2012 Formula One Chinese Grand Prix

Michael Brown · Apr 15, 2012

I must have missed that in a commercial break or something. Is there a video of it?

Hampus Andersson · Apr 15, 2012

Michael Brown said:
I think Mercedes is using the light system that teams like McLaren and Ferrari. The BBC lead commentator (I still don't know his name) explained that there is a sensor that can sense when the wheel nut touches the wheel, and when that happens for all 4 wheels it gives the green light to the driver. Looks like the Mercedes mechanic didn't put the nut on right and was going to do it again, but the light went green.

This performance might be a one-off for Mercedes, Rosberg was leading last year before he had to save fuel, and they had the same tire issues as last year.

Not sure how that works because it has to consider cars coming down the pitlane as well.

ENDR · Apr 15, 2012

Scott Webber said:
Highlight of the DAY

He sure has a knack for catching air despite all that downforce

Paul Gardiner · Apr 15, 2012

Brilliant race. Less DRS makes for a better race?

Jordi Casademunt · Apr 15, 2012

What an amazing race. Congratulations to Rosberg, it's nice to see a new winner in Formula 1. Hopefully, Mercedes can keep up with the top teams the whole season. Plus, isn't Bahrein kind of similar to China?

It was a really fun race, with so many tyre strategies, people creating trains, lots of close racing and some nice overtakes. Shame that Kimi lost his tyres (it was really impossible to keep them, I don't know how the team didn't get him to change), and the wheel nut fail with Schumacher...Well, that stuff happens. Hopefully it won't be his last chance for a podium/win this year.

Alonso had a good race, but I'm very confused about his tyre strategy. At some point he was going for 2 stops, then he changes to 3, and Räikkönen for some reason changed to 3 stops too.

Overall, the whole field seemed to be very close. This season is failing to dissappoint so far, I hope it stays this way.

Michael Brown · Apr 15, 2012

Hampus Andersson said:
Not sure how that works because it has to consider cars coming down the pitlane as well.

I just saw my recording of it again and DC explained that the light goes green when the gun leaves the wheel nut. As for how it works, it could be calibrated to specific wheel nuts so it doesn't get confused with other teams.

Hampus Andersson · Apr 15, 2012

Michael Brown said:
I just saw my recording of it again and DC explained that the light goes green when the gun leaves the wheel nut. As for how it works, it could be calibrated to specific wheel nuts so it doesn't get confused with other teams.

But there has to be another factor in this equation.

Passing cars. Could be sensor probably that is angled out towards the pitlane.

Ross Balfour · Apr 15, 2012

What a race is all I can say. Everylap was like a first lap, so so entertaining and cruically no serious contact. I could watch that race 5 times over and still not remember everything that happened. F1 has never been better.

morsify · Apr 15, 2012

Ross Balfour said:
What a race is all I can say. Everylap was like a first lap, so so entertaining and cruically no serious contact. I could watch that race 5 times over and still not remember everything that happened. F1 has never been better.

Agreed, and not even down to the DRS this time

Metalfreaky · Apr 15, 2012

Jordi Casademunt said:
Plus, isn't Bahrein kind of similar to China?

Yes it is, but we should expect mush higher temperatures there. Will be interesting to see how Mercedes tires are going to degrade.
I personally think that the relativly could temperatures in China help Nico and Schumi a lot.

Hampus Andersson · Apr 15, 2012

Metalfreaky said:
Yes it is, but we should expect mush higher temperatures there. Will be interesting to see how Mercedes tires are going to degrade.
I personally think that the relativly could temperatures in China help Nico and Schumi a lot.

Interesting point...
Mercedes possibly will struggle there. Unless they truly have fixed their issues.

I guess that is the question. Have they truly solved it or not?

Michael Brown · Apr 15, 2012

"Oh sh*t! Not again!"

Hampus Andersson · Apr 15, 2012

His spine won´t enjoy that

James Maskell · Apr 16, 2012

"I believe I can fly, I believe I can touch the damn didn't make it this time"

My993C2 · Apr 16, 2012

Hampus Andersson said:
His spine won´t enjoy that

Look mom ... no hands.

Hampus Andersson · Apr 16, 2012

Hamilton´s dad had the same evaluation of the race as we did

Diego Lopez · Apr 16, 2012

Im a little late to the forums, watched it @ 3 AM my time on Sunday.....i gotta say ... WOW.

What a race, from Rosbergs superb start all the way to the position fighting in every single lap.

Poor, schumi, did his job defending his young countryman position at the start, im sure he would of been up there, but after seeing his performance, i cannot doubt he will soon have his 92nd pole.

I loved the last 10 laps of the race the most, Kimi unfortunate worn tyres, Alonso and Lewis pit stops, Lewis and Kimis side by side pit stops...i mean there was more action into this GP that into a Michael Bay movie.

I hope we get more and more races like this, and hopefully it would make some tracks such as Bahrain, Valencia, etc. much more enjoyable to watch.
good job to Nico. Mclaren stil in shape, now is up to Jenson and Lewis to remain consistant with the points if they want to build up a good gap against the others, even if it means an HRT winning a race and they coming in 2nd and 3rd

Like if you think that Webber Lewis and Vettel fight in the last 3 laps were stunning

Adam Hartwell · Apr 16, 2012

Diego Lopez said:
Im a little late to the forums, watched it @ 3 AM my time on Sunday.....i gotta say ... WOW.

What a race, from Rosbergs superb start all the way to the position fighting in every single lap.

Poor, schumi, did his job defending his young countryman position at the start, im sure he would of been up there, but after seeing his performance, i cannot doubt he will soon have his 92nd pole.

I loved the last 10 laps of the race the most, Kimi unfortunate worn tyres, Alonso and Lewis pit stops, Lewis and Kimis side by side pit stops...i mean there was more action into this GP that into a Michael Bay movie.

I hope we get more and more races like this, and hopefully it would make some tracks such as Bahrain, Valencia, etc. much more enjoyable to watch.
good job to Nico. Mclaren stil in shape, now is up to Jenson and Lewis to remain consistant with the points if they want to build up a good gap against the others, even if it means an HRT winning a race and they coming in 2nd and 3rd

Like if you think that Webber Lewis and Vettel fight in the last 3 laps were stunning

69th pole for Schumi, it's 91 wins that he's on, not poles

William Liu · Apr 16, 2012

Manalys said:
You have obviously not seen Hungary 2,006, Korea 2,010 and other spectacular wet races he drove, with a 2nd best car, or in the case of 2,012 malaysia, the 7th best car. I'll let you remember Alonso and Perez were FASTER than the whole field throughout the race. Hamilton didn't close that 15 s gap one bit.
Alonso is a wetmaster, though he goes unnoticed for the spectacular things he does. Twice winning the championship with the 2nd best car is not coincidential. It's easy to go 11 races with the bestest car, but not to put up a fight like Alonso does when 1,5s off the pace. Look at Vettel, only 3 tenths off, and crying, making rookie mistakes. Alonso in a car 1 s slower is higher up in the championship!

Raikkonen's luck in 2005 was apalling
and the renault was easily the fastest in 2006, bar the finals races of the season.