F1 2008 Round 17 - Chinese Grand Prix - 17th-19th October 2008

[Cougar]

The 2008 Chinese Grand Prix is the seventeenth race of the 2008 Formula One season. It will be held on 17–19 October at Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai, China.

Lewis Hamilton leads the Drivers' Championship by 5 points from Felipe Massa and 12 points from Robert Kubica. Hamilton will secure his first ever World Championship title if he beats Massa by 6 or more points.

Ferrari lead McLaren-Mercedes by 7 points in the Constructors' Championship and need to beat McLaren by 11 points to win the Championship. BMW Sauber are a further 7 points behind.

In 2007, the race was won by Ferrari's Kimi Räikkönen with Fernando Alonso finishing second and Felipe Massa finishing third. Championship leader Lewis Hamilton retired from the race after going off on a wet pit entrance on worn tyres, leaving him stuck in the gravel.

The four Chinese Grand Prix have been won by different drivers, with in addition to Räikkönen, Rubens Barrichello (2004), Fernando Alonso (2005) and Michael Schumacher (2006) taking the honours.

(Source: WIKI)

[Cougar]

Drivers standings AFTER the JAPANESE GP (unofficial)

	Driver	Team																		PTS
1	Hamilton	McLaren-Mercedes		10	4	P13	6	8	10	RET	P10	10	10	4	8	6	2	6	P12	84
2	Massa	Ferrari		RET	RET	10	8	10	6	4	10	P13	6	P17	10	10	3	P13	2	79
3	Kubica	BMW-Sauber		RET	8	6	5	5	8	10	4	RET	2	1	6	3	6	P11	8	72
4	Raikkonen	Ferrari		1	10	8	10	6	P9	RET	8	5	3	6	RET	P18	P9	P15	6	63
5	Heidfeld	BMW-Sauber		8	3	5	P9	4	P14	8	P13	8	5	P10	P9	8	4	3	P9	56
6	Kovalainen	McLaren-Mercedes		4	6	4	RET	P12	1	P9	5	4	4	10	5	P10	8	P10	RET	51
7	Alonso	Renault		5	1	P10	RET	3	P10	RET	1	3	P11	5	RET	5	5	10	10	48
8	Vettel	STR-Ferrari		RET	RET	RET	RET	P17	4	1	P12	RET	1	RET	3	4	10	4	3	30
9	Trulli	Toyota		RET	5	3	1	P10	P13	3	6	2	P9	2	4	P16	P13	RET	4	30
10	Webber	Red Bull-Renault		RET	2	2	4	2	5	P12	3	P10	RET	P9	P12	1	1	RET	1	21
11	Glock	Toyota		RET	RET	P9	P11	P13	P12	5	P11	P12	RET	8	2	P9	P11	5	RET	20
12	Piquet Jnr	Renault		RET	P11	RET	RET	P15	RET	RET	2	RET	8	3	P11	RET	P10	RET	5	18
13	Rosberg	Williams-Toyota		6	P14	1	RET	1	RET	P10	P16	P9	P10	P14	1	P12	P14	8	P11	17
14	Barrichello	Honda		DSQ	P13	P11	RET	P14	3	2	P14	6	RET	P16	P16	RET	P17	RET	P13	11
15	Nakajima	Williams-Toyota		3	P17	P14	2	RET	2	RET	P15	1	P14	P13	P15	P14	P12	1	P15	9
16	Coulthard	Red Bull-Renault		RET	P9	P18	P12	P9	RET	6	P9	RET	P13	P11	P17	P11	P16	2	RET	8
17	Bourdais	STR-Ferrari		2	RET	P15	RET	RET	RET	P13	P17	P11	P12	P18	P10	2	P18	P12	P10	4
18	Button	Honda		RET	P10	RET	3	P11	P11	P11	RET	RET	P17	P12	P13	P15	P15	P9	P14	3
19	Fisichella	Force India-Ferrari		RET	P12	P12	P10	RET	RET	RET	P18	RET	P16	P15	P14	P17	RET	P14	RET	0
20	Sutil	Force India-Ferrari		RET	RET	P19	RET	P16	RET	RET	P19	RET	P15	RET	RET	P13	P19	RET	RET	0
21	Sato*	SA		RET	P16	P17	P13	DNS	DNS	DNS	DNS	DNS	DNS	DNS	DNS	DNS	DNS	DNS	DNS	0
22	Davidson*	SA		RET	P15	P16	RET	DNS	DNS	DNS	DNS	DNS	DNS	DNS	DNS	DNS	DNS	DNS	DNS	0

[Cougar]

Constructors standings

	Team	Points
	McLaren-Mercedes	135

Car Graphics by Andy Blackmore Design


Chinese GP: Recent Results

Year	1st place	2nd place	3rd place
2007	Kimi Räikkönen	Fernando Alonso	Felipe Massa
2006	Michael Schumacher	Fernando Alonso	Giancarlo Fisichella
2005	Fernando Alonso	Kimi Räikkönen	Ralf Schumacher

	Driver	Laptime
2007 Fastest lap	Lewis Hamilton	1.28.193
2007 pole position	Lewis Hamilton	1:25.368
Lap record	Michael Schumacher	1.23.238(2004)

Weather Links

BBC Weather: www.bbc.co.uk
Weather UnderGround: www.wunderground.com

And especially for all those Martins out there!!
GOOGLE EARTH WEATHER HACKS!


