006, develop the things they need, and keep within budget, they can challange for wins with Kubica. Petrov is still learning, needs to finish first GP.

Mercedes, simply need a big step for the car, Michael needs a car with a better front end, Nico needs a car with what ever Michael has on it. Strong car, altho development to challance for the win is needed.

Ferarri need to solve engine woes, fast car, but one that i think they have gone too marjinal on. Alonso and Massa need to work together, otherwise its gonna be a messy end of the season. Need a couple of steps to challange the RB6.

McLaren just need downforce, whitch they can find, as the F-Duct will become into its own with this. Mclaren need to try and get their car to challance the RB6, probably to the same ammount as Ferarri, antho the MP4/25A is closer than what the F10 is to the RB6.

Red Bull, best car of the year. A classic of its time. Fragile, but this can be worked on, as they have a good .3 to .4 of a second over the rest of the opposistion in Webbers hands, more with Vettel. Once the fragility is sorted, they can develop the next "instant classic" F1 car to be even more domanant.

Thats pretty much my report card so far.

[ringo]

If Webber is 2 tenths ahead, expect Vettel to pole by a 5 tenths gap. Cause when redbull start quali.. it aint gonna be pretty for the other teams who cant quali well....

Off to the ying yang thread to join your Alsono/Massa tenths prediction

viewtopic.php?p=161102#p161102

muhuhahaha ok maybe not 5 tenths but close enough!