chaotic china
question 1
There seemed to be three incidents of unsafe release in the pitlane; MSC , Lewis vs Kimi and Alonso vs Lewis. Mercedes have been fined 5000 Euros with the other two incidents unpenalised. What are your views on the mentioned moments and the penalty for Mercedes?
@bodkin1 : I felt that Kimi should have had some sort of penalty for unsafe release.Fining the teams afterwards isnt a good idea i feel penalties should be for the race it occured in.Mercedes release of Schumacher was definately an unsafe release.Not sure about the other one but was definately less worse than Kimis
@SamOssie : The pits are part of the race track and so you're bound to see incidents like Lewis and Kim and Lewis and Alonso - I don't think it's much of an issue. They are speed limited and no one had an actual crash - or even came near to it. The Mercedes issue is different, presumably some sort of mechanical issue with the wheel gun? I think fining them is excessive though, they paid a price for it with Michael retiring from the race.
@hedgeryhoops : The Schumacher release and fine was a fairly obvious one, as the team effectively sent the driver back out with a car that was completely unsafe. The wheel to wheel action we saw in the pit lane in China has occurred on a couple of other occasions already this year if I'm right in saying. This has been overlooked recently and I fear that not much will continue to happen until there is an incident - something no one wants.
@TheSixYearItch : Alonso and Lewis was the only one I thought was maybe 'unsafe' but it was just a close call similar to Webber's overtake on Alonso at Spa last year, I refer to this as I understand the pit lane to be an extension of the track. If incidents like a close call are penalised there then more action would have to be taken wiht on track action, it's just how the sport is meant to be.
@bodkin1 : I felt that Kimi should have had some sort of penalty for unsafe release.Fining the teams afterwards isnt a good idea i feel penalties should be for the race it occured in.Mercedes release of Schumacher was definately an unsafe release.Not sure about the other one but was definately less worse than Kimis
@SamOssie : The pits are part of the race track and so you're bound to see incidents like Lewis and Kim and Lewis and Alonso - I don't think it's much of an issue. They are speed limited and no one had an actual crash - or even came near to it. The Mercedes issue is different, presumably some sort of mechanical issue with the wheel gun? I think fining them is excessive though, they paid a price for it with Michael retiring from the race.
@hedgeryhoops : The Schumacher release and fine was a fairly obvious one, as the team effectively sent the driver back out with a car that was completely unsafe. The wheel to wheel action we saw in the pit lane in China has occurred on a couple of other occasions already this year if I'm right in saying. This has been overlooked recently and I fear that not much will continue to happen until there is an incident - something no one wants.
@TheSixYearItch : Alonso and Lewis was the only one I thought was maybe 'unsafe' but it was just a close call similar to Webber's overtake on Alonso at Spa last year, I refer to this as I understand the pit lane to be an extension of the track. If incidents like a close call are penalised there then more action would have to be taken wiht on track action, it's just how the sport is meant to be.
question 2
The 2011 Chinese GP was said to be marred by too many 'DRS' overtakes; what is your view on the effectiveness of DRS in this years event and do you have a favourite battle for position from the race?
@Icywingsuk : The DRS zone at this years race seemed more appropriate. As we saw with Button after his faulty pit stop, passing was not overly easy against a relatively equal car, even with DRS, especially later in the race with marbles covering the circuit. However, it clearly had a part to play in many of the moves, though not to the detriment of the spectacle.
@Hirameki85 : My favourite battle for position is easy - the fight for second place towards the end of the race. Eight cars all in contention, passing and re-passing each other. When was the last time we saw that? I think that the FIA got the positioning of the DRS zone spot on in this race. It didn't make overtaking obscenely easy, but if you managed to get a good exit from turn 13 it would help you overtake the car in front, just as it should do.
@TashaDragonfly : It's all about moving forward now with technology... If there was no DRS in F1, I'm sure that most of the results would be completely different and more based on the passing strategy of the driver rather than a button that gives them a boost. My favourite overtake has to be Mark Webber on Sebastian Vettel at the end. Despite being a huge Vettel fan, it was a cracking overtake!
@F1_Fans_Updates : I know some people think DRS is too artificial but I personally think it’s a good addition to the sport and I think it is effective as it helps the cars to both overtake and defend their positions. Overall I enjoyed all the battles for position in the race, it was GREAT to see so many good clean fair overtakes, so I do not really have a favourite.
@Icywingsuk : The DRS zone at this years race seemed more appropriate. As we saw with Button after his faulty pit stop, passing was not overly easy against a relatively equal car, even with DRS, especially later in the race with marbles covering the circuit. However, it clearly had a part to play in many of the moves, though not to the detriment of the spectacle.
@Hirameki85 : My favourite battle for position is easy - the fight for second place towards the end of the race. Eight cars all in contention, passing and re-passing each other. When was the last time we saw that? I think that the FIA got the positioning of the DRS zone spot on in this race. It didn't make overtaking obscenely easy, but if you managed to get a good exit from turn 13 it would help you overtake the car in front, just as it should do.
@TashaDragonfly : It's all about moving forward now with technology... If there was no DRS in F1, I'm sure that most of the results would be completely different and more based on the passing strategy of the driver rather than a button that gives them a boost. My favourite overtake has to be Mark Webber on Sebastian Vettel at the end. Despite being a huge Vettel fan, it was a cracking overtake!
