Official NOT606 2015 Chinese GP Chat and Predictions

I think they'll stress the tyres more than Ferrari in all conditions to be honest. Hamilton's tyres went off three or four laps sooner than Vettel's yesterday, Raikkonen did miles more laps than Rosberg on primes and he was quicker as well. There's a big delta between compounds here, if Ferrari can spend longer on the options they'll be a threat. If the options are the better race tyre, Mercedes will probably need to do one stop more than Ferrari again. Right now, I'd say Mercedes are fastest, they have more pace, but will keep them honest again and might be capable of another win tomorrow.

 

Come on Macca!

 

Everyone but Mercedes will have to use a set of options. Real bonus for them.

 

Well poop

 

Yeah, I think you're probably right to an extent but I don't expect it to be a defining issue as it was in Malaysia. The other thing is that Ferrari won't be able to spring a surprise as they did last time, which again was crucial to their success.

I certainly wasn't trying to diminish Ferrari's achievement, they played a blinder; moreover, they set the season alight. Also, Mercedes are far from infallible, Red Bull beat them three times last season and they don't always respond well to the unexpected; that is, they appear to have a weakness when they need to improvise a revised strategy.

 

Lewis looks so smooth. Untouchable.

 

Sauber are speedy. TR take the fall.

 

I like seeing Sauber do well.

 

I was really hoping for a leap from Macca. Could have been worse.... but not much.

 

So do I and any success they can have may be crucial to their survival. I was hoping for a bit more from Toro Rosso though.

 

"¡Hamilton - estratosférico, brutal!", says the Spanish commentator

 

Rosberg could be replaced by Hulk who would do a much better job imo. Rosberg is dead meat.

 

This is my dream

 

****, don't believe this, my stream has gone.

 

Lets hope Kimi is wired up for the race.

 

Everyone better hope the Mercedes chews it's tyres, they both looked mighty.

Pretty disappointing that Kimi is only 6th, but i'd still call that "in play". Really scruffy all through quali though.

Great job by Sauber and solid job by both WIlliams and RoGro.

McLaren... they did say they didn't expect a huge step this weekend and were surprised when it looked like they'd made one, sadly looks like they got what they initially expected. Assuming their race pace will be better though and let them fight with the clutch of cars in front of them.

 

Pretty by the numbers session. No real surprises.

I did think that McLaren might do better, but they are the team of false promises after all.

As for Kimi. Well I know you're the professional, but I feel like it might be advisable to try and hit the apex every once and a while.

 

Time for 5 pages of argument, counter-arguments and Hamilton comparisons about Rosberg's radio response to the team.......

 

Nico needs to answer the most important question of the weekend: will he be wearing his clam bandage?

 

Vettel has a spare set of options for race, set his Q3 time on used.

The fat lady hasn't sung yet but she is warming up.