Review the Chinese Grand Prix practice 3 live blog below.
Jenson Button was fastest of all in yesterday’s two practice sessions. Although Lewis Hamilton was quickest in the first session with a new diffuser and front wing on the McLaren he slumped to 13th in the second.
Once again it looks as though Toyota, Williams and Red Bull will be Brawn’s closest challengers. Will that change in the final practice session before qualifying? Follow the session below.
Change to live blogging
In a break from the norm we’re not using CoverItLive this weekend because the live blogs have been so busy that it’s become very difficult to moderate them. You can join in the live blog by posting comments below.
Sadly, this will mean having fewer features to play with, But it should also mean far fewer comments being missed. I haven’t set the page to refresh automatically as it may cause a problem when you are typing a new comment. Click refresh on your browser (or press F5) to see new comments.
I have been looking for alternative live blogging solutions without much success. If you know of a good one please post a comment below or drop me a line.
Useful links
Alianora La Canta
18th April 2009, 3:56
Hello everyone!
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 3:57
Hi Alianora!
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 3:57
We’re less than five minutes away from the start of the final F1 practice session for the Chinese Grand Prix.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 3:58
BBC saying Kubica has ditched KERS and Alonso now has a new diffuser on his Renault.
hitchcockm00
18th April 2009, 3:58
KERS out of the Renaults. DD Diffuser on Alonso’s car.
KERS out of Kubica’s car.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:01
So just the McLarens plus Heidfeld using KERS?
hitchcockm00
18th April 2009, 3:58
New engine for Hamilton
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:00
Cars streaming out onto the track as the session gets started.
AlvinK
18th April 2009, 4:00
hi keith, everyone..any live feeds today?
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:01
Hi Alvin, I’ve embedded one at the top of the page.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:02
Track temperature is 33C which is about as hot as it got during running yesterday.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:02
Rosberg in the barrier.
Alianora La Canta
18th April 2009, 4:03
I turn on the video feed to see Nico in the wall. That was a short session for him…
AlvinK
18th April 2009, 4:03
yesterday’s live feed was good..
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:03
Wow Rosberg is in Lewis Hamilton’s gravel trap from 2007!
hitchcockm00
18th April 2009, 4:03
Rosberg’s done a Hamilton!
jack
18th April 2009, 4:04
i cant find the live feed
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:05
It’s at the top of the page if you refresh it, or it’s here: http://www.justin.tv/vip_racing
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:04
Very strange. Disaster for him too, that’s the end of his session.
hitchcockm00
18th April 2009, 4:06
It is strange. Hamilton at least had the excuse of worn tyres and the pressure to get into the pit quick. What’s Rosberg’s excuse?
Even if it was caused by cold tyres he had no need to rush!
AlvinK
18th April 2009, 4:05
live feed..http://www.justin.tv/vip_racing
AlvinK
18th April 2009, 4:06
why is it the end of his session?
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:07
Well he can’t get the car out of the gravel.
AlvinK
18th April 2009, 4:08
nico’s car has to be cleaned and checked..so will waste time..this session short 1 hour
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:09
Looks like Rosberg’s now taking an unusual detour with his car back to the Williams garage through the paddock access roads!
John Beamer
18th April 2009, 4:09
Looks like Nico can continue … amazing
kody
18th April 2009, 4:09
is the live feed for UK users only? i can’t see it.
thanks to advise
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:10
Can you not see the one oat the top of this page?
joc
18th April 2009, 4:10
how funny is that driving at 1km/h
John Beamer
18th April 2009, 4:10
Anyone know whether kubica is running kers today?
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:11
No he’s not.
kody
18th April 2009, 4:11
i can, but i cant see a thing if i press play.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:14
Does the other link under ‘useful links’ work better?
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:12
Meanwhile Timo Glock is doing the first timed lap of the session.
AlvinK
18th April 2009, 4:13
http://www.justin.tv/vip_racing
hitchcockm00
18th April 2009, 4:15
Massa’s mirror has come off (just the glass but though)
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:15
Ah that’s why they were showing us the replay!
hitchcockm00
18th April 2009, 4:16
*bit
hitchcockm00
18th April 2009, 4:18
Glockdog has some gear problems.
