In the round-up: McLaren have opted not to use the new specification rear wing on the MCL32 in Shanghai, delay its introduction to Bahrain.
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McLaren won't race new rear wing in China (Motorsport.com)
Eric Boullier: "We actually ran it on both cars this morning, but because we have some little issues to fix, we decided to not race it. So it didn’t run it in qualifying. But it is going to be back next week I guess in Bahrain. For all the other upgrades, yes they did work."
Hamilton hails fight with Vettel as 'what racing is all about' (Sky)
"It's more exciting than ever for me because we are really fighting these guys. That's what racing is all about and it pushes you on"
Sebastian Vettel 'chickened' on brakes on final Q3 lap (Autosport)
"I enjoyed it a lot, if we could have been a bit quicker at the end I would have enjoyed it more. The last corner, maybe I lost a little bit and chickened onto the brakes too soon."
Hulkenberg 'well surprised' by Renault pace (Motorsport.com)
"But this morning from the first lap I got in felt pretty comfortable, a good balance, a good harmony in the car, grip was alright, obviously relative to the competition. So I’m quite happy and well surprised today."
Antonio Giovinazzi apologises to Sauber after Q1 shunt (ESPN)
"I touched my rear tyres on the grass which maybe was still wet from yesterday, I lost the rear and yeah, it was tough, of course I'm disappointed and I want to say sorry to the team."
Liberty Media Loses Malaysian Grand Prix One Year Early (Forbes)
"It is the first major development since F1’s parent company Delta Topco was acquired in January by Liberty which is listed on the Nasdaq with the ticker FWONK. Liberty has re-signed the contracts for two races in Russia and Canada but others in Britain and Germany are still under threat and the Malaysian Grand Prix has now bitten the dust."
Verstappen family rattled by Jos' antics (F1i)
"The only thing I wanted to achieve was that Red Bull intervenes to protect Max from the constant misery caused by his father."
Palmer: I will fight to be one of the best Formula One drivers in the world (Guardian)
"I am motivated to prove myself. I am motivated to give a good account of myself, to show what I can do and fight to be one of the best drivers in the world."
A talented Turkish baker has baked an impressive tribute to Michael Schumacher in cake form.
VIDEO: F1 Explained: 2017's New Wet-Weather Start Rules (Formula1.com via YouTube)
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Chinese GP grandstand ticket (back straight/hairpin) Fri-Sun = €133
Chinese GP media centre internet charge = €150
Right… #F1 #ChineseGP
— Chris Medland (@ChrisMedlandF1) April 8, 2017
#F1 #Ferrari MGU-H is able to recover 3,652kJ in 2017 vs. 3,269kJ/lap in 2016 according to @MagnetiMarelliT
— Petr Hlawiczka (@hlawiczka) April 7, 2017
3rd in the quali. Again not perfect, but the main day is tomorrow 😉 Going to be a good battle for the top step! #F1 #VB77 @MercedesAMGF1 @F1 pic.twitter.com/hJUF6XeZQh
— Valtteri Bottas (@ValtteriBottas) April 8, 2017
Dinner time with the Dutch press 🇳🇱. If all goes well, you'll be able to read what I ate tomorrow 🍜📸🎙 #ChineseGP 🇨🇳 #F1 pic.twitter.com/fHjtD67W4Q
— Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) April 7, 2017
- Find more official F1 accounts to follow in the F1 Twitter Directory
Comment of the day
With a new overall lap record around the Shanghai International Circuit been set in qualifying, @jerejj has some observations about the falling laptimes this season.
In Melbourne last year’s pole time would’ve been enough for 6th spot on the current grid while in Shanghai it would’ve been enough only for 18th spot, and the two drivers (Verstappen and Ocon) didn’t beat last year’s pole time only because of having reliability problems and having to abort the lap due to the yellows caused by Giovinazzi respectively, so in theory all 2017-cars are faster than the fastest 2016 car on one-lap pace on this circuit. I expect the slowest 2017 qualifying time to be faster than the fastest 2016 qualifying time assuming no one faces any problems and or has to abandon his flying lap in Spain, Monaco, Singapore, Hungaroring, and Suzuka at least.
@jerejj
From the forum
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday to Mad Eric, Slr, Dirgegirl and Traverse!
If you want a birthday shout-out tell us when yours is via the contact form or adding to the list here.
Joao (@johnmilk)
9th April 2017, 19:54
Quite weird news from the Verstappen family
Btw thanks Will for posting the round-up, been looking for it all day.