.:: 2008 Chinese GP ::.
Welcome to the 2008 Chinese GP thread, where you can discuss anything to do with this weekend's race. cjek will update the thread with the latest times as they happen, or I will if watching live.
(No Satellite Image Available)
RANDOM FACT
China has the only pit entry on the F1 calendar with a gravel trap in it - as Hamilton found out last year.
POINTS OF DISCUSSION
- Alonso has now won back-to-back in the unfancied Renault - and in fact, the past three races have been won by non-McLaren or Ferrari drivers - what is going on!?!
- Last year, we saw how Hamilton was too focused on winning when he slid into the gravel trap in the pit entry last year - how much more matured has Hamilton become since then?
- In Japan, both Hamilton and Massa made costly errors which allowed not only for Kubica to save his Championship chances, but also gave him a decent shot for making a three-way dance into Brazil - can Kubica bring himself even further into contention?
- Speaking of the World Championship, despite being the best of the top 4 in Japan, Raikkonen couldn't do enough to save his Championship hopes - to what effect do you think Kimi will be a rear gunner for Massa, or will he be the same old Kimi?
ITV-F1 PRESENTS LIVE STREAMING OF THE CHINESE GRAND PRIX WEEKEND: FRIDAY PRACTICES, QUALIFYING & THE RACE
DRIVER'S CHAMPIONSHIP: MATHEMATICALLY ELIMINATED
Kimi Raikkonen (Japan)
Nick Heidfeld (Japan)
Heikki Kovalainen (Singapore)
Rubens Barrichello (Belgium)
Nelson Piquet Jnr. (Belgium)
Timo Glock (Belgium)
Mark Webber (Belgium)
Fernando Alonso (Belgium)
Jarno Trulli (Belgium)
Giancarlo Fisichella (Valencia)
Adrian Sutil (Valencia)
Sebastien Bourdais (Valencia)
Jenson Button (Valencia)
David Coulthard (Valencia)
Kazuki Nakajima (Valencia)
Sebastian Vettel (Valencia)
Nico Rosberg (Valencia)
Anthony Davidson (Turkey)
Takuma Sato (Turkey)
CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP: MATHEMATICALLY ELIMINATED
Toyota (Belgium)
Renault (Belgium)
Red Bull (Belgium)
Williams (Belgium)
Honda (Belgium)
Toro Rosso (Valencia)
Force India (Valencia)
Super Aguri (Turkey)
CHAMPIONSHIP CONTENDERS
As predicted, both Raikkonen and Heidfeld lost their chances in the title race, and Kubica, against all odds, kept himself in.
The pole once again has to outscore Hamilton, but whilst it's even more difficult than in Japan - he has to outscore Lewis by at least three points - it seems a lot more possible than in Fuji. Being so far behind though, there is no chance of the BMW ace winning the title in China.
Massa too cannot win the title in China, but if he can close the gap to 4 points this weekend, He's got one hand on the title - Lewis will need a miracle to be higher than 3rd in Brazil. So the Brazilian needs to cut the gap again - and also cut the mistakes.
Championship leader Hamilton too needs to cut out the mistakes - being too hot-headed cost him a chance to really put the pressure on the Brazilian. Lewis, though, has one thing that Massa and Kubica don't - the chance to wrap up the title in China. Hamilton needs to take 6 points off of Massa and 3 off of Kubica to ensure the title is his. With a Ferrari and BMW as rivals though, this is easier said than done.
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