AlvinK
18th April 2009, 4:16
massa flying now…
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:17
Massa goes fastest with a 1’37.926. Still a little way of yesterday’s times but improving quickly:
2009:
FP1 1’37.334 (Hamilton)
FP2 1’35.679 (Button)
2008:
FP1 1’35.630 (Hamilton)
FP2 1’35.750 (Hamilton)
FP3 1’36.061 (Heidfeld)
Q1 1’35.566 (Hamilton)
Q2 1’34.947 (Hamilton)
Q3 1’36.303 (Hamilton)
R 1’36.325 (Hamilton)
ILoveVettel
18th April 2009, 4:18
Keirh are you goung to keep a database of the prediction contest?
How will you display the result after each race?
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:19
I’ll do a post after the race with everyone’s positions.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:19
Alonso becomes the fourth driver to set a time with almost one third of the session done. Massa improves again to a 1’37.4 – his best so far this weekend was a 1’36.8.
hitchcockm00
18th April 2009, 4:20
Glockdog has gearbox problems. When he shifted up (to 4th I think) it didn’t engage properly.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:20
Trulli was complaining about his up-shift too.
hitchcockm00
18th April 2009, 4:22
Trulli had some problems yesterday as well didn’t he?
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:20
20 minutes gone, 40 to go, and only seven drivers have set times so far.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:21
But right now we’ve got 16 cars on track.
Alex Bkk
18th April 2009, 4:22
Morning all
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:23
Hi Alex.
ILoveVettel
18th April 2009, 4:22
Speed is showing malyasia highlights instead of the friday practice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
carldec
18th April 2009, 4:31
speed only shows second practice on Saturday… they run “debrief” which is a show all about the last race…
Its a pretty good show I just wish they would show it at a decent time instead of midnight before qualifying.
AlvinK
18th April 2009, 4:23
are ferrari running any DD or new bodywork?
hitchcockm00
18th April 2009, 4:24
Don’t think so.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:25
No I think Ferrari are bringing a new solution for Spain.
hitchcockm00
18th April 2009, 4:24
Looks like Glock is getting a gearbox change. Therefore a 5 place grid penalty.
Alex Bkk
18th April 2009, 4:25
Ferrari is looking better this morning.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:25
Interesting rankings so far – Ferrari quickest, then Hamilton. Looks more like what we might have seen last year.
And now Raikkonen’s had a spin at turn three – regains the track though.
Alianora La Canta
18th April 2009, 4:25
What is Kimi doing pointing the wrong way at that point?
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:26
Just got away from him under power. Have seen quite a few spins and wide moments from the Ferrari pair thisd weekend.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:26
Has anyone got any indication of how much fuel the cars are using here per lap?
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:28
Raikkonen stays fastest on a 1’37.0 as we reach the half-way point in the session but we’re still 1.4s off the best times from yesterday.
the stig
18th April 2009, 4:29
did hamilton change engines?
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:29
Yep he has – no penalty for that though.
hitchcockm00
18th April 2009, 4:30
According to the BBC, yes.
AlvinK
18th April 2009, 4:29
never seen track so busy during fp1, fp2, fp3..hahaha..
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:30
It’s about the only chance they have to get any testing done.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:30
So against my expectations Rosberg has made it back on the track!
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:33
…and he’s back at the top of the times where he has been so often in practice this year!
Alex Bkk
18th April 2009, 4:32
Is Kovi using the new diffuser and front wing?
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:34
Yes and no, as I understand. They were saying he has the option of running either but isn’t using the new front wing.
Jason
18th April 2009, 4:35
I dont think so. Have yet to see Lewis’ car…
Alianora La Canta
18th April 2009, 4:32
Keith, according to Formula 1 Yearbook 2008-2009:
Shanghai fuel consumption – 2.57kg/lap
Shanghai fuel effect – 0.44 seconds/10kg
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:34
Thanks Alianora – will try to make a better job of my pit stop predictions this weekend!
