New on RaceFans
- Actions of “certain individuals” show change is needed at FIA – Hamilton
- Mercedes considering legal action following dropped FIA investigation
- Susie Wolff criticises FIA and vows to uncover who ‘instigated a campaign’ against her
- Leclerc turns the tables on Sainz at last race in another close fight at Ferrari
- Formula E is latest motorsport series to fall behind paywall in UK
- Piastri rises, Sargeant hits record low in final F1 23 ratings update
- IndyCar further delays introduction of hybrid power units
- FIA quickly concludes ‘conflict of interest’ investigation which drew Mercedes’ ire
- FIA relaxes some F1 testing rules for 2024 and adds new wet weather test
- F1 teams banned from working on 2026 car designs until end of next year
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
6th April 2018, 11:25
Hello everyone and welcome to RaceFans Live for the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend!
The big development at the track today has been Liberty Media’s announcement about what they plan to do with F1 in 2021. We’ve got a few more details which weren’t in the press release – find out more here:
https://www.racefans.net/2018/04/06/liberty-medias-2021-proposal-includes-cost-cap-and-prize-money-changes/
And also read @DieterRencken‘s first-hand account of day one at the track here in the first of his new series of articles here:
https://www.racefans.net/2018/04/06/paddock-diary-bahrain-grand-prix-day-one/
bosyber (@bosyber)
6th April 2018, 11:42
Well, looking forward to see those cars in the heat on this very different track. Let’s see where the balance lies this weekend, and who manages to make good on their promise (or luck in/out)
nase
6th April 2018, 11:59
The more I hear the new theme music, the less I understand the initial backlash against it. It works, and I can see it becoming recognisable quickly.
nase
6th April 2018, 12:00
Also, hello.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
6th April 2018, 12:02
Think it was just because people didn’t see it with pictures. On its own it sounded generic.
bosyber (@bosyber)
6th April 2018, 12:04
Which is why I didn’t understand why they did not just show it with something like a short reminder of last year’s racing or something. Oh, well, new things to argue about turned up this weekend :)
nase
6th April 2018, 12:11
Yeah, sounds plausible. I’m not a fan of this kind of premature judgement, but I guess it’s just par for the course on the internet.
rpiian (@rpiian)
6th April 2018, 12:02
Hey guys – any updates on official F1 streaming?
bosyber (@bosyber)
6th April 2018, 12:03
Good question, I too would like to have that soon!
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
6th April 2018, 12:04
Don’t think it’s going to be before China at this rate.
rpiian (@rpiian)
6th April 2018, 12:10
Good to know. I’ll stick to VIPbox for now.
nase
6th April 2018, 12:15
You can sign up for updates on F1 TV here.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
6th April 2018, 12:03
Lots of flow-vis on McLaren’s new sidepods bits.
bosyber (@bosyber)
6th April 2018, 12:05
I hope there will be nice pictures of how that looks when he gets back! Good to see them with updates.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
6th April 2018, 12:05
Oh dear. Renault reliability problems?
bosyber (@bosyber)
6th April 2018, 12:08
Verstappen already looking at needing to replace his first turbo? oh, dear.
So, that’s his FP1 over, right?
bosyber (@bosyber)
6th April 2018, 12:09
or can they get it back to the pits, fix it and go out (time permitting)?
nase
6th April 2018, 12:09
Yes, they’re allowed to do that. Doesn’t bode well, though.
rpiian (@rpiian)
6th April 2018, 12:12
Yikes!
bosyber (@bosyber)
6th April 2018, 12:10
I guess they can, given Verstappen is about to push it to the pit-entry line then.
nase
6th April 2018, 12:19
That does make things easier for them, but it’s not a prerequisite. If the car strands somewhere on the circuit and is brought back on a tow truck, they’re still allowed to send it out on the track again if they manage to fix it in time.
Roderick Brook (@babygrumpling)
6th April 2018, 12:08
Bound to be, now that McLaren have their engines!
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
6th April 2018, 12:16
Branded Halo on the Force India now.
Joao (@johnmilk)
6th April 2018, 12:28
the havaianas thing?
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
6th April 2018, 12:24
Interesting to hear Stroll yesterday was saying the engine problem which cost him a place to Ocon at the start in Australia was similar to what happened to Rosberg in Spain in 2016 which led to that crash with Hamilton.
bosyber (@bosyber)
6th April 2018, 12:32
Guess Williams and Sauber are quite similar in what they need to work on!
nase
6th April 2018, 12:35
That sounded like an obvious setup for a “the driver” joke, but seeing as it’s Leclerc who spun, I had to bite my tongue.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
6th April 2018, 12:33
Hamilton: “There was someone spun.”
“It happened right in front of you, it was Stroll.”
Hamilton: “I couldn’t see, they were behind the board.”
“There was no yellows at the time you went past so no worries.”
Jeanrien (@jeanrien)
6th April 2018, 12:34
Have both McLarens received the barge boards upgrade?
Any other discrepancies between cars/drivers than FI on the upgrade front?
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
6th April 2018, 12:38
Times so far:
Hamilton 1’32.532
Bottas 1’33.001
Vandoorne 1’33.647
Raikkonen 1’33.770
Vettel 1’33.926
Gasly 1’33.977
Grosjean 1’33.995
Hulkenberg 1’34.214
Ricciardo 1’34.256
Magnussen 1’34.341
Alonso 1’34.759
Stroll 1’34.845
Ocon 1’34.868
Hartley 1’34.947
Perez 1’35.191
Sirotkin 1’35.217
Leclerc 1’35.530
Ericsson 1’35.661
Sainz Jnr 1’35.809
Krommenaas (@krommenaas)
6th April 2018, 12:46
on what tires??????????????
nase
6th April 2018, 12:53
Slicks!!!!!!!
bosyber (@bosyber)
6th April 2018, 12:53
LOL, crofty praising Alonso for going third w. .6s off HAM on softer tyres than VAN who was third already for some time at 1s …
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
6th April 2018, 13:01
Leclerc: “Box, I have a problem. I crossed the line in the pit entry, I don’t know if that’s OK but I have a problem. The steering wheel is not on straight.”
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
6th April 2018, 13:09
Looks like Ferrari are stronger in hotter temperatures as they were last year.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
6th April 2018, 13:11
In cooler conditions tomorrow with the engines turned up it should surely be a Mercedes front row.
bosyber (@bosyber)
6th April 2018, 13:13
And also, I guess that first hour was spent running a low power mode, which explains the extra second the Ferrari’s and Merc’s got out now.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
6th April 2018, 13:16
That’s a very encouraging lap for Red Bull.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
6th April 2018, 13:22
First pictures from practice here:
bosyber (@bosyber)
6th April 2018, 13:29
Nice picture :)
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
6th April 2018, 13:34
They’re ending the session with a test of the new race suspension procedure. Details as follows:
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
6th April 2018, 13:42
Raikkonen not happy at being left without tyre blankets during the race suspension simulation after practice:
Raikkonen: “I don’t know why we don’t put the blankets on the tyres?”
Santi: “So basically Kimi we were not expecting such a long stop, we should have been immediately, it’s not. We are trying to organiser with the blankets but it will be difficult.”
Raikkonen: “It’s too late now. You knew the whole day that we’re going to do it since yesterday so it shouldn’t be too difficult to figure it out how long it’s going to last.”
bosyber (@bosyber)
6th April 2018, 13:44
Harsh words, but not untrue there from Kimi.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
6th April 2018, 15:48
Welcome back for second practice everyone! The conditions should be much more representative now.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
6th April 2018, 15:49
We’ve got some more details on what the teams were told in Bahrain today:
Liberty will not abolish Ferrari’s F1 prize money bonus in 2021
charliex (@photogcw)
6th April 2018, 16:06
where did Jackie Stewart get a flip phone?
charliex (@photogcw)
6th April 2018, 16:07
PEMEX(Mexico’s state-owned oil company) logo on the mirrors of the Force India-interesting.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
6th April 2018, 16:10
Lap times were 1.3s faster than FP1 in this session last year. Sub-90s lap times coming up in the next hour?
DaveD (@daved)
6th April 2018, 16:25
In the next 5 minutes I believe :)
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
6th April 2018, 16:12
Spin for Ericsson – strange to see a car go around there.
bosyber (@bosyber)
6th April 2018, 16:14
Wind maybe destabilising him? bit odd indeed. But, it’s Ericsson
bosyber (@bosyber)
6th April 2018, 16:17
oh, yeah, there was some oil on track there, didn’t we hear that on a radio message before?
nase
6th April 2018, 16:30
Huh? We did.
nase
6th April 2018, 16:49
Oh wait, I just had a less than bright moment.
charliex (@photogcw)
6th April 2018, 16:15
rather severe rake on the RedBulls, leaving a trail of sparks
DaveD (@daved)
6th April 2018, 16:24
ESPN is embarrassing themselves again
Geez.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
6th April 2018, 16:27
OK here come the performance runs, Raikkonen up first on super-softs.
DaveD (@daved)
6th April 2018, 16:30
And Vettel goes sub 90 seconds
bosyber (@bosyber)
6th April 2018, 16:38
I hope RAI kan keep this up!
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
6th April 2018, 16:39
Did Mercedes not tell Bottas where Ricciardo was? Odd.
bosyber (@bosyber)
6th April 2018, 16:41
Shouldn’t he have seen him coming regardless, the pace difference was large enough you’d think he would voluntarily let RIC by.
bosyber (@bosyber)
6th April 2018, 16:40
Kubica impressed by that action of his team driver …
Ed Marques (@edmarques)
6th April 2018, 16:41
Ferrari seems quicker, but no real indication of Mercedes potencial. Hamilton got traffic on both attempts. I think it should be close. Lets see the long runs.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
6th April 2018, 16:42
Looks like Mercedes won’t be quickest in this session either. But they weren’t in any of last year’s practice sessions, then were fastest in all stages of qualifying.
bosyber (@bosyber)
6th April 2018, 16:47
I do think it might be another Bottas pole (well possibly Hamilton, but he needs to get a good run, and hasn’t been able to do that so far this weekend), but then Vettel win (because Kimi won’t as long as Vettel is around to win).
DaveD (@daved)
6th April 2018, 16:44
Only 1 time in last 5 years has the pole sitter won here. So I guess we should be paying more attention to the long run pace???
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
6th April 2018, 16:48
Can’t imagine Alonso’s very pleased to find Gasly ahead of him.
nase
6th April 2018, 16:52
I can imagine that he doesn’t really care. If they arrived in the same order on Sunday, that’d bug him. But I don’t really see that happening.
nase
8th April 2018, 18:20
Well, I guess I just saw that happening. So much for bold predictions.
BlueChris (@bluechris)
6th April 2018, 16:57
I see thunderstorms exactly in the qualifying time…. this will spice things up if it holds true
https://www.accuweather.com/en/bh/bahrain-international-circuit/57066_poi/hourly-weather-forecast/57066_poi?hour=41
bosyber (@bosyber)
6th April 2018, 17:07
Interesting bit of radio, answering Hamilton’s “traffic” by telling him they want to have that data if he can handle it.
Ed Marques (@edmarques)
6th April 2018, 17:13
It seems to be very close between the top teams.
Should be interesting
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
6th April 2018, 17:16
Oh dear, looks like an unsafe release for Raikkonen.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
6th April 2018, 17:18
Perhaps Haas should’ve been taking notes from another team…
bosyber (@bosyber)
6th April 2018, 17:19
Better now than in the race, I suppose. Still, not great.
BlueChris (@bluechris)
6th April 2018, 17:17
I hope its not engine
nase
6th April 2018, 17:20
It’s a loose wheel. Should be (a) fine.
dutchtreat (@dutchtreat)
6th April 2018, 17:22
ESPN3 in US not working, or is it me…?
bosyber (@bosyber)
6th April 2018, 17:26
Magnussen unsatisfied with his timing info – I know how that feels with these new, sparse timing info on screen ;)
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
6th April 2018, 17:28
As in Melbourne Haas don’t look as competitive when the temperature drops.
