2012 Chinese Grand Prix grid

52 comments on “2012 Chinese Grand Prix grid”

1. 

   Kobayashi24 (@kobayashi24)
   14th April 2012, 8:06

   Schumi ftw doe
2. 

   HxCas (@hxcas)
   14th April 2012, 8:07

   Awesome qualy session with a good amount of surprises. Stoked for Nico but I’m trying to keep my expectations in check for the race
3. 

   Kingshark (@kingshark)
   14th April 2012, 8:08

   Rosberg 1st, Kobayashi 4th, and Vettel 11th. This qualifying put a big smile on my face. :D
   1. 

      plutoniumhunter (@plutoniumhunter)
      14th April 2012, 8:10

      +1
   2. 

      AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner)
      14th April 2012, 8:36

      @kingshark Talent up and down the grid.
   3. 

      sato113 (@sato113)
      14th April 2012, 13:03

      yes this is the most exciting grid in ages!!!
   4. 

      Karan
      14th April 2012, 13:11

      Kimi 4th
4. 

   Estesark (@estesark)
   14th April 2012, 8:09

   I didn’t see that one coming. Brilliant for Nico, not only taking pole, but taking it in the first part of the session, then getting out of the car, and still beating everyone else by over half a second. That’s style.

   Tomorrow is going to be fantastic, I think. We’re either going to get a new winner in Rosberg or Kobayashi, a first comeback win for Schumacher, or a fantastic drive to the front from someone like Räikkönen, Hamilton or even Webber.
   1. 

      Wooolfy
      14th April 2012, 11:53

      The track temperature we falling through Q3 that’s why the 1st runs gave much better results. Get the facts before you give your own story.
      1. 

         Postreader
         14th April 2012, 12:52

         I see someone struck a nerve here, lol.
5. 

   HUHHII (@huhhii)
   14th April 2012, 8:09

   If Räikkönen manages to keep his position during the race start, he’s going to win tomorrow. Kobayashi won’t be able to keep Kimi behind his back and Mercedes’ race pace is awful. Really looking forward to tomorrow!
   1. 

      Todfod (@todfod)
      14th April 2012, 9:05

      Agree. Kimi is the dark horse for the win tomorrow, although a lot depends on how strong the Mclarens are in the early part of the race.
      1. 

         Matt
         14th April 2012, 12:24

         I disagree. Kobayashi held his own very well against Kimi in Australia, even though he had quite severe damage to his car. I’m hoping the Mercedes’ drop back and he becomes the surprise winner. If not, at least another podium for Sauber would be fantastic! The McLaren’s will definitely be ones to watch though.
6. 

   Pamphlet (@pamphlet)
   14th April 2012, 8:10

   Holy ****. This race could goddamn go either way. Tipping Schuey or Kimi for the win on this one, although Kamui could really surprise us if Sauber’s recent run of performance is anything to go by.
7. 

   bananarama (@bananarama)
   14th April 2012, 8:11

   Great for Mercedes! Fantastic lap by Rosberg but Schumacher must feel disappointed, his objective must be getting out of the first corner in the lead. Lets see how far they will fall back during the race.

   Also I think Massa had a good day. Just wanted to mention it, since thats a rare occasion lately.
8. 

   plutoniumhunter (@plutoniumhunter)
   14th April 2012, 8:11

   Mega lap from Rosberg. Hope the Mercedes’ and Kobayashi are up for podiums!
   1. 

      Jake (@jleigh)
      14th April 2012, 8:14

      i think your avatar sums it up beautifully!
   2. 

      Rush
      14th April 2012, 21:10

      Although i am a Schumacher fan, would like Kobayashi to win the race(hard i know :))
9. 

   Vishal Trivedi (@nomadindian)
   14th April 2012, 8:15

   Kobayashi spoilt for choice, slotted between Michael and Kimi
10. 

    Ritvik Vinodkumar (@ritvik-vinodkumar)
    14th April 2012, 8:17

    Love the 1st two rows
    1. 

       Vishal Trivedi (@nomadindian)
       14th April 2012, 8:20

       same for me if nico & button changed places… :)
    2. 

       Nixon (@nixon)
       14th April 2012, 13:39

       Its going to be an amazing start.
       1. 

          Macca (@macca)
          14th April 2012, 15:03

          When was the last race where there was not a Red Bull, Ferrari or McLaren on the front 2 rows?
          1. 

