WEEKEND SCHEDULE (RACE LOCAL TIME)
Fri 10 April 2014
Practice 1 Fri 10:00 – 11:30
Practice 2 Fri 14:00 – 15:30

Sat 11 April 2014
Practice 3 Sat 12:00 – 13:00
Qualifying Sat 15:00 – 16:00

Sun 12 April 2014
Race Sun 14:00 – 16:00


CIRCUIT INFO:

Lap data
Lap length 5.451km (3.387 miles)
Race laps 56
Race distance 305.066km (189.559 miles)
Pole position Left-hand side of the track
Lap record* 1’32.238 (212.75 kph) by Michael Schumacher, 2004
Fastest lap 1’32.238 (212.75 kph) by Michael Schumacher, 2004
Maximum speed 316kph (196.353 mph)
DRS zone/s (race) Pit straight and longest straight
Distance from grid to turn one 380m

Car performance
Full throttle 65%
Longest flat-out section 1397m
Downforce level High
Gear changes per lap 57
Fuel use per lap 2.5kg
Time penalty per lap of fuel 0.1s

Strategy
Quickest complete pit stop in 2012 20.024s by Ferrari (see full list)
2013 prime tyre**: Medium (2012: Medium)
2013 option tyre**: Soft (2012: Soft)

*Fastest lap set during a Grand Prix
**Pirelli’s compounds are softer than those used in 2012

Data sources: FIA, Williams, Mercedes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAek5rlzSc4

 

Voted for Lewis. Mercedes won't make another mistake. Will be nice to see the Ferrari's mix it up though if they can.

 

Nico, because Mercedes won't make another mistake. . .

Hoping Red Bull at least makes a proper go of it, and that McLaren can get a point (or more).

 

Prolly be Hamilton, once more. Two Mercedes sweep. Vettel gets podium. One McLaren-Honda finishes the race, out of points.

 

about Hamilton and Vettel.

 

Assuming there isn't a safety car early again.....
Mercedes follolws normal strategy and Lewis takes the win.
Kimi surprises everyone and gets the second step with Nico on the third step.

 

Friday Practice 1

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/118427

Friday Practice 2 - a McLaren in 10th

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/118428

 

I think the race had some exciting moments but for a large part remained processional at the front. As expected Mercedes made no mistakes and Ferrari were there or thereabouts to pounce in case the front runners made any mistake.

Some moments of excitement on radio calls from Kimi, otherwise the Ferrari and Williams drivers just followed the leader home. Good job by RoGro to bring a Lotus home in the points. Maldonado would possibly have finished in the top 10 too if not for:
1) The mistake he made entering pit-lane
2) his clash with Button which was not his fault

It was good to see the dicing between Ricciardo who finished in 9th, with the Sauber of Nasr through the Turn one complex. Likewise it was good to watch the battle between Button and Maldonado too, until Button uncharacteristically hit Maldonado.

The next race in Bahrain is in a weeks time and will likely be much like this one. Although I hold out the hope that it will be a fun race for spectators.

 

Didn't stay up to watch but the race seemed predictable.

Another thing that's becoming expected is Nico whining after Hamilton did something to him that he would do to LH in a second.

Nico - how about driving faster?

 

Nico is annoying, what a bitch.

Pastor pastored, ha

Honda looking better and better, calling a podium ^in japan.