John Beamer
18th April 2009, 4:34
Can I add my voice to the bring coveritlive back catcall …
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:39
I know CiL was a nicer solution for everyone than this but we’ve had trouble getting enough people to run it and also we had so many people commenting, it kept freezing up. If we could find a similarly good solution that runs better and doesn’t require people manually approving thousands of comments that would be ideal. I’m open to suggestions. But I’ve been spending too much of the recent F1 weekends trying to get the live blogs running when I’d rather be following what’s going on at the circuit – which affects the quality of the rest of the site.
Alianora La Canta
18th April 2009, 4:35
I’m surprised Kovalainen only got 3rd with that one. I’d half-expected that to go straight to P1. Still, it is a considerable improvement.
Jason
18th April 2009, 4:36
Look at all that carbon fiber…..amazing
AlvinK
18th April 2009, 4:37
kova looks good..i don’t think he’s using the new wing or dd,maybe he’s comfortable with the setup..
Alianora La Canta
18th April 2009, 4:37
Happy birthday, Anthony Davidson!
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:40
For he’s a jolly good fellow.
How many candles?
Alianora La Canta
18th April 2009, 4:51
It’s the big 3-0, would you believe?
Jason
18th April 2009, 4:40
not quite sure if I like this format for the ‘live blog’ – do you need more live blogging help to use the other version, Keith?
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:41
Yep – just posted an explanation on the previous page – but even with the help we were getting the software kept freezing up and not running properly.
Jason
18th April 2009, 4:54
no kidding…rather liked it. Testament to how popular this is becoming though!
Jason
18th April 2009, 4:41
Rai 136.921
John Beamer
18th April 2009, 4:42
I get the CIL overhead. Let’s try to hunt round for the right solution
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:43
Even as the action goes on on the circuit it seems you can’t stop the political rot. Flavio Briatore is having a go at Brawn yet again, trying to block them from receiving FOM revenue money: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/74562
Jason
18th April 2009, 4:45
Seriously? This is going to rip FOTA apart…Briatore needs to let it go and get back to racing. FOTA is the best thing to come along for the teams in a long time…
hitchcockm00
18th April 2009, 4:51
Does he think that the Brawn car came from thin air or something? Honda ploughed plenty of money into it to make it so good, now the other teams have to plough a bit more money into their own cars to catch up.
If he can’t handle participating in an expensive form of motorsport then he should quit instead of bitching and moaning.
Alianora La Canta
18th April 2009, 4:54
Technically, Brawn can’t receive FOM money until 2011 because it was classified as a new entry, but that was a silly judgement in the first place. Was this anticipated when the FIA made that decision?
Jason
18th April 2009, 4:43
Commentators talking about the lower revs on the engine… Question: can they do full rebuilds of a used engine and still have it quaify? Or are they basically not able to perform any overhaul/maintenance on the engine to use the for multiple races?
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:46
They have seals on the engines which can’t be broken without FIA approval which prevents them from doing certain things. I think they can carry out internal inspections but not take them apart.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:45
Would be interesting to hear McLaren’s reasons for keeping KERS – everyone else bar Heidfeld having ditched it – especially when we thought this track would suit the technology.
Jason
18th April 2009, 4:47
For sure….especially with Massa talking about Ferrari being even slower without it.
Jason
18th April 2009, 4:46
Has HAM put in a lap yet?
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:47
Yeah he’s eighth.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:47
Woah nice catch by Hamilton!
Jason
18th April 2009, 4:49
Really! It looks as if he’s back to the dual plane front wing too, anyone have a shot to confirm?
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:49
Yep he’s running it, Kovalainen isn’t.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:48
More technical problems for Webber at Red Bull.
AlvinK
18th April 2009, 4:49
tabloids are claiming anthony hamilton saying ron dennis is “prickly and arrogant”..saw flavio’s face and just realised after all his comments this weekend plus the crap he’s spewing out as keith pointed out just now, flavio is more like that..
