OFFICIAL CHINA GP THREAD WITH SPOILERS UNDER INVESTIGATION

[10 Pence Short]

He needs to finish ahead of Alonso to give him the title on Sunday.

Whatever the position of Alonso, if Hamilton scores 4 points or more then Raikennon is out of the running.

[Miss Pitstop]

Thank you!

[Altrezia]

aye, ta. makes it nice and clear for those of us with friday 'jamfor' brains.

[Paulle]

Alonso 3rd (6 points)
Hamilton 4th (5 points)
Means Hamilton can clinch title on Sunday (subject to any appeals )

[skeggysteve]

I posted this in the London thread but just thought I should post here as well.

..........................

ITV programme starts at 6, so that will be a hour of Lewis hype then.

ITV programme finishes at 9.05, so if it's a wet race and goes the full 2 hours we'll get no post race coverage, good planning there.

.............................

I've asked an ITV insider if ITV can over run into GMTV time or if ITV have a contingency plan. I'll let you know if I get a reply.

[.Adam.]

skeggysteve said:

I posted this in the London thread but just thought I should post here as well.

..........................

ITV programme starts at 6, so that will be a hour of Lewis hype then.

ITV programme finishes at 9.05, so if it's a wet race and goes the full 2 hours we'll get no post race coverage, good planning there.

.............................

I've asked an ITV insider if ITV can over run into GMTV time or if ITV have a contingency plan. I'll let you know if I get a reply.

It ran into GMTV last time by about 45 mins, so hopefully it can this week if needed.

[skeggysteve]

.Adam. said:

It ran into GMTV last time by about 45 mins, so hopefully it can this week if needed.

Adam,

That was only last week and I forgot about it

Thanks for reminding me just how old I'm getting

[skeggysteve]

Sorry if it's just me that find this amusing.

In todays press conference one of the questions was:

"Did you ever imagine that a rookie could be fighting for the world championship in the way that Lewis is?"

The people had to answer that question were Ron Dennis, Mario Theissen, Jean Todt, and Frank Williams.

I won't quote all the answers just the best part of Jean Todt's:

" We can only have respect and admiration for what he has achieved this year."

Why do I have feeling that that was said though very firmly gritted teeth.

[benyeats]

Anyone bothered to get up for quali ?

[CivicMan]

yes!

[LocoBlade]

Yep, working again today and managed to get everyone to start at 8:30 rather than 8 so I could watch quali then drive the 30 mins to work

[benyeats]

Excellent result, as the man says "better late than never"

[peterh2]

Would love to see Alonsos face now!

[stew-S160]

that lap was utterly magnificent.

[LocoBlade]

That was a pretty handy lap wasnt it! I cant imagine he'd be fuelled significantly light, no reason to do that given his position in the championship but we'll see tomorrow.

[stew-S160]

interview with chris dyer, never said 'for sure' once. omg...i thought it was as natural as breathing for people in F1

for sure!

[Munter]

Oh dear. Alonso's not looking like he's in a good position is he. The prospect of rain tomorrow could make things interesting...

[Altrezia]

Glad I got up early for that - What a great quali session! well done Coultard!

Excellent effort by Hamilton - I was expecting him to pop Alonzo, but not both the Ferraris!

[benyeats]

Altrezia said:

Glad I got up early for that - What a great quali session! well done Coultard!

Excellent effort by Hamilton - I was expecting him to pop Alonzo, but not both the Ferraris!

Good point on Coulthard, can hardly believe that good on him

[stuttgartmetal]

What a lap.
I can't believe I shouted that loud this time of the morning.
Go-on Lewis.

[CplJones]They don't like it up 'em. Go-on son, stick it up em, they don't like it up em[/CplJones]

Alonso pictured post qualifying