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As the UBS Chinese Grand Prix, 2011 ended with Lewis ending the winning streak for Sebastian, lets recap into the race analysis.
About the Circuit:
The circuit suited the drivers with ample opportunities for overtaking. The temperature in China was also very pleasant. With chills in the morning, bright sun shinning in the afternoon on the race day. The circuit remain dry for the entire week. The cooler circuit unlike that of Malaysia also supported Pirelli tyres.
The race saw lot of drivers leading the race. It made almost impossible till the very end who will win the race. It was just like a film script that ended on a happy note for China Hero Lewis Hamilton while the Hero Vettel lost the race like a villain even after dominating all the practice sessions and grabbing the pole.
Practice Sessions - Chinese GP
It was continuation of Red Bull dominance or you can say Sebastian Vettel dominance with topping all the three practice sessions. First session looks like that Red Bull will be a no match for anyone on the circuit even for Mclaren. But the second and third practice ensured that there will be a tough competition ahead and Red Bull have to work very hard to win the race.
Ferrari was looking out of pace in practice with tense faces in Ferrari crew.
Mercedes and Force India with their upgrades proved to be competitive and were looking to provide a tough competition for the teams.
HRT progressed a lot as far as their speed is concerned. Their speed matches that of Virgin.
Chinese GP - Practice Session 1
Chinese GP - Practice Session 2
Chinese GP - Practice Session 3
Qualifying - Chinese GP
Mark Webber out in Q1 was one of the biggest shock for Red Bull. Webber used hard tyres during the qualifying which saw him not able to match the pace of soft tyres of others. Petrov stopping just 2mins before the Q2 ends caused some to not able to qualify for Q3. Petrov stoppage means that he had to start on 10th as was not able to take part in Q3.
Michael was again not able to make it to Q3 due to the rear wing problem. A bad for sauber as both of their cars were out qualified in Q2.
But for Force India and Toro Rosso was a wonderful moment as Paul Di Resta saw his maiden Q3 and started the race at 8th position. He also separated the two Toro Rosso's on the grid.
Mercedes Nico Rosberg run shows their competitiveness as he outpaced both the Ferrari's for 4th.
But most importantly, it was Sebastian Vettel who made it a hat-trick of pole in 2011. It was 4th in a row for him. Mclaren's followed him.
Chinese GP - Qualifying
Race - Chinese GP
One of the most exciting race in recent times. It showed the competitiveness that will going to prevail throughout 2011. The rules changes in 2011 facilitated overtaking.
DRS and KERS played their part as they made your nerves go wild when the cars overtake. Almost every lap saw a car being overtaken using KERS and DRS. Pirelli Tyre wear was not that of a problem in Chinese GP. It was upto the teams to opt for 2stop or 3stop strategy. Cold temperatures suited Pirelli style.
The drivers with 3stop strategy benefited the most. As the last few laps saw Ferrari being overtaken. Sebastian Vettel being overtaken by Lewis Hamilton.
It all worked according to film script. Lewis Hamilton had some initial fuel leak problem before the race even started, got past Jenson Button and Sebastian Vettel in succession at the end of the race and eventually won the Chinese Grand Prix.
Mark Webber showed that he is an excellent driver. With starting from back of the grid at 18th position and having pitted earlier in the race still finished the race in 3rd. He overtaken almost every driver on race track, with last victim was Jenson Button in penultimate lap of the race.
Ferrari and Renault were not able to convert the race in big points. Mercedes who were strong in the early stages were not able to finish the race on top.
Pirelli tyres were praised by all after the race.
Chinese GP - Race
Team Analysis:
Mclaren - Mclaren stripped the invincible tag of Red Bull. With competitive performance throughout the weekend winning the race in the end. There was a minor mistake from Button in the pits that caused him podium finish. Beside that Mclaren did it well to beat Red Bull. Car was reliable and performed quite well.
9.5/10 points
Red Bull - The leading team in 2011, was struck with problems throughout weekend for Mark Webber's car. KERS was again a major issue for Red Bull. 2stop strategy for Vettel caused him the race win. But still the team was quick and able to grab 2nd and 3rd in the race. Webber excellent driving from 18th to 3rd was amazing.
9.0/10 points
Mercedes - Mercedes was a improved team after their poor performance in the season opening. But still need to work on reliability as lost the momentum in the later part of the race. Also in qualifying Michael was not able to qualify for Q3 due to problems with the car. But more upgrades can bring them back in competition.
8.0/10 points
Ferrari - After a poor performance in practice, they make a mark in Qualifying with 2 stop strategy during the race paid them 5th and 6th position. But still the biggest name in F1 lack the pace and was no match for Red Bull and Mclaren.
8.0/10 points
Renault - It was a poor show by Renault. They need to work on their reliability. They are good with the speed. But qualifying problems hovers them in the race. They lost a lot of ground in the starting. Though tried to cover in the later stage. Heidfeld poor performance was seen during the race. The accident with Perez was purely Heidfeld mistake.
6.0/10 points
Force India - It was a good show by Force India with updated aero package. Looked competitive during the practice and qualifying. Able to clear Q3 for first time in 2011. But later stages of race saw them losing what they gained during the weekend and the initial laps during race.
5.5/10 points
Sauber -The team were not able to put a strong performance during Qualifying but Kamui Kobayashi strong driving gave them the points in race. Sergio Perez accident with the Force India Sutil was purely his mistake.
5.0/10 points
Toro Rosso - An exception performace during the qualifying and practice, but the race devastated their weekend. Alguersuari tyre flying in the air, showed the negligence by the pit crew. Also Buemi was not able to perform well.
4.0/10 points
Williams - One of the oldest team in the sport is no match for the midfielder also. Not able to complete the race in the first two races and now clearly off the pace both during the qualifying as well as race. But able to finish at last.
3.0/10 points
Team Lotus - Lotus were able to save its pants during the race after poor qualifying and practice sessions. Heikki was able to put that Lotus ahead of Sauber and Williams. May be only through luck. But that did not mean that they perform well. They really need to work hard if they want to compete with Midfielders.
2.5/10 points.
Virgin - Virgin was a poor performer during practice. But their overnight tweaks paid off with outpacing HRT again. But they were no match for struggling Team Lotus also.
2.0/10 points.
HRT - HRT's hard work paid them with double finish in the end. Their major goal of reliability is complete. Now they can work on speed. They are getting closer to Virgin and were able to beat them in practice. Narain Karthikeyan one stop strategy was appreciable.
2.0/10 points.
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