Martin (@martin)
6th April 2018, 17:28
Ferrari quickest in qualy sim and long run?
bosyber (@bosyber)
6th April 2018, 17:31
Red Bull also seem fast in long runs, which might make it more interesting.
Martin (@martin)
6th April 2018, 17:33
“He’s a threat to us all, man.”
angelic (@angelicdarkness)
6th April 2018, 18:05
whats the current order?
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
6th April 2018, 18:18
Here’s the practice session report:
https://www.racefans.net/2018/04/06/raikkonen-quickest-stopped-pit-stop-problem/
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
7th April 2018, 12:57
Hello everyone and welcome back to RaceFans Live for final practice in Bahrain.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
7th April 2018, 12:58
Ahead of this session here’s a look at how much each team;’s best lap time so far compares to the best lap time they set at this race weekend last year. As you can see two are already quicker than they were 12 months ago:
1. McLaren -0.772
2. Sauber -0.171
3. Force India +0.125
4. Toro Rosso +0.309
5. Ferrari +0.57
6. Haas +0.828
7. Red Bull +1.2
8. Renault +1.378
9. Mercedes +1.611
10. Williams +2.308
Ben Rowe (@thegianthogweed)
7th April 2018, 13:02
Nice to see Tom Clarkson on the Channel 4 coverage. Lst year and before I think he was with the BBC team for the video clips and BBC radio 5 live.I like him as a presenter and a pit lane reporter. I hope he will stay at Channel 4.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
7th April 2018, 13:06
As with first practice yesterday this isn’t a great session for gleaning useful data. Red Bull’s long runs looked good yesterday though and Verstappen said he was pleased with his race pace.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
7th April 2018, 13:08
Another trait of the track this weekend has been high evolution, big improvements from session to session. That’s partly why I’d be wary of reading too much into the headline times from yesterday.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
7th April 2018, 13:08
Several drivers noted degradation was higher than expected yesterday, including Fernando Alonso and Nico Hulkenberg.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
7th April 2018, 13:14
Almost quarter of an hour of the session done and no one’s done a time yet.
Mort Canard (@motoduc250)
7th April 2018, 13:16
Welcome to the brave new world of power unit conservation. No flat out running till Quali.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
7th April 2018, 13:16
It’s been like this for years. Track’s hot, the drivers got good running yesterday, little need to go out early.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
7th April 2018, 13:21
Sidepod wing failure for Vettel. Red bull had problems in testing with some of the intricate strakes they have on their car in that region.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
7th April 2018, 13:24
Pirelli reckon on an ordinary qualifying run the fast time will come one the first lap with the super-softs, they won’t be able to stay out and improve as they did in Melbourne.
Donna
7th April 2018, 13:25
These announcers are so horribly boring bring back the old announcers. These guys do not make the race exciting.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
7th April 2018, 13:28
Alonso up to seventh, a tenth off the Toro Rossos, similar to yesterday.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
7th April 2018, 13:29
Grosjean separates Alonso from the Toro Rossos – midfield close as ever.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
7th April 2018, 13:35
Verstappen goes second on super-softs with a 1’30.924.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
7th April 2018, 13:37
Magnussen goes sixth with a 1’32.293 but half a second covers him to Leclerc in 15th.
Mort Canard (@motoduc250)
7th April 2018, 13:39
Please someone teach Rachel Brookes to speak so Americans can understand her. Don’t have any particular problem with Crofty or Lazenby.
Dewald Nel (@ho3n3r)
7th April 2018, 13:51
If Americans can’t understand her, that’s not her fault.
Mort Canard (@motoduc250)
7th April 2018, 14:04
Liberty media has given us Sky Sports as our broadcast team. Should be understandable to average fan.
I can probably understand a British accent better than the average ‘Muricans. If us Yanks can’t get the commentary a lot will tune out.
Just sayin’.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
7th April 2018, 13:41
Raikkonen showing some proper pace now.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
7th April 2018, 13:44
OK so what are we about to see from Mercedes? They’re out on super-softs now.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
7th April 2018, 13:45
Hamilton doing a very gentle out-lap. Probably won’t need to slow to this extent in qualifying when the track’s cooler. It’s 35C now. Bottas has slipped up at turn one, running wide after locking up.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
7th April 2018, 13:48
Hamilton goes second but he’s eight-tenths off Raikkonen after taking the Lando Norris line through the final corner.
Mort Canard (@motoduc250)
7th April 2018, 13:48
Lewis blows the last turn on a flying lap.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
7th April 2018, 13:50
Hamilton: “What sectors can be better?”
“It’s mainly the middle sector. There is a power difference though compared to Raikkonen.”
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
7th April 2018, 13:52
Vettel: “Check engine drive-ability. 11 and 12 in particular quite bad. Also now.”
“Box, slow down and box. Abort the start.”
Vettel: “Yep, thought so.”
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
7th April 2018, 13:55
Have to say it’s all looking rather good for Raikkonen right now.
Mort Canard (@motoduc250)
7th April 2018, 14:07
I wonder how much will change in Quali when teams finally turn up the PU settings.
Jere (@jerejj)
7th April 2018, 15:01
My pole time prediction: 1:27.700.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
7th April 2018, 15:02
Hello everyone and welcome back to RaceFans Live for this afternoon’s qualifying session!
Here’s a reminder of what happened in final practice:
https://www.racefans.net/2018/04/07/raikkonen-quickest-as-vettel-hits-trouble/
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
7th April 2018, 15:04
Ferrari have set the pace so far but they’re still 0.5s off their best time from last year. Mercedes, however, haven’t got within 1.6s of their 2017 pace yet – a sign they’re keeping their performance hidden?
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
7th April 2018, 15:22
It’s been an important weekend on the political side of things following yesterday’s revelations about Liberty Media’s plans for the future. In his new paddock diary feature from the track today Dieter reveals how the news went down:
Paddock diary: Bahrain Grand Prix day two
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
7th April 2018, 15:23
Much of what Liberty proposed remains secret but yesterday we revealed details of how they’re planning to restructure F1’s prize money:
Liberty will not abolish Ferrari’s F1 prize money bonus in 2021
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
7th April 2018, 15:28
Have you made your Bahrain Grand Prix predictions yet? Just half an hour left to get them in:
https://www.racefans.net/2018/04/07/make-your-2018-bahrain-grand-prix-predictions/
bosyber (@bosyber)
7th April 2018, 15:31
It’s quite hard, with Vettel not being w/o issue in FP3, HAM and his penalty, and Mercedes not (yet?) looking like world beaters.
Armand Serpentier (@armandf1v)
7th April 2018, 15:41
Does the penalty of hamilton have influence on the pole position prediction or not?
bosyber (@bosyber)
7th April 2018, 15:45
As far as I recall, it does.
Armand Serpentier (@armandf1v)
7th April 2018, 15:48
then i’ll need to change it
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
7th April 2018, 15:40
Today’s first batch of pictures have gone up, as always you can find them here:
https://www.racefans.net/pictures/new/
Mach1 (@mach1)
7th April 2018, 15:41
I forget this every time it happens, the predictions competition classifies the pole sitter before penalties are applied, correct?
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
7th April 2018, 15:58
The pole sitter is the driver who starts the race from pole position.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
7th April 2018, 16:05
Leclerc improves on his best time from practice by 0.3s. Hartley slower by a whopping 1.3s.
bosyber (@bosyber)
7th April 2018, 16:07
Magnussen good again
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
7th April 2018, 16:07
Magnussen sets a 1’30.030 which is 1.7s quicker than he did in practice – Haas reveal their true pace.
Victor.
7th April 2018, 16:09
Never really rated K-Mag, always thought Dennis wildly overrated him. Doing v. well v Grosjean so far.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
7th April 2018, 16:09
Ferrari changed the control electronics in Vettel’s car.
Nin13 (@nin13)
7th April 2018, 16:11
Hamilton on SS while top 3 on Softs?
bosyber (@bosyber)
7th April 2018, 16:14
Saving them for q2,race think RTL.DE
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
7th April 2018, 16:11
Force India are looking a bit better here.
charliex (@photogcw)
7th April 2018, 16:13
Max V in the wall!
Mort Canard (@motoduc250)
7th April 2018, 16:13
Max crashes!!!
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
7th April 2018, 16:13
Verstappen did what Ericsson did in second practice but made it all the way to the barrier.
Mort Canard (@motoduc250)
7th April 2018, 16:14
Looks like he trashed the front suspension.
Forrest (@forrest)
7th April 2018, 16:13
And that is why you don’t wait until the last second to set a fast time in any qualy session, especially Q1.
Gabriel (@rethla)
7th April 2018, 16:14
Damn
Victor. (@victor)
7th April 2018, 16:14
Verstappen Maldonado level season so far – too keen to impress?
Mort Canard (@motoduc250)
7th April 2018, 16:17
Bahahahahah!!!
Nin13 (@nin13)
7th April 2018, 16:15
Verstappen makes to too many mistakes for a top team driver.
Aaron (@azzimus)
7th April 2018, 16:20
i am happy he is still making mistakes, he is only 20yrs old and i am not looking forward to the domination he will have in a couple of years…
doublehelix (@doublehelix)
7th April 2018, 16:21
Yeah. Will be interesting to see if he takes the blame for this or if there was something wrong with the car
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
7th April 2018, 16:15
Alonso: “Which position we are?
“Fernando we will need to go again. We’re 15.”
Alonso: [Censored by FOM] I don’t know why.
“Mate don’t worry, the DRS had us over there.”
Alonso: Yeah but I don’t know why they pulled the DRS. It was green, the corner. Stupid.”
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
7th April 2018, 16:17
“OK front wing is damaged, we hit something Brendon. We change it now.”
Hartley: “I ran a bit wide at turn seven. It could have happened then, but then I had crazy understeer after.”
“No we hit a bird. that’s why turn seven was very understeer.”
Hartley: “Ah OK that makes more sense.”
doublehelix (@doublehelix)
7th April 2018, 16:20
Thanks Keith, love reading those
Alesici (@alesici)
7th April 2018, 16:23
First near miss for the halo…
Gabriel (@rethla)
7th April 2018, 16:20
Well theres plenty of time for a lap but it will be heavy traffic.
Ben Rowe (@thegianthogweed)
7th April 2018, 16:20
Verstappen has been looking a bit to over confident last race and this qualifying session. I’m still not convinced he’s yet clearly a better driver than Ricciardo as many are saying.
Gabriel (@rethla)
7th April 2018, 16:22
I think hes looking the same as always. All or nothing Max.
doublehelix (@doublehelix)
7th April 2018, 16:22
Imagine if RIC beats him in the DCC again this year
Gabriel (@rethla)
7th April 2018, 16:24
Might very well happen but it remains to be seen if Ricciardo ups his game to Maxes level or if its just down to luck again.
Aaron (@azzimus)
7th April 2018, 16:27
max has so much raw pace, ricciardo is a very good quailly driver but max is so good…
he scares me as a massive ric fan! dani has a much better race head though…. well for now
NS Biker (@rekibsn)
7th April 2018, 16:28
Luck is not what you’re given, it’s what you make out of the circumstances. That is unless you’re Chris Amon.
Martin
7th April 2018, 16:26
Sainz 4 tenths up on Hulkenberg, very nice
Victor. (@victor)
7th April 2018, 16:26
The Torro Roso’s outperforming the McLaren’s is damning indeed
Mach1 (@mach1)
7th April 2018, 16:29
Ouch…..just ouch
and Williams, more ouch…
too much ouch
charliex (@photogcw)
7th April 2018, 16:26
Alonso and Grojean have the same time.
Mort Canard (@motoduc250)
7th April 2018, 16:31
Alonso posteed the time first so he goes to Q2. Romain out in Q3.
