Chinese Grand Prix practice 2 live blog
17th April 2009, 6:50 by Keith Collantine 197 Comments »
Review the Chinese Grand Prix practice 2 live blog below.
Lewis Hamilton was fastest in this morning’s first session with Heikki Kovalainen fourth – suggesting McLaren’s revised front wing and diffuser have improved the MP4/24. The second session will give us a better picture of how quick their car is this weekend.
The Brawn duo were second and third but Ferrari stood out for all the wrong reasons – the KERS-less F60s down in 11th and 15th.
But tyres look set to be a talking point this weekend as drivers found the super-soft compounds degraded very quickly and struggled to get the medium-spec rubber up to temperature. Will it continue to be a problem in this second session?
Change to live blogging
In a break from the norm we’re not using CoverItLive this weekend because the live blogs have been so busy that it’s become very difficult to moderate them. You can join in the live blog by posting comments below.
Sadly, this will mean having fewer features to play with, But it should also mean far fewer comments being missed. I haven’t set the page to refresh automatically as it may cause a problem when you are typing a new comment. Click refresh on your browser (or press F5) to see new comments.
I have been looking for alternative live blogging solutions without much success. If you know of a good one please post a comment below or drop me a line.
Useful links
Keith Collantine said on 17th April 2009, 6:56
The next session is less than five minutes away. It’s still dry in Shanghai and the track is two degrees hotter than it was at the end of the last session – 34C.
AlvinK said on 17th April 2009, 6:58
hi keith..how’s the weather there in shanghai? and how does the mclaren front wing look, i can’t see any difference earlier..
Keith Collantine said on 17th April 2009, 7:02
It’s got those extra ‘mini wings’ attached to the inside of the front wing end plates. I was confused in the first session because at first BBC said only Hamilton had it, but later on Kovalainen did too.
Al Gorringe said on 17th April 2009, 7:00
Any teams other than McLaren with new diffusers?
Sorry if this has already been covered, been away from PC
Keith Collantine said on 17th April 2009, 7:03
Renault were the other team that were expected to have one but they didn’t appear to use one during the session.
Arun.....india said on 17th April 2009, 7:00
Hi all…didn’t participate in the first session due to absence of live blog….thought ill give this a try anyway….
I think Ferrari have again taken a bad decision not to use KERS
Keith Collantine said on 17th April 2009, 7:04
They were off the pace in the first session. Might not be KERS though – tyres are going to be critical this weekend.
Alianora La Canta said on 17th April 2009, 7:01
It’s dry and getting a bit warmer than before, but still cooler than expected.
A train of cars is now leaving the pits.
mad said on 17th April 2009, 7:02
Hi All,
It seems to be sunny 20c air temp
Toby Thwaites 93 said on 17th April 2009, 7:03
Hi guys, who is commentating now?
Keith Collantine said on 17th April 2009, 7:04
On BBC it’s Maurice Hamilton and Ian Phillips.
Arun.....india said on 17th April 2009, 7:03
Anu predictions for the session..
Arun.....india said on 17th April 2009, 7:04
Any…
mad said on 17th April 2009, 7:04
How can Macca be suddenly quick..?.I think their only problem was the diffuser
Keith Collantine said on 17th April 2009, 7:05
They’ve got a revised front wing as well. But apparently they’ve got bigger changes coming for Spain, which could include a ‘true’ double-decker diffuser.
Arun.....india said on 17th April 2009, 7:06
They are having kers in addition to the diffuser..
ILoveVettel said on 17th April 2009, 7:05
hopefully we will see Rosberg and Vettle improving…
Keith Collantine said on 17th April 2009, 7:06
Drivers are getting straight into the laps this time, Alonso is quickest but 1.6s off this morning’s pace.
Keith Collantine said on 17th April 2009, 7:06
Alonso’s on a 1’38.923 now, 0.9s off his best this morning. Trulli second then Vettel, Fisichella and Piquet.
Arun.....india said on 17th April 2009, 7:07
sutil p1..
ILoveVettel said on 17th April 2009, 7:07
Sutil goes firstest!!!!!!!!!!
scunnyman said on 17th April 2009, 8:46
“firstest”????? this mean who is fastest first huh??????? lol
Keith Collantine said on 17th April 2009, 7:07
Lots of action early on – Sutil now fastest from Bourdais! Looks like the track is quicker already.
Keith Collantine said on 17th April 2009, 7:07
Meanwhile Piquet’s had his usual off already.