F1 2025 Chinese Grand Prix - Race Weekend thread

[Cromulant]

Someone explain to me why McLaren continue to send their drivers out early (especially on a track that is ramping up late in each session) when it has cost them positions so many times over the last couple of years.

Bit too clever for their own good.

Mind you, Piastri was later than Hamilton and couldn't get it done.

 

[gaskin]

Bit too clever for their own good.

Mind you, Piastri was later than Hamilton and couldn't get it done.

Oscar had already set a time on those tyres while Hamilton only did one.

 

[Cromulant]

Oscar had already set a time on those tyres while Hamilton only did one.

They clearly thought they had the pace, he was ALMOST right

 

[Lia]

Of course Max is second when Lewis gets pole, it just had to be.

Fair response from Lewis after some criticism during the week.

 

[99 Problems]

Someone explain to me why McLaren continue to send their drivers out early (especially on a track that is ramping up late in each session) when it has cost them positions so many times over the last couple of years.

I wonder if they were so confident they had the pace that they were willing to set their laps before the track fully ramped up to minimise the chance yellows or even a red flag could ruin their session at the death.

 

[Skull Face]

Not gonna lie, a similar grid for the full race would be be pretty exciting. Max v Hamilton. Piastri ahead of Norris provides something to keep an eye on. Don't think McLaren will miss out on the next quali though, sprint quali tyre management cost them here

For the sprint it is exciting because tire wear wont kick in as hard for the rest of the field until near the end, for the race it would be just how long mclaren take to get through the field.

 

[Skull Face]

I wonder if they were so confident they had the pace that they were willing to set their laps before the track fully ramped up to minimise the chance yellows or even a red flag could ruin their session at the death.

I think this is fairly accurate, they know they have the race pace to drive away with it the theory would have been if we give the drivers 2 chances they won't be worse than top 4 and will walk away with the race after lap 5 avoiding the chances of a mistake dropping them down to 8th at the back of the quicker cars with too much work to do.

Didn't work for Norris because he fluffed both laps, cost Oscar pole as both his laps were good but he will cruise to a win today unless he gets caught in the crossfire between hamilton and verstappen, be interesting to see if max realises he needs to bank points top 3 each week to try and fight for the championship and pulls it in a bit.

 

[FR0GGY]

Lol

 

[largebus]

Why is the sprint on now at 11:00 local time? Very weird

 

[largebus]

Where was that shit start last week Lando?

 

[TheEscapeClub]

Bit scrappy from Oscar.

 

[Hawks1523]

Love seeing Lewis leading races again

 

[StFly]

Bit scrappy from Oscar.

Lec took inside lines, Oscar had to shift a little due to Max shifting so that just made things a little tight originally but he's fine, Lando is the one with problems out of the two of them. Oscar just looks a bit iffy since he goes deep into corners so breaking looks kinda suss sometimes.

 

[gaskin]

That was a bit shit from Lawson. You can't bumper car your way through.

 

[Peter Sidorkiewicz]

Love seeing Lewis leading races again

He’s the GOAT

 

[TheEscapeClub]

Awesome, let's.watch the battle for 15th

 

[Hawks1523]

Lawson is such a scrub

 

[Black_White]

I had a thought, yes yes I know it’s a rarity for a Collingwood supporter, about how the commentary would go in this race.
If Piastri was to win, they would all be “only a sprint race”.
If Lewis was to win it would be “champion Hamilton wins an F1 race in only his second outing for Ferrari.
Not bad for a Pie man is it?

 

[largebus]

Finally he gets him, too late to get Lewis

 

[Hawks1523]

Yeah Oscar!

 

[Peter Sidorkiewicz]

Well done Oscar

 

[TheEscapeClub]

Go get him Oscar.

 

[gaskin]

Oscar's tyres will be too cooked from being behind Max for so long to even think of trying to catch Lewis.

 

[Black_White]

Is it wrong to be cheering for a pasta gun moment?

 

[TheEscapeClub]

Nope. It's done.