Thread Starter
#76
Watch Infiniti Red Bull Racing set a world record pitstop time in Malaysia Infiniti Red Bull Racing sets new pitstop world record - GONE IN 2.05 SECONDS - YouTube
Formula 1 - 2013 Championship Season
- Thread Starter visran
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Thread Starter
#77
Senna, Schumacher, Vettel ‘extra selfish’ – Berger
Gerhard Berger has refused to jump on the bandwagon with those criticising Sebastian Vettel in the wake of the ‘Multi-21′ affair.
Lotus team boss Eric Boullier is the latest to hit out at F1′s reigning world champion, insisting Vettel was wrong to ignore Red Bull’s team orders in Malaysia.
“I don’t see any people in the world who could disobey their company and not be sanctioned, or at least give clarification as to why they’ve disobeyed,” he said.
“One of our drivers (Kimi Raikkonen) is famous for doing pretty much what he wants, but when you have 600 people behind you, there is a certain respect you must have for the team,” he added.
However, former grand prix winner Gerhard Berger – the late Ayrton Senna’s most famous teammate – sees it differently.
The always plain-speaking Austrian puts Vettel in the same category as the great Senna, as well as Michael Schumacher.
“There are drivers like Senna or Schumacher or Vettel who develop an extra selfishness on the track,” Berger told Germany’s Auto Bild.
“Situations such as in Malaysia brings out their killer instinct, where they can think of one thing only — ‘I want to win the race’.
“Ultimately that’s what makes you a three time, five time, seven time world champion,” he added.
Some, like 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve, have slammed Vettel’s Sepang tactics as revealing his lack of “honour” and “respect”, but Berger thinks it is “the others not winning who sleep the worst”.
He therefore advises Mark Webber to “wipe your mouth, put your foot down and prove to the world that you can beat Sebastian Vettel”.
And that’s because “guys like Schumacher, Senna and Vettel” will always ignore team orders “unless it is to their advantage”.
Senna, Schumacher, Vettel ‘extra selfish’ – Berger
Gerhard Berger has refused to jump on the bandwagon with those criticising Sebastian Vettel in the wake of the ‘Multi-21′ affair.
Lotus team boss Eric Boullier is the latest to hit out at F1′s reigning world champion, insisting Vettel was wrong to ignore Red Bull’s team orders in Malaysia.
“I don’t see any people in the world who could disobey their company and not be sanctioned, or at least give clarification as to why they’ve disobeyed,” he said.
“One of our drivers (Kimi Raikkonen) is famous for doing pretty much what he wants, but when you have 600 people behind you, there is a certain respect you must have for the team,” he added.
However, former grand prix winner Gerhard Berger – the late Ayrton Senna’s most famous teammate – sees it differently.
The always plain-speaking Austrian puts Vettel in the same category as the great Senna, as well as Michael Schumacher.
“There are drivers like Senna or Schumacher or Vettel who develop an extra selfishness on the track,” Berger told Germany’s Auto Bild.
“Situations such as in Malaysia brings out their killer instinct, where they can think of one thing only — ‘I want to win the race’.
“Ultimately that’s what makes you a three time, five time, seven time world champion,” he added.
Some, like 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve, have slammed Vettel’s Sepang tactics as revealing his lack of “honour” and “respect”, but Berger thinks it is “the others not winning who sleep the worst”.
He therefore advises Mark Webber to “wipe your mouth, put your foot down and prove to the world that you can beat Sebastian Vettel”.
And that’s because “guys like Schumacher, Senna and Vettel” will always ignore team orders “unless it is to their advantage”.
Senna, Schumacher, Vettel ‘extra selfish’ – Berger
Thread Starter
#79
Rivals study Red Bull’s record pitstops
After Red Bull beat McLaren’s old pitstop speed record no fewer than five times in Malaysia, rivals have been studying the case with great curiosity.
According to Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport, the competition has concluded that Red Bull’s advantage is not due to having a superior crew, or having simply invested more time practicing.