Nin13 (@nin13)
7th April 2018, 16:27
Willaim has joined Sauber as backmarker
bosyber (@bosyber)
7th April 2018, 16:27
So, first track he knows and Sirotkin is ahead of Stroll, not pretty
nase
7th April 2018, 16:30
Was expecting the same from Leclerc vs. Ericsson, but he spun.
Mach1 (@mach1)
7th April 2018, 16:31
Let’s see what his excuse is…….
Ruben (@)
7th April 2018, 16:38
Stroll said no grip and no balance in the car.
Gabriel (@naylamp)
7th April 2018, 16:29
toro rosso has improvded a lot.
Martijn (@)
7th April 2018, 16:29
Why are teams not allowed to repair a car and continue qualifying?
Gabriel (@rethla)
7th April 2018, 16:30
They are but its not exactly time for it.
Gabriel (@naylamp)
7th April 2018, 16:31
they are. but the damage on VER’s car is massive.
nase
7th April 2018, 16:32
They aren’t. If you don’t reach the pit lane on your own, you’re out.
Samurai (@royalz)
7th April 2018, 16:31
i think the car have to reach the pits without any help
nase
7th April 2018, 16:33
Correct.
Gabriel (@rethla)
7th April 2018, 16:35
Well they arent getting the car back before the qualifying ends so it doesnt really matter.
Samurai (@royalz)
7th April 2018, 16:30
Seems like STR and MCL switched engines
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
7th April 2018, 16:30
Stroll 20th. Hope Lawrence has kept his receipt…
Bob
7th April 2018, 16:30
What kind of upgrade Torro Rosso is bringing…They so much faster than on Melbourne
Gabriel (@rethla)
7th April 2018, 16:32
They bring the power of dreams
Mach1 (@mach1)
7th April 2018, 16:35
Anyone think Mclaren are having to turn down the engine due to possible overheating issues?
nase
7th April 2018, 16:31
Say what you want about French Drivers, but at least they own up to their mistakes.
Ben Rowe (@thegianthogweed)
7th April 2018, 16:33
Do you know a driver called Grosjean? :D He really didn’t admit to being at fault for a mistake when he spun in Monza last year I think it was in the wet.
Gabriel (@rethla)
7th April 2018, 16:36
But he did admit he botched it this qualifying ;P
nase
7th April 2018, 16:57
This is a bit of a bewildering comment, as I was referring to Grosjean, who, just after Leclerc’s “I am such an idiot” took the full blame over team radio before anyone else could.
Andrew (@f1725)
7th April 2018, 16:31
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K585Qm84BRI&feature=youtu.be
F1 2018 – Bahrain GP Verstappen crash (Q1)
Ruben (@)
7th April 2018, 16:35
Strange crash, this corner is flatout.
Gabriel (@rethla)
7th April 2018, 16:40
Flat out doesnt mean you dont have to nail every turn.
Ruben (@)
7th April 2018, 16:50
Ai Mclaren, beaten by Honda. And they said they don’t look backwards, only forwards at RedBull and Ferrari…
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
7th April 2018, 16:32
Information control at Renault:
Hulkenberg: “I lost power. What happened there? I completely lost power out of the last corner.”
“OK Nico recharge on, as you are.”
Hulkenberg: “I think it was a de-rate wasn’t it?”
“Negative Nico negative.”
Hulkenberg: “What is it?”
“We’ll tell you later Nico.”
bosyber (@bosyber)
7th April 2018, 16:34
Hope it’s not engine trouble
MXMXD (@mxmxd)
7th April 2018, 16:32
Was Stroll “screwed” of a better time due to the Yellow Flag? I missed the info on his laptime (green vs. yellow)
budchekov (@budchekov)
7th April 2018, 16:35
At what point does an F1 car become an F1 Bus?
These cars are awfully looooooooooooooooooong.
Bob
7th April 2018, 16:39
Yep i saw the Marshall carrying max red bull, they look small as the minions
Mach1 (@mach1)
7th April 2018, 16:36
Anyone think that Mclaren may be turning down the engine a bit due to overheating issues? The offset to other Renault cars is pretty large…
tim
7th April 2018, 16:45
it’s just that infamous McLaren chassis
Patrick (@anunaki)
7th April 2018, 16:38
This is not the season start Max has hoped for.
Ruben (@)
7th April 2018, 16:40
And also not for me ;) I think he is the one that truly can fight Mercedes and Ferrari.
Patrick (@anunaki)
7th April 2018, 16:43
Yeah this was a good opportunity to start in front of both mercs
dio
7th April 2018, 16:40
Mclaren’s speed is so so disappointing…
Andrew (@f1725)
7th April 2018, 16:42
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9U9zKZLZ3I&feature=youtu.be
Nin13 (@nin13)
7th April 2018, 16:42
Ferrari should have split strategy
Gabriel (@naylamp)
7th April 2018, 16:42
at least this gives honda a good image in order to gain new c
Gabriel (@naylamp)
7th April 2018, 16:43
…ustomers
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
7th April 2018, 16:43
Hamilton revealing a bit of Mercedes’ true pace now it seems. But I wonder if they just don’t like the super-soft.
Gabriel (@naylamp)
7th April 2018, 16:44
I think he is just using Q3 mode early on
Mort Canard (@motoduc250)
7th April 2018, 16:46
Hamilton out again on SS
Victor. (@victor)
7th April 2018, 16:43
Was McLaren completely lying when they said that their chassis is decent or did the change to Renault screw it up?
Gabriel (@rethla)
7th April 2018, 16:45
Im sure they are confident in their chassis but that doesnt mean they are right.
Gabriel (@rethla)
7th April 2018, 16:46
Blaming everything on a engine thats supposedly 0.2s behind the rest doesnt ring well when you get beaten by an STR Honda.
Bob
7th April 2018, 16:48
Just look at Mclaren chassis, it look so basic and undeveloped…. Expecting a major in Spanish GP
Ju88sy (@)
7th April 2018, 16:50
It’s hardly surprising with winter spent adapting to a new PU.
John H (@john-h)
7th April 2018, 16:51
So were Toro Rosso!
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
7th April 2018, 16:49
Uncomfortable truth for McLaren: They’re behind both Toro Rossos at a higher power sensitivity track.
Nin13 (@nin13)
7th April 2018, 16:49
STR faster than Mclaren
HUHHII (@huhhii)
7th April 2018, 16:50
The joke called McLaren keeps on delivering!
Ruben (@)
7th April 2018, 16:50
Ai Mclaren, beaten by Honda. And they said they don’t look backwards, only forwards at RedBull and Ferrari…
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
7th April 2018, 16:51
Also note Ocon, who doesn’t have Force India’s new front wing this weekend, reached Q3 while Perez did not.
MXMXD (@mxmxd)
7th April 2018, 16:56
Perez appears to have driven on some kind of rubbish though.
Mach1 (@mach1)
7th April 2018, 16:51
Mclaren must be turning that engine down…….I hope they are…..
This is a punch to the gut either way
dio
7th April 2018, 16:51
Mclaren have two months as alonso said. But if they not improve significantly they should try quitting F1
Jay Menon (@jaymenon10)
7th April 2018, 16:53
Mclaren, Honda is faster than you!
Jay Menon (@jaymenon10)
7th April 2018, 16:55
So Lance Stroll is still rubbish then?
John H (@john-h)
7th April 2018, 17:13
Stick him in a Mercedes and he could win the world championship ;)
Martijn (@)
7th April 2018, 16:55
Red Bull talking about engine sw glitches leading to VER spin..
Pjotr (@pietkoster)
7th April 2018, 18:46
They say Renault data showed a sudden 150 hp extra out of nowhere.
spoutnik (@spoutnik)
7th April 2018, 16:56
I am extremely disappointed by McLaren’s performance. Another appaling season in sight.
Gabriel (@naylamp)
7th April 2018, 17:03
GAS is in beast mode.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
7th April 2018, 17:04
Got some great stuff coming up for you on RaceFans over the next few days – we had an exclusive interview with one of the team principals in the paddock today which we’ll be publishing later.
Ju88sy (@)
7th April 2018, 17:05
Looking forward to it Keith!
Ruben (@)
7th April 2018, 17:06
Hope RAI will take pole. I really do. Then we see the iceman smile a little.
Mort Canard (@motoduc250)
7th April 2018, 17:07
Lewis on a flyer.
Gabriel (@rethla)
7th April 2018, 17:10
Bottas beating Hamilton well done!
Jay Menon (@jaymenon10)
7th April 2018, 17:10
I’m popping down to shops to buy me a Honda
Gabriel (@naylamp)
7th April 2018, 17:14
or maybe today GAS showed his real talents.
cswilly (@cswilly)
7th April 2018, 17:10
GAS 6th!
Jere (@jerejj)
7th April 2018, 17:11
Mclaren, Honda is faster than you, LOL.
bosyber (@bosyber)
7th April 2018, 17:12
Well, that was quite good, wasn’t it? Glad I’m not the one telling Alonso a STR/Honda starts 5th! Should have given that pole to VET, but got time nearly right.
bosyber (@bosyber)
7th April 2018, 17:14
Also, I am glad that the top three are also the first three on the grid.
bull mello (@bullmello)
7th April 2018, 17:13
Biggest losers in this Q
Stroll, Williams, McLaren, Grosjean
Biggest winners
Ferrari, Gasly, STR, K Mag, Ocon
doublehelix (@doublehelix)
7th April 2018, 17:16
spot on
MXMXD (@mxmxd)
7th April 2018, 17:14
@ToroRosso
Replying to @ToroRosso
Even better news, with Ricciardo’s penalty @PierreGASLY will start the #BahrainGP in 5th!
… Is it just Toro Rosso who mixed RIC and HAM, or Toro Rosso forgetting about HAM’s penalty?
Aaron (@azzimus)
7th April 2018, 17:17
ric penalty? have i missed something?
Darth-Piekus
7th April 2018, 17:15
What is the reason Mclaren is underperforming?
bosyber (@bosyber)
7th April 2018, 17:17
Well, bye, see you all tomorrow.
Darth-Piekus
7th April 2018, 17:18
Mclaren clearly are not performing as intended.What the hell did they do at Winter? 5 years they havent performed.
Tristan
7th April 2018, 17:23
So what’s with that smoke coming form the ferrari garage? Visual annoyance on the broadcast from Ferrari for showing it and Red Bull/Mercedes at it even happening… It’s gotta be getting around the oil rules somehow right? Dumping a bunch of oil into the engine at startup and burning it to keep some residual or something to get around the oil flow limit rule?
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
7th April 2018, 17:27
Thanks for joining in everyone, here’s the grid for Sunday’s race:
https://www.racefans.net/2018/04/07/2018-bahrain-grand-prix-grid/
And the qualifying report:
https://www.racefans.net/2018/04/07/ferrari-ended-mercedes-five-year-run-of-pole-positions-in-bahrain-as-sebastian-vettel-led-a-one-two-with-team-mate-kimi-raikkonen-2018-bahrain-grand-prix-qualifying-review/
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
8th April 2018, 14:43
Hello everyone we’re building up to the start of the Bahrain Grand Prix which begins in an hour and 18 minutes.
For the latest on what was going on in the paddock yesterday, here’s Dieter’s Saturday Paddock Diary:
Paddock Diary: Bahrain Grand Prix day three
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
8th April 2018, 14:49
It’s been a very tough weekend for Williams so far who are over 1.3 seconds slower at this track than they were last year. Chief technical officer Paddy Lowe admitted they don’t completely understand why they’re down on performance.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
8th April 2018, 14:54
Interestingly Lowe also remarked they’re only using the maximum cooling configuration on one of their cars this weekend due to the differences in their drivers’ styles.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
8th April 2018, 14:51
Grosjean said he went a slightly different direction on set-up to team mate Kevin Magnussen which may explain why he had a harder time getting out of Q1. But he also owned up to a mistake at the final corner and a poor initial preparation lap before that.
