Join us for live commenting during Chinese Grand Prix final practice and qualifying coming up soon. Here’s today’s round-up:
Links
FIA-GT1 2010 at Abu Dhabi Massive Crash for Natacha Gachnang (YouTube)
Sebastien Buemi’s cousin Natacha Gachnang had a surprisingly similar crash to his in practice for the inaugural GT1 race at Abu Dhabi yesterday. Gachnang suffered a broken leg in this accident:
Comment of the day
F1silverarrows pointed out some similarities in Red Bull’s practice tactics at China this year:
both Red Bulls are together again in 2nd practice just like last year, and both have set a similiar time to 2009. They also timed together the same in 3rd practice but vettel ended the winner on race day.
2009: 2nd practice
Webber: 1:36.105 -4th
Vettel: 1:36.167 -5th2010: 2nd practice
Vettel: 1:35.791 -5th
Webber: 1:35.955 -6th
F1silverarrows
Happy birthday!
No F1 Fanatic birthdays today. If you want a birthday shout-out tell us when yours is by emailling me, using Twitter or adding to the list here.
On this day in F1
The first Pacific Grand Prix was held on this day in 1994 at the Tanaka International Aida circuit. Michael Schumacher won after Ayrton Senna was eliminated in a first-corner crash.
The following year Schumacher won his second world championship at the circuit but F1 never raced at the tight, slow and very remote Japanese venue again. The FIA World Touring Car Championship has visited the track, now called the Okayama International Circuit, since 2008.
Ned Flanders
17th April 2010, 6:48
Wow that was a big impact. Was her accelerator jammed on or something? That’s the biggest crash I’ve seen into one of those new foam barriers, perhaps they aren’t as safe as they’re meant to be
sato113
17th April 2010, 20:21
well no barrier is perfect! at that speed, to only have a broken leg i’d say the barrier did it’s job…
dsob
17th April 2010, 9:28
That was indeed quite a thump. Looked as though she never attempted the corner, just went straight with the brakes locked. I’d sure like to know what sort of mechanical failure it was.
Tom L.
17th April 2010, 12:56
“the team said that at the braking point at the end of the straight, she started braking as normal. A leak was reported in the rear brake circuit which required Gachnang to press back hard on the brake, according to their explanation put out on the official website.
When putting pressure on the brake pedal Gachnang’s foot also pressed the accelerator pedal. The front brake circuit continued to function correctly but the combination of factors led to Gachnang failing to negotiate the corner, the team confirmed.”
(gulfnews.com)
slr
17th April 2010, 9:38
DAMN, what kind of speed was she doing?
bob
17th April 2010, 14:26
I bet no more then 250 km/h (150 mph)
Magnificent Geoffrey
17th April 2010, 11:05
Jaime Algersuari appears to have been a little misinformed about Gachnang’s accident: http://twitter.com/JAIMEALGUERSUAR/status/12332577523
Hope Buemi hasn’t seen this!
John H
17th April 2010, 11:37
…. Oh my word!
Tom L.
17th April 2010, 12:50
Oops, I wonder if anyone’s told him…
Evan
18th April 2010, 19:44
Jaime Alguersuari=Epic Failure
But he’s not had that bad a season so far tbh :)
mike-e
19th April 2010, 1:02
HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! :D
Tom L.
17th April 2010, 12:57
“A TV cameraman was also injured while filming the event from Turn 8. The cameraman, Rob Hurdman from Greenlight Television, was hit by his camera, suffering a suspected broken nose. He was taken to the circuit Medical Centre for treatment and was taken to hospital by road ambulance for precautionary checks.”
Fail…
Dave
17th April 2010, 13:43
Keith, are you in China or in the UK? You should count yourself lucky if you’re in the UK… seems like the other F1 journos will be playing the ‘waiting game’. :P
VXR
17th April 2010, 15:16
Just heard that Cooper (Avon) could be supplying F1 with tyres next season.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
17th April 2010, 15:26
As tipped here, I hasten to add:
https://www.racefans.net/2010/04/07/why-low-profile-tyres-make-sense-for-f1/
VXR
17th April 2010, 15:43
Doesn’t look like low profile tyres are likely though….I hasten to add. ;)
slr
17th April 2010, 15:34
If anyone cares, Sakon Yamamoto is back.
http://www.hispaniaf1team.com/en/home/121-sakon-yamamoto-becomes-test-driver-and-reserve-race-driver-for-hrt-f1-team
VXR
17th April 2010, 15:40
No one cares. ;)
sato113
17th April 2010, 20:23
so much so for an experienced driver. could’ve easily got klien, nakajima etc…