Tomorrow we see the real possibility of a new driver entering the F1 winner's circle, especialy seeing how tightly bunched 2nd-8th are. This includes; Nico Rosberg Michael Schumacher (MK2) Kimi Raikkonen (MK2) Kamui Kobayashi Sergio Perez Anyone think one of these will win, or will it be Button, Webber or Hamilton in your view?
I'd love a Kamui win, and on the other thread i gave a reason why it could happen, but i'm sticking with Hamilton (despite starting 7th) Heart says kobayashi, head says Hamilton.
Schumacher and Raikkonen only half count, but i suspect it will be one of the top 4. Webber and Hamilton look too far back. Button could pull it off, but would need to find a lot of speed from somewhere. At the moment he's only likely to hold up Lewis. So we could be in for something exciting (if your favourite cant win, someone new is always a nice thing to see) My bet is Raikkonen though and It wasn't that long ago he won a race. If Mercedes haven't fixed their issues its him vs Kamui.
It's quite easy to overtake in China, so I don't think we'll have a shock. For me it's Button or Lewis for the win. I really want Michael or Kamui to win, but don't think it'll happen
China isnt the kind of race where you get stuck behind people, its very good for overtakes and difficult to defend especially with the new regulations. The driver who is fastest on the day will win regardless of their qualifying position, but who knows who that will be.
It'll be Raikkonen or Kobayashi. Schumacher and Raikkonen don't count as new winners though, Schumacher's won over 90 grands prix.
Five drivers have won the last 44 races. Tomorrow I expect the winner to be Webber or Hamilton IMO Track conditions will be the deciding factor - Mercedes might finally find the sweet spot regarding tyres, or could destroy them very quickly. Sauber might profit from their good tyre management, or they might struggle with tyre warm-up. Not sure about Lotus but tbh I don't think they're quick enough to win (based on Kimi's pace in Australia). I hope Sauber win, but it's difficult to envisage.
perez on the list? he had agreat race but i think its pushing it to think that he cn get from 8th to first with the quality of drivers in front of him tomorrow
I still can't see Mercedes winning and Sauber still need something (crash, weather) etc to go in their favour. You cannot rule out Webber, Hamilton and co- lets not forget the Aussie stormed from 18th on the grid to 3rd in China last year.
I fancy the Red Bulls at very big odds, probably put a jinx on them now. Realistically one of the Mclarens should win but sometimes things don't go to plan.
Have to go for new winner, due to a combination of the time gap from Rosberg to the McLarens, the possibility of rain and Kyle's definition of "new". The McLarens will still be a threat though.
I really don't see why barring an accident it can't be Kobayashi, and I would really love it to be so. Given Merc tyres issues I don't see either of them making the podium which puts Kobayashi on net Pole position. I think Kobayashi was the 2nd fastest in the speed traps today Handy for overtaking and defending. The Sauber is supposed to be good at looking after its tyres. He outqualified Raikkonen, Button and Red-Bull on merit and not luck of circumstances, which puts Hamilton as the biggest challenge but he's quite a way back. Unfortunately he is on the dirty side of the grid but If he gets a clean start and makes it through the 1st lap without an accident, well then Perez nearly managed it from a lot lower down last week so who knows
Mercedes have been great in qualifying but thus far have really disappointed in the races. I feel that it will ultimately be either Webber or one of the McClarens that come through but I would love to see Rosberg win it.
I don't know how anyone can confidently predict tomorrow's race as things stand now, that's what makes it such an exciting prospect for me.
I'm with you on that one Max, haven't looked forward to a race as much as tomorrows for a very long time!
in the last race 9 constructors scored points, the grid is closer than I can ever remember it being (ok, if you ignore the back 3), due to the nature of qualifying and DRS it's just too hard to call. Kamui has never been a strong qualifier IMO, and at various times last season found himself nicely in the sharp end of the points only to have his race wrecked by his teams indecision and other drivers, to have him near the front at the start, if he gets away clean he has as much chance as anyone. Kimi has had a decent qualifying too, and has shown he has the race pace. Rosberg must be the favorite of the 'newbies' though, he drives well at China, 3rd in 2010 and 5th in 2011, but is .5 seconds faster than Hamilton going to be enough when the W-duct isn't active?
