Official 2019 Chinese Grand Prix Thread ***SPOILERS***

[Piginapoke]

We’ve barely recovered after Bahrain, and now it’s time for China. A penny for Daniel Ricciardo’s thoughts this weekend, after his brilliant drive last year to win.

Date(s): Friday 12 April 2019 - Sunday 14 April 2019

UK Broadcast Timings (and local time)

All sessions are live on Sky F1; only highlights are shown on Channel 4:





Live timing for all sessions available here:

https://www.formula1.com/en/f1-live.html

Lap times, PU component use, technical reports and Stewards' decisions for the weekend will appear here:

https://www.fia.com/events/fia-formula-one-world-c...

Weather forecast:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/1796236

Tyre Choices:



2018 Qualifying Result:



2018 Race Result:



2018 race highlights:

https://youtu.be/uiub1DnUnkg

Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo took a sensational victory in the Chinese Grand Prix as a chaotic final 20 laps threw the championship wide open.
Ricciardo drove beautifully to pass five cars after Red Bull chose to pit for fresh tyres in a safety-car period.
Team-mate Max Verstappen stopped at the same time - but threw away his chances with two errors caused by over-optimistic driving.
Lewis Hamilton finished a frustrated fifth, but was promoted back ahead of Verstappen, who was penalised for causing a collision with Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel.

Edited by Piginapoke on Saturday 6th April 13:25

[Piginapoke]

fesuvious said:

Bottas deserves huge credit for his attitude this year.

It would be very easy to settle for no.2 status. He isn't. I am a BIG Hamilton fan, happy thought that Bottas genuinely intends to go for the title however. It's great for F1.

This was the case in Melbourne, but the new Bottas went missing in Bahrain, 30 seconds behind Hamilton!

[Piginapoke]

Vaud said:

Off topic but rather than start a new thread

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6nEqEDmta8

A comparison between Indycar and F1 at COTA.
Indycar 15% slower than F1; only marginally faster than F2 on a pretty much identical track.

I hadn't realised that they were quite that much slower.

I was surprised Indycar was not slower; 15% off F1 pace for approx 80% saving on F1 budget!

[Piginapoke]

Deesee said:

Piginapoke said:

Vaud said:

Off topic but rather than start a new thread

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6nEqEDmta8

A comparison between Indycar and F1 at COTA.
Indycar 15% slower than F1; only marginally faster than F2 on a pretty much identical track.

I hadn't realised that they were quite that much slower.

I was surprised Indycar was not slower; 15% off F1 pace for approx 80% saving on F1 budget!

Just in front of LMP2 pace..

and F2

[Piginapoke]

E34-3.2 said:

Piginapoke said:

I was surprised Indycar was not slower; 15% off F1 pace for approx 80% saving on F1 budget!

What saving?

15% is huge in racing term.

Top end F1 budget £400m

Winning IndyCar budget £20m per car.

[Piginapoke]

slipstream 1985 said:

Piginapoke said:

Vaud said:

Off topic but rather than start a new thread

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6nEqEDmta8

A comparison between Indycar and F1 at COTA.
Indycar 15% slower than F1; only marginally faster than F2 on a pretty much identical track.

I hadn't realised that they were quite that much slower.

I was surprised Indycar was not slower; 15% off F1 pace for approx 80% saving on F1 budget!

Law of diminishing returns.

It is indeed. But I have to say, employing 1,000 people to put two cars on the grid 20 times a year is bonkers.

[Piginapoke]

Looking incredibly close at the sharp end. What price Bottas for pole? Ricciardo way off Hulkenberg again. Williams slightly less bad, maybe?

Looks like a Qualifying not to be missed tomorrow morning.

[Piginapoke]

Glad he's OK, he took a while to move after the accident.

It stopped most of the final runs, so harder now to predict qualifying.

I still have my virtual £5 on Bottas this weekend- I think SuperBot is back!

[Piginapoke]

What do we think is going on with Hamilton this weekend? He's been scruffy and well behind Bottas, but I've not heard anything from him at all.

[Piginapoke]

Vaud said:

Can't see Gasly making mid year, and maybe Albon as well.

Albon has had a very strong start- well ahead of Kyvat. I think it's his first mistake of the year?

Gasly is looking a bit shaky, but he's a good driver and the car is tricky. I back him to sort it out.

[Piginapoke]

37chevy said:

Exige77 said:

He usually comes good when it matters.

It will be close between red & silver cars

Yup be interesting, apparently it’s down to getting tyres warmed up. Sky F1 crew saying he’s having his off weekend and doesn’t stand a chance of getting pole

It has the feel of one of his “off weekends” so far

[Piginapoke]

Great lap from Bottas!

[Piginapoke]

Great from Hulk, again

[Piginapoke]

At least some good news, Stroll’s out in Q1

[Piginapoke]

Ferrari was 2 seconds up on Williams in the first sector alone. Wow.

[Piginapoke]

So good having Ted back.

Then Crofty talks.....

[Piginapoke]

[quote=JonChalk]Bottas!!!! 9/10 faster than Hamiltonbut why go out again?

But why go out again?

[Piginapoke]

Gad-Westy said:

Am I right I’m saying gasly is 6/10th slower than max and he’s running the soft tyre? Graphic has disappeared now.

Yes, slower on softs than Max on mediums

[Piginapoke]

Here we go....

[Piginapoke]

Me too. I think every GP should be early morning, such a good start to the day!