Pick the Podium - F-1 - Heineken Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, 2017

[Retroram52]

This week the F-1 guys are in Shanghai, China for the second race of the season and Vettel has already thrown down the gauntlet to put the Mercs on notice that Ferrari's new engine has the stuff to not only compete but outrun them. This indeed could be a dogfight this year has Haas has stated recently that Ferrari has caught the Mercs. Hamilton and Bottas are going to be in for some real competition and we shall see if all the bragging is real or just a lot of talk.

 

[Hank Kingsley]

I think MB pulls the rag out of their ass this weekend.

 

[Retroram52]

Hamilton is looking pretty stout in initial practices even with all the rain.

 

[Hank Kingsley]

I thought the smog cancelled practice? Too thick to allow rescue helicopters if need arose?

I know Lewis was asking for a reschedule for race start time. To allow more practise time?

 

[Retroram52]

After qualifying, it is Hamilton, Vettel, Bottas with Raikkonen fourth. This is beginning to look a lot like Australia as Vettel is right on Hamilton's bumper. We shall see who wants this race.

 

[Retroram52]

The rain is making this race a near toss-up. Hamilton is pissed and wants F-1 changes. Guess he is not getting his way and feeling the heat of competition.

 

[forty_three]

HAM
VET
RAI
BOT

 

[Hank Kingsley]

Ham
Bot
Vet
Rai

Bottas was 1 1/1000th off Vettel in Q3.

 

[Retroram52]

I'll take Hamilton, Vettel, Bottas, Raikkonen.

 

[Retroram52]

Hamilton takes the lead over Vettel. Bottas goes to third and Raikkonen gets passed by Ricciardo for fourth. Then we have some rook spins and we are under yellow.

 

[Retroram52]

Vettel is in trouble with the rain tires and has dropped to seventh.

 

[Retroram52]

Bottas moves to second followed by Ricciardo and Raikkonen for fourth.

 

[Retroram52]

Giovannazi crashes and destroys the car.

 

[Retroram52]

During the safety car lap, Hamilton leads Ricciardo and Raikkonen. Bottas has spun trying to get heat into the tires and Vettel is fifth.

 

[Retroram52]

Verstappen drives around Raikkonen and is now third. Lots of new folks on the podium right now.

 

[Retroram52]

Bottas has fallen to 12th.

 

[Retroram52]

Haas is now in the top ten.

 

[Retroram52]

So it is Hamilton, than two Red Bulls followed by Raikkonen and Vettel, the two Ferrari's. Verstappen is running the fastest lap.

 

[Retroram52]

Verstappen blows by Ricciardo for second.

 

[Retroram52]

Bottas is up to 10th.