@F1_Fans_Updates : I know some people think DRS is too artificial but I personally think it’s a good addition to the sport and I think it is effective as it helps the cars to both overtake and defend their positions. Overall I enjoyed all the battles for position in the race, it was GREAT to see so many good clean fair overtakes, so I do not really have a favourite.
question 3
With unexpected cold conditions in China do you think that Mercedes race pace is better in colder conditions with both McLaren drivers believing the warmer temperatures will positively affect the McLaren car in Bahrain and will this bode well for Mercedes in the upcoming European leg?
@Iceladyy : Mercedes were unexpectedly fast in the race, so I do believe that colder temperatures are better for their performance and pace. If some of the European races are as cold as they were last year, we might see some more Mercedes wins. In the hotter races, McLaren will surely be stronger.
@Donz358 : From what I gathered, the track temperature dropped a lot during qualifying so this caused problems for the McLaren’s but during the race, I think they were more than capable of catching Nico - if it hadn’t had been for the pit stop error. I don’t think this is a major issue.
@ChrisJ_F1 : I think Mercedes has made genuine advances, but it has to be said the conditions at China were a great aid for them. The Bahrain heat will no doubt give the strategists headaches, also considering the Pirelli tyres haven't seen race conditions at Bahrain. For the race, McLaren will have the edge. The track conditions will be very critical for Mercs European leg, but the return of the tyre munching monster will return for a few more races for sure.
@jo_johnson63 : I think the cold track did work in Mercedes' favour in China. Looking at the last two races, they did not manage their tyres very well and the conditions did not help with their race pace. As to wether they will do well in Europe, we'll have to see. They surprised us in China didn't they? If they won pole in somewhere like Monaco, depending on strategy, they could win that too because of lack of overtaking there. I reckon McLaren will really shine in Bahrain but whether it will be Lewis (aggressive on tyres) or Jenson (much better tyre management)for the win, I don't know.
@Iceladyy : Mercedes were unexpectedly fast in the race, so I do believe that colder temperatures are better for their performance and pace. If some of the European races are as cold as they were last year, we might see some more Mercedes wins. In the hotter races, McLaren will surely be stronger.
@Donz358 : From what I gathered, the track temperature dropped a lot during qualifying so this caused problems for the McLaren’s but during the race, I think they were more than capable of catching Nico - if it hadn’t had been for the pit stop error. I don’t think this is a major issue.
@ChrisJ_F1 : I think Mercedes has made genuine advances, but it has to be said the conditions at China were a great aid for them. The Bahrain heat will no doubt give the strategists headaches, also considering the Pirelli tyres haven't seen race conditions at Bahrain. For the race, McLaren will have the edge. The track conditions will be very critical for Mercs European leg, but the return of the tyre munching monster will return for a few more races for sure.
@jo_johnson63 : I think the cold track did work in Mercedes' favour in China. Looking at the last two races, they did not manage their tyres very well and the conditions did not help with their race pace. As to wether they will do well in Europe, we'll have to see. They surprised us in China didn't they? If they won pole in somewhere like Monaco, depending on strategy, they could win that too because of lack of overtaking there. I reckon McLaren will really shine in Bahrain but whether it will be Lewis (aggressive on tyres) or Jenson (much better tyre management)for the win, I don't know.
question suggestion- georgehdaviesf1
After an incredible pole-win conversion making it 6 different winners for the past 6 GPs do you think we will see a 7th different winner in Bahrain?
@NigelBeechey : I do think we will see a different winner in Bahrain. I believe the warmer temperatures (likely) will favour mcLaren and as such, Lewis will win with Jenson 2nd. For the record, Mark Weber might make 3rd.
@MarussiaF1Will : If Mercedes can get a front row lock out (might be difficult though), I'd like to see Schumacher win in Bahrain, so yes. Could be the same with Lotus too, both drivers know how to win races.
@EmTheEmu : The way things have gone up to now, it's quite likely. Hope the rest of the season remains as unpredictable, it's very exciting!
@rkid84 : I have no idea! I predict a car with 4 wheels and a man driving it to win... unless it's cancelled.
@GraceF1Fanatic : I reckon if Schumacher can stick the car on pole he could be on for a win in Bahrain as it is very difficult. It'll be a case of McLaren versus Mercedes and that in itself will determine whether we have a 7th different winner in a row.
@NigelBeechey : I do think we will see a different winner in Bahrain. I believe the warmer temperatures (likely) will favour mcLaren and as such, Lewis will win with Jenson 2nd. For the record, Mark Weber might make 3rd.
@MarussiaF1Will : If Mercedes can get a front row lock out (might be difficult though), I'd like to see Schumacher win in Bahrain, so yes. Could be the same with Lotus too, both drivers know how to win races.
@EmTheEmu : The way things have gone up to now, it's quite likely. Hope the rest of the season remains as unpredictable, it's very exciting!
@rkid84 : I have no idea! I predict a car with 4 wheels and a man driving it to win... unless it's cancelled.
@GraceF1Fanatic : I reckon if Schumacher can stick the car on pole he could be on for a win in Bahrain as it is very difficult. It'll be a case of McLaren versus Mercedes and that in itself will determine whether we have a 7th different winner in a row.