Jere (@jerejj)
8th April 2018, 14:59
My top 5 predictions: 1. Vettel, 2. Raikkonen, 3. Bottas, 4. Hamilton, 5. Ricciardo.
Gary
8th April 2018, 15:00
Interesting to see Tommy Hilfiger decals prominently on Mercedes car. Laurence Stroll seeking an upgrade for Lance? Not sure such an upgrade would ever be for sale.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
8th April 2018, 15:05
Force India got one car into Q3. Perez did not make it – he tried their new front wing in practice but the team isn’t running it on either car as they still haven’t fully sussed their upgrade.
Josh (@canadianjosh)
8th April 2018, 15:10
Already looks like a bigger crowd than last year.
Putz
8th April 2018, 15:28
Thats a relief because Quali looked rather quiet yesterday.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
8th April 2018, 15:10
Here’s a list of what Red Bull had to fix on Verstappen’s car after his qualifying crash:
LHS front lower wishbone
LHS front top wishbone
LHS and RHS front pushrod
LHS and RHS front trackrod
LHS upright assembly incl. corner electrical system
LHS brake duct
Front brake friction material
Front brake calipers
PAS
Front rockers, springs, damper and inerter
Nose / front wing assembly
LHS bargeboards
Chassis flipper
Steering wheel
Parameters associated with suspension and PAS change
Here’s Verstappen’s explanation why he crashed in Q1 despite having already set a time quick enough to reach Q2:
https://www.racefans.net/2018/04/07/verstappen-explains-extra-lap-q1-crashed/
Gary
8th April 2018, 15:25
What would you estimate such a crash “costs”, recognising there’s an issue in the analysis of fixed versus truly variable expenses?
Justin (@boombazookajd)
8th April 2018, 15:32
Hey all! should be a good race!
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
8th April 2018, 15:32
Pirelli reckon a two-stopper on super-softs followed by two sets of softs is the best strategy.
Alternatively drivers could use two sets of super-softs. This will obviously suit those who have a fresh set best (here’s a list of who does).
One stopping with a set of super-softs and another of softs is possible but Pirelli notes these stint lengths would be on the long side.
doublehelix (@doublehelix)
8th April 2018, 15:47
Great info, thanks. Wonder why HAM (seemingly) unnecessarily used up another set of super-softs in Q2, when he did not need to improve. Now he has 0 new sets left
nase
8th April 2018, 15:55
Good point, been asking myself the same. Maybe he’ll try his luck with a Soft-Medium one-stopper?
bosyber (@bosyber)
8th April 2018, 15:58
Well, maybe he only got it warmed up a bit, he didn’t go super fast anyway, so might be the best one to use later in the race if he needs it.
Lucio
8th April 2018, 15:46
Hi chaps, looks like we might have a great season this year!
budchekov (@budchekov)
8th April 2018, 15:51
Hmm..What’s the difference between a ‘grid girl’ holding a sign with the drivers number and a ‘grid girl’ holding a Sky microphone?
Andre Furtado (@f1andy83)
8th April 2018, 15:58
Agreed. No one talks about the poor grid boys.
Bert van Leeuwen (@bert1959)
8th April 2018, 16:04
One of them is informative….
budchekov (@budchekov)
8th April 2018, 16:24
The one showing viewers the car’s number? Agreed.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
8th April 2018, 15:51
Enjoy the Bahrain Grand Prix everyone. As usual you can find video and live timing links in the menu above if you need them.
Looks like we could be in for an interesting race, though a lot depends on just how quick those Ferraris are.
Who’s your tip for victory today? I’m going to go with…
…Ricciardo.
nase
8th April 2018, 15:54
Daring. I’ll stick with Vettel. Unimaginative, I know.
sam11333 (@sam11333)
8th April 2018, 15:55
Head says Vettel, heart says Kimi
budchekov (@budchekov)
8th April 2018, 15:56
Whoever’s ahead when the Ferraris take each other out?
Ben
8th April 2018, 15:56
Honestly can’t see anyone other than Vettel. That Ferrari is super quick and they can always throw Kimi under the bus to help him win.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
8th April 2018, 15:57
Fourth is the highest position Ricciardo’s ever won a race from…
Lucio
8th April 2018, 15:59
I bet on Ricciardo, despite I’m hoping Kimi can win this one…
Josh (@canadianjosh)
8th April 2018, 15:59
Looking forward to see what Leclerc can do today
Lucio
8th April 2018, 16:01
I hope as well for a crazy race in which Tororosso-Honda can take an unbelivable podium!
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
8th April 2018, 16:04
I really like that races start at 10 past the hour now. I keep forgetting and so I keep finding I have extra time to do things!
Rich
8th April 2018, 16:09
Just found that out also, really good feature, missing the start is awful
budchekov (@budchekov)
8th April 2018, 16:09
Indeed, I’d forgotten that…kettle’s boiling. :)
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
8th April 2018, 16:06
Hamilton seemed pretty glum yesterday as he usually is after being out-qualified by his team mate. But I get the impression Mercedes know Ferrari are quicker. Hamilton’s time looked good on softs in Q2, but he reckons Ferrari have more in hand on that tyre too. And Ferrari are clearly quicker on super-softs.
Gary
8th April 2018, 16:07
I wish there was a music-delete option on Sky
Josh (@canadianjosh)
8th April 2018, 16:08
There should be one on your remote
Gary
8th April 2018, 16:09
There is, I use it, but then I can’t hear brundle. It does mute Croft, however. Win some lose some
Josh (@canadianjosh)
8th April 2018, 16:10
Lol
socalf1fan (@socalf1fan)
8th April 2018, 16:08
Good morning all
Josh (@canadianjosh)
8th April 2018, 16:10
Good morning from Canada and a snow storm!
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
8th April 2018, 16:08
Outside the top 10 everyone is starting on softs apart from Hartley, Vandoorne and Grosjean on super-softs.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
8th April 2018, 16:09
That suggests to me there might be a few in the midfield hoping to one-stop…
Jonas Karlsson (@orchide)
8th April 2018, 16:08
Verstappen is gonna play bowling in the first corner. Will probably strike…
Putz
8th April 2018, 16:12
Into Alonso’s backside when he rides the coat tails of a great Alonso start I fear.
Alesici (@alesici)
8th April 2018, 16:10
Hmmph. Only 1 in car cam channel on the Sky red button, rather than the usual 3. This is not a good race to have limited options. Let’s hope they stick to RoGro, Ham and Max. No doubt they’ll just stick it on Vettel…
DaveD (@daved)
8th April 2018, 16:10
I’m scared to say this and jinx us here in the States…but ESPN is doing better on their coverage so far this weekend.
socalf1fan (@socalf1fan)
8th April 2018, 16:13
Let’s hope it continues
Ben Rowe (@thegianthogweed)
8th April 2018, 16:10
Ugh, The stupid noises when they are showing you the driver line up between each row. They really are trying to hard to make thise things sound dramatic…
Putz
8th April 2018, 16:11
I’ve seen this countdown to 1000th grand prix. I wonder what Liberty will do for it.
Mashiat (@mashiat)
8th April 2018, 16:12
Who is on softs?
nase
8th April 2018, 16:14
Hamilton, Hartley, Vandoorne, Grosjean.
Josh (@canadianjosh)
8th April 2018, 16:16
Max is his own worst enemy
charliex (@photogcw)
8th April 2018, 16:16
Both RedBulls out?
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
8th April 2018, 16:16
OK maybe Ricciardo won’t win this one…
Martin
8th April 2018, 16:17
Wait what happened to Danny Ric?
Ed Marques (@edmarques)
8th April 2018, 16:18
Verstappen needs to calm down. Pathetic
budchekov (@budchekov)
8th April 2018, 16:19
Sigh, damn ..what a bonehead, zero patience.
DaveD (@daved)
8th April 2018, 16:20
He was out of control there. Trying to get a podium in the first 2 laps.
charliex (@photogcw)
8th April 2018, 16:18
All right, I’ll say it: I hate VSC.
Patrick (@anunaki)
8th April 2018, 16:20
I need to see a decent replay but max was way ahead Lewis when they touched
Justin (@boombazookajd)
8th April 2018, 16:20
Max didn’t do anything to Lewis that Lewis hasn’t done to Nico before.
Ed Marques (@edmarques)
8th April 2018, 16:23
Except both continued racing.
Gary
8th April 2018, 16:21
Mark Hughes had a great analysis and write up on VER
Ed Marques (@edmarques)
8th April 2018, 16:21
WOW
Hamilton passed 3!
Ju88sy (@)
8th April 2018, 16:22
Oh man, what a shocker for Red Bull.
budchekov (@budchekov)
8th April 2018, 16:22
Looks like it’s hammer time..nice controlled aggression Lewis.
Justin (@boombazookajd)
8th April 2018, 16:23
overtake of the race…Lewis!
Bert van Leeuwen (@bert1959)
8th April 2018, 16:24
Really? With so much more power? I cold do that.
Ju88sy (@)
8th April 2018, 16:25
O’Rly…..
bosyber (@bosyber)
8th April 2018, 16:27
It still was a well done, opportunistic move to get past three cars in one go.
glynh (@glynh)
8th April 2018, 16:23
I think they might have slightly overdone the drs…
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
8th April 2018, 16:26
As Magnussen said.
Palle (@palle)
8th April 2018, 16:34
Exactly – its a pitty.
bosyber (@bosyber)
8th April 2018, 16:23
Gasly hanging in there well so far.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
8th April 2018, 16:24
DRS made that easy for Hamilton but didn’t he just nail that braking point, miles off the racing line. Credit where it’s due, that would have been very easy to screw up.
Justin (@boombazookajd)
8th April 2018, 16:27
beautiful wasn’t it!?
Big Joe
8th April 2018, 16:52
shooting fish in a barrel
Gary
8th April 2018, 16:24
Kimi Webber. Sigh…
Mashiat (@mashiat)
8th April 2018, 16:24
That merc engine tho
Ju88sy (@)
8th April 2018, 16:27
Feisty first phase of the race from Alonso.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
8th April 2018, 16:27
Alonso being told Hulkenberg is struggling with his battery. There hasn’t been a radio message about that from Hulkenberg played in the broadcast so presumably that’s McLaren monitoring Renault’s radio calls.
Victor. (@victor)
8th April 2018, 16:28
DRS is way too strong.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
8th April 2018, 16:30
It is bad, but the F2 race was worse.
Alesici (@alesici)
8th April 2018, 16:30
Hartley’s penalty… Boo hoo…. I had a 100-1 bet on a double Torro Rosso points finish… :c
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
8th April 2018, 16:30
So Hamilton has the free air he needed to make a go of a one-stopper – if his tyres will last. Which is a big ask for Mercedes.
Gabriel (@naylamp)
8th April 2018, 16:31
VER is a great driver. but he needs to cool down a little if he wants to win championships.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
8th April 2018, 16:33
I don’t think there was anything wrong with that move, it was a racing incident, as the stewards ruled. It was wheel-on-wheel contact, had luck gone the other way Hamilton would have the puncture and Verstappen could be up in fourth.
Ben Rowe (@thegianthogweed)
8th April 2018, 16:35
I agree that it was a racing incident, but Hamilton was left no room. If Hamilton had suffered the consiquences, I am certain Verstappen will have got a penalty for that.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
8th April 2018, 16:32
“Fernando, Gasly is three cars in front of you, he potentially has a brake problem.”
Alonso: “OK. I have a lot of pace.”
“Understood Fernando.”
Victor. (@victor)
8th April 2018, 16:38
He’ll finish P5 as usual.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
8th April 2018, 16:37
Contact:
Gabriel (@naylamp)
8th April 2018, 16:37
say whatever you want about HAM (I don’t even like him), but that overtake was pure gold.
budchekov (@budchekov)
8th April 2018, 16:40
Under 7 secs between Lewis and Kimi….when will they pit?
Nin13 (@nin13)
8th April 2018, 16:43
Bottas closing on Vettel now less than 2 sec
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
8th April 2018, 16:43
Bottas getting ready for his pit stop.
