2009 Chinese Formula One Grand Prix

[AirWolf]

Chinese Grand Prix - team and driver preview quotes


With the Shanghai circuit’s stunning architecture, winding turns and high-speed straights, it’s easy to see why the teams endure the city's traffic to enjoy racing in China. Here senior team personnel and the drivers contemplate their hopes for next weekend, and explain why they count this track as one of their favourites…

With the result of the diffuser appeal only being announced this afternoon, the Chinese Grand Prix could see some changes by teams depending on which way the appeal goes.

Season calendar.

 

[sox63]

This is going to be an interesting race I think. First Ferrari "shuffles" their team with Baldisseri off the the factory and Chris Dyer taking over, how they adjust should be fun to watch.

Apperantly it is a mix of downforce and mechanical grip when it comes to set up, so I think the diffuser 3 and whoever can stick one one the back of their cars by friday will dominate.

Did you guys see the speculation that if Mclaren get booted out, which is possible with the FIA, Hamilton has basically a free ticket to leave if he wants to? Some say he could go to Brawn GP if that happens, to partner Button.

Will post the link, but would be interesting.

 

[killadoob]

Not so sure brawn will kick out button or barrichelo this season season though.

If they booted he is out of f1 for this year i would imagine, not many like him.

 

[Veroland]

He can always go ask Renault for a job - washing the cars

 

[AirWolf]

With the formality of the diffusers out of the way, the race is now on for the rest of the teams to play catch up. I wonder how soon the likes of Ferrari and Macca will be back to podium finishes?

 

[sox63]

With the formality of the diffusers out of the way, the race is now on for the rest of the teams to play catch up. I wonder how soon the likes of Ferrari and Macca will be back to podium finishes?

I'm hoping by the start of the European leg. But I fear that will be too late.

Now we have something else to look out for when watching the races. First it was KERS and how teams use it, now it will be who is using the diffuser.

 

[Willie Trombone]

Now we can hedge our bets on when the FIA is going to step in 'in the interest of racing'...

Both Red Bull and Renault were told the diffuser was illegal by Charlie Whiting who was acting on the regulations...

The three using them asked someone else and got the green light.

The FIA is making a mockery of the sport since the work of the overtaking commitee is now out the window along with less downforce.

 

[killadoob]

MBP do you understand what is involved in the Diffuser? Do you think renaults and redbull's design where the same? There are exact specifications you need to follow. Can you say without a shadow of doubt the diffuser being used in the 3 cars is the same as the renault and redbull one?

 

[Willie Trombone]

MBP do you understand what is involved in the Diffuser? Do you think renaults and redbull's design where the same? There are exact specifications you need to follow. Can you say without a shadow of doubt the diffuser being used in the 3 cars is the same as the renault and redbull one?

I can assure you that the reasons the diffusers that were turned down were clearly stated by Charlie Whiting and the guys would certainly have taken the finer details into account. I'm sure Charlie didn't tell them 'sorry, go back and try again' amazing race stlye. Why else would the guys abandon the diffusers. I know there is alot of lying in sport, but I believe Helmut Marko when he says
"What angers us is the fact that we had approached [Charlie] Whiting for a clarification on a diffuser solution like the one in question and we were told it was illegal, therefore we did not pursue it any further though our design team had similar ideas,"
They didn't even get into the finer details of the development as a result of Charlie Whiting's interpretation.

Also, why deliberately work around the aim of the overtaking working group by increasing downforce. Reducing downforce and turbulence to promote racing and overtaking was the primary aim of the group... there was a gentlemen's agreement among the teams to co-operate. Apparently that means nothing at some teams. Sadly money talks, especially in sport.

More wonderful FIA decisions:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/74491

http://www.autosport.com/f1/

 

[killadoob]

Strange though that 3 cars got their diffusers passed? I think they got it wrong and the others got it right.

 

[web]

mmm Charlie Whiting is the race Director has has no say in what is legal or illegal on a car, his job is to make sure that the race is run correctly and safely. Not whether the cars have illegal bits on them, that is up to the race stewards and the FIA. The three teams in question sent documents to the FIA in the middle of last year requesting clarification on the diffuser design. The other teams got it wrong as proved yesterday.