“One or two fantastic stops, you can imagine that,” McLaren sporting director Sam Michael is quoted as saying.
“But five, with that consistency — that’s really impressive.”
The suspicion is that Red Bull has stepped up a gear with its pitstop equipment and technology.
“Our guys are certainly not inferior to Red Bull’s, and all of our training methods have been optimised,” said Michael.
Analysis shows that Red Bull has made a half-second per pistop time improvement in 2013 compared to last season.
“You can make a jump like that with developments in the equipment,” Michael said.
One theory is that Red Bull is using higher air pressure for the wheel-nut guns.
Indeed, every time a Red Bull crew member uses his gun, he dutifully puts it away in a bag, suggesting they are hiding a secret.
“You can hear that they are using more pressure than the others,” Williams team manager Dickie Stanford said.
But Michael disagrees: “I doubt anyone is going over 30 bar. Maybe they’ve simplified the switching mechanism, and it’s now electronic rather than mechanical.
“Things like that could save you time.”
Stanford, meanwhile, admitted Williams’ investigation shows that the Red Bull crew is so easily able to throw the new wheels onto the car.
“At Red Bull they’re throwing it on and apparently not even knowing if it’s properly seated. It (the wheel) seems to go on by itself,” he is quoted as saying.
That would imply that Red Bull has perfected the design of the hub, wheels and nuts so that the wheel is always perfectly seated when the wheel gun is pressed on.
Rivals study Red Bull’s record pitstops
After Red Bull beat McLaren’s old pitstop speed record no fewer than five times in Malaysia, rivals have been studying the case with great curiosity.
According to Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport, the competition has concluded that Red Bull’s advantage is not due to having a superior crew, or having simply invested more time practicing.
“One or two fantastic stops, you can imagine that,” McLaren sporting director Sam Michael is quoted as saying.
“But five, with that consistency — that’s really impressive.”
The suspicion is that Red Bull has stepped up a gear with its pitstop equipment and technology.
“Our guys are certainly not inferior to Red Bull’s, and all of our training methods have been optimised,” said Michael.
Analysis shows that Red Bull has made a half-second per pistop time improvement in 2013 compared to last season.
“You can make a jump like that with developments in the equipment,” Michael said.
One theory is that Red Bull is using higher air pressure for the wheel-nut guns.
Indeed, every time a Red Bull crew member uses his gun, he dutifully puts it away in a bag, suggesting they are hiding a secret.
“You can hear that they are using more pressure than the others,” Williams team manager Dickie Stanford said.
But Michael disagrees: “I doubt anyone is going over 30 bar. Maybe they’ve simplified the switching mechanism, and it’s now electronic rather than mechanical.
“Things like that could save you time.”
Stanford, meanwhile, admitted Williams’ investigation shows that the Red Bull crew is so easily able to throw the new wheels onto the car.
“At Red Bull they’re throwing it on and apparently not even knowing if it’s properly seated. It (the wheel) seems to go on by itself,” he is quoted as saying.
That would imply that Red Bull has perfected the design of the hub, wheels and nuts so that the wheel is always perfectly seated when the wheel gun is pressed on.
Rivals study Red Bull’s record pitstops
Thread Starter
#81
Lewis Hamilton claimed his first pole position with Mercedes in a Chinese Grand Prix qualifying session dominated by tyre strategy.
Kimi Raikkonen's Lotus will join Hamilton on the front row ahead of Fernando Alonso's Ferrari.
Championship leader Sebastian Vettel chose not to set a time in Q3 and can start ninth on medium tyres, while most of those ahead must use the fragile softs for their first stint.
His Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber had a disastrous session, as a fuel pressure problem stranded him in Q2.
With the soft tyres only good for one flying lap and expected to quickly fade in the race, qualifying was all about rubber conservation.
Q3 duly became a one-lap shootout in the final minute as all 10 contenders poured on the track at once at the last gasp.
Raikkonen was first to take provisional pole with a 1m34.761s.
Several likely challengers failed to match that, but Hamilton came through on a 1m34.484s to give Mercedes pole at Shanghai for a second straight year.