Chinese Grand Prix Time Table

DAY	LOCAL Time	UK Time
Fri 17th October 2008
Friday Practice 1	10:00-11:30	03:00-04:30
Friday Practice2	14:00-15:30	07:00:08:30
Sat 18th October 2008
Saturday Practice	11:00-12:00	04:00-05:00
Qualifying	14:00	07:00
Sun 19th October 2008
Race	15:00	08:00

Chinese Grand Prix LIVE Chat

Please don't forget to join us in the ten-tenths chat room for live coverage of the Grand Prix!

You can log-in through the web here

You can also access the chat using a dedicated client.

If you're using Firefox, download the Chatzilla addon as the best alternative
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/16

Else, download any other IRC client, e.g. http://www.icechat.net/site/

The IRC server is irc.phishy.net, and the room is #motorsport (type "/join #motorsport" without the quotes when you're connected).
If you need any help in joining the chat room.. PM me and I'll try and help if I can.


Other Links

Live Timing
Race Schedule (and other f1 news)
Direct link to 2008 F1 Predictions - Round 17, China
All other F1 Predictions Contests
Spotters Guides

OK Thats all from me! Enjoy! Did not have too much time to get this one out. Feel free to post better weather sites... Rainfall radar etc if you can find! Thanks.

[Born Racer]

I hope Hamilton nails that championship this weekend.

Then I can just relax and enjoy the Brazilian Grand Prix with no vested interest, and just enjoy the race!

[duke_toaster]

40% chance of rain according to WUnderground. If we get a wet one, will we see Massa spinning like Pete Burns standing on top of a turntable?

[RaiseYourFist]

If we follow the Hamilton pattern he will have a very very strong race this year.

[Cougar]

Stormy race in prospect?

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlin...7/10/6920.html

[RaiseYourFist]

That is from last year ^

[Albeckinho]

Hmmmm, interesting weekend coming up, Hamilton could seal the deal this sunday but something tells me that's not going to happen. Massa can't be underestimated, even if it's gonna rain (Monza proved that he can drive in rain, too). Still, Monza is another case and Shanghai's fast sweeping curves in rain can produce some surprises, both for the drivers and the audience. If it rains, Kubica will still have a good chance towards the title and even if it doesn't rain, we must remember that Massa or/and Hamilton can make another silly mistake and take out themselves.

Rain is like second nature to Hamilton so if he finally cools himself down a little bit and concentrates on the title, I think he might just win the crown at China. Still, Alonso and Renault are looking strong and Fernando is pulling for Massa so that could introduce some problems for Lewis. Of course Lewis will also have to watch out for Kimi, who has FINALLY (at least it seems so) found his pace and consistence. Hard to say about the winner or else, really, but if it keeps warm and sunny, Ferraris, McLarens, Kubica and Alonso should be in contention.

Lewis Hamilton:
+ Points leader, even second places will do the business.
+ McLaren has been competetive for whole season, whether it rains or not.
+ Has Kovalainen backing him up.
+ On the front row last year at China and Brazil.
- Last years lackluster flop is on everyone's mind and lips.
- Last years worst mistakes at China and Brazil.
- Can't control his agressive driving style.
- Overconfidence.
- Overreacting to media's pressure.

Felipe Massa:
+ Ferrari has won 3 out of 4 at China and two previous races at Brazil.
+ Has Räikkönen backing him up.
+ Doesn't mind media's pressure and comments.
+ Last race is at his hometrack, won in 2006 and was second last year after helping Kimi.
- Massive pressure because of being Ferrari's only hope for the title.
- Still unconsistent sometimes.

Robert Kubica:
+ Consistent - can wait for mistakes by the others.
+ Coolness and ability to take everything out of the machinery.
+ Get's all the attention from BMW now.
- BMW's speed isn't front running.
- Heidfeld isn't likely going to give him any help.
- Difference to Hamilton in points is maybe too large.

As I said, should be interesting, possible rain, possible mistakes by front runners, championship is on the line, we have Renaults and Toro Rossos in top-4 fight now... You know, last time I was so interested about F1 must be something like 1996 or 1997. This season has been very enjoyable and we still have two races to go!

Sad that Räikkönen isn't racing for the title anymore. :/

[Bononi]

Originally Posted by Born Racer

I hope Hamilton nails that championship this weekend.

