The Official 2016 Chinese Grand Prix Thread **Spoilers**
Discussion
mollytherocker said:
rsole said:
Hamilton (to me at least) seems to have lost some of that 'mojo' that lit races up regularly in the past. I know it's early in the season, but bad luck aside his performances in and out of the car seem a tad flat.
Guess we will see.
Totally agree.Guess we will see.
I do kind of hope Rosberg gets the title this year. When you look at all the stats being thrown about - if he doesn't I think he'll be a gibbering wreck crying in the corner of the garage.
He's now won the most amount of races for a driver who hasn't won a championship
Every driver that has won the first three races has won the title (over shorter seasons though)
The only other drivers who have won 6 races in a row have all been world champions (I think!!)
Stack those together - with Hamilton's very relaxed attitude - and perhaps mojo drop, combined with some unfortunate racing luck and things do seem to be lining up for Nico.
Warmfuzzies said:
Mr_Yogi said:
noell35 said:
you need to check the settings on your photobucket account 
mmm nice ...Sam All said:
mollytherocker said:
rsole said:
Hamilton (to me at least) seems to have lost some of that 'mojo' that lit races up regularly in the past. I know it's early in the season, but bad luck aside his performances in and out of the car seem a tad flat.
Guess we will see.
Totally agree.Guess we will see.
However, the competition has just got sharper. And I expect Vettel will want to knock his confidence.
ZX10R NIN said:
Sam All said:
mollytherocker said:
rsole said:
Hamilton (to me at least) seems to have lost some of that 'mojo' that lit races up regularly in the past. I know it's early in the season, but bad luck aside his performances in and out of the car seem a tad flat.
Guess we will see.
Totally agree.Guess we will see.
However, the competition has just got sharper. And I expect Vettel will want to knock his confidence.
rubystone said:
jsf said:
NRS said:
Ha ha, did anyone just see Herbert's comments? After the Alonso interview Herbert was asked if he had driven with broken ribs, to which he said no. Then quickly added he had driven with a broken toe and thus knows you feel nothing because of the adrenaline. So basically he doesn't know but was still pushing that he was able to comment on Alonso being a wimp IMO.
I guess you don't know Johnny drove all his F1 career with feet that were smashed to pieces in an F3000 race at Brands Hatch. It is a miracle he can walk, never mind have had a successful GP career. He sure knows what it's like to drive with pain, more so than probably anyone else in that pit lane. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvWawLBTh6UIf the subject of driving in pain is under discussion, Herbert has a considerable amount of expertise.
I was at Brands the day he crashed, at Paddock. The rumours were of career ending injuries. Oddly enough, they were right. A case of what might have been.
His parents used to attend races he was in and sell paraphernalia and were always up for a chat. Their story about what happened after Herbert out-qualified M Schumacher were an eye-opener for me.
Lovely couple.
Mr_Thyroid said:
Don't understand Hamilton's strategy. 10 laps on the soft in the middle stint when he did over 20 in the first doesn't make any sense to me. They said they had a plan but I'm not sure it was a very good one.
I`m sure it was Toto who they interviewed after the race. He said the plan was good, but the damage to Lewis`s car after the front wing went under it meant the front tyres were wearing faster than usual so the Softs didn`t last as long as they`d expected.
Was out all day so only caught up to lap 40 or so, but having now watched the full race...it was a crazy race. There's always one throwing a spanner in the works! Last race it was Bottas and this one it was Kvyat. I didn't see anything wrong with Kvyat's move, though it seems Vettel got spooked by the superior grip of the Red Bull. Vettel's error, and here I was, looking forward to seeing what Raikkonen could do in the first stint. 
As far as I'm concerned, Ferrari have delivered a car capable of beating the Mercedes and challenge for race wins consistently for the first time since 2010. It doesn't look like either of the pilots are grabbing it with both hands. How Alonso would love to be in Vettel's place. However, it was a good recovery drive by Vettel with some good overtakes (liked the pitlane one). His second place underlines the car's pace.
Driver of the race is Hamilton for me. Races like this are how Championships are won. Accident was of no fault of his own, and his deg rate was worser on the last two stints on the Soft and Medium tyres but it was a good, measured and fighting drive. His 7th place is also good news in that, in the previous two years I would be certain that he'd be fighting for a podium finish even with a damaged car, such was the car performance advantage he had. He likes to fight his way through, so I'm sure he relishes this kind of races.
Ricciardo is now third in the Championship, behind the Mercedes drivers. What a racer! As much as I don't like Red Bull as a team, I want them to give him a car that can fight for race wins consistently just to see him fight at the front. Has there been an explanation from Pirelli/Red Bull as to what caused his tyre failure? I suspect some tyre pressure/Red Bull shenanigans. Eagerly awaiting the PU upgrade from Renault scheduled at Canada.