 

[[OUPA]MrNutz]

Friday, first free practice

1 L. Hamilton McLaren 1:37.334 22
2 J. Button Brawn GP 1:37.450 18
3 R. Barrichello Brawn GP 1:37.566 19
4 H. Kovalainen McLaren 1:37.672 23
5 M. Webber Red Bull 1:37.752 20
6 J. Trulli Toyota 1:37.764 19
7 N. Rosberg Williams 1:37.860 24
8 T. Glock Toyota 1:37.894 21
9 F. Alonso Renault 1:38.089 19
10 S. Bourdais Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:38.195 24
11 K. Räikkönen Ferrari 1:38.223 23
12 S. Vettel Red Bull 1:38.274 20
13 S. Buemi Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:38.307 26
14 A. Sutil Force India F1 1:38.319 18
15 F. Massa Ferrari 1:38.418 20
16 N. Heidfeld BMW 1:38.456 21
17 G. Fisichella Force India F1 1:38.460 19
18 R. Kubica BMW 1:38.463 18
19 K. Nakajima Williams 1:38.730 25
20 N. Piquet jr. Renault 1:38.825 20

 

[Veroland]

Brawn is still looking good early on, and they did less laps than the McLarens...

 

[AirWolf]

Are Macca up to speed already? You can never be sure from practice though.

 

[Veroland]

2nd practice, Hamilton looking fast already, Raikkonen and Alonso doesn't.

 

[killadoob]

Well they have the diffusers now and some front wing thing so expect them to be strong.

Good i want to see button vs hamilton since everyone says button is a 3rd rate rubbish driver and hamilton is better, lets see if hamilton can out race him in a car just as good. remember brawn's are never ontop of the times until quali.

 

[AirWolf]

Well they have the diffusers now and some front wing thing so expect them to be strong.

Good i want to see button vs hamilton since everyone says button is a 3rd rate rubbish driver and hamilton is better, lets see if hamilton can out race him in a car just as good. remember brawn's are never ontop of the times until quali.

Man, that was fast. They have probably been working on it since pre-season.

 

[killadoob]

Well i do not think it is extremely hard to incorporate the design unless like redbull you cannot. I think they knew they would be deemed legal but like hamilton they try and get teams kicked out instead of fixing their own problems. Very fast though and look at the difference.

Again would like to see them in quali before i say anymore . Rosberg tops the time sheets alot but is never going for pole on quali day.

 

[sox63]

FP2 Results

Times
01 J. Button Brawn GP 1:35.679 35 laps
02 N. Rosberg Williams 1:35.704 36 laps
03 R. Barrichello Brawn GP 1:35.881 35 laps
04 M. Webber Red Bull 1:36.105 32 laps
05 S. Vettel Red Bull 1:36.167 22 laps
06 J. Trulli Toyota 1:36.217 42 laps
07 K. Nakajima Williams 1:36.377 32 laps
08 T. Glock Toyota 1:36.548 40 laps
09 H. Kovalainen McLaren 1:36.674 34 laps
10 S. Bourdais Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:36.800 34 laps
11 A. Sutil Force India F1 1:36.829 30 laps
12 F. Massa Ferrari 1:36.847 34 laps
13 L. Hamilton McLaren 1:36.941 28 laps
14 K. Räikkönen Ferrari 1:37.054 33 laps
15 S. Buemi Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:37.219 34 laps
16 N. Piquet jr. Renault 1:37.273 36 laps
17 R. Kubica BMW 1:37.491 34 laps
18 N. Heidfeld BMW 1:37.544 28 laps
19 F. Alonso Renault 1:37.638 28 laps
20 G. Fisichella Force India F1 1:37.750 31 laps

 

[sand_man]

Good i want to see button vs hamilton since everyone says button is a 3rd rate rubbish driver

http://www.supersport.com/motorspor...adline=Briatore scathingly critical of Button