- Mar 20, 2007
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Back to Back F1 Races, this time in Shanghai. Last week it was Vettel from pole position who held off a fast finishing Bottas that just couldn't quite get the move done (a bit has been said about this during the week). A look at how each team did last week.
Ferrari - Vettel was immense to get that set of soft tyres to the end of the race, although Ferrari will have to worry that they almost lost the race by getting strategy wrong. Expect a few nervous pitstops as well after the Kimi incident last week (and their safe release issues last year too).
Mercedes - It was strange to see them not have the qualifying pace last Saturday, so it will be interesting how they go this week. Historically its a pretty good circuit for them (have won 5 of the last 6). There seems to be a bit of extra pressure on Bottas this week, after his failure to get past Vettel on better tyres. A few drivers have had their say
Red Bull - Couldn't have had a worse race weekend last time out. Daniel with engine trouble, and Max being Max (honestly I dont think the move he tried was unreasonable, he just got squeezed out of room). Verstappen needs a few incident free races to shut a few people up.
McLaren - Currently ahead of RBR on points, this is a pretty big year for them. They had a disappointing qualifying in Bahrain but like most Renault engine cars, they seem to be far better suited to race pace than flying lap pace. The gap between Alonso (4th) and Vandoorne (11th) is already 10 points.
Haas - I reckon these guys are the pick of the midfield bunch after the big 3. Obviously did not get the points they wanted in Australia, but their early pace in that race as well as Magnussen on the weekend showed that they have a seriously strong car this year. I predict a few heated arguments between team mates this year.
Renault - I see these guys being on pace with McLaren, and well within that midfield battle. The car is more suited to race pace and without Jolyon Palmer clogging up a grid spot they should be aiming for double points finishes every race weekend. Sainz only has 1 point from 2 races so far, not exactly the way to audition for a potential Red Bull seat next year.
Torro Rosso - Arguably the talk of the race last week with Pierre Gasly with a Top 5 finish. Honda have surprised just about everyone with the competitiveness of their engine this year. Hartley had a few contact issues and penalties that pushed him back last week, but these guys should be aiming for points.
Sauber - The Gasly news kind of overshadowed Ericson scoring points last week, which was a massive effort given just how inferior that car is compared to the rest on the grid. Leclerc has impressed me so far, and definitely has a strong future in F1.
Williams - Remember a couple of years ago where Williams were the 3rd best constructor behind Mercedes and Red Bull and the combination of Massa + Bottas were scoring podiums. It has been a stunning fall from grace from these guys, who are alongside Sauber as the cars you expect not to see in Q2. Stroll is now the lead driver in a very inexperienced driver lineup.
Anyway to China
Time:
Qualifying - Saturday 4pm EST
Race - Sunday 4pm EST
Laps: 56
Tyres: Ultra Soft, Soft, Medium (interestingly no supersoft, could make strategy a bit more interesting, or just make it an easy US+S 1 stop race)
Ferrari - Vettel was immense to get that set of soft tyres to the end of the race, although Ferrari will have to worry that they almost lost the race by getting strategy wrong. Expect a few nervous pitstops as well after the Kimi incident last week (and their safe release issues last year too).
Mercedes - It was strange to see them not have the qualifying pace last Saturday, so it will be interesting how they go this week. Historically its a pretty good circuit for them (have won 5 of the last 6). There seems to be a bit of extra pressure on Bottas this week, after his failure to get past Vettel on better tyres. A few drivers have had their say
Red Bull - Couldn't have had a worse race weekend last time out. Daniel with engine trouble, and Max being Max (honestly I dont think the move he tried was unreasonable, he just got squeezed out of room). Verstappen needs a few incident free races to shut a few people up.
McLaren - Currently ahead of RBR on points, this is a pretty big year for them. They had a disappointing qualifying in Bahrain but like most Renault engine cars, they seem to be far better suited to race pace than flying lap pace. The gap between Alonso (4th) and Vandoorne (11th) is already 10 points.
Haas - I reckon these guys are the pick of the midfield bunch after the big 3. Obviously did not get the points they wanted in Australia, but their early pace in that race as well as Magnussen on the weekend showed that they have a seriously strong car this year. I predict a few heated arguments between team mates this year.
Renault - I see these guys being on pace with McLaren, and well within that midfield battle. The car is more suited to race pace and without Jolyon Palmer clogging up a grid spot they should be aiming for double points finishes every race weekend. Sainz only has 1 point from 2 races so far, not exactly the way to audition for a potential Red Bull seat next year.
Torro Rosso - Arguably the talk of the race last week with Pierre Gasly with a Top 5 finish. Honda have surprised just about everyone with the competitiveness of their engine this year. Hartley had a few contact issues and penalties that pushed him back last week, but these guys should be aiming for points.
Sauber - The Gasly news kind of overshadowed Ericson scoring points last week, which was a massive effort given just how inferior that car is compared to the rest on the grid. Leclerc has impressed me so far, and definitely has a strong future in F1.
Williams - Remember a couple of years ago where Williams were the 3rd best constructor behind Mercedes and Red Bull and the combination of Massa + Bottas were scoring podiums. It has been a stunning fall from grace from these guys, who are alongside Sauber as the cars you expect not to see in Q2. Stroll is now the lead driver in a very inexperienced driver lineup.
Anyway to China
Time:
Qualifying - Saturday 4pm EST
Race - Sunday 4pm EST
Laps: 56
Tyres: Ultra Soft, Soft, Medium (interestingly no supersoft, could make strategy a bit more interesting, or just make it an easy US+S 1 stop race)