             3239 (@vfbi60)
             14th April 2012, 17:19

             2009 Belgian GP
             1.Fisichella ,Force India-Mercedes
             2.Trulli ,Toyota
             3.Heidfeld ,BMW Sauber
             4.Barrichello ,Brawn-Mercedes
             1. 

                sumedh
                14th April 2012, 18:37

                This one should go into the stats page at the end of the race.
11. 

    Meander
    14th April 2012, 8:20

    Oh wow, Kobayashi can win this. I don’t see why the Sauber wouldn’t be able to hold back the Lotus. Button as underdog!
    1. 

       infy (@infy)
       14th April 2012, 11:12

       Underdogs generally dont have the best race pace :P
12. 

    Palle (@palle)
    14th April 2012, 8:21

    Very surprising, especially Vettel and Kobayashi. I didn’t see that comming. It will be good to see the Silberpfeile on the front row, but I don’t think they will end the race in top 5 due to their rear wheel issues. And will Kimi stay in top 5 during the race? Will Vettel be able to move forward into top 5?
    I’m sure Hamilton will move forward, unless he is unlucky.
    Frankly I don’t think the 3 first on the grid will end in top 5 – so it will be an exiting race.
13. 

    SHM
    14th April 2012, 8:30

    So rows 1,7,8,9,10,11,12 are all team mates.amazing quali.can’t wait for the race…….
14. 

    sebsronnie (@sebsronnie)
    14th April 2012, 8:35

    I was so sure, after analysing the contribution of sector 3 to the overall laptime that a Mercedes would be on pole (01:35.012). But I chose the wrong one for my prediction!?!? In the race, since they can only use the DRS while overtaking and given their tyre handling, I predicted the best Merc to come in at 5th (Rosberg). Can’t wait for this race!
15. 

    AndrewTanner (@andrewtanner)
    14th April 2012, 8:39

    Probably the best qualifying result I’ve ever seen as far as the top 10 goes. Congratulations to Sauber for sticking both cars in the top 10 so comfortably and of course great session from Mercedes.
16. 

    F1Underground (@realf1underground)
    14th April 2012, 8:46

    Did someone predicted Mercedes 1-2 perfectly except @KarunChandhok ?
17. 

    cobbs (@cobbs)
    14th April 2012, 8:53

    Any news on Maldonado’s potential penalty?
18. 

    Slr (@slr)
    14th April 2012, 8:54

    I really think that Rosberg can win and that Kobayashi can get a podium tomorrow.

    This was a great qualifying, 2010 and 2011 were stinkers when it came to qualifying, this year qualifying has already been fantastic.
19. 

    richevans123 (@richevans123)
    14th April 2012, 10:00

    There has to be a stat in there somewhere for no mclaren/redbull/ferrari in top 4, when was the last time that happened?
    1. 

       Slr (@slr)
       14th April 2012, 10:17

       @richevans123 Spa 2009 comes to mind, I remember the top 3 being Fisichella (Force India), Trulli (Toyota) and Heidfeld (BMW). I can’t remember who was fourth, but I’m pretty sure that it wasn’t a McLaren, Red Bull or Ferrari. I think Raikkonen was 6th or 7th, whilst Badoer would have been at the back. Both McLarens went out in Q2, and I think the Red Bulls were around row 4 and 5.
       1. 

          Lin1876 (@lin1876)
          14th April 2012, 11:40

          Sorry, Raikkonen won that for Ferrari, with Fisichella (Force India) 2nd and Kubica (BMW) 3rd.
          1. 

             Slr (@slr)
             14th April 2012, 14:11

             @lin1876 I’m pretty sure he meant qualifying and not the race. By the way, Vettel finished third in the race. :P
             1. 

                Lin1876 (@lin1876)
                14th April 2012, 14:24

                @slr I think you’re right… In which case you might well be right with Spa 2009. Sorry about that.
    2. 

       Lin1876 (@lin1876)
       14th April 2012, 11:54

       That was a tough one to find out. I initially thought we’d be going back to Europe ’99 or Spa ’98, but more recently, Malaysia 2009 saw Button win for Brawn, Heidfeld 2nd for BMW, and Glock and Trulli 3rd and 4th for Toyota. After that, Red Bull and later McLaren became stronger and I believe finished in the top 4 at all the races (I think), apart from Spa which Kimi won for Ferrari.
20. 

    Dejan Milosavljevic (@kimster381)
    14th April 2012, 10:32

    How about that gurken now,hey Vettel?!Awesome qualifying session,can’t wait ……
21. 

