F1 - Chinese Grand Prix - Qualifying Results

[Omer Said]

Under the cold weather of China, we had another exciting qualifying session with some surprises and usual front runners.

In Q1, the new teams were knocked out as usual. But someone surprising went with them, Mark Webber. Red Bull driver could not work out his hard tyres and also he was not using KERS. These two factors put the Austrulian into the 18th place.

That was also a disappointing qualifiying session for Renaults. They were looking strong in Q1, but Vitaly Petrov retired in Q2, even tough his laptime was enough to get into Q3. On the other hand his team mate Nick Heidfeld was knocked out in Q2 with a 16th place.

Toro Rosso had a great performance and both Jaime Alguersuari and Sebastien Buemi managed to get into Q3. Paul di Resta from Force India seperated them by taking 8th place. Micheal Schumacher had another disappointing qualifying session and knocked out in Q2, while his team mate Nico Rosberg showed a great performance and took the 4th place and past the Ferraris.

Pole went to someone really expected again, Sebastian Vettel. His laptime was 0.7s better than the 2nd placed Jenson Button. Lewis Hamilton came 3rd and for the first time this season, he was beaten by his teammate. Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa again could not keep their pace with the two leading teams, and plus they were beaten by Rosberg.

Tomorrow an exciting race awaits us at Shangai, as some fast drivers such as Webber and Heidfeld are behind. Be ready for lots of overtakings when the drivers use DRS in the long straight.

Results table taken from Autosport, write-up belongs to RaceDepartment

 

[Tomas Beha]

I think it's a bit premature to state that only the two factors of hard compound and no KERS is reason for Webber getting cut... surely, there must be more to it.

 

[John Amutenya]

Yeah, its really strange how much slower than vettel he is this season. Even if as some people suggest, Vettel has more talent, I doubt the gap is that huge.

 

[Mtommi Tam]

Cool,Vettel !! GO!!

 

[Péter Bártfai]

Petrov's gearbox failure was a disaster for Renault, not only ruining his Q3, but Heidfeld's chances as well. Hopefully they can improve their positions in the race.

 

[David O'Reilly]

I understand that there was a last minute rush to get his car out into Q1 and it compromised his chance to get the prime tyre "working". That plus KERS not functioning. It will however make for some interesting racing as he attempts to work his way up from P18.
Another interesting note is that Hamilton has focussed in on tyre life now as a key issue. He deliberately compromised his quali opportunity to have better race options at the first stint and more new options if needed in the race.
If Hamilton can evolve his strategy from "pure speed" in such a way it will be an impressive step.