McLaren tried to have a faster car at the end of the race by putting on the Super Soft for Button, but the deg rate was horrible. I'm expecting the McHonda to be only a Qualifying Special for some races to come. The deg rate was under control on the Soft and Medium, but Alonso was around 2-2.5s per lap slower than Rosberg in the early part of the race.
This season feels like 2010. Looking forward to the next races.
As far as I'm concerned, Ferrari have delivered a car capable of beating the Mercedes and challenge for race wins consistently for the first time since 2010. It doesn't look like either of the pilots are grabbing it with both hands. How Alonso would love to be in Vettel's place. However, it was a good recovery drive by Vettel with some good overtakes (liked the pitlane one). His second place underlines the car's pace.
Driver of the race is Hamilton for me. Races like this are how Championships are won. Accident was of no fault of his own, and his deg rate was worser on the last two stints on the Soft and Medium tyres but it was a good, measured and fighting drive. His 7th place is also good news in that, in the previous two years I would be certain that he'd be fighting for a podium finish even with a damaged car, such was the car performance advantage he had. He likes to fight his way through, so I'm sure he relishes this kind of races.
Ricciardo is now third in the Championship, behind the Mercedes drivers. What a racer! As much as I don't like Red Bull as a team, I want them to give him a car that can fight for race wins consistently just to see him fight at the front. Has there been an explanation from Pirelli/Red Bull as to what caused his tyre failure? I suspect some tyre pressure/Red Bull shenanigans. Eagerly awaiting the PU upgrade from Renault scheduled at Canada.
McLaren tried to have a faster car at the end of the race by putting on the Super Soft for Button, but the deg rate was horrible. I'm expecting the McHonda to be only a Qualifying Special for some races to come. The deg rate was under control on the Soft and Medium, but Alonso was around 2-2.5s per lap slower than Rosberg in the early part of the race.
This season feels like 2010. Looking forward to the next races.
Dr Z said:
Was out all day so only caught up to lap 40 or so, but having now watched the full race...it was a crazy race. There's always one throwing a spanner in the works! Last race it was Bottas and this one it was Kvyat. I didn't see anything wrong with Kvyat's move, though it seems Vettel got spooked by the superior grip of the Red Bull. Vettel's error, and here I was, looking forward to seeing what Raikkonen could do in the first stint.
As far as I'm concerned, Ferrari have delivered a car capable of beating the Mercedes and challenge for race wins consistently for the first time since 2010. It doesn't look like either of the pilots are grabbing it with both hands. How Alonso would love to be in Vettel's place. However, it was a good recovery drive by Vettel with some good overtakes (liked the pitlane one). His second place underlines the car's pace.
Driver of the race is Hamilton for me. Races like this are how Championships are won. Accident was of no fault of his own, and his deg rate was worser on the last two stints on the Soft and Medium tyres but it was a good, measured and fighting drive. His 7th place is also good news in that, in the previous two years I would be certain that he'd be fighting for a podium finish even with a damaged car, such was the car performance advantage he had. He likes to fight his way through, so I'm sure he relishes this kind of races.
Ricciardo is now third in the Championship, behind the Mercedes drivers. What a racer! As much as I don't like Red Bull as a team, I want them to give him a car that can fight for race wins consistently just to see him fight at the front. Has there been an explanation from Pirelli/Red Bull as to what caused his tyre failure? I suspect some tyre pressure/Red Bull shenanigans. Eagerly awaiting the PU upgrade from Renault scheduled at Canada.
McLaren tried to have a faster car at the end of the race by putting on the Super Soft for Button, but the deg rate was horrible. I'm expecting the McHonda to be only a Qualifying Special for some races to come. The deg rate was under control on the Soft and Medium, but Alonso was around 2-2.5s per lap slower than Rosberg in the early part of the race.
This season feels like 2010. Looking forward to the next races.
A great assessment and I agree with all your points. I can bet Marchionne gave them hell behind closed doors yesterday as I think Ferrari know they have a very good car but have thrown one win away for sure in Australia and possibly two counting yesterday.As far as I'm concerned, Ferrari have delivered a car capable of beating the Mercedes and challenge for race wins consistently for the first time since 2010. It doesn't look like either of the pilots are grabbing it with both hands. How Alonso would love to be in Vettel's place. However, it was a good recovery drive by Vettel with some good overtakes (liked the pitlane one). His second place underlines the car's pace.
Driver of the race is Hamilton for me. Races like this are how Championships are won. Accident was of no fault of his own, and his deg rate was worser on the last two stints on the Soft and Medium tyres but it was a good, measured and fighting drive. His 7th place is also good news in that, in the previous two years I would be certain that he'd be fighting for a podium finish even with a damaged car, such was the car performance advantage he had. He likes to fight his way through, so I'm sure he relishes this kind of races.