Alonso ended his run of being outqualified by Ferrari team-mate Felipe Massa as he took third, two places ahead of the Brazilian.
Nico Rosberg split them in the second Mercedes.
Romain Grosjean was sixth for Lotus, followed by Daniel Ricciardo.
The Australian was one of the stars of qualifying as he got Toro Rosso into Q3 for the first time this year, beating team-mate Jean-Eric Vergne by 0.9 seconds in Q2.
Jenson Button joined Vettel in opting for medium and did a slow lap for eighth, while Vettel and Sauber's Nico Hulkenberg chose not to do Q3 flying laps at all.
Webber ended qualifying 14th after a fuel pressure problem forced him to park his car on the circuit in Q2. But the Australian fears he will ultimately end up at the back of the grid if the issue means his Red Bull cannot provide the mandatory fuel sample for the FIA.
Both Force Indias narrowly missed out on the top 10, with Paul di Resta just 0.029s off in 11th. Team-mate Adrian Sutil was behind Sergio Perez's McLaren in 13th.
The tyre issue even neutered Q1, which did not feature any track action until halfway through.
Toro Rosso attempted to get through on mediums, but had to make a late switch to softs as both drivers were at risk of missing the cut.
Vergne and Ricciardo's improvements meant Valtteri Bottas's Williams and Esteban Gutierrez's Sauber were the two midfield cars ousted.
Jules Bianchi had been ahead of the Toro Rossos before they moved to softs, but had to settle for his usual 19th for Marussia, still comfortably faster than his back of the grid peers.
Hamilton grabs first pole with Mercedes | News | Autocar India
Kimi Raikkonen's Lotus will join Hamilton on the front row ahead of Fernando Alonso's Ferrari.
Championship leader Sebastian Vettel chose not to set a time in Q3 and can start ninth on medium tyres, while most of those ahead must use the fragile softs for their first stint.
His Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber had a disastrous session, as a fuel pressure problem stranded him in Q2.
With the soft tyres only good for one flying lap and expected to quickly fade in the race, qualifying was all about rubber conservation.
Q3 duly became a one-lap shootout in the final minute as all 10 contenders poured on the track at once at the last gasp.
Raikkonen was first to take provisional pole with a 1m34.761s.
Several likely challengers failed to match that, but Hamilton came through on a 1m34.484s to give Mercedes pole at Shanghai for a second straight year.
Alonso ended his run of being outqualified by Ferrari team-mate Felipe Massa as he took third, two places ahead of the Brazilian.
Nico Rosberg split them in the second Mercedes.
Romain Grosjean was sixth for Lotus, followed by Daniel Ricciardo.
The Australian was one of the stars of qualifying as he got Toro Rosso into Q3 for the first time this year, beating team-mate Jean-Eric Vergne by 0.9 seconds in Q2.
Jenson Button joined Vettel in opting for medium and did a slow lap for eighth, while Vettel and Sauber's Nico Hulkenberg chose not to do Q3 flying laps at all.
Webber ended qualifying 14th after a fuel pressure problem forced him to park his car on the circuit in Q2. But the Australian fears he will ultimately end up at the back of the grid if the issue means his Red Bull cannot provide the mandatory fuel sample for the FIA.
Both Force Indias narrowly missed out on the top 10, with Paul di Resta just 0.029s off in 11th. Team-mate Adrian Sutil was behind Sergio Perez's McLaren in 13th.
The tyre issue even neutered Q1, which did not feature any track action until halfway through.
Toro Rosso attempted to get through on mediums, but had to make a late switch to softs as both drivers were at risk of missing the cut.
Vergne and Ricciardo's improvements meant Valtteri Bottas's Williams and Esteban Gutierrez's Sauber were the two midfield cars ousted.
Jules Bianchi had been ahead of the Toro Rossos before they moved to softs, but had to settle for his usual 19th for Marussia, still comfortably faster than his back of the grid peers.
