Pick the Podium: F-1 - Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China

[Retroram52]

After two practices, Hamilton may have some competition other than his teammate Rosberg. P1 results were Hamilton, Rosberg, Vettel. P2 results were slightly different with Hamilton, Raikkonen, Ricciardo, then Vettel and Rosberg finishing fifth.

Also, I think Hank posted his selections on the thread for the last race. Maybe this should be checked on when figuring teh final tally.

 

[Hank Kingsley]

I did, but I'm still at work so still surfing!!

LH
NR
SV

tires will again be an issue but I think MB can run faster while they are faster than Ferrari can make up while MB is running on worn tires....

 

[IndyAndy]

My apologies to Hank Kingsley for not getting this thread started yesterday: I had company at the house & completely forgot about it!

The damn VCR didn't work last night, so I had to read about how quals went down.

My Picks:

Hamilton
Vettel
Rosberg

 

[Retroram52]

Indy, if I have the time, I can get the Pick-the-Podium threads set up early for both formula 1 and Indy car and Hank. I can set them up on Friday if I'm available, that way it can free you up to do other things. We can work it so if the threads are not up by say Saturday morning, you can set them up. If you come on the forum and they are already here then voila.

 

[Retroram52]

I'll take Hamilton, Vettel, and Rosberg.

 

[forty_three]

I will go;
HAM
ROS
BOT

Massa and Vettel are both strong, and I expect turn 1 - 2 shenanigans.

Hard to bet against Lewis with that gauntlet of a lap he threw down in Q3. Malaysia wasn't as close as everyone thinks. Had they made the right tire call, Lewis would have won that one by 15 seconds.

 

[Hank Kingsley]

Massa and Vettel are both strong, and I expect turn 1 - 2 shenanigans.

I concur. Ferrari last year anyway was quick off the line with Alonso. I don't think they are as quick off it this year, and last race Vettel really did the Schumi Chop off the start to hold his position over Rosberg.

 

[IndyAndy]

Mercedes respond to the Ferrari challenge with authority - for now. Red Bull's struggles continue. And McLaren gets both cars home at the finish - though Button tried his best to wreck!

Here's how we did:

Hank Kingsley: 10 points - picked all three steps on the podium correctly
forty_three: 8 points - picked 1st & 2nd coreectly
Retroram52 & IndyAndy: 7 points - picked winner, got other two places inverted

Season Totals so far:

Retroram52: 27 points
IndyAndy: 24 points
Hank Kingsley: 20 points
forty_three: 20 points

Next Up: Bahrain, next weekend

 

[Retroram52]

That was a good race again. Hamilton is looking unbeatable again and Rosberg made a comeback from qualifying. I was sure Vettel was going to get past Rosberg but to know avail.

 

[Hank Kingsley]

I think Lewis was sandbagging. Not racing to max, just saving tires as was evidenced by his spurt at the end of the 2nd stint.

 

[forty_three]

I actually laughed out loud when Lewis hit the grid all cockeyed. He knows Nico is fragile and that was just completely thumbing his nose at him, "yeah, I'm coming right at you. And you can't do anything to stop me". It was this whole weekend. Nico would have a solid lap in qualifying or practice and Lewis would just pull one out of his ass. When he threw down that 1:35 in Q3, it was just awesome. Schumacher used to do that too. Like "You think you're close? That's cute".

I also loved when Lewis slowed down. Nico radio'ed that Lewis was slowing down, and then he realized if he attacked he'd kill his own tires. Lewis had to be laughing in the car the whole time.

He also knows Nico is the only one who can really touch him this year. It is in his best interest for Nico to know his place in the team.

 

[Hank Kingsley]

"A man has to know his limitations" Harry Callahan....

Lewis is making sure Rosberg does.

Lewis said (more or less) "If I was in 2nd and felt I had the pace to be first, I'd try to be first. I wouldn't lay back."

 

[forty_three]

I heart Lewis Hamilton.

Not as much personality as some of the legends of old, but in the polished and sponsor-approved world F1 is nowadays, he is practically James Hunt.

 

[Hank Kingsley]

I did not like Hamilton initially.

But he's won me over and he's a great racer.

I also like the way he treats his brother.