Mar 26, 2012 10:44:00 AM
- easy_rider911
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- Loc: London , United Kingdom
- Posts: 22190, Gallery
- Registered on: Nov 8, 2004
2012 Chinese F1 Grand Prix in Shanghai
After the chaotic Malaysian F1 GP where the rain really mixed things up, there is now a 3 week gap till the Chinese F1 GP.
3 weeks is a long time and I expect some of the teams will bring some performance upgrades to this race.
I think McLaren holds the edge on dry pace in qualification with a slightly smaller advantage in the race itself. But, if it rains, all that goes out of the window. Anybody can do well in the wet. It's much more about driver skill and good judgement rather than the car's own pace.
Hamilton is quicker than Button but Button is a more complete driver. But now that Hamilton is just aiming for consistent points finishes every race, he could be a major title contender this year.
I really think Massa will be mentally under pressure between now and Shanghai. He needs to have a strong race there to quieten the critics. Personally, I don't think he can deliver, partly because I don't think he has it in him but also because he is under so much media pressure that he cannot drive with the self-confidence needed to show what he can do.
Massa's problem IMO is that he needs the car to be working really well for him to show his ability. Alonso can shine with a great car but he can also produce unexpected results even with a car that does not drive well. He has a habit of achieving race results that his car has no right to achieve. This has put Massa in the shade in 2011 and 2012 since the Ferrari cars in both years have been far from ideal.
Add to that the fact that Perez is now a new star, and the pressure on Massa reaches an unbearable level IMO. He will crack at some point.
I think the dynamic that is emerging at RBR is also fascinating. Webber is driving well and seems self-confident and relaxed. Vettel seems tense and frustrated.
I also think it's been interesting to see Schumi outshine Rosberg at last. Rosberg needs to start delivering again.
Raikkonen is back and as good as ever. Grosjean really needs to iron out the mistakes. He is too eager and is taking silly risks.
I think Kobayashi really needs to start performing better. He is being totally outshone by Perez.
At Williams, I think Maldonado is quicker than Senna but Maldonado has made errors and has also had some bad luck.
At Force India, Di Resta is playing it smart and safe collecting points here and there so that his end of season total is better than Hulkenberg's.
I think Vergne had a great race in Sepang. I do think he is a better driver than Ricciardo. Let's see how this situation develops this year.
Caterham and Marussia have both had quiet, soild starts to the season among the backmarker teams.
But HRT grabbed a lot of attention for all the wrong reasons in Sepang.
I'm really looking forward to how things pan out in Shanghai.
Looking forward to a good race :)
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