Hamilton grabs first pole with Mercedes | News | Autocar India
Thread Starter
#82
Vettel: I would probably do it again
Sebastian Vettel says he would probably disregard team orders and pass Mark Webber again if the Malaysian Grand Prix situation was repeated, as he does not believe the Australian deserved victory.
Despite apologising to the Red Bull team for his decision to contravene its 'multi 21' hold position request and overtake Webber in a fierce late-race battle, Vettel told reporters in China on Thursday that Webber had not assisted him in the past and was not entitled to the Sepang win.
Vettel argued that he had misunderstood the team's message, yet admitted that even if he had comprehended, his actions would likely not have changed.
Asked if he would do the same again, Vettel replied: "I am not sure I can give you a proper answer because in the moment it might be different, but I would probably do the same.
"Had I understood the message and had I thought about it, reflected on it, thought what the team wanted to do, to leave Mark in first place and me finishing second... I think I would have thought about it and I would probably have done the same thing.
"He didn't deserve it.
"There is quite a conflict, because on the one hand I am the kind of guy who respects team decisions and the other hand, probably Mark is not the one who deserved it at the time."
Vettel and Webber have long had a fractious relationship, and the reigning world champion intimated that their history impacted on his Malaysian GP actions.
"I never had support from his side," Vettel said. "I have a lot of support from the team, and the team has supported both of us the same way.
"But in terms of the relationship to Mark, I respect him a lot as a racing driver, but I think there was more than one occasion in the past where he could have helped the team and he didn't."
Despite not regretting his actions, Vettel said he stood by his decision to apologise to Red Bull.
"I was racing, and as a racing driver I was solely focused on winning the race and I got a call on the radio, which I heard, but I didn't understand at the time," he said.
"I should have understood, that is why I apologised to the team - because in my action I put myself above the team. Whether you believe me or not is up to you.
But he shrugged off suggestions that he should have received a formal punishment from Red Bull.
"Maybe it is a little bit of a dreamland that you all live in, but what do you expect to happen?" said Vettel. "Make a suggestion!"
Vettel: I would probably do it again | News | Autocar India
Sebastian Vettel says he would probably disregard team orders and pass Mark Webber again if the Malaysian Grand Prix situation was repeated, as he does not believe the Australian deserved victory.
Despite apologising to the Red Bull team for his decision to contravene its 'multi 21' hold position request and overtake Webber in a fierce late-race battle, Vettel told reporters in China on Thursday that Webber had not assisted him in the past and was not entitled to the Sepang win.
Vettel argued that he had misunderstood the team's message, yet admitted that even if he had comprehended, his actions would likely not have changed.
Asked if he would do the same again, Vettel replied: "I am not sure I can give you a proper answer because in the moment it might be different, but I would probably do the same.
"Had I understood the message and had I thought about it, reflected on it, thought what the team wanted to do, to leave Mark in first place and me finishing second... I think I would have thought about it and I would probably have done the same thing.
"He didn't deserve it.
"There is quite a conflict, because on the one hand I am the kind of guy who respects team decisions and the other hand, probably Mark is not the one who deserved it at the time."
Vettel and Webber have long had a fractious relationship, and the reigning world champion intimated that their history impacted on his Malaysian GP actions.
"I never had support from his side," Vettel said. "I have a lot of support from the team, and the team has supported both of us the same way.
"But in terms of the relationship to Mark, I respect him a lot as a racing driver, but I think there was more than one occasion in the past where he could have helped the team and he didn't."
Despite not regretting his actions, Vettel said he stood by his decision to apologise to Red Bull.
"I was racing, and as a racing driver I was solely focused on winning the race and I got a call on the radio, which I heard, but I didn't understand at the time," he said.
"I should have understood, that is why I apologised to the team - because in my action I put myself above the team. Whether you believe me or not is up to you.
But he shrugged off suggestions that he should have received a formal punishment from Red Bull.
"Maybe it is a little bit of a dreamland that you all live in, but what do you expect to happen?" said Vettel. "Make a suggestion!"