Forrest (@forrest)
8th April 2018, 16:45
What happened to GRO? Did he just pit?
Mashiat (@mashiat)
8th April 2018, 16:45
Is the medium a mandatory tyre?
mryellow38
8th April 2018, 16:48
only the soft tyre is the compound that you need to use in the race
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
8th April 2018, 16:48
They don’t have to use it during the race, they have to have it available.
mryellow38
8th April 2018, 16:46
any thoughts on ericsson in the points?
socalf1fan (@socalf1fan)
8th April 2018, 16:49
I’ve got nothing to complain about ESPN coverage today, which certainly can’t last
budchekov (@budchekov)
8th April 2018, 16:50
yep, so far so good..
Mashiat (@mashiat)
8th April 2018, 16:50
I think Ferrari should have split their strategies with Kimi going on a 1 stop.
Patrick (@anunaki)
8th April 2018, 16:50
Max blames Lewis. “There was enough space on the left but Lewis didn’t want to give up his place”
Ju88sy (@)
8th April 2018, 16:52
Cry me a river Max!
JackySteeg (@jackysteeg)
8th April 2018, 16:50
I thought Sirotkin was being lapped there, but he’s fighting for position and just putting up zero resistance… the Williams looks dreadful this year.
Gallo
8th April 2018, 16:51
Can’t watch the race so watching this. Is there someplace on this site that list positions at the moment?
koddamn (@gufdamm)
8th April 2018, 16:52
https://www.formula1.com/en/f1-live.html
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
8th April 2018, 16:52
No – FOM restrictions prevent that (at least without shelling out a huge amount of money.)
budchekov (@budchekov)
8th April 2018, 16:59
Really, in the USA we just have to register and get limited but adequate features.
Mashiat (@mashiat)
8th April 2018, 16:52
Bottas really closing on Vettel now.
Ben
8th April 2018, 16:53
Hamilton is just throwing time away here. He’s got 4th safe but I can’t understand what they are doing at Mercedes.
Victor. (@victor)
8th April 2018, 16:54
Alonso’s slow.
Victor. (@victor)
8th April 2018, 16:58
He’s on the medium, never mind – wish that tyre graphic was on more often.
JackySteeg (@jackysteeg)
8th April 2018, 16:55
Looks like Merc kept HAM out as long as he could hold up VET
Victor. (@victor)
8th April 2018, 16:56
Well DRS ruined that battle.
budchekov (@budchekov)
8th April 2018, 16:57
This is getting very interesting!
Other than the RB debacle not a bad race so far.. IMIO
Ben
8th April 2018, 16:58
Hamilton just threw away well over 15 seconds for nothing there. Why did they keep him out so long ?! Madness
budchekov (@budchekov)
8th April 2018, 17:01
Taking one for the team?
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
8th April 2018, 17:00
Hamilton now trying to get back within range of Vettel – he’s 0.4s quicker in sector one on this lap.
Gasly in fifth has a handy margin over Hulkenberg.
Alonso, seventh, looks like he’s one-stopping and is beginning to push his mediums a bit more.
Ocon is coming under pressure from Grosjean for ninth.
Magnussen the only driver to have made his second pit stop already.
bosyber (@bosyber)
8th April 2018, 17:03
ERI on PER: either ERI was right to CH4 that his car is better in race, or FI is really not good here.
Gallo
8th April 2018, 17:08
Thanks for the update!
Nin13 (@nin13)
8th April 2018, 17:04
If Ferrari pit again then Bottas will win but Vettel will get back on Hamilton to 2nd. But at end for last 15 laps Ferrari on SS will be 2-3sec faster than Mercedes on Medium
JackySteeg (@jackysteeg)
8th April 2018, 17:05
A quietly decent performance from Ericsson so far. Admittedly helped by trouble from others, but he kept his tyres alive for a long time in the first stint and now he’s well among the midfield battle.
Ed Marques (@edmarques)
8th April 2018, 17:05
great strategies, very interesting race
bosyber (@bosyber)
8th April 2018, 17:05
26 laps on SSofts for Grosjean, with that damage, that’s quite long. Of course, team work is important …
Mashiat (@mashiat)
8th April 2018, 17:05
That was very stupid from Grosjean imo.
charliex (@photogcw)
8th April 2018, 17:12
Time to bring back the pit lollipop!
Feuerdrache (@xenomorph91)
8th April 2018, 17:15
Plenty of incidents happened with it too.
socalf1fan (@socalf1fan)
8th April 2018, 17:12
Oh my
budchekov (@budchekov)
8th April 2018, 17:12
Jeez!! At least Haas still has 8 wheels on…
Mashiat (@mashiat)
8th April 2018, 17:13
Unbelievable.
Gallo
8th April 2018, 17:16
what happened?
Mashiat (@mashiat)
8th April 2018, 17:19
Raikkonen has retired after his wheel wasn’t able to be taken off at a pitstop.
Forrest (@forrest)
8th April 2018, 17:15
I’ve thought for a long time that F1 allows too many people in the pit lane. There should be limit like Indycar or sports cars.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
8th April 2018, 17:17
I happen to agree, but to be fair there were several pit crew members involved in incidents in last night’s IndyCar race:
https://www.racefans.net/2018/04/08/newgarden-denies-wickens-win-phoenix/
Forrest (@forrest)
8th April 2018, 17:18
True, but there are fewer people to possibly get hurt if you only allow 5 or 6 to work on the car instead of 15 to 20.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
8th April 2018, 17:16
Verstappen says Hamilton hit him and the stewards should have taken action:
https://www.racefans.net/2018/04/08/verstappen-i-left-hamilton-room-drove/
budchekov (@budchekov)
8th April 2018, 17:18
Wah wah wah…grow up kid.
john
8th April 2018, 17:18
No surprise from the whiny boy. I enjoyed seeing him with his bag ready to go home.
Bob
8th April 2018, 17:17
Still no replay….probably it too graphic
choiMatthew (@choimatthew)
8th April 2018, 17:17
and Hulkenburg is 43s away from the top 3 cars. now that kimi and both RBRs are gone
budchekov (@budchekov)
8th April 2018, 17:21
KM in 5th…nice one
Ed Marques (@edmarques)
8th April 2018, 17:21
Bottas is just too slow to make this work
Nin13 (@nin13)
8th April 2018, 17:23
RAI sacrificed again. If Ferrari get big driver like RIC or VER they will not be able to do same
glynh (@glynh)
8th April 2018, 17:26
I can’t see any advantage for Ferrari in that situation.
socalf1fan (@socalf1fan)
8th April 2018, 17:24
This is pretty major for Honda if Gasly holds on
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
8th April 2018, 17:26
Here’s that Hamilton exchange a portion of which was played on the main feed:
Hamilton: “Just trying to understand what I’ve got to do, pick up pace or not.”
Bonnington: “OK Lewis, low 34s. Let us know the TAG mode you need to achieve those times.”
Hamilton: “I get that I’ve got to do a low 34 buddy. I’ve done a 34.3, is that enough?”
Bonnington: “Copy that Lewis, you’re doing the target, just need to know how hard you’re pushing.”
Hamilton: “I’m driving to target.”
Vowles: “Lewis it’s James. The main thing at the moment is Vettel may not stop. Just go to TAG two, tell me what kap times it ends up ebing, and we’ll see where we get to.”
Hamilton: “Like I said, I’m driving to target, that means I am in TAG two.”
budchekov (@budchekov)
8th April 2018, 17:28
I have no ides a about how accurate F1 live timing
is but in driver comparison they have a graph showing Seb heavy on ‘throttle/breaking/aggression’ and VB heavy on ‘steering’???
budchekov (@budchekov)
8th April 2018, 17:32
I should have said live timing ‘Performance’ features…
Dent (@dentmido)
8th April 2018, 17:28
Vettel’s tyres are crying
Ben
8th April 2018, 17:31
No drama for Ferrari they are looking so impressive on tyre wear.
Ben
8th April 2018, 17:32
Looks like Hamilton is the one struggling which is strange because he put his on much later than Bottas.
Nin13 (@nin13)
8th April 2018, 17:33
Hamilton did 29 laps on Soft used in quali, I think Vettel can do 36 laps on new Softs
Nin13 (@nin13)
8th April 2018, 17:33
With less fuel load and kind car on tyres
Alesici (@alesici)
8th April 2018, 17:34
Seriously, the new F1 app drains mobile batteries like crazy. Are they trying to get more engagement with the viewers, by forcing us to consider our battery management to make it through the race without recharging? If so, I’ve lost the race…
socalf1fan (@socalf1fan)
8th April 2018, 17:36
Haha. I had to switch to my computer as my iPad went to zero.
socalf1fan (@socalf1fan)
8th April 2018, 17:34
Can Alonso make a move on Hulk?
JackySteeg (@jackysteeg)
8th April 2018, 17:36
McLaren scrapping with a Sauber, while Honda are on the verge of their best result since their return with a rookie in the Red Bull B-team. That’s gotta sting…
socalf1fan (@socalf1fan)
8th April 2018, 17:47
Indeed
Victor. (@victor)
8th April 2018, 17:38
Once Bottas gets DRS he’ll get past asap.
Ed Marques (@edmarques)
8th April 2018, 17:38
They waited too long to tell Bottas to push
DaveD (@daved)
8th April 2018, 18:12
Yes, they did.
Mashiat (@mashiat)
8th April 2018, 17:38
Bottas will win.
AdrianMorse (@adrianmorse)
8th April 2018, 17:41
Or did Vettel wait for him?
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
8th April 2018, 17:40
If anyone ever suggests resurfacing this track, quietly escort them from the paddock.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
8th April 2018, 17:43
So Valtteri, how badly do you want that 2019 drive…
bosyber (@bosyber)
8th April 2018, 17:48
Well, perhaps not quite hard enough, though Vettel did a great job too.
Ed Marques (@edmarques)
8th April 2018, 17:45
Bottas just doesn’t got it
DaveD (@daved)
8th April 2018, 18:18
Bottas is clearly just a decent driver in a great car.
Victor. (@victor)
8th April 2018, 17:47
Bottas bottled that
Andre Furtado (@f1andy83)
8th April 2018, 17:47
Grats Vettel
Andre Furtado (@f1andy83)
8th April 2018, 17:48
Wow can’t believe Bottas couldn’t pull that off.
glynh (@glynh)
8th April 2018, 17:48
Great tense end. Brilliant drives bt the whole top 5
Alesici (@alesici)
8th April 2018, 17:48
Why did Alonso let Vettel lap him at the end? They were discussing it on the radio a few laps ago. What benefit? Can’t be engine mileage? What if Hulk had hit trouble on the last lap?
socalf1fan (@socalf1fan)
8th April 2018, 17:59
I don’t know what happened, but ALO went from about .6 to 6 seconds behind HUL on the previous lap, so I guess he had no chance?
Alesici (@alesici)
8th April 2018, 18:04
Like I said, it was definitely deliberate. But seemingly stupid wasting of a chance of more points.
Jere (@jerejj)
8th April 2018, 17:48
Driver of the day: Gasly.
DaveD (@daved)
8th April 2018, 18:19
Yeah, I’d have to vote Gasly this weekend. Great Qualy and even better drive.
bull mello (@bullmello)
8th April 2018, 17:49
Good on Gasly! I literally cannot believe that happened with a Honda engine in the back of that car.
Gabriel (@naylamp)
8th April 2018, 17:51
what a finish. my heart was pumping out my chest. great win by VET.
JackySteeg (@jackysteeg)
8th April 2018, 17:53
Unless I’m very much mistaken, that’s the best result for Honda since Silverstone 2008. Well done Pierre!