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:49
Most of the cars in the pits at the moment with ten minutes left to go in the session. Are we about to see some qualifying-style runs on the super-soft tyre?
Jason
18th April 2009, 4:51
Looks as if HAM clipped too much kerb and went off at the end…good thing for China’s run off areas.
ILoveVettel
18th April 2009, 4:51
Red Bull’s bad luck continues…….
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:52
You mean Webber’s!
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:54
Correct that – sounds like Vettel’s got driveshaft problems too!
Jason
18th April 2009, 4:52
I rather like Anthony Davidson’s commentary here. Very good job with the driver’s insight.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:52
He is very good – but as we always say, he’s a better driver and should be in one of the cars.
Jason
18th April 2009, 4:56
yeah…kind of sad he only raced for a short time since I have been tuning in. I hear good things about him and Sato also. never really got to see them in a good car.
Alex Bkk
18th April 2009, 4:52
yep…sounds like they are Keith
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:53
Trulli quickest on a 1’36.7 but still 0.5s off his bet from yesterday.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:53
Now he’s matched it with a 1’36.2.
hitchcockm00
18th April 2009, 4:54
Problem with the driveshafts on both Red Bulls.
hitchcockm00
18th April 2009, 4:55
It’s a problem with some sort of seal on the driveshafts. They’ve had this problem a few times already this year.
MacademiaNut
18th April 2009, 4:55
KOV to 2nd!
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:55
Button on track on the super-softs and the Brawn look so calm, so planted on the track, and very quick on the times sheets. Fastest time coming up here surely?
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:56
Not quite – 1’36.4 for second.
Jason
18th April 2009, 4:58
Not much fight from the Williams’ so far eh? 5th and 12th? Rosberg needs to get on it!
Jason
18th April 2009, 4:58
and just as I post, he goes purple in S1.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:59
Wouldn’t hurt them to have a bit less performance in practice for once and a bit more in the race instead.
Jason
18th April 2009, 4:59
Aaaaaaand to P1. Great drive!
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 4:59
That said, Rosberg goes quickest of all on a 1’36.1…
ILoveVettel
18th April 2009, 5:00
Rosberg does it again……
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 5:00
Chequered flag out but several drivers are still on laps.
Jason
18th April 2009, 5:00
HAM gets the final corner right and pulls in P3. awesome.
AlvinK
18th April 2009, 5:01
piq..what?
Jason
18th April 2009, 5:03
Where did he com from!
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 5:01
Barrichello was on course for a good time there but lost time in the final sector. Having difficulty keeping life in the tyres for a full lap?
ILoveVettel
18th April 2009, 5:02
Piquet fifth!!!!!!!!!!!!
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 5:03
And Alonso 19th? I don’t thin that’s really reflective of their performance gap, unless Alonso’s new diffuser is doing more harm than good. Strangely Alonso’s only done six laps.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 5:02
In the final rankings we have Rosberg top – no surprise there, six times out of nine in practice now – then Trulli and Hamilton.
Jason
18th April 2009, 5:03
Think HAM can go for pole?
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 5:04
I think he has a shot at getting in Q3, after that I don’t think his best strategy would be to run light on fuel, so I guess not.
AlvinK
18th April 2009, 5:03
trulli qualy king..rosberg fp king?
ILoveVettel
18th April 2009, 5:04
Keith, when I submit a commnet, its number is appending with the URL and I am unable to come bck to the previous place…
Anybody facing the same problem?
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 5:05
That’s normal except that it usually puts you back into the flow of comments. Not sure why it wouldn’t be working for you?
AlvinK
18th April 2009, 5:04
button pole king for now..but i say go lewis!
AlvinK
18th April 2009, 5:05
u have to reload the page everytime..
Alex Bkk
18th April 2009, 5:05
Thanks keith and mods…see ya at qualifying.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
18th April 2009, 5:06
Qualifying coming up next in a little under two hours’ time, with the build-up under way before then.
Jason
18th April 2009, 5:09
Thanks again to all who put this on. Might just catch the Quali on Twitter later this evening, but great job with all you do! I am having my first F1 party tomorrow night!