Vettel: I would probably do it again | News | Autocar India
Flawless Alonso takes victory in Shanghai![[:D]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Big%20Smile.gif "Big Smile [:D]")
Alonso took the chequered flag for the first time in 13 races to also ignite his Formula One world title challenge this season.
After retiring early last time out in Malaysia three weeks ago, the Ferrari star drove a superb race to win the Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit.
It was Alonso's 31st victory of his career, drawing him level with Nigel Mansell on the sport's all-time win list, leaving only Michael Schumacher, Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna ahead of him.
Alonso finished a comfortable 10 seconds clear of Kimi Raikkonen in his Lotus, with pole-sitter Lewis Hamilton having to settle for third for the second consecutive race.
The 28-year-old Briton had to fight off Sebastian Vettel over the closing lap, finishing just 0.2secs ahead of the three-times champion in his Red Bull.
From the outset as soon as qualifying had ended it was always going to be an intriguing battle between the team's technical boffins as to who had made the right strategy call.
The first seven drivers on the grid had used the highly-degradable soft Pirelli rubber in Q3, giving them an early advantage in the race, but knowing they would be forced into pitting early.
For the six drivers behind - Button, Vettel, Nico Hulkenberg in his Sauber, Force India duo Paul Di Resta and Adrian Sutil, along with McLaren's Sergio Perez - they all started on the medium compound.
That would give them early durability, but aware they would have to switch to the soft tyre very late on, ensuring it would all be about position come the closing stages.
Starting from his maiden pole for Mercedes, and the 27th overall of his Formula One career, Hamilton at least made a sterling getaway.
But with his car being particularly hard on the soft tyre, Hamilton was hit by a double Ferrari whammy at the start of lap five as he was passed by both Alonso and team-mate Felipe Massa.
In many respects, such an early move, was also the most defining of the race because Hamilton never once had an opportunity to try and regain the lead, never mind hold on to it.
As the race unfolded, and as has become the way so far this season, it all became about making the tyres last, pitting at the right time and knowing when to attack and when to try and ease a little.
Ferrari and Alonso mastered that, and whilst Raikkonen had a brush with McLaren's Sergio Perez at one point, the Finn managed to jump Hamilton in the third round of stops to claim the runner-up spot.
As for Vettel, his charge on the softs at the close ensured he fell just short of a podium place, resulting in his championship lead being cut to three points to Raikkonen, nine over Alonso and 12 to Hamilton.
There were casualties along the way, notably Sutil who was rammed into from behind by Sauber's Esteban Gutierrez, forcing both to retire after five laps.
As for Mark Webber, it was simply one of those weekends to forget.
After Red Bull failed to fuel his car correctly during qualifying due to a fault with the bowser, Webber started from the pit lane rather than the back of the grid.
That at least was the right call as it allowed the team to alter the car's set-up, and after a pit stop at the end of lap one to get rid of the soft tyre, Webber was running eighth come lap 15.
That was when further disaster struck as he ran into the side of the Toro Rosso of Jean-Eric Vergne, sending the Frenchman into a spin as bits of bodywork flew.
Webber immediately pitted for a new front wing, but he swiftly ran into further trouble as he began to cruise, with salt rubbed into his wounds when his right-rear wheel worked loose at the turn 14 hairpin.
There was no luck either for Nico Rosberg in his Mercedes as the German pulled into his garage after 23 laps with a technical fault.
Behind Vettel, Button finished a creditable fifth given the still ongoing limitations of his McLaren.
Button was followed by Ferrari's Felipe Massa, Daniel Ricciardo in his Toro Rosso, Di Resta, Lotus' Romain Grosjean and Hulkenberg in 10th, with Marsussia's Max Chilton 17th.
