Chinese GP 2013 -Qualifying

[fronaldo]

I guess i make it..come on Alonso and Massa..Forza Ferrari

[Sha1]

YEAHHHHHHH let's do this.

[vcs316]

F1 China 2013: Alonso keeps Ferrari on top in FP3

Ferrari continued to state its case for at least a pole position at the Chinese Grand Prix as Fernando Alonso claimed fastest time in the third and final free practice session at the Shanghai International Circuit.

The Spaniard was backed up by team-mate Felipe Massa, who had led the way on the opening day, as both drivers looked more at home on the soft-compound Pirelli that had caused more than a few headaches in earlier sessions.

With the fastest runs coming towards the end of the 60-minute session, Alonso took his F138 round in 1min 35.391secs, almost a second faster than his team-mate, who managed a 1min 36.013secs best, putting him narrowly ahead of the best of the Mercedes drivers.

Lewis Hamilton upheld the honour of the Three Pointed Star in third spot after team-mate – and FP1 pacesetter – Nico Rosberg had been hobbled by mechanical problems. Although the German initially diagnosed a suspension breakage, the team later confirmed that it had been a hydraulic problem, albeit possibly linked to the W04's innovative new suspension system.

Rosberg cast a disconsolate figure after climbing from the cockpit and, unable to complete a soft tyre run ahead of qualifying, slumped to 14th overall. Mercedes looked better than Ferrari on the harder medium-compound tyre that will be the preferred rubber for the race, with Rosberg backing up Hamilton's pace in that phase of the session.

Red Bull, which is still expected to ramp up its assault once qualifying starts, had to settle for fourth and fifth, with Sebastian Vettel just over a tenth clear of Mark Webber as both cars ran the latest development package. Vettel, however, was nearly a second off Alonso's pace, with his team-mate the wrong side of the same mark.

Adrian Sutil confirmed Force India's potential in sixth spot, a tenth off Webber, while Kimi Raikkonen headed the McLaren pair of Jenson Button and Sergio Perez. Both Force India and Lotus, however, suffered mixed fortunes in the session, with Paul di Resta and Romain Grosjean down in 16th and 18th respectively.

While Button continued in similar vein to Friday – posting respectable times despite continuing to lament his set-up – team-mate Perez enjoyed a more productive session than either of Friday's. The Mexican was just 0.084secs off Button's time, and managed to steer clear of the tyre walls.

Nico Hulkenberg rounded out the top ten for Sauber, ahead of Toro Rosso twins Jean-Eric Vergne and Daniel Ricciardo, with Williams' Pastor Maldonado also squeezing in ahead of Rosberg. The German was sandwiched by the other Williams, as Valtteri Bottas got ahead of di Resta, while Esteban Gutierrez edging Grosjean ahead of the 'final four', where Jules Bianchi again led the way for Marussia.

[Kyss4k]

[bkircher]

Hey there to all

Is anyone able to find a link for the NBC sports live stream online??

[OSS EL BOSS]

Now it will be interesting which tyre we will use in Q1.
Will we use a set of medium or save it for the race? especially because the time on medium could not be enough to make it to Q2 because there is a big difference between the two compouns.

[fronaldo]

this is Sky stream if anyone want
http://88.80.5.88/c4b00/20130410/vv5...05-558996.html

[OSS EL BOSS]

I prefer an easy lap on soft in Q1 then use the same set in Q2 as we know we are very fast on the softer compound.

[Kyss4k]

I would go for full softs quali. You won't use them anyway in the race after the first stint is done.

[OSS EL BOSS]

I expect red bull to go straight on softs in Q1

[stefa]

This one could be our front row lock out!

[Greig]

[Kyss4k]

If everyone on Sky would bet on Ferrari pole, there has to be something in it. Forza Ferrari!

[Rishu]

Hoping for Ferrari Pole!!

By the way, when was the last time we had Pole in dry?

[Kyss4k]

Hoping for Ferrari Pole!!

By the way, when was the last time we had Pole in dry?

In dry? Wasn't it Singapore 2010?

[OSS EL BOSS]

Ferrari vs Mercedes thats how i expect it to be, very close though.

[REDARMYSOJA]

Hey there to all

Is anyone able to find a link for the NBC sports live stream online??

NBC isn't going to start streaming for another month or so.

[brava]

[OSS EL BOSS]

I really want to see a Ferrari pole in dry conditions its been so long since we have seen that

[Nero Horse]

Just woke up to see that we got a 1-2 in FP3 Fantastic!!!
That really bodes well for quali

Forza Ferrari, Forza Ferrari, Forza Ferrari!!!!!!!!!!

[wacc]

[scuderiafan]

I just wanna thank Pirelli for this awesome entertainment in Q

the track scenery is amazing without those stupid cars messing things up
Nobody going out...

[Rob]

6 mins gone still no cars formula pirelli.

[OSS EL BOSS]

nobody is going out i think everybody is going to do a soft tyre run

[Kyss4k]

I just wanna thank Pirelli for this awesome entertainment in Q

the track scenery is amazing without those stupid cars messing things up
Nobody going out...

Thank FIA. Pirelli is just doing what the FIA wants.

[brava]

Nice quali so far, well done FIA

[vasveras]

I have a feeling it is going to be a russian roulet this q1

[Greig]

P11 will be better than being on pole...

[Kyss4k]

P11 will be better than being on pole...

Could be.

[bkircher]

NBC started streaming this weekend via live extra!