[Official] Round 3 - Chinese Grand Prix

[bjohnsonsmith]

Two wide down the pit lane, Massa and Hulkenberg.

[JeremySmith]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Just come up on twitter that rumour has it that Webber has signed a five year deal with Porsche.

Good news Peter, Mark can walk away from Vettel-Red Bull racing with his head held high..

[bjohnsonsmith]

Despite the bad start and the damaged nose, that was a good drive from Kimi.

[chunterer]

Alonso unstoppable today, he's right back in it after that Malaysian nonsense.

Dunno what happened with Massa though. Right up there until the first stops and then seemed to get bogged down and was out of sequence by the looks of it. Ferrari probably could've done him a better first stop window though surely?

Very impressed with Button today, classy performance. Bit concerned with Perez, still early says I know but he seems to be struggling with that car more than Jense and the furstration is clearly getting to him judging by the mobile chicancery he was putting up, which is silly for someone with his sensible attitude.

Di Resta also did very well I thought? fortunate to survive that barging match with him teammate and Perez chopping him at least twice and still managed to put up a good fight against Massa.

Reckon Petronas will keep going forward this year, rather than go backwards like last season. Lewis could be a drak horse, but that miniker has surely got to go to Raikkonen. He out performed that Enstone today without any doubt.

[IceMan_PJN]

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

Mark was miles back, he made his move too late. Almost hesitant in committing and then made his move when the gap was gone. Completely his fault I am afraid.

Unnecessary grid penalty though, as per usual.

I support the penalty. He plowed into another car. If it had been Hamilton slamming into the side of Massa, people would expect the penalty.

[IceMan_PJN]

Originally Posted by IceMan_PJN

I support the penalty. He plowed into another car. If it had been Hamilton slamming into the side of Massa, people would expect the penalty.

I can't seem to edit this post from my phone, for some reason.

Having seen replays of the collision, I think I'm changing my mind. I no longer agree with the penalty because it doesn't look like it's a matter of fault so much as a racing incident.

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by IceMan_PJN

I support the penalty. He plowed into another car. If it had been Hamilton slamming into the side of Massa, people would expect the penalty.

Clearly Webber's fault, IMO. (Which of course counts for little )

The radio control device he was using on the detached wheel just didn't quite work accurately enough though, did it?

[chunterer]

Just checked the Checo, Kimi incident again... have to say that although he had been weaving about at times, looked like the Mexican just drove a normal line throigh the kink into the right hander and Kimi ran outa road!

[Knowlesy]

Yeah it was almost like Perez didn't realise Kimi was there. Wasn't a block.

[chunterer]

I hope he didn't brake test him but ot would've been too far from the braking zone?

[werner]

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

Yeah it was almost like Perez didn't realise Kimi was there. Wasn't a block.

In a brakingzone that is kinked like where Perez and Raikonen had their incident, you could block someone unintentionally. Perez took the normal racingline, wich goes from right in the kink to left, to make sure your entry in the hairpin is as wide as possible.

The question ofcourse is, can you take your racingline to the edge of the track if someone is alongside you (imo, no) and should Perez have been aware that Raikonen was there (imo, yes, although it is an unusual place to attack your opponent I guess)

[DV_08]

Probably not adding anything new here but I don't see the point in having tyres that last 5 laps and why is there so much DRS available on a track with an extremely long straight? Fine there was plenty of overtaking but there weren't many good battles and that is what I want to see.

[bella]

Originally Posted by IceMan_PJN

I support the penalty. He plowed into another car. If it had been Hamilton slamming into the side of Massa, people would expect the penalty.

i agree. if it was a newer f1 driver doing something like that there would have been toys everywhere.

i think kimi went for a gap that wasn't ever going to be there. in fact i still can't work out what he was trying to do.

[Peter Mallett]

Similar to Alonso in Malaysia.

[Knowlesy]

I don't support the penalty purely because I, err, don't support penalties I must admit.

As dumb as Mark's error was he doesn't deserve to have two races affected by it.

[garcon]

I tend to agree. These drivers are all grown ups at the top if their profession. There's little to be gained by treating them like kids. Penalties for anything deliberately reckless, but not borderline racing incidents.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by IceMan_PJN

I can't seem to edit this post from my phone, for some reason.

Having seen replays of the collision, I think I'm changing my mind. I no longer agree with the penalty because it doesn't look like it's a matter of fault so much as a racing incident.

I thought it was a racing incident but having said that I thought Webber was a tad over eager but he didn't deserve a penalty. He's not having such a great start to the season.

[chillibowl]

also thought it was a racing incident and i dont want to see a penalty for it but shirley there is some sense in looking at cumulatively and after X amounts of racing incidents it should move from fine, to grid penalty, to something more severe.

i guess the trouble is portioning blame if it was a racing incident.

[garcon]

It's his 200th race next time out. Maybe that'll bring him a bit of luck.

[Andrew2001]

Not a bad race. So disappointed with the pace of Jenson and Checo though....
Don't like Alonso but you can't take it away from him. The best driver currently racing without any doubt in my view.

[Knowlesy]

Jenson wasn't so bad. He drove an excellent race.

Perez is just dreadful though. Clearly he is better than he has shown for McLaren so far but, still, what a thoroughly underwhelming signing

Whitmarsh getting twitchy too: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/106792

[CTD]

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

Jenson wasn't so bad. He drove an excellent race.

Perez is just dreadful though. Clearly he is better than he has shown for McLaren so far but, still, what a thoroughly underwhelming signing

Whitmarsh getting twitchy too: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/106792

Good news for all Danes!

Kevin Magnussen is waiting in the wing for his opportunity.

[Knowlesy]

I'd hope he would do better than Jan.

[CTD]

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

I'd hope he would do better than Jan.

Hope that too.
At least gets a shot in a proper team .

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

Jenson wasn't so bad. He drove an excellent race.

Perez is just dreadful though. Clearly he is better than he has shown for McLaren so far but, still, what a thoroughly underwhelming signing

Whitmarsh getting twitchy too: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/106792

Checo seemingly caught Button up about midway through their enormous first stint but struggled on the softs. His famed midas touch with the rubber has so far eluded him this year. I strongly suspect he will be there when either the car becomes more friendly, or the tyres, whichever comes first!