Chinese GP 2014 Race Thread

[F2008]

Massa vs alonso at the start had my heart in my mouth Alonso super brave to keep his foot in. Sorry to say but massa was out of order. Not for going for the gap which was risky to say the least (moving five car widths across the circuit with such aggression when lots of cars fighting for space is kind of asking for trouble)

Watching the replay I would say Massa kept his line nicely. They touched because Alonso moved to the inside, it has nothing to do with Massa previously repositioning himself because the car in front closed the door. It is very clear from the onboard footage of Rosberg's car.

[fronaldo]

Kimi only 4km/h down from Rosberg in straight line speed..improved much

[Bertie]

Watching the replay I would say Massa kept his line nicely. They touched because Alonso moved to the inside, it has nothing to do with Massa previously repositioning himself because the car in front closed the door. It is very clear from the onboard footage of Rosberg's car.

I have seen lots of footage. It is a right hand corner taken at much lower speed than on normal lap. Alonso was always going to move right as its the racing line so massa should of been aware and not positioned himself in the middle of two cars. Like I said in my post I have no problem with massa's move he went for a gap although risky. I just didn't like the blame game he played. It was the pit-stop (due to tyers being wrong i.e. left hand tyer on the right and vice versa) that cost him not the 1st corner.

[Liscia]

Thanks to our team and drivers for this result! It was not a
victory but it showed we are in recovery and we must continue to
improve to reduce the deficit in speed and points to Mercedes.

[pluto]

Watching the replay I would say Massa kept his line nicely. They touched because Alonso moved to the inside, it has nothing to do with Massa previously repositioning himself because the car in front closed the door. It is very clear from the onboard footage of Rosberg's car.

massa tried to go between 2 cars in a tiny gap that was closing. his fault.

[F2008]

Alonso was always going to move right as its the racing line so massa should of been aware and not positioned himself in the middle of two cars.

Alonso turned in on Massa before the actual corner, although it was difficult for Alonso to judge the situation.

[Suzie]

That was some whack both cars took!

[DJTaurus]

Rics competitiveness shows that Webo was not that great after all......?

[radosav]

Kimi only 4km/h down from Rosberg in straight line speed..improved much

not so sure, this track suited us more !

[varun]

Excellent race,Great result for Alonso.
I believe Kimi will get his act together and the team get a car to his liking maybe.

The question is whether there is any chance or miracles and can we close the those Silver Rockets?

[Senna4Ever]

Rics competitiveness shows that Webo was not that great after all......?

Could be ... but first it shows where Vettel is when has to drive cars that are not in his comfort and without getting blown ...

was not able to watch the whole race as our easter celebrations took place at the same time ...

Congrats to the Team for the good strategy and superb pit stops

For me ... I'm pleased and glad to tell my childrens once from this great driver at Ferrari. Of course he might not be the easiest guy to handle. And he might not reach the same amount of titles like Schumacher. But still for me Alonso is in the same league as Michael was ...

[Rob]

Vettel being shown up for the here by Ricciardo. The longer this continues the more Alonso is proven right regarding Vettel's over reliance on a fast car.

Think Vettel is really hurting from not having the EBDs and the rear glued to the track. Just look at Webber the start of 2012, he was beating Vettel until RBR redsigned the rear.

[giodap]

Yeah, not to sound like Alan Partridge but that first(?) stop of Alonso's they showed was textbook. I feel jealous

Alonso was excellent today.

Back of the net .....

[Bertie]

Alonso turned in on Massa before the actual corner, although it was difficult for Alonso to judge the situation.

Didn't turn in just took up the racing line (taking a shallow diagonal to the appex) following vet in front and covering Ric. Massa put him self in Alonso's blind spot and left himself no room to move. Like I said he could of been more aware. Also I don't see why you are arguing with me about this: I say again I did not have a problem with massa going for a risky gap but rather the blame game. Hope you get my point this time instead of replying to half my quote and therefore using it out of context

[fronaldo]

not so sure, this track suited us more !

I know..but majority of journalist said Ferrari's improvement in PU help in straight line speeds..plus its pretty competitive with other Mercedes powered car

[Jose-Lorca Fan]

From 3:50 onwards:

[Sanomas]

The race did goes well for Ferrari (I think!).