Then I can just relax and enjoy the Brazilian Grand Prix with no vested interest, and just enjoy the race!

I'm just praying for that, we all should make a chain of good vibes for this to happen, otherwise no matter what this season will never end in this forum.
Please people send your good vibes to China, let's help Hamilton become WDC so we all can rest.

[RotorFan]

I hope Massa wins the World Championship, not Hamilton. Is it OK if I send good vibes to him, instead, Bononi?

[bravo]

Has the FIA published the results yet?

[Born Racer]

Nah, we all know that will happen after calculations involving 25 seconds and where cars finished on the road.

[Bononi]

Originally Posted by RotorFan

I hope Massa wins the World Championship, not Hamilton. Is it OK if I send good vibes to him, instead, Bononi?

RotorFan, you can do it if you want, but I don't think this forum will hold together anymore if Hamilton doesn't win it.

[Albeckinho]

Would be interesting to see if Massa or Kubica would win the title and Hamilton would be left without anything again and this would continue in following years: Hamilton wins races, whines, takes poles, verbally bites his competitors, is in comfortable lead in title hunt and then blows it up. What would Dennis do?

[Marbot]

Hamilton will not win the title this weekend-The show must go on!

The prospect of Massa winning for Ferrari in his home country is too much for Bernie to resist.Bernie will have his best script writers on standby.

P.S. Lain on Lace day velly unrikery.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/world/e...n.shtml#no_url

[RaiseYourFist]

Originally Posted by Albeckinho

Would be interesting to see if Massa or Kubica would win the title and Hamilton would be left without anything again and this would continue in following years: Hamilton wins races, whines, takes poles, verbally bites his competitors, is in comfortable lead in title hunt and then blows it up. What would Dennis do?

Hamilton. whines. what? Did you confuse him with Fernando or Kubica for some reason or something?!

[Albeckinho]

"Buuuu this is so unfair, I shouldn't have given that penalty, I did nothing wrong, buuuu, I have much bigger balls than everyone, Im the King of Pitlane, why can't anyone give me the amount of respect I deserve? I didn't cut that corner to take advantage I just happened to brake later than that drunk Finn!"

No, I think I didn't.

[Born Racer]

If anything should get a penalty, it's this kind of nonsense:

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/71424

The one thing I fear for Hamilton about is that he may have burnt a few bridges with the people he's on circuit with, which could prove costly. He has to be careful around drivers like Alonso for example.

[Racer 35]

What IS Alonso on?
What childish petulant nonsense!
Maybe this chip-on-the-shoulder attitude is what left him in a position where only Honda had a firm offer for him next year?
PLEASE don't let there be an incident under investigation between Alonso and Hamilton this weekend.

[Bononi]

Originally Posted by Born Racer

If anything should get a penalty, it's this kind of nonsense:

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/71424

The one thing I fear for Hamilton about is that he may have burnt a few bridges with the people he's on circuit with, which could prove costly. He has to be careful around drivers like Alonso for example.

I think you shouldn't buy everything that the press throws at you. Most of these news sites, manipulates the questions and publish them out of context. They know that most people likes a bitter rivalrity between the drivers and they make it worst than it seems. And you all love it. For most of the week, the media (the media you all are used to) are publishing this BS just to entertain the fans. Putting Massa against Hamilton and vice-versa, Kimi against Hamilton and Alonso against Hamilton, and getting Hamilton to be the good guy. That question to clarify about he saying that he's better than Senna when he's going to race in Brazil, was really hilarious.
And noboby here is helping too.

[Bononi]

Originally Posted by Racer 35

What IS Alonso on?
What childish petulant nonsense!
Maybe this chip-on-the-shoulder attitude is what left him in a position where only Honda had a firm offer for him next year?
PLEASE don't let there be an incident under investigation between Alonso and Hamilton this weekend.

I would like that you point out exactly where it was "childish petulant nonsense" (to you) in what he said.

[Super Hans]

Originally Posted by Born Racer

If anything should get a penalty, it's this kind of nonsense:

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/71424

The one thing I fear for Hamilton about is that he may have burnt a few bridges with the people he's on circuit with, which could prove costly. He has to be careful around drivers like Alonso for example.

Nowt wrong with that, for me.

If only all the drivers spoke so candidly.

[Born Racer]

I think there is something wrong with it. You shouldn't be helping other teams.

“First of all we need to have a competitive, hard car here in Shanghai and Brazil to be fighting with McLaren and Ferrari,” said Alonso, winner of the last two rounds in Singapore and Japan.

“If we do that and Felipe wins the race and I can be second or third I will be happy to help Felipe to take as many points as possible and this is the only approach."

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlin...8/10/8538.html

This implies he would actually throw the win, just to help Massa. Not that I think he will.

I shouldn't get wound up about it. He's a twit.

[duke_toaster]

37% chance of rain on Sunday according to TimeAndDate.com.