Ed Marques (@edmarques)
8th April 2018, 17:54
We need Ricciardo on that second Mercedes
socalf1fan (@socalf1fan)
8th April 2018, 17:57
Or second Ferrari
Gabriel (@naylamp)
8th April 2018, 17:55
hahaha, they just put the video of the VER-HAM accident on the wall when HAM entered the room. hilarious.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
8th April 2018, 18:11
Thanks for joining in everyone, here’s the race report, loads more coming straight from the paddock in Bahrain:
https://www.racefans.net/2018/04/08/2018-bahrain-grand-prix-summary/
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
13th April 2018, 3:06
Hello everyone and welcome to RaceFans Live for the 2018 Chinese Grand Prix weekend! First practice has just begun.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
13th April 2018, 3:11
FIA confirms new energy store and control electronics for Ricciardo – his second from a maximum of two…
Ross
13th April 2018, 3:50
Ridiculous limit considering the number of races.
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
13th April 2018, 3:17
That Ham rear wing swap, pretty interesting, I don’t remember ever seeing the DRS lead.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
13th April 2018, 3:18
Yeah not the sort of thing FOM has shown before.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
13th April 2018, 3:19
Alonso 3.7s off McLaren’s pace from last year.
Raikkonen 5.8s off Ferrari’s pace from last year.
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
13th April 2018, 3:20
Alonso looks pretty good on softs, then Raikkonen looks all loose, over a second quicker on the mediums
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
13th April 2018, 3:28
Very committed and quick first effort from Hamilton. No messing around there!
bull mello (@bullmello)
13th April 2018, 3:31
The F1 Streaming package cannot come soon enough. Here in the states espn is not showing FP1, not sure about FP2 or 3…
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
13th April 2018, 3:32
An even quicker time now from Hamilton. 3.3s off last year’s pole.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
13th April 2018, 3:36
Hartley: “What do you think I should get the tyres down to?”
“Target is between plus five and plus 10. We lose too much time on the last corner. Braking too early. Big picture is working to brake later.”
Hartley: “Yeah copy that.”
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
13th April 2018, 3:40
I called it!
@texarcana You’re wrong.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
13th April 2018, 3:41
Where’s the quote from?
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
13th April 2018, 3:43
from the comment section of your article
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
13th April 2018, 3:44
OK – I don’t understand what you’ve posted here.
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
13th April 2018, 3:49
Sky sports were saying Kimi’s pitstop was caused by what I speculated a few days ago. The gun was on tightening.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
13th April 2018, 3:40
Best times by team so far:
1. Mercedes – 1’34.962
2. Red Bull – 1’35.696 +0.73
3. Ferrari – 1’36.386 +1.42
4. Force India – 1’36.914 +1.95
5. Haas – 1’36.927 +1.97
6. Renault – 1’37.060 +2.10
7. McLaren – 1’37.888 +2.93
8. Toro Rosso – 1’37.937 +2.97
9. Williams – 1’37.980 +3.02
10. Sauber – 1’38.182 +3.22
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
13th April 2018, 3:41
I don’t know what the wheel gun operator must be feeling.
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
13th April 2018, 3:57
Less PU’s for this season and yet a good amount of action. Good evolution on track, the SFI goes quicker than Ferrari, on the same tyre. and for the first time a Williams sees the midfield. A lot of evolution still to come.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
13th April 2018, 4:04
Yeah I was concerned how quiet FP1 would be. Perhaps the threat of rain is helping. Ocon and Vettel mentioned yesterday they were concerned about how much running they’d get to do.
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
13th April 2018, 4:05
Max got another 150 bhp spike on this right leg. Tricky.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
13th April 2018, 4:06
“Are you OK to stay out?”
Verstappen: “Yeah it’s a bit flat spots but I have to I guess.”
“Mas how bad is the flat spot?”
Verstappen: “A little bit, but I think I can do a lap.”
“Understood.”
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
13th April 2018, 4:16
FOM graphics delivering this session. Even FOM doesn’t like Hartley, harsh penalties, misspelled name and a lot of flack for an unfortunate qualifying with a bird encounter in q1. Now Fom puts his name on screen when Stoffel makes a mistake.
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
13th April 2018, 4:17
I’ve spotted a 316 for Ham on the back straight and a 314 for STR Honda. good thing that speedo is almost always on screen.
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
13th April 2018, 4:24
Max’s flat spots chattering the front wing on the replay, still quick though.
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
13th April 2018, 4:29
Only now I’ve noticed that weird camera on Vettel,
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
13th April 2018, 4:33
Pleasant session, lots of laps. A lot to take in, tyres, fuel loads, one thing is certain, Lewis is very strong here.
we all alone here on the chat. Not here for the 2nd. bye
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
13th April 2018, 4:34
So Mercedes are on top as practice begins, here’s the first report and times:
https://www.racefans.net/2018/04/13/2018-chinese-grand-prix-first-practice-result-fp1/
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
13th April 2018, 4:59
No one beat their best time from last year’s race weekend in first practice. Haas and McLaren were closest, one second off. Williams were furthest away by 3.1 seconds, the worst of any team by 0.6s.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
13th April 2018, 6:46
Hello everyone and welcome back for the second practice session for the Chinese Grand Prix.
BasCB (@bascb)
13th April 2018, 7:01
lights are green!
bosyber (@bosyber)
13th April 2018, 7:03
whee! eh, I chose to miss FP1, looking forward to seeing FP2 now.
Good morning
BasCB (@bascb)
13th April 2018, 7:05
good morning. I slept all through the night with not a single tought about FP1 too. Until I read about the results and got up for FP2 :-)
MacLeod (@macleod)
13th April 2018, 7:04
It’s because there was a false fire alarm otherwise i was still sleeping.
BasCB (@bascb)
13th April 2018, 7:08
Wait, was Ted just saying how Ferrari’s flexing wings help Vettel manage the car? Doesn’t that sort of highlight they are starting to get close to not allowed?
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
13th April 2018, 7:10
Something’s gone wrong for Raikkonen.
I’m not saying it’s related but interesting to note yesterday Hamilton hinted he thinks Ferrari may have taken more reliability risks with their power unit than Mercedes:
https://www.racefans.net/2018/04/12/ferrari-will-be-hard-to-beat-in-china-hamilton/
bosyber (@bosyber)
13th April 2018, 7:16
Hm, right, so they had to reboot it or something, according to Ted (using an ethernet cable?!)
bosyber (@bosyber)
13th April 2018, 7:10
Oh, RAI was faster than Vettel in FP1, so of course he’s now having an issue (no conspiracy, just lack of luck, I guess).
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
13th April 2018, 7:18
Well he’s back on track already so as sabotage jobs go it was a bit pants.
BasCB (@bascb)
13th April 2018, 7:17
So, do we expect times to come right down for qualifying when they all turn up their engines?
bosyber (@bosyber)
13th April 2018, 7:21
Even without that I’d think, it seems Hamilton got the fastest lap even with that lockup into turn 4.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
13th April 2018, 7:23
Just saw Sirotkin’s time and thought “that looks better for Williams”, but it appears it was done on ultra-softs…
bosyber (@bosyber)
13th April 2018, 7:29
What’s the Soft (Stroll) to USoft (Sirotkin) difference @keithcollantine, more or less than the .8s they differ?
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
13th April 2018, 7:30
Not sure off the top of my head, I usually wait for Pirelli to give a read on it after this session when they’ve got some data.
BasCB (@bascb)
13th April 2018, 7:27
Funny how all the content wallls in china keep interfering with the footage in China …
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
13th April 2018, 7:29
“Do you want another lap?”
Ricciardo: “I’ll have a think. Not happy with the pedal map, interested to try that.”
“Think about if you want to sort any switches out for the next lap. Looks like traction’s a bit worse. If there’s anything you want to tiody up we’ve got plenty of time.”
Ricciardo: “OK. Are we’re OK for mileage to do another?”
“Yeah.”
Ricciardo: “OK I’ll start the lap at least.”
bosyber (@bosyber)
13th April 2018, 7:30
Well, Hamilton isn’t taking it easy there.
BasCB (@bascb)
13th April 2018, 7:31
I just love looking at Hamilton wrestling the car for that hot lap
bosyber (@bosyber)
13th April 2018, 7:33
Bottas looked much calmer, was clearly slower most of the lap, but then got it back in S3 (I think? feed again lapsed)
BasCB (@bascb)
13th April 2018, 7:34
showing his approach is not quite as fast but, most likely a lot more reliably fast :-)
bosyber (@bosyber)
13th April 2018, 7:35
But I too liked seeing Hamilton much better, so glad he did get a bit more out of the lap :)
Kribana (@krichelle)
13th April 2018, 7:34
This Ultrasoft tyre seems to be not lasting the entire lap. Surely some teams will try to start on the Soft tyres for the race.
BasCB (@bascb)
13th April 2018, 7:36
I guess the likes of Ferrari, Red Bull and Ferrari could get through on them. But it does leave you vulnerable for the start too
Kribana (@krichelle)
13th April 2018, 7:40
But how long do the US last? If they will last for only 5 laps then you might as well start on the S tyre
bosyber (@bosyber)
13th April 2018, 7:39
hm, all the replays and recaps from sky – they clearly went to commercials at the wrong moment.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
13th April 2018, 7:40
Hulkenberg up in sixth. Renault appear to have difficulty hitting their one lap pace but when they find it they’re quick.
bosyber (@bosyber)
13th April 2018, 7:41
This talk of the risk of using softs in Q2 is a bit nonsense if you look at Kimi being well ahead on Softs, of Hulk on Usofts, I think. Those top three teams could relatively easily get it done.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
13th April 2018, 7:42
McLaren planning their qualifying tactics? Handy tow for Alonso from Vandoorne.
bosyber (@bosyber)
13th April 2018, 7:44
If 1s behind the leaders is as far as it got him, they might need it!
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
13th April 2018, 7:43
Vandoorne: “Do we need another lap or not? For me the balance is quite clear.”
“OK in that case happy to box this lap. Let’s try to give Fernando a tow exit of turn 12. Fernando is currently 17 seconds behind.”
bosyber (@bosyber)
13th April 2018, 7:45
Well, maybe that was a bit of a tow, but tight between Mercedes, Ferrari.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
13th April 2018, 8:02
On the TV graphics Sauber is now identified by a Sauber logo, whereas before it was an Alfa Romeo logo.
Andrew (@f1725)
13th April 2018, 8:46
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGDZbIqRs3c&feature=youtu.be
F1 Chinese GP 2018 – Stoffel Vandoorne Pit Stop Mistake Again ! (FP2)
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
13th April 2018, 8:49
A very straightforward second practice session for the most part. Here’s the report, times and visual gaps:
https://www.racefans.net/2018/04/13/hamilton-heads-raikkonen-by-tiny-margin-in-second-practice/
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
13th April 2018, 21:06
Ahead of final practice here’s how each team’s best times so far compared to the best they did last year. Only McLaren are already quicker than they were in 2017:
1. McLaren -0.391
2. Haas +0.294
3. Sauber +0.732
4. Renault +0.733
5. Red Bull +0.79
6. Force India +1.086
7. Toro Rosso +1.13
8. Ferrari +1.625
9. Mercedes +1.804
10. Williams +1.833
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
14th April 2018, 4:03
Hello everyone and welcome to RaceFans Live for the final practice session!
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
14th April 2018, 4:05
Hi, the most annoying user is here! Are we alone again.
BasCB (@bascb)
14th April 2018, 4:07
Hi!
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
14th April 2018, 4:08
Has it rained over night? It looked like a wet astroturf.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
14th April 2018, 4:08
Yeah huge downpour in the paddock yesterday.
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
14th April 2018, 4:13
That Heineken billborad on the straight tower is massive.
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
14th April 2018, 4:14
FOM’s live speed graphic is showing a lot higher top speeds today. Wind or PU? 320’s for most cars I’ve seen.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
14th April 2018, 4:18
Probably both, a few drivers were complaining about the wind yesterday.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
14th April 2018, 4:25
Hamilton being told about it now.
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
14th April 2018, 4:16
SKY’s ad break timing has been off this season.
