Chinese GP 2008

[megz]

As Formula 1 makes it's visit the penultimate round of the season and with emotions running high; Hamilton is four tenths quicker than Massa in the early stages of the weekend.

1 L. Hamilton McLaren 1:35.630 23
2 F. Massa Ferrari 1:36.020 24
3 K. Räikkönen Ferrari 1:36.052 23
4 H. Kovalainen McLaren 1:36.103 21
5 R. Kubica BMW 1:36.507 25
6 F. Alonso Renault 1:36.661 24
7 N. Heidfeld BMW 1:37.040 23
8 S. Bourdais Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:37.070 32
9 N. Piquet jr. Renault 1:37.180 30
10 S. Vettel Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:37.278 25
11 M. Webber Red Bull 1:37.491 25
12 J. Button Honda 1:37.619 25
13 K. Nakajima Williams 1:37.630 23
14 D. Coulthard Red Bull 1:37.638 22
15 N. Rosberg Williams 1:37.638 26
16 T. Glock Toyota 1:37.664 29
17 R. Barrichello Honda 1:37.827 28
18 J. Trulli Toyota 1:38.219 24
19 A. Sutil Force India F1 1:38.285 25
20 G. Fisichella Force India F1 1:38.479 26

Looks like it'll be a another close fought race.

http://www.f1technical.net/news/10810

[majicmeow]

looks like brand new sidepod shields on the Williams cars... I don't remember seeing that style yet. Look at how the connecting piece to the barge board is above the actual side pod shield... interesting!

Also, its interesting to see both Toyotas at the bottom of the field... I don't think that's happened all year!

[axle]

Practice 2.

Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:35.750 33
2. Alonso Renault (B) 1:36.024 + 0.274 36
3. Piquet Renault (B) 1:36.094 + 0.344 38
4. Trulli Toyota (B) 1:36.159 + 0.409 32
5. Webber Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:36.375 + 0.625 38
6. Massa Ferrari (B) 1:36.480 + 0.730 31
7. Bourdais Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:36.529 + 0.779 32
8. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) 1:36.542 + 0.792 34
9. Heidfeld BMW Sauber (B) 1:36.553 + 0.803 38
10. Rosberg Williams-Toyota (B) 1:36.556 + 0.806 33
11. Glock Toyota (B) 1:36.615 + 0.865 33
12. Kubica BMW Sauber (B) 1:36.775 + 1.025 37
13. Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:36.797 + 1.047 33
14. Coulthard Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:36.808 + 1.058 36
15. Vettel Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:36.925 + 1.175 38
16. Nakajima Williams-Toyota (B) 1:36.975 + 1.225 31
17. Fisichella Force India-Ferrari (B) 1:37.473 + 1.723 38
18. Sutil Force India-Ferrari (B) 1:37.617 + 1.867 33
19. Button Honda (B) 1:37.800 + 2.050 37
20. Barrichello Honda (B) 1:37.904 + 2.154 36

Only LH got into the 1:35's all day and none of the front runners really improved on the Soft tyres.

http://www.f1technical.net/news/10812

[bar555]

WEATHER FORECAST


A wet race is predicted

[DaveKillens]

Wow, the Renaults are for real. And Ferrari aren't anjoying their usual position near the top of the time sheets. Meanwhile BMW are struggling, while Honda have totally abandoned any effort for this year. Both Hondas dead last.. I wonder if Reubens ever imagined how poor a team he has hooked up with?

[Conceptual]

Wow, the Renaults are for real. And Ferrari aren't anjoying their usual position near the top of the time sheets. Meanwhile BMW are struggling, while Honda have totally abandoned any effort for this year. Both Hondas dead last.. I wonder if Reubens ever imagined how poor a team he has hooked up with?

I have a feeling that Alonso will be there with Button next year, gambling on Brawn working his magic with the 2009 regs.

But, Renault are resurging, so who knows?

[myurr]

I think Alonso would be a fool to leave Renault. He's happy within the team and the atmosphere seems to suit him and his methodologies. And there's more chance of next years Honda being another disappointment than being race winning.

[freedom_honda]

i certainly hope Alonso will be staying at Renault. im more than happy with the current Honda drivers line up. lets just hope Fry isnt stupid enough to sign Senna to partner with Button just because of his name.