2013 Chinese Grand Prix Final Standings
1. Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) - 1:36:26.945
2. Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus) - +10.100
3. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) - +12.300
4. Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) - +12.500
5. Jenson Button (McLaren) - +35.200
6. Felipe Massa (Ferrari) - +40.800
7. Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso) - +42.600
8. Paul di Resta (Force India) - +51.000
9. Romain Grosjean (Lotus) - +53.400
10. Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber) - +56.500
11. Sergio Perez (McLaren) - +63.800
12. Jean Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso) - +72.600
13. Valtteri Bottas (Williams) - +93.800
14. Pastor Maldonado (Williams) - +95.400
15. Jules Bianchi (Marussia) - +1 lap
16. Charles Pic (Caterham) - +1 lap
17. Max Chilton (Marussia) - +1 lap
18. Giedo van der Garde (Caterham) - +1 lap
RET. Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) - +35 laps
RET. Mark Webber (Red Bull) - +41 lap
RET. Adrian Sutil (Force India) - +51 lap
RET. Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber) - +52 laps
Info - Formula 1 News | Flawless Alonso takes victory in Shanghai | FOX SPORTS
Regards,
Sankar
Alonso took the chequered flag for the first time in 13 races to also ignite his Formula One world title challenge this season.
After retiring early last time out in Malaysia three weeks ago, the Ferrari star drove a superb race to win the Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit.
It was Alonso's 31st victory of his career, drawing him level with Nigel Mansell on the sport's all-time win list, leaving only Michael Schumacher, Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna ahead of him.
Alonso finished a comfortable 10 seconds clear of Kimi Raikkonen in his Lotus, with pole-sitter Lewis Hamilton having to settle for third for the second consecutive race.
The 28-year-old Briton had to fight off Sebastian Vettel over the closing lap, finishing just 0.2secs ahead of the three-times champion in his Red Bull.
From the outset as soon as qualifying had ended it was always going to be an intriguing battle between the team's technical boffins as to who had made the right strategy call.
The first seven drivers on the grid had used the highly-degradable soft Pirelli rubber in Q3, giving them an early advantage in the race, but knowing they would be forced into pitting early.
For the six drivers behind - Button, Vettel, Nico Hulkenberg in his Sauber, Force India duo Paul Di Resta and Adrian Sutil, along with McLaren's Sergio Perez - they all started on the medium compound.
That would give them early durability, but aware they would have to switch to the soft tyre very late on, ensuring it would all be about position come the closing stages.
Starting from his maiden pole for Mercedes, and the 27th overall of his Formula One career, Hamilton at least made a sterling getaway.
But with his car being particularly hard on the soft tyre, Hamilton was hit by a double Ferrari whammy at the start of lap five as he was passed by both Alonso and team-mate Felipe Massa.
In many respects, such an early move, was also the most defining of the race because Hamilton never once had an opportunity to try and regain the lead, never mind hold on to it.
As the race unfolded, and as has become the way so far this season, it all became about making the tyres last, pitting at the right time and knowing when to attack and when to try and ease a little.
Ferrari and Alonso mastered that, and whilst Raikkonen had a brush with McLaren's Sergio Perez at one point, the Finn managed to jump Hamilton in the third round of stops to claim the runner-up spot.
As for Vettel, his charge on the softs at the close ensured he fell just short of a podium place, resulting in his championship lead being cut to three points to Raikkonen, nine over Alonso and 12 to Hamilton.
There were casualties along the way, notably Sutil who was rammed into from behind by Sauber's Esteban Gutierrez, forcing both to retire after five laps.
As for Mark Webber, it was simply one of those weekends to forget.
After Red Bull failed to fuel his car correctly during qualifying due to a fault with the bowser, Webber started from the pit lane rather than the back of the grid.
That at least was the right call as it allowed the team to alter the car's set-up, and after a pit stop at the end of lap one to get rid of the soft tyre, Webber was running eighth come lap 15.
That was when further disaster struck as he ran into the side of the Toro Rosso of Jean-Eric Vergne, sending the Frenchman into a spin as bits of bodywork flew.
Webber immediately pitted for a new front wing, but he swiftly ran into further trouble as he began to cruise, with salt rubbed into his wounds when his right-rear wheel worked loose at the turn 14 hairpin.
There was no luck either for Nico Rosberg in his Mercedes as the German pulled into his garage after 23 laps with a technical fault.