BasCB (@bascb)
14th April 2018, 4:25
Sigh. Sky taking apart everything but the actual on track action again. Guys, there are cars on track!
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
14th April 2018, 4:28
yup.
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
14th April 2018, 4:26
Track looks completely different from yesterday
BasCB (@bascb)
14th April 2018, 4:27
Begin “green” as well as the wind direction, I’d guess
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
14th April 2018, 4:27
Hamilton having a few minor offs. He often seems a bit scruffy in this session.
BasCB (@bascb)
14th April 2018, 4:30
And a bigger spin now too.
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
14th April 2018, 4:40
Yesterday Lewis came out like he had been driving in Shanghai the whole week, today is just a different day for everyone.
BasCB (@bascb)
14th April 2018, 4:33
Hm, I think I will change the pole to Vettel,
bosyber (@bosyber)
14th April 2018, 4:38
Indeed
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
14th April 2018, 4:34
It’s just not coming right for Red Bull. That car looks quick but are we ever going to see what it can do?
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
14th April 2018, 4:38
Yeah, every time. This reminded me of Webber expiring on that same hairpin.
BasCB (@bascb)
14th April 2018, 4:36
Hm, that track is now looking slippery. Ricciardo’s car again now with a full engine blowout. Things not going well for him for this season. Is it something with the car? With the oil supplier?
bosyber (@bosyber)
14th April 2018, 4:37
So I guess it might have been a bit too early for Renault to declare the engine robust enough to allow more power then
BasCB (@bascb)
14th April 2018, 4:39
Oh, I missed that they already declared that.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
14th April 2018, 4:38
Hulkenberg and Sainz have taken new MGU-Hs, now on their second of three.
Caio Braz (@caiobraz)
14th April 2018, 4:41
Keith, where we can find a list of components used by each driver?
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
14th April 2018, 4:40
Couldn’t quite make that out but I think Ricciardo told the woman who came up to him “I’m keeping my helmet on because it’s cold.”
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
14th April 2018, 4:41
Stroll reports drops of moisture.
BasCB (@bascb)
14th April 2018, 4:42
I wonder, is McLaren playing it safe on stress with the engine and its components? After the experience with not finishing again and again with honda, they must value at least making it through the weekends.
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
14th April 2018, 4:46
Well as Keith said, the Renault are on their 2nd MGU-H, and Ricciardo just blew up.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
14th April 2018, 4:46
I do wonder why they’re having fewer problems than Renault.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
14th April 2018, 4:43
Vettel on a quick one now.
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
14th April 2018, 4:44
So it’s like the last time, break time for SKY. Missing the hotlaps, in a cold day.
BasCB (@bascb)
14th April 2018, 4:44
What was that about Sky ad breaks planning before @peartree … Now they waited until people got going again. :-(
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
14th April 2018, 4:49
I guess the person that used to do it is not working on these flyaways.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
14th April 2018, 4:45
Teams’ best times so far:
1. Ferrari – 1’33.018
2. Mercedes – 1’33.880 +0.86
3. Renault – 1’34.582 +1.56
4. Red Bull – 1’35.061 +2.04
5. McLaren – 1’35.364 +2.35
6. Force India – 1’35.494 +2.48
7. Haas – 1’35.756 +2.74
8. Williams – 1’36.092 +3.07
9. Sauber – 1’36.287 +3.27
10. Toro Rosso – 1’36.314 +3.30
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
14th April 2018, 4:50
FOM showed a couple minutes ago that all top 5 cars on the speed trap are Ferrari’s.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
14th April 2018, 4:52
Hamilton has really been talking up their straight-line speed:
https://www.racefans.net/2018/04/12/ferrari-will-be-hard-to-beat-in-china-hamilton/
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
14th April 2018, 4:50
Gasly down in 16th and much less happy with the Toro Rosso than he was in Bahrain:
“I need to do something for the rear. Especially in high-speed it’s really bad. The car is really disconnected from one corner to another. There’s something wrong with the rear of the car on the bump in turn eight.”
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
14th April 2018, 4:52
This season, stepping on the pedal must feel like stepping on eggshells. We are watching and thinking. Ricciardo your championship is already over
Ross
14th April 2018, 4:56
Won’t be helping RBR in contract talks!
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
14th April 2018, 4:57
More Red Bull engine woe:
Verstappen: “On the exit I don’t know what the [censored by FOM]’s is going on there.”
“What’s going on Max?”
Verstappen: “All the time when I push to the limit I’m just losing speed. I don’t want to do another fast lap. I’m not sure it’s healthy. I said this already last year in Baku about same kind of things happening now.”
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
14th April 2018, 5:03
Is he right or is Max knowing what happened to Daniel,a bit paranoid or did the team changed his mapping.
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
14th April 2018, 4:58
Aston Martin Red Bull Racing Tag Heuer Honda.
Not convinced.
BasCB (@bascb)
14th April 2018, 5:03
me neither. Looking how they are the team that are probably pushing the Renault the most of everyone, if they start pushing the Honda guys, I am pretty sure Honda would be right back where they were desperately acting after the facts with McLaren. I’d guess Honda is only stable-ish (remember both are already on their second engine) because they are not under as much immediate pressure. And they are not fast here either.
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
14th April 2018, 5:05
Crofty thinks the gaps are big. I only see 0.019 between Seb and Max on S2. Max was doing 316 on the back straight and Ferrari 326, I’m sure there’s power modes and maybe fuel between that s3 discrepancy, the same can be said of Lewis. I think its close.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
14th April 2018, 5:11
Thanks for joining in guys here’s the final practice report. Note quite a few drivers failed to improve on their best time from yesterday:
https://www.racefans.net/2018/04/14/2018-chinese-grand-prix-third-practice-result-fp3/
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
14th April 2018, 5:28
Force India’s Andrew Green on how the ultra-softs are perofrming:
“It’s still not a qualifying tyre in the sense that you can do a stint on it.”
Jere (@jerejj)
14th April 2018, 6:07
My pole time prediction: 1:30.453.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
14th April 2018, 6:14
Hello everyone and welcome to RaceFans Live as we build up to today’s qualifying session.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
14th April 2018, 6:19
Here are the fastest times set by each team so far this weekend:
1. Ferrari – 1’33.018
2. Mercedes – 1’33.482
3. Red Bull – 1’33.823
4. Renault – 1’34.313
5. Haas – 1’34.329
6. Force India – 1’34.445
7. McLaren – 1’34.632
8. Williams – 1’34.741
9. Toro Rosso – 1’34.849
10. Sauber – 1’35.497
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
14th April 2018, 6:29
Because of the ‘step’ between the tyres, getting the best out of the ultra-softs requires some big set-up compromises. I wonder whether some teams will prefer to aim their race set-up around a soft/medium strategy and ignore the ultras?
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
14th April 2018, 6:34
I saw 2 funny things in FP3.
The Haas extinguisher mechanic kicking the leaf blower mechanic and a track marshal around Ricciardo’s car unintentionally spraying all over his feet.
Patrick (@anunaki)
14th April 2018, 6:38
Just saw Horner say explicitly that the Q1 crash last week was not a driver error.
What is all happening at redbull
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
14th April 2018, 6:40
Where was that?
Patrick (@anunaki)
14th April 2018, 6:43
Dutch tv interview
Patrick (@anunaki)
14th April 2018, 6:45
I’ll put a link up if the clip comes available
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
14th April 2018, 6:39
Sky clearing up the bad pit stop. They filmed the gun. The gun has a toggle for forward and reverse, so a easy mistake.
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
14th April 2018, 6:41
I feel vindicated, my hunch was correct. Got some flack on the comment section last week. I’ve also noticed Ferrari no longer keeps his tyre guy in front of the rear left.
Stephen Crowsen (@drycrust)
14th April 2018, 6:41
Yes, they say there were 5 human errors involved. I had wondered whether it was time to have a robot do the wheel change.
Nitzo (@webtel)
14th April 2018, 6:43
Can they get Daniel’s car ready for Qualifying ?
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
14th April 2018, 6:46
Not looking good, the gearbox isn’t on yet
Jere (@jerejj)
14th April 2018, 6:46
I believe so.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
14th April 2018, 6:47
Heading into final practice, here’s how each team’s best time so far this weekend compares to their best from 2017. Only McLaren have improved so far:
1. McLaren -0.391
2. Haas +0.165
3. Sauber +0.605
4. Renault +0.733
5. Force India +0.739
6. Red Bull +0.79
7. Toro Rosso +1.13
8. Ferrari +1.154
9. Williams +1.234
10. Mercedes +1.804
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
14th April 2018, 6:48
On Sky. Di Resta is braving it out. Quite funny, he’s clearly bothered by the cold.
Nitzo (@webtel)
14th April 2018, 6:56
Its amazing how Paul can talk with his mouth barely open !!
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
14th April 2018, 6:49
First batch of pictures has just gone up at https://www.racefans.net/pictures/new/:
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
14th April 2018, 6:53
Nice one.
Jere (@jerejj)
14th April 2018, 6:49
Only 12 degrees Celsius. Maybe they should move this race back to its original slot in September as the risk of the daytime temperatures falling into around 15 degrees or even below is lower than at this time of year.
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
14th April 2018, 6:57
Still hate the intro.
Patrick (@anunaki)
14th April 2018, 7:02
Doesn’t look like RIC’s car is ready yet
bosyber (@bosyber)
14th April 2018, 7:03
No, and not looking very likely he’ll gat much time at all to do a time.
Patrick (@anunaki)
14th April 2018, 7:07
Wow they did it. Good job
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
14th April 2018, 7:05
Hamilton still not looking comfortable.
bosyber (@bosyber)
14th April 2018, 7:07
oh, my pole lap time is maybe a bit conservative.
Patrick (@anunaki)
14th April 2018, 7:09
Stroll looking really bad against his rookie teammate
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
14th April 2018, 7:09
That was odd by Bottas.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
14th April 2018, 7:10
With Toro Rosso struggling, Sirotkin could just nip into Q2 here.
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
14th April 2018, 7:11
Mercedes sandbagging.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
14th April 2018, 7:12
Leclerc nearly did a Giovinazzi.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
14th April 2018, 7:16
Great job by Red Bull to get Ricciardo out.
bosyber (@bosyber)
14th April 2018, 7:16
Nice slide there Ricci!
Victor (@mrmuffins)
14th April 2018, 7:16
Ricardo demonstrating his frustration with that slide.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
14th April 2018, 7:17
Should note no drivers have grid penalties yet which is always nice but increasingly rare…
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
14th April 2018, 7:17
Magnussen switches to ultra-softs.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
14th April 2018, 7:18
Decent improvement for Gasly, this is going to put Sirotkin under pressure.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
14th April 2018, 7:20
Gasly falls short with his last run, Hartley beats him into Q2 – he needed that.
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
14th April 2018, 7:21
Just the 2nd time in 3 races for Hartley.
bosyber (@bosyber)
14th April 2018, 7:23
So, only once he didn’t ? :) But that when his teammate got 5th, of course.
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
14th April 2018, 7:28
Sure, we must give credit where credit is due, that said everyone is underrating Hartley.
Ju88sy (@)
14th April 2018, 7:21
McLaren much faster than Toro Rosso.
Victor (@mrmuffins)
14th April 2018, 7:21
It doesn’t look like Williams today is no longer the Williams of Nigel Mansel, Jacques Villeneuve, Juan Pablo Montoya or even Pastor Maldonado.
Victor (@mrmuffins)
14th April 2018, 7:22
Accidental double negative when proof reading.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
14th April 2018, 7:22
That must’ve been some effort by Grosjean for fifth!
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
14th April 2018, 7:23
The gaps were really small this q1 and everyone was on us
Patrick (@anunaki)
14th April 2018, 7:26
Softs!!
bosyber (@bosyber)
14th April 2018, 7:28
Will be interesting whether Verstappen, who had a good 10 lap stint on US does use those USofts here.
bosyber (@bosyber)
14th April 2018, 7:32
uh oh, the timing is botched a bit there.
