Chinese GP pre-race discussion/predictions

Go to bed you really need the beauty sleep

 

I've sort of picked up on that!!

We're just about to get our first version of the BBC transmission without brundle. will be interesting to see how they go. We've had sky so far this year.

 

Yiiippee Kayyee and FU

 

Thats a rather "odd" remark.

 

You said you need the beauty sleep?

 

Mainly Varsha, but yeah.


Anyway, quali:

1.) LH
2.) SV
3.) JB
4.) Nico
5.) MS
6.) Web
7.) Alo
8.) Kimi

Race:

1.) LH
2.) Nico
3.) JB
4.) MS
5.) Web
6.) Alo
7.) Koba
8.) Grosjean

 

wow...some of you guys are really giving the mercs a lot of cred. interesting! I hope you're right. The more fighting at the front, the better.

 

Not me. The Mercs will fade away faster than Chumbawamba.

 

If any track is realistically 'good' for W03, it's this one. W03 will probably have its tire issues sorted. This is a power and acceleration track, and W03 has both of those better than anyone else. I heard their super-DRS explained in an interesting manner yesterday evening, "When super-DRS is activated at 70mph, in addition to the drag reduced by the rear wing DRS, the front wing sheds 50lbs, then 70lbs at 100mph, then 90lbs at 120mph and so on". I suspect the system is diminishing returns, but you get the meaning.


Red Bull haven't got a prayer here I'm afraid. Mclaren will do very well with MP4-27 as it's just a wonderfully balanced machine, but in qualifying I just don't believe they will be able to edge out W03, not at this track.

 

+1

Fast in qualy but disintegrating tires during the race.

 

I agree, but hope I am wrong.


Mark

 

Honestly, I believe the first two races were Merc as a team getting their brains around the tires. We know they are able to control the tire temps with their suspension settings as they were too hot on Oz and too cold in Malaysia. This is completely different to F150 last year which constantly had cold tires until the rear tire geometry change a little over 1/3 through the season. Nico brought his intermediates in towards the end of the Malaysia race as he thought they were toast when they were actually still practically new, they just had the tire settings miscalculated probably for a dry race meaning the rain just didn't help their situation. Point is, it's controllable through suspension settings rather than F150 which had fundamental issues at the beginning.

 

Andreas, looks like Imperiale83 is back lol....

Difficult to predict what will happen this weekend-has MB cured its tire woes? Will Ferrari close the gap with its five updates? Weather? I'm not looking for any Malaysian-type miracles this weekend from Alonso....

 

LOL Ham wins. Vet 2nd Button 3rd

 

Red Bull are testing two different specs of RB8 this week. I am wondering if they will be bringing back their previous exhaust arrangement....



Newey and Red Bull news:

Adrian Newey, Chief Technical Officer
“We have shown good race pace, but we know we need to make a step in qualifying. In order to evaluate our most recent upgrades, we will run two different specifications of the RB8 in China on Friday. Based on feedback and preference shown by both drivers, Mark will test an updated evolution of the set-up used for the Malaysian GP, while Sebastian will run a pre-season specification. We will then compare the results.”

 

Wow Mark actually gets to "test" the new stuff this season, unlike previous years. Thats F1 for ya.

 

I think Mark's driving style is better for these new tail-happy F1 cars. Schumacher seems to be yielding more from these types of cars as well.

 

Ouch! Seb and Kimi take each other out in turn 1?

 

We've had BBC so far. Coulthard and I James ''The Cock''. I hope to get the Sky transmission now...

 

Seb collides with Jenson and Seb gets the worst of it and is forced to pit for a new nose. On his charge back through the field, he encounters Kimi and the two have a crash.

Lol, I dunno. Crazy speculation is fun.

 

He has been back for a while. Not in the form of my esteemed mod colleague but some other disguises.

 

Ferrari 1,2

 

Anybody have any info on the new gadgets for Clifford this weekend?

 

Yeah, that's the ticket.

Good question. I don't know but there was talk about a new rear end/exhaust routing, new sidepods etc.

I guess we'll have to wait for the first practice. However I'm not expecting any miracles. Not enough time since the last race. I do expect lots of changes by Barcelona. We'll see.

 

I've seen pics of f2012 taken earlier today. No new exhaust and the 5 updates they are bringing are said to be all internal. Exhaust isn't coming until Europe and I hear not until Mugello so they can get the thing.