Behind Vettel, Button finished a creditable fifth given the still ongoing limitations of his McLaren.
Button was followed by Ferrari's Felipe Massa, Daniel Ricciardo in his Toro Rosso, Di Resta, Lotus' Romain Grosjean and Hulkenberg in 10th, with Marsussia's Max Chilton 17th.
2013 Chinese Grand Prix Final Standings
1. Fernando Alonso (Ferrari) - 1:36:26.945
2. Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus) - +10.100
3. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) - +12.300
4. Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) - +12.500
5. Jenson Button (McLaren) - +35.200
6. Felipe Massa (Ferrari) - +40.800
7. Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso) - +42.600
8. Paul di Resta (Force India) - +51.000
9. Romain Grosjean (Lotus) - +53.400
10. Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber) - +56.500
11. Sergio Perez (McLaren) - +63.800
12. Jean Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso) - +72.600
13. Valtteri Bottas (Williams) - +93.800
14. Pastor Maldonado (Williams) - +95.400
15. Jules Bianchi (Marussia) - +1 lap
16. Charles Pic (Caterham) - +1 lap
17. Max Chilton (Marussia) - +1 lap
18. Giedo van der Garde (Caterham) - +1 lap
RET. Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) - +35 laps
RET. Mark Webber (Red Bull) - +41 lap
RET. Adrian Sutil (Force India) - +51 lap
RET. Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber) - +52 laps
Info - Formula 1 News | Flawless Alonso takes victory in Shanghai | FOX SPORTS
Regards,
Sankar
Thread Starter
#84
But Lotus doesn't seem to have outright qualifying pace or race pace but them seem to be good on there tires. So they can run longer than others in a given set of tires.
Regards,
Sankar
Regards,
Sankar
Thread Starter
#86
But Lotus doesn't have the resources of the big teams like Ferrari, Mclaren, Red Bull or Mercedes. The car might be good on pace during the start of the season but continued development is needed to keep the car in front of grid. For example Ferrari had a poor car last season but during the course of the season they improved a lot and at times where the fastest cars on grid. So Lotus might loose out car development during the year to big players.
Regards,
Sankar
Regards,
Sankar
Lotus lacks the outright pace of the Ferrari or the Mercedes. BUT they are good when it comes to race pace. Saving tyres alone cant win you race. Alonso got a free air infront of him, which won him the race. If we was stuck behind the traffic like Kimi and Hamilton, then I doubt he would have saved his tyres like he did.
I've been the fan of Iceman ever since his early days. He is a true racer, no one comes close (even).
I've been the fan of Iceman ever since his early days. He is a true racer, no one comes close (even).
Alonso was also stuck in traffic during his first round of pit stops but then he clearly outpaced everyone and then during the next round of pit stops were clearly ahead of everyone. Even during second round of pit stops he has traffic in front of him and he overtook Vettel, Button and numerous other drivers to take the lead back.Also Alonso in the beginning of race had over took Hamilton on lap 5 while Kimi couldn't do so and could manage to get ahead of Hamilton only during the pit stops. I think Fernando won the race very fairly.
Regards,
Sankar
Regards,
Sankar
No ones saying Alonso won the race unfairly.
If you remember after Alonsos first stop, during his outlap, people infront of him jumped into the pits. It was Hulkenberg, Vettle, Button and Perez (was it) ahead of him. And Vettle was radioed to avoid fighting Alonso as they were in completely different strategy.
I think Ferrari cant manage its tyre in turbulent air. Lotus is the best in tyre management. But the downside is they lack grip in cold conditions. Remember Brazil last year.
If you remember after Alonsos first stop, during his outlap, people infront of him jumped into the pits. It was Hulkenberg, Vettle, Button and Perez (was it) ahead of him. And Vettle was radioed to avoid fighting Alonso as they were in completely different strategy.
I think Ferrari cant manage its tyre in turbulent air. Lotus is the best in tyre management. But the downside is they lack grip in cold conditions. Remember Brazil last year.