Fernando did a great job, he took the position that he could... and for Kimi, not that all bad!

Oh and by the Massa and Fernando incident, I'm not really sure what's the Felipe did out there with contacting to Fernando's car, the other Williams did the same thing to other's at first corner, can't really tell what's wrong with their cars (or drivers)?!


Ferrari gave us a nearly expecting result from this race... hopefully it'll be a win the next one!

[Ed Harley]

I'm happy for FA's podium and completely gutted for KR's result.

[Hermann]

Fernando knows how that feels too well- Vettel is just learning it. At least we can all see now what how good driver he really is without his favourite 'gimmicks'...

[PadGeT]

Think Vettel is really hurting from not having the EBDs and the rear glued to the track. Just look at Webber the start of 2012, he was beating Vettel until RBR redsigned the rear.

[redkid]

Great bounce back from Ferrari!Congrats to all the guys from Maranello to the Pit crews and a very nice welcome for Marco and a nice send off for Stefano!I was crossing my fingers that maybe with some stroke of good luck for us, Rosber's Merc would encounter some issues due to absence of telemetry etc and in effect would give Nando 2nd place...but 3rd is very much a welcome considering where were at in the previous race.

I love Vettel's reaction when a Caterham (was it Ericcson?) overtook him, it's as if he was very surprised though his race engineer advised him that the Caterham (lapped car I guess) is on fresher tires and come 2 to 3 laps it'll all be worn out. Ricciardo is now the "Alpha Bull" performance wise, he's making Vettel look like an ordinary racer.

Here's hoping for more Ferrari updates and successes...Forza Ferrari!

[PadGeT]

I love Vettel's reaction when a Caterham (was it Ericcson?) overtook him, it's as if he was very surprised though his race engineer advised him that the Caterham (lapped car I guess) is on fresher tires and come 2 to 3 laps it'll all be worn out. Ricciardo is now the "Alpha Bull" performance wise, he's making Vettel look like an ordinary racer.

Exactly, I was hoping someone would mention that. I love Vettel's sense of humour.

[F2008]

Didn't turn in just took up the racing line

The racing line is on the left side of the track near the 50m board and doesn't even apply at the start.

[FerrariF60]

Fernando knows how that feels too well- Vettel is just learning it. At least we can all see now what how good driver he really is without his favourite 'gimmicks'...

true that mate, i couldn't have put in better words myself; Pettel without the EBD, exotic engine maps....etc, etc.....is like a bird without it's wings..

i said it time and time again, Webber was way stronger then him at teh beginning of last year before they and by they i mean Newey "sorted" out the exhaust ramp/blown diffuser per say....

and this year hes' getting shcooled by Ricchardo......i LOVE it....

now we'll see if he's won all those WDC on merit, or was it 90% car....LOLOLOLOLOL

Like Alonso has said it, now we'll see what HE DOES with a car that is normal to the others.....because we all know what ALONSO has done with an inferior car all this time he was at FERRARI....

[Nand0Nand0]

The racing line is on the left side of the track and doesn't even apply at the start.

I was told by another forum member elsewhere that there is no such thing as a racing line. Once I thought about that it actually made complete sense

[eddie]

This race really prove where FA is over driving the car (was going to type cow)

[eddie]

I was told by another forum member elsewhere that there is no such thing as a racing line. Once I thought about that it actually made complete sense

Right on F2008, there isn't a line at the start. After that the racing line is the line that all drivers use to get the best time off the lap.

Anywhere else is just marbles... lol @ Pirelli. Not too long ago I picked one up almost the size of a golf ball...

[eddie]

I'm happy for FA's podium and completely gutted for KR's result.

KR is doing his max the car can give. FA as we all know will drive 120% off any car... he will literally drive the wheels off it

[eddie]

From 3:50 onwards:

On the mark, FA... SV just as good as the car. DR giving him a lot of potential headaches.. LOL! They could do a MW on DR... smaller KERS... LOL!

[SilverSpeed]

Started watching F1 in my bed as it would get boring again I quickly could go back to sleep.

To bad Fernando had other plans and I watched the whole race haha.