    Lin1876 (@lin1876)
    14th April 2012, 11:38

    Really don’t see the Mercedes staying where they are. We saw in both Australia and Malaysia that their race pace is at the back of the midfield. McLarens can certainly win from 5th and 7th, although Hamilton will probably have the edge if the weather remains dry (which I believe I’m right in saying it will) due to the cool temperatures.

    That’s assuming that Kobayashi and Raikkonen can’t make their grid advantage count, when we all know they can. If they can get past the Mercedes early on and open up a lead then both will have a great shot at the win. We all know how awesome the Sauber’s race pace is in particular, and it’s conceivable Kobayashi could keep far enough ahead of the McLarens.

    Certainly, I won’t be complaining if it turns into Hamilton vs Raikkonen vs Kobayashi for the win. Three of the best races going hard at it is a mouth watering prospect, and I for one can’t wait for tomorrow morning.
    1. 

       Lin1876 (@lin1876)
       14th April 2012, 11:58

       On a related note, this has royally screwed my predictions. I saw Michael on pole, with Hamilton winning from Vettel, Button, Webber and Perez. Oh well, if it’s a great race I don’t mind.
22. 

    N
    14th April 2012, 13:46

    I think tomorow is all about Raikonnen, Webber, Button and Hamilton, the winner is amoung this group (if race stays dry)
23. 

    HK (@me4me)
    14th April 2012, 13:53

    So, it will be interesting to see what tyres Vettel choses to start the race with. Could be the prime again, much like in malaysia. Would be quite interesting thb.

    About the grid: i don’t see either merc nor kobayashi or raikkonen win this grand prix. The mercs obviously eating their tyres. The saubers too (they also mentioned this on sky. They’re tiers are getting quite hot, hence the good qualy laptime). Raikkonen, well i don’t think he has the pace to withstand Button, Hamilton and Webber.
24. 

    de le rose
    14th April 2012, 14:53

    Does anyone know why Grosjean didn’t set a time in q3? He could have easily been higher up on the grid..
    1. 

       de le rose
       14th April 2012, 15:04

       Couldn’t wait for an answer so found out:

       Romain Grosjean, E20-04. Q: P10, no time. FP3: P12 1’37.274.
       “I have mixed feelings after today’s session. After struggling a bit yesterday it’s great to have both cars in Q3, but unfortunately after a terrible first run in Q2 we were forced to use up all our new sets of soft tyres before the final session.

       “This meant there was no point trying to set a competitive time in the pole position shoot out which is a real shame, as our pace in Q2 was good. I feel much more comfortable with the car and I think that shows in the lap times today. The team did a great job to turn things around and get us back towards the top where we should be. I still have some fine tuning to do but 56 laps in tomorrow’s race will certainly help that!”
25. 

    Nickpkr
    14th April 2012, 17:05

    I say Mclaren Superiority is gone as the teams are pretty much catching up in performance, specially on race pace and poles won’t come easy anymore and loving now is turn for Vettel to be number two in Redbull. Mercedes did save tires for race not many else could, they are fine with good strategy, if merc does 1-2 WDC will be likely be almost like “reset” after the race. But my bet is Perez makes no pit stops this race. Looking forward !
26. 

    Kris H.
    14th April 2012, 17:10

    No Red Bulls, McLarens, or Ferraris on the front two rows! That doesn’t happen very often. Belgium 2009 I think.
27. 

    Palle (@palle)
    14th April 2012, 18:51

    When looking at the first 2 races, the Silberpfeile will probably be untouchable at the start, but from the last part of first stint, their race pace will probably slow down and they will surely drop down the field, unfortunately. It will be a tight packed front of the field, until the first gets past the 2 Mercedes pilots. I think Raikönnen has a chance of winning it, but agrees that the most probable winner must be Button, Hamilton or Webber – it will be a great race. I’m disappointed about Vettel, and Grosjean still makes to many errors. Alonso and Vettel must beware of Grosjean during the start and first part of that stint. The Saubers and Alonso will also be interesting to watch.
28. 

    Scalextric (@scalextric)
    15th April 2012, 0:24

    I wish overtaking was going to be a little harder. Having the Mercs at the front with potential race pace limitations and need for actual good driving to pass them would make for a very tight leading pack. Oh well, without (D)DRS they wouldn’t be up there anyway.
29. 

    Vicente dalmau
    15th April 2012, 5:05

    Did you know that the last POLE as al team for Mercedes , was in 1955 with Fangio ?

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