Ricciardo is now third in the Championship, behind the Mercedes drivers. What a racer! As much as I don't like Red Bull as a team, I want them to give him a car that can fight for race wins consistently just to see him fight at the front. Has there been an explanation from Pirelli/Red Bull as to what caused his tyre failure? I suspect some tyre pressure/Red Bull shenanigans. Eagerly awaiting the PU upgrade from Renault scheduled at Canada.
McLaren tried to have a faster car at the end of the race by putting on the Super Soft for Button, but the deg rate was horrible. I'm expecting the McHonda to be only a Qualifying Special for some races to come. The deg rate was under control on the Soft and Medium, but Alonso was around 2-2.5s per lap slower than Rosberg in the early part of the race.
This season feels like 2010. Looking forward to the next races.
Hamilton gets a lot of flack but he is usually very strong when on the back foot, in a way it suits his character more having to fight back rather than boring domination, hence why I don't think he's too upset. If the Mercedes drivers were in opposite positions, would Rosberg be as calm as Hamilton appeared to be after the race? Somehow I doubt it.
Red Bull in the mix is interesting and if they can maintain this pace they will be challenging for wins in Monaco and Canada, circuits which suit their car perfectly.
I enjoyed the race. Lots of incident. It was a dreadful shame that three of the top four drivers had major problems. The safety car helped a bit, but not enough.
Vettel was a bit out of order. I saw no problem with the move on him and if anyone was to blame it was a choice between either red car.
More please.
Vettel was a bit out of order. I saw no problem with the move on him and if anyone was to blame it was a choice between either red car.
More please.
Blayney said:
lord summerisle said:
hairyben said:
it's 3 of 21, lewis has taken the last 2 years by a big old margin, despite regular solid drives from rosberg, so the smart moneys got to be on him.
2015: yesbut dont forget that in 2014 Hamilton retired during the Aus GP, had a run of 4 wins to rosberg's second place to get back to being ahead before a 2 second places 2x DNF and 2z 3rd places dropped Ham 29 points behind Rosberg. It was only in the tail end of the season when rosberg had a DNF and ham had a run of wins that got him to the top of the championship (plus the double points for the last race with Rosberg finishing 14th makes it look like Hamilton had a dominant season) but for 11 of 19 races Rosberg was leading the championship.
To be fair though rosberg HAS to hit the ground running and try to stay ahead - if merc get properly challenged later in the season and have to think about team orders it won't be easy slapping them on the guy who's delivered their two titles, whatever the respective points, wheras rosberg doesn't have that luxury.
hairyben said:
^Very much this. 'the 14 title only went to the final race by virtue of the double points daftness and lewis took the championship by something like 70 points in the end which by my reckoning is a convincing margin.
To be fair though rosberg HAS to hit the ground running and try to stay ahead - if merc get properly challenged later in the season and have to think about team orders it won't be easy slapping them on the guy who's delivered their two titles, whatever the respective points, wheras rosberg doesn't have that luxury.
Going into the last race there was 17 points between Hamilton and Rosberg. The points gap at the end looks big with the double points and Rosberg finishing out the points.To be fair though rosberg HAS to hit the ground running and try to stay ahead - if merc get properly challenged later in the season and have to think about team orders it won't be easy slapping them on the guy who's delivered their two titles, whatever the respective points, wheras rosberg doesn't have that luxury.
Sure - when Hamilton's car didnt fail, he was dominant - winning 11 races, on the podium for every race he finished.
But I maintain he didn't have a run away championship like the 2015 season, as he was playing catch up, points wise, for a good chunk of the year.
sanf said:
mollytherocker said:
rsole said:
Hamilton (to me at least) seems to have lost some of that 'mojo' that lit races up regularly in the past. I know it's early in the season, but bad luck aside his performances in and out of the car seem a tad flat.
Guess we will see.
Totally agree.Guess we will see.
I do kind of hope Rosberg gets the title this year. When you look at all the stats being thrown about - if he doesn't I think he'll be a gibbering wreck crying in the corner of the garage.
He's now won the most amount of races for a driver who hasn't won a championship
Every driver that has won the first three races has won the title (over shorter seasons though)
The only other drivers who have won 6 races in a row have all been world champions (I think!!)
Stack those together - with Hamilton's very relaxed attitude - and perhaps mojo drop, combined with some unfortunate racing luck and things do seem to be lining up for Nico.
But I think a slightly mellowed Hamilton is even more dangerous than the more unstable version. I think the mojo is fully intact.
The main thing is the season is shaping up to be interesting.
swisstoni said:
But I think a slightly mellowed Hamilton is even more dangerous than the more unstable version. I think the mojo is fully intact.
The main thing is the season is shaping up to be interesting.
Totally agree, an outwardly mellow approach (and killer instinct when it matters) is a hallmark of most successful people.The main thing is the season is shaping up to be interesting.
I agree Rosberg is far better than he is given credit for, but I am unconvinced by his ability to race hard wheel to wheel, an important part of any drivers armoury. Hamilton and Ricciardo for example are never in question on this aspect.
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