[axle]

I'd like to see Rubens leave and for someone else to join, no offence to him but I think Honda need a breath of fresh air and someone to ring the neck of next years car. I have question marks over Buttons speed too but I think a competitive car would see him come alive again. For me Honda need a young fast driver to be Button's team-mate.

As for Alonso that looks like it's a done deal. He's staying with Renault.

[Conceptual]

Renault in 2009 with Alonso/Bourdais lineup gives them 2 multiple champion race drivers with 6 titles between them. And Bourdais has the most experience on the grid in 2009 type cars, as well as push to pass.

I think Renault could take both championships in 2009 with that lineup, but who knows?

Anyways, looks like rain, and that should make the first corner VERY interesting!

Did anyone read the thursday press conference? The media asking some pretty personal questions about how the drivers feel about Lewis' driving, and they gave some good explainations as to the different views between the drivers.

Looking forward to Qualifying!

I call Hamilton on pole, but look for Alonso to win his third straight!

[axle]

Hamilton has been a clear .3 up on everyone so far, but I can't help but worry that come 3rd practice/quali it will evaporate, I always assume Ferrari will come back strong even if it's in Quali itself.

If LH holds his nerve he can be on pole...and if he leads a wet race into the first corner he "should" come home in that place as the McLaren is very good in the wet. But Alonso's tail is well up I'll be expecting him on a step of the podium.

Indeed if it is wet the real loser could be Massa - he can't finish lower than 4th to stay in the hunt if Lewis wins. 4th maybe a tall order for Massa with the much improved Renaults, Heikki, Kimi and BMW's all around!

Looking fwd to this; the Brits usually steal defeat from the jaws of victory...

[ESPImperium]

Im calling Hamilton to balls it up again, but i think he is gonna be rained in some what by McLaren, i have a feeling that they arnt gonna give him the full shebang in terms of equiptment, i feel that this way he can be rained in by them a little, give him a inch and he will take a mile.

I feel that the first corner will be the key, if Alonso or a Ferarri driver is on P2, i call them to push Hamilton out as wide as posible. And who ever is in P3-6 to go past them quite easily.

But i feel that BMW have something in store, im shure they are going to try their best to try and do some gate-crashing into the end of the season. Wildcards are the Toyotas and Vettel, maybes Webber.

Quali is key, if Hamilton dosnt get pole, it could be a long race for him, in whitch he will make a mistake pushing too hard. But the keys to this champoinship this year are theese:

* Hekki - Supporting Lewis, spoiling Ferrarri
* Kimmi - Suporting Felipe, trying to prove a point and spoiling McLaren
* BMW Sauber - Nick is a crafty driver that will come up with a result, a surprise one, Robert will be going for the title as well, but in a "outsider" way.
* Fernando Alonso - His tail ius up from 2 wins on the bounce, and he is going to spoil Lewis somewhere
* McLaren - Trying to keep Lewis "under thumb" and controled
* Ferarri - Trying to make no mistakes, like they have done this year, many times.
* Last, the FIA, letting the drivers race, and not getting involved, and when they do, make speedy decisions and not screw arround dithering, quick concise and fair decisions are needed here.

Other than that i hope i can enjoy the end of the season ive loved so mush so far this year!!!

[pipex]

From what i have seen Hamilton makes great mistakes sometimes. If Alonso gets P2 and Hamilton P1 in Qualy then everything is possible. I think in Fuji Alonso was on P1 and Hamilton in a very bad position in the race and the later tried to disturb him. If Alonso pushes Hamilton, i'm nearly sure that Hamilton will make a big mistake.

[PlatinumZealot]

All the other drivers will try to sabotage LH chances of winning.. the whole grid is against him..

[jddh1]

Over time, I've learned that although the Friday practices give a somewhat decent indication of the forms of each car, they certainly do not tell me the race results.

A rainy day on Sunday? Well, the parity of the cars combined with the weather should provide some great entertainment. A lot of hearts will be broken (and perhaps TVs as well). As much as I want Massa to win it, I'm kinda hoping that Bobby Kubica steals the show and tells these two idiots that making mistakes does not get it done; and he would win it with a far inferior car.