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
14th April 2018, 7:33
No time is quickest time
Nin13 (@nin13)
14th April 2018, 7:34
Hamilton should be safe now
evered7 (@evered7)
14th April 2018, 7:34
Just hoping Ferrari have enough pace for the race as well. Shouldn’t be like the race in Baku from STR/RBR where they qualified in the front and then dropped like a stone in the race.
bosyber (@bosyber)
14th April 2018, 7:38
Dropped like a stone seems unlikely after yesterday’s long runs.
evered7 (@evered7)
14th April 2018, 7:40
But Mercedes were closer yesterday. Maybe they are concentrating on race pace and looking after tires etc.
bosyber (@bosyber)
14th April 2018, 7:37
Ferrari going on Usofts now, why?
Alesici (@alesici)
14th April 2018, 7:39
It’s the lamb sacrifice strategy to the nth degree. Totally unnecessary.
bosyber (@bosyber)
14th April 2018, 7:41
No, they didn’t finish it, they have plenty, so I guess just practice for Q3.
Alesici (@alesici)
14th April 2018, 7:43
They have plenty of ultrasofts, so guess they may as well have done it.
bosyber (@bosyber)
14th April 2018, 7:39
Well, that’s a better start at least from Hamilton. Interesting.
bosyber (@bosyber)
14th April 2018, 7:40
extra power?
Ju88sy (@)
14th April 2018, 7:42
Go Hulk! What a good time.
bosyber (@bosyber)
14th April 2018, 7:42
So, Magnussen went too early then?
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
14th April 2018, 7:42
Magnussen looked capable of better than that in practice but suspect he’ll be pleased with ‘new tyre pole’.
bosyber (@bosyber)
14th April 2018, 7:42
Did Red Bull elect not to go a second time then?
bosyber (@bosyber)
14th April 2018, 7:43
oh, they are still out.
Alesici (@alesici)
14th April 2018, 7:44
Surprised Van Doorne had DRS open when towing Alonso. All that practice, but surely that’s a small error due to reduced turbulence created?
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
14th April 2018, 7:46
I told you Merc was sandb@gging, the s2 time revealed it, also the speed trap figures.
Ben
14th April 2018, 7:47
But Ferrari still are ! That’s all Mercedes have whereas we’re yet to see what Ferrari can do. 100% a Ferrari will be on pole today.
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
14th April 2018, 7:49
For the sake of my predictions championship pick. Please no.
Ben
14th April 2018, 7:55
Told you. No one believes Ferrari have the best car this year but they do.
bosyber (@bosyber)
14th April 2018, 7:57
To early to say that definitely, they weren’t in Austria and not clearly in Bahrain, but here they do seem to be well ahead indeed.
Samurai (@royalz)
14th April 2018, 7:48
How long will be the US and Soft tyre stints?
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
14th April 2018, 7:53
Ericsson is under investigation for failing to slow for double waved yellow flags.
Patrick (@anunaki)
14th April 2018, 7:54
Will there be a party mode?
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
14th April 2018, 7:54
Wait for the 2nd run just wait. Mercedes managing mileage to an extreme extent.
Ben
14th April 2018, 7:56
They used full mode to get into q3. Honestly, it’s game over already. Vettel will snatch it from Kimi tho
HUHHII (@huhhii)
14th April 2018, 7:55
So what’ll go wrong this time around for Kimi?
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
14th April 2018, 7:56
Birdstrike.
evered7 (@evered7)
14th April 2018, 8:01
The usual Kimi Q3 screw up
bosyber (@bosyber)
14th April 2018, 8:02
Well, he got S3 wrong enough to give Vettel a chance.
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
14th April 2018, 8:03
I think I saw something explode.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
14th April 2018, 7:59
Good sector two for Bottas.
HUHHII (@huhhii)
14th April 2018, 8:02
Oh maaaaan :/ This is really starting to get on my nerves.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
14th April 2018, 8:02
Here’s the grid for tomorrow’s race:
https://www.racefans.net/2018/04/14/2018-chinese-grand-prix-grid/
Patrick (@anunaki)
14th April 2018, 8:02
Very nice from Vettel. Max in front of RIC again. Error from Lewis in Q3.
javier javier (@j3d89)
14th April 2018, 8:04
red front row on my bithday!! forza ferrari!!
Bala (@netinbala)
14th April 2018, 8:14
Happy Birthday! Happy that VET got pole
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
14th April 2018, 8:04
Got it wrong.
Patrick (@anunaki)
14th April 2018, 8:06
@keithcollantine this is the promised video where Horner says the Q1 crash was no driver error
https://www.ziggosport.nl/fragment/5925-horner-er-gaat-heel-veel-mis-bij-het-vertalen.html
nase
14th April 2018, 8:17
What Q1 crash?
Btw, I think the video’s geo-blocked.
nase
14th April 2018, 8:19
Also, the title of the video seems to be “A lot gets lost in translation”, so I can’t see how it relates to the subject.
Patrick (@anunaki)
14th April 2018, 8:20
Just use a vpn and watch it
nase
14th April 2018, 8:23
Yeah.
No.
Patrick (@anunaki)
14th April 2018, 8:22
Max Bahrain
nase
14th April 2018, 8:25
Has anyone in their right mind claimed otherwise?
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
14th April 2018, 8:47
Thanks
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
14th April 2018, 8:47
Thanks
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
14th April 2018, 8:06
That Bottas guy, I’ve never rated him. He’s awful
Stephen Crowsen (@drycrust)
14th April 2018, 8:10
And yet he’s third
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
15th April 2018, 5:46
Hello everyone and welcome to our coverage of the Chinese Grand Prix on RaceFans Live! The race starts in just under an hour and a half.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
15th April 2018, 5:50
Lots of debate over who’s got the best strategy today. Grosjean has out-qualified Magnussen but fears his team mate will be in stronger shape for not reaching Q3:
“The best strategy is to do the soft-medium and you’ve seen the top teams have qualified on softs, so they want to do soft-medium. If we had had a better day yesterday and a good morning I would probably have done Q2 on softs, I was quite confident that I could go through.
“We didn’t do it but I think I could have done it and started the race on the soft which would have been a better tyre but anyway, we’ll do our best with the ultra-soft and hopefully use all the experience to get it right in the long-run.”
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
15th April 2018, 5:53
Crucially, the sun has appeared in Shanghai, that’s going to make the track quite a bit hotter which could play into the hands of those running on the harder tyres.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
15th April 2018, 5:54
One of the teams who anticipated the hotter conditions is Mercedes as Wolff explained yesterday:
“The forecast is for different temperatures, 20 degrees more track temperature. That could make quite a difference. We have looked at tomorrow we will see whether that plan that proves to be right.”
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
15th April 2018, 5:58
Here’s how many tyres each drivers has left for the race. Note everyone has a set of fresh mediums, they are probably planning to one-stop if they can. And several drivers have fresh sets of ultra-softs available. Those could appear if we get a late Safety Car or VSC…
Jere (@jerejj)
15th April 2018, 6:01
My top-5 predictions (set before qualifying): 1. Hamilton. 2. Vettel, 3. Bottas, 4. Raikkonen, 5. Ricciardo.
Hisyam
15th April 2018, 6:28
Hope ferrari can deliver best car and best strategy this time
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
15th April 2018, 6:41
If Raikkonen doesn’t win today he’ll have gone 100 races without a victory. He’s got a strong chance of winning though.
BasCB (@bascb)
15th April 2018, 6:50
Hm, Keith, I think that Kimi doesn’t have any chance to win, unless Vettel somehow drops out of the race at the front. And even then, Ferrari might give up Kimi if it helps Seb back on the podium.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
15th April 2018, 6:46
Some of the driver likenesses are better than others…
Thomson (@fish123)
15th April 2018, 6:51
1) Vettel
2) Raikkonen
3) Ricciardo
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
15th April 2018, 6:56
Pretty big front wing change for Hamilton, wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of drivers are making similar changes given the overnight change in temperatures:
Hamilton: “Got time to put some wing in?”
“It will be tight, we’ll update you. How much do you want?”
Hamilton: “Take out three holes. So leave the engine running, stop short.”
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
15th April 2018, 7:00
Looks like Perez didn’t make it to the anthem on time, that’s an offence which carries a reprimand. Strangely he did exactly the same thing at this track last year:
https://www.racefans.net/2017-f1-season/statistics/penalties-index/#inv734
BasCB (@bascb)
15th April 2018, 7:04
large paddock? He missed the start only by a couple of seconds though, didn’t he?
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
15th April 2018, 7:12
As I recall Ocon didn’t make it in time either last year but managed to dodge a penalty.
Canderous (@yoshif8tures)
15th April 2018, 7:01
Martins grid walk really doesn’t add anything. The novelty has long since worn off.
BasCB (@bascb)
15th April 2018, 7:03
it has yeah @yosi. He really didn’t get anything interesting out of anyone.
Neil Rooney
15th April 2018, 7:08
Go Ricardo
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
15th April 2018, 7:12
Curious to see Toro Rosso dodging the soft tyres for the start.
budchekov (@budchekov)
15th April 2018, 7:12
Evening all, speaking of the ‘grid show’..could it possibly be more dull?
Ju88sy (@)
15th April 2018, 7:14
Good job Max!
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
15th April 2018, 7:17
Despite being the only driver to start on new ultra-softs Hartley fell to 18th at the start.
Bala (@netinbala)
15th April 2018, 7:21
what did Verstappan said, see you *****? later son
“******”???
Patrick (@anunaki)
15th April 2018, 7:25
Is max managing his tires to do a 1 stop?
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
15th April 2018, 7:25
Alonso: “From the feeling so far, Plan B I think is better.”
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
15th April 2018, 7:26
“Driver swap, before turn 14.”
Hartley: “Seriously? OK I’m letting him by.”
Putz
15th April 2018, 7:26
Who would want Magnussen as a team mate?
Samurai (@royalz)
15th April 2018, 7:28
hulk!
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
15th April 2018, 7:29
Grosjean not happy with Magnussen being let by:
Grosjean: “I’m on massive dirty air.”
“Understood, just look after the tyre as best you can.”
Grosjean: “Yeah but that’s not helping me. He’s not pulling away. “
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
15th April 2018, 7:31
Hartley: “I think we need to get off this compound as soon as we can.” He’s on ultra-softs, drivers should be able to one-stop if they get them to lap 18. But he’s in seven laps before then, and he had a fresh set.
Palle (@palle)
15th April 2018, 7:35
good duel between Gros and Alonso
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
15th April 2018, 7:36
Verstappen still doing personal bests on his ultra-softs on lap 14, so he’s looked after them well.
Palle (@palle)
15th April 2018, 7:37
Sainz change to Medium
Mashiat (@mashiat)
15th April 2018, 7:38
Sky suggesting that KR is holding up LH deliberately. Can’t agree with them on that one.
Alex McFarlane
15th April 2018, 7:38
Is this a race or a procession?
Alesici (@alesici)
15th April 2018, 7:41
We have new rules. We are on lap 17 of the 56 parade laps. The race to run onto the podium will start after they are over.
Alex McFarlane
15th April 2018, 7:43
Now that would be worth getting up early for!
Palle (@palle)
15th April 2018, 7:38
Hulkenberg also on Mediums
Nin13 (@nin13)
15th April 2018, 7:38
RAI holding up HAM
Nin13 (@nin13)
15th April 2018, 7:39
HAM can now use party mode
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
15th April 2018, 7:40
“We are in temperature, come on, let’s do like that, it’s very good.”
Magnussen: “Tyres are getting better, more grip.”
“I know, that’s great for us.”
Palle (@palle)
15th April 2018, 7:43
HAM reports he is strugling to keep up with Kimi
Patrick (@anunaki)
15th April 2018, 7:43
Great double stop from the bulls
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
15th April 2018, 7:43
Seems odd Ferrari didn’t pit Raikkonen then, Hamilton was always coming in to cover.