[Official] Chinese Grand Prix 2017 - Round 2 of 20 - Grand Prix Weekend Thread

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by chillibowl

im not knowledgeable about copters but it seems to me that a medical helicopter should be designed to operate in extreme weather...we have them here servicing rural communities and they go out in extreme wind conditions, blizzards, -40c all the time.

There's a difference between a medical crew choosing to go out and assist once someone is in need of support, and deliberately taking the risk of needing a helicopter in adverse conditions.

The individuals being served by the helicopters you are referring to, probably didn't factor in the need for medical cover when they started whatever activity led to the need.

Why compound the risk of an accident on the track, on top of the risk of an accident for the medical helicopter supporting them?

[chillibowl]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

There's a difference between a medical crew choosing to go out and assist once someone is in need of support, and deliberately taking the risk of needing a helicopter in adverse conditions.

The individuals being served by the helicopters you are referring to, probably didn't factor in the need for medical cover when they started whatever activity led to the need.

Why compound the risk of an accident on the track, on top of the risk of an accident for the medical helicopter supporting them?

you make a fair point, but im wondering if the risk cannot be better mitigated in the future with better equipment/crew?

[Mike Harte]

Regardless of who supplies the medivac helicopter, it's pilots have to abide by local aviation rules and laws. What may be permitted in Canada may not be allowed in other countries.

And whilst racing drivers may accept uncertain risks to satisfy their passion for motor racing, there is an oft repeated saying amongst the flying community: “There are old pilots, and there are bold pilots, but there are no old, bold pilots.”. High calibre pilots will never take unnecessary risks, and if that means keeping the craft on the ground, so be it.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

Regardless of who supplies the medivac helicopter, it's pilots have to abide by local aviation rules and laws. What may be permitted in Canada may not be allowed in other countries.

And whilst racing drivers may accept uncertain risks to satisfy their passion for motor racing, there is an oft repeated saying amongst the flying community: “There are old pilots, and there are bold pilots, but there are no old, bold pilots.”. High calibre pilots will never take unnecessary risks, and if that means keeping the craft on the ground, so be it.

And ask any pilot of Med-Evac aircraft (off the record) and they will tell you that they will push the boundaries themselves at times when they know a life is in danger, but they would much rather that the people didn't put their lives in danger in the first place.

F1 may have the financial revenue to fund advances in aviation safety to allow helicopters to operate in increasingly adverse conditions - but it is much cheaper to avoid the risk than to mitigate it.

[Armco Bender]

Its all sorted a new helicopter is being rushed to the circuit.....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfRJZHA03qs&t=323s

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Armco Bender

Its all sorted a new helicopter is being rushed to the circuit.....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfRJZHA03qs&t=323s

I think I'll walk thanks.....

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

And ask any pilot of Med-Evac aircraft (off the record) and they will tell you that they will push the boundaries themselves at times when they know a life is in danger, but they would much rather that the people didn't put their lives in danger in the first place.

F1 may have the financial revenue to fund advances in aviation safety to allow helicopters to operate in increasingly adverse conditions - but it is much cheaper to avoid the risk than to mitigate it.

And unfortunately, pilots pushing the boundaries too often end tragically. For example, the helicopter pilot who, against advice not to fly because of the poor visibility, took off from Kent to fly to Luton to pick up a client, but was forced to cut short the journey. Due to the worsening conditions he attempted to land at Battersea Heliport, but collided with a tower crane on his approach which he didn't see.

[Akrapovic]

Helicopters are grounded all the time due to fog. Its kinda hard to land if you cannot see the helideck. The oil and has industry doesn't ground helicopters on a weekly basis just for fun.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Is this the new F1 movie?

[F1Guy]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

Is this the new F1 movie?

Dragon: The Seb Vettee Story.

[F1Guy]

News from China pitlane suggests the emergency medical issues have apparently been solved. Race will go ahead tomorrow without the need for the medivac helicopter.

The FIA approved hospital is 38km's from the track. That hospital has the necessary equipment. This equipment has now been moved to the hospital that is only a 5min drive from the track. And a clear path by road to this hospital will be created later today. Problem solved.

The above is yet to be confirmed.

[stripedcat]

There's a 90% chance of rain tomorrow. So, please no Mercedes safety car test session or "We can't race because there's too much rain" excuses.

I am looking forward to what the rainmasters Vettel and Hamilton can do. Also, maybe Verstappen can make his way up the field in the wet - like last year in Brazil?

Oh - and please no problems for the medical helicopter!

[Mr Pink]

Originally Posted by Richard Casto

That was hilarious. Right after that shot, those who were working on the Vettel banner were looking over the top and realized the problem and pulled up the extra "E". Then they cut to the Ferrari garage and showed Vettel in the car looking at his monitor. He clearly had a bit grin on his face under his balaclava. He then held up his fingers to make an "L" to indicate the missing letter.

Then a bit later they show fans in full driving suits and helmets dressed as the Stig, Alonso and Vettel. With another cut back to the garage with Alonso and Vettel grinning at what they see on the world feed. At least they are having fun while not on track!

Richard

On a related note, how "real" do you think the fan clubs who are present at the race are? I got a funny feeling during qualifying that they had been put there in order to make it look good..

[bella]

pretty real tbh - the fan/hero culture in china is strong in a similar way to japan, but it's a lot smaller. dunno what the ticket arrangements are at shanghai but fridays are often roaming days, where you can sit in any stand regardless of where your seat is for the rest of the weekend.

[Mr Pink]

Originally Posted by bella

pretty real tbh - the fan/hero culture in china is strong in a similar way to japan, but it's a lot smaller. dunno what the ticket arrangements are at shanghai but fridays are often roaming days, where you can sit in any stand regardless of where your seat is for the rest of the weekend.

Happy to hear I was wrong on that one!

[bella]

not necessarily wrong, just saying there's a decent chance it's actually genuine but i hear ya on feeling it was a bit fake!

[chillibowl]

looks to be a very exciting order of cars on the grid tomorrow.

nice to see Stroll make Q3 plus a Renault, FI, and STR in the top ten as well, Sainz looking in from 11th, and with Max near the back we should see a nice charge through the field from him...i would expect to see a lot more overtakes.

and if it rains who knows how it will all shake out.

something to be said about a lack of practice running?

[chillibowl]

Originally Posted by F1Guy

Dragon: The Seb Vettee Story.

[chillibowl]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

Regardless of who supplies the medivac helicopter, it's pilots have to abide by local aviation rules and laws. What may be permitted in Canada may not be allowed in other countries.

makes sense. thanks Mike.

[bjohnsonsmith]

It looks cold and wet there but no SC start, as the race hasn't been declared wet.

[bjohnsonsmith]

A very clean start but Vettee looked rather out of place on the grid.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Just after the VSC ended, because Stroll got punted off by Perez, Giovinazzi hits the pit wall, wrecking his car and bringing out the first FCY

[bjohnsonsmith]

A great move by Vettee, on Ricciardo.

[Born Racer]

Fantastic moves today, so many by Verstappen. Came from way back on Bottas just now. The Sainz and Alonso battle was good fun, as was Vettel on Ricciardo.

[Mr Pink]

Man, Verstappen is not easy to like..