Pick the Podium: F-1 - Pirelli Chinese Grand Prix, 2016

[Retroram52]

Well, two weeks have passed since Rosberg made it two-in-a-row. We shall see if Hamilton is going to take this season seriously or if Ferrari continues its march to challenge the Silver Arrows.

 

[Hank Kingsley]

Hamilton getting hit with a 5 place grid penalty for changing out a gear box. Couldn't make 6 races in a row for some reason.

Hopefully it will let him start better....

 

[Retroram52]

Raikkonen and Vettel finish one-two in practice followed by Rosberg and Hamilton. Has Ferrari finally caught and passed the Silver arrows? We shall see.

 

[Retroram52]

After three practices, Vettel, Botas, and Perez are the top three. Interesting indeed.

 

[forty_three]

Well, that was a mixed up qualifying. Lewis blows an ECU to go along with his gearbox issue so he starts dead last.

Meanwhile, Daniel Ricciardo shocks the Red Team and starts second. My picks

ROS
RAI
RIC

Something tells me there is a problem with Vettel's car. He only took one lap in Q3 and he was fighting it the whole way.

 

[IndyAndy]

I'll take:

Rosberg
Raikkonen
Vettel

Baring rain, I am not yet convinced that the Red Bull/Renault has the measure of the Ferraris.

 

[Hank Kingsley]

Vettel
Ros
Rai

 

[Retroram52]

I'll take Rosberg, Raikkonen, and Vettel.

 

[Retroram52]

Vettel takes out Raikkonen in the opening lap and and Ricciardo takes the lead on the opening lap. Hamilton got run over in the back of the pack and both Raikkonen and Hamilton got in early to change noses. Meanwhile, Rosberg caught Ricciardo when Ricciardo blue a rear tire. What a race already!

 

[Retroram52]

Hamilton is back in the pits again and the safety car is out with Rosberg leading this melee!

 

[Retroram52]

Now its Rosberg, Massa, Alonso. Geez, who saw this coming?

 

[Retroram52]

Holy Cow. Vettel has come from 14th to 4th and Rosberg has opened up a huge lead. It is now Rosberg, Kyvat, and Massa.

 

[Retroram52]

Hamilton has come from dead last to 7th.

 

[Retroram52]

Vettel is driving like a madman with a broken wing. He is 10th and just set the fastest lap of the race.

 

[Retroram52]

Vettel has moved up to 6th.

 

[Retroram52]

Rosberg, Kyvat, and Vettel are now the top three.

 

[Retroram52]

Well, I'd love to see how this one ends up with Hamilton still making moves and sech, but work tomorrow beckons.

 

[forty_three]

Do I get any constructor's points for picking the cars in order?

Holy cow, what a race. Looks like Renault should have listened when Red Bull was telling them what was wrong with the engine, huh? Red Bull with a stunning result on a track they should have gotten eaten alive on.

 

[Retroram52]

It was a crazy race from the beginning 43 and the fact that Vettel fought through a wreck all the way back to 2nd was indeed fun to watch.

 

[IndyAndy]

Here's how we did:

Retroram52 & IndyAndy: 6 points each - picked Rosberg to win, got Vettel out of position,
forty_three: 5 points - picked Rosberg to win
Hank Kingsley: 2 points - got Rosberg & Vettel out of position

SEASON TOTALS SO FAR:

Retroram52: 12 points
forty_three: 11 points
IndyAndy: 11 points
Hank Kingsley: 8 points

Next Up: Sochi, on May 1