2008 Formula 1 Sinopec Chinese Grand Prix
Before I start this review I feel compelled to comment on some articles I have read which inform me of several drivers voicing their opinions about Mr Hamilton’s driving style, now to say that you think another driver is driving too ‘erratically’ either suggests (to me at least) that they aren’t driving to their full potential or that they’re afraid to break a flap on some part of their car which could remove aerodynamic performance from the car. Kind of like Johnny Wilkinson being afraid to play rugby in case he breaks something, which he seemingly does so often he’s left with hardly any time to get into a game.
It’s hard enough having the FIA moulding the championship against Mclaren that they then have to contend with the other drivers saying that they don’t want Hamilton to win the championship because he “doesn’t deserve to”. Well if he didn’t deserve it would he be 5 points ahead in the championship, 36 points ahead of a certain Senor Alonso and 63 points ahead of a certain Mr Webber. Both of them the main voices in the anti-hamilton-i-wish-i-was-winning camp.
Nonetheless that is my mini-ramble over as I shall now comence my (attempt at a) review of the Chinese GP.
Vodaphone Mclaren Mercedes:
Hamilton performing a superb lights to flag drive, gaining an uncharacteristically good start for a Mclaren against the Ferrari of Raikonnen alongside him. Did what he had to do and now goes into Brazil with a 7 point gap to Massa. As for Kovalainen he was never in a position to help Hamilton win the championship in China, although that in itself was never really likely to happen, and had to retire 8 laps from the end due to overheating brakes which were seen to be smoking on the grid before the race had even started. Mclaren 11 points behind in the constructors championship so that seems to be heading Ferrari’s way once more.
Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro:
Struggling with graining problems on their soft tyres neither driver was able to be on terms with Hamilton on the first stint and thus allowed him to pull around a 6-7second lead by the first stops. Raikonnen was similarly fuelled to Hamilton from then on and decided to bring home the points than risk blowing an engine or over-driving onto the ‘marbles’ and ending his race in the wall. Mass for the larger part of the race stayed behind Raikonnen until he ‘passed’ him on the back straight a few laps from the end, reducing a probably 9 point deficit to 7 against Hamilton. Raikonnen 3rd, Massa 2nd.
BMW-Sauber F1 Team:
Not a particularly stunning race from BMW-Sauber, Kubica was off the pace in qualifying and started 12th for the race which was no particular help especially as his vague hopes of winning the championship relied on him finishing ahead of Hamilton in the first place. Heidfeld eventually finished in 5th one place ahead of his team-mate in 6th providing a fair haul of points for the team. Now that BMW have nothing to lose perhaps we may see them going hell for leather for the Brazilian GP but of course we’ll have to wait and see for that.
ING Renault F1 Team:
With this newfound pace Renault could look to keep Alonso in their lead driver seat for 2009, especially with a double win to his name, and all it took was a new front wing. That in itself isn’t the sole cause of their form, the new wing seems to suit Alonso’s driving style better allowing him to feel more confident in pushing the car, and 4th place in China is further testimony that if a driver feels good in a car he can push it to results not normally achieved. Evidently the new speed in Renault’s car has affected Piquet aswell, his drive to 8th adding another good result to his 4th place in Japan, he may be hoping his high placed results can prevent him from being dropped in favour of say Lucas di Grassi or other Renault test drivers. With such high scores in the previous three races Renault has all but secured the race for 4th place in the constructors championship.
AT&T Williams F1 Team:
There is something about China that doesn’t quote suit Williams, whether it’s because it exposes the inferior straight-line speed of the car or something else remains to be seen. Nakajima providing the best finish out of the two drivers in 12th, whereas Rosberg could only muster 15th. The team may become one of the many relying on the rule changes in 2009 to bring them a chance of success, Rosberg may be the driver to bring it to them, but only with the right equipment.
Red Bull Racing:
Unfortunately this race brought no points for the team, Coulthard making fair progress from his original 15th grid slot to end up 10th. No doubt a relief for him to be able to finish his penultimate race, a good points haul in Brazil will be a fitting end to his career in which he first raced in 1994 for Williams. Mark Webber didn’t have such a great race, his weekend off to a bad start due to his engine expiring in Saturday practise. A 10 place grid penalty his reward for already using his get-out-of-jail-free-here-is-an-engine card in a previous race, his light fuel load not paying dividends after being stuck in traffic nearly all race for the first stint. 14th and being the last runner on the lead lap his eventual finish.
Panasonic Toyota Racing:
Jarno Trulli understandably peeved at a certain Sebastian Bourdais for a fairly opportunistic overtaking move into the first corner and resulting in a fair amount of damage to his right-hand sidepod which unfortunately proved terminal for him. This left Timo Glock to bring in the points and that he did with 7th, despite Trulli bring the better qualifying driver it could be argued that Timo has been the better racer this season. With the battle for 4th place in the constructors championship decided all the drivers have to race for now is pride.
Scuderia Toro Rosso:
After qualifying 8th you wouldn’t have been irrational to think it would be a great opportunity for Bourdais to clinch some deserved points in China, especially after questionably being given a 25 second penalty for being crashed into by Massa last week in Fuji, but ambition seemingly exceeded talent as he collided with Trulli sending them to the back of the grid at the first corner. Bourdais was rather fortunate not only to escape serious damage, but not to have been given a penalty for trying to overtake someone as the stewards have been trying to avoid be it intentional or not. Vettel on the other hand extracting reasonable pace from his car and only finishing a mere 7.7 seconds from the points in 9th.
Honda Racing F1 Team:
11th was the best Honda could do at China, Barrichello fulfilling his evermore regular slot in the midfield pack. Button though could only have hoped for rain like in last year’s race, where he showed the world that even in a dog of a car his wet-weather prowess can dominate. That is until he raced in Silverstone this year where unusually he was off the pace in what can be argued as a marginally more competitive car than the RA107, emphasis on the ‘marginally’. Button finished 16th and a lap down on the leaders.
Force India F1 Team:
Once again propping up the rear of the grid the Force India’s were in no state to be considered competitive in China. Sutil for one encountering gearbox problems and was forced to retire on lap 13, but on the bright side it was right next to the pits so he didnt have far to walk. Fisichella though wasn’t exactly flavour of the month, repeatedly getting in the way of the lead drivers when being lapped won’t do his reputation in the paddock that much good, and so had to resign himself to finishing plum last. But Force India’s weekend wasn’t a total loss, talks between Vijay Mallya and Mclaren-Mercedes could lead to a potential customer car package that may see the Indian team achieving great things. That of course would mean Williams not taking legal action against them and sending them to court.
Not that particularly eventful a race but with Kubica out of the running it’s a straight two-way fight between Mass and Hamilton for the title, Hamilton only has to finish 5th or higher but Mclaren may tune Kovalianen’s engine up to try for a Mclaren 1-2 to seal the constructors title.
Thankyou, and I shall see you next week.
