Chinese Grand Prix

Chinese Grand Prix - FP3

by Nate Saunders 4/11/2015 3:55:26 AM

3rd & 7 37yd

Hello and welcome to ESPN's live coverage of third and final practice from Shanghai.

by Nate Saunders 4/11/2015 3:48:13 AM
This is the final opportunity for the team's to fine-tune their set-ups ahead of qualifying. Mercedes look strong going into this afternoon's session but, as we all know, they are now wary of the resurgent Ferrari.

by Nate Saunders 4/11/2015 3:49:29 AM
I think yesterday proved Mercedes might have a clear run at pole this afternoon but the real concern for them will be the race pace displayed by Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen in FP2. The Finn has looked quick and consistent this season in the SF15-T.

by Nate Saunders 4/11/2015 3:55:09 AM
Alonso really made a very bad mistake by leaving ferrari

by HS 4/11/2015 3:55:29 AM
@HS: People are saying this a lot. It's only the third race of the season and as he said, he didn't want to be at another team that could help him finish second. He's joined a long-term programme at McLaren and we won't know if it was the right decision or not until next season at the earliest.

by Nate Saunders 4/11/2015 3:56:13 AM
McLaren can never give a Winning car

by HS 4/11/2015 3:56:31 AM
Personally, I'm very keen to see what Rosberg can do this weekend. He's been a bit anonymous compared to Hamilton this year - except from when he's been making a fool of himself in press conferences - and needs a strong weekend.

by Nate Saunders 4/11/2015 3:57:42 AM
Conditions remain sunny, clear and dry - like yesterday.

by Nate Saunders 4/11/2015 3:58:23 AM
Ferrari is better off without Alonso and his disruptive attitude and no team play

by Rodster 4/11/2015 3:58:25 AM
Love to see Red Bulls Roar!

by cash_flow_gold 4/11/2015 3:59:02 AM
Psssssst, Nate...so...ummm...any of your mates snap a pic of Carmen Jorda today?

by mfbull 4/11/2015 3:59:03 AM
@mfbull: You'd be surprised how much time snappers spend taking pictures of her. Or maybe you wouldn't be...

by Nate Saunders 4/11/2015 3:59:26 AM
Now that Sutil's girlfriend is gone it's nice to have Carmen around!

by ALDG 4/11/2015 4:00:26 AM
The session is under way and Vettel is the first man to dash out in that Ferrari, followed by a Manor.

by Nate Saunders 4/11/2015 4:00:40 AM
Why is the shorter nose cone so important?

by Flying Finn 4/11/2015 4:00:44 AM
@FlyingFinn: There is a growing consensus that the best way forward is the short style of nose pioneered by Williams - but that design causes complications in passing the mandatory crash tests. The reasoning behind it are the aerodynamic benefits a shorter nose brings, you've got to think about the air flow.

by Nate Saunders 4/11/2015 4:01:23 AM
That's mean Nate...Rosberg making fool of himself !!!

by Sammie Srini 4/11/2015 4:01:27 AM
Are pit garages chosen in championship order or assigned in order, or something else?

by mfbull 4/11/2015 4:01:28 AM
@mfbull: Yes, they're in the order of the constructors' championship of the year before, hence Mercedes' position at the top of the pit lane and Manor's at the end

by Nate Saunders 4/11/2015 4:01:47 AM
Good morning Fernando. We have Alonso on track but there's already a puff of blue smoke coming from the back of his McLaren - disastrous start for the Spaniard.

by Nate Saunders 4/11/2015 4:02:14 AM
"I have a problem with the engine, I have to stop," says a sheepish Alonso.

by Nate Saunders 4/11/2015 4:02:28 AM
ROS sounds like a beaten man, not even sure he's having fun anymore...

by mfbull 4/11/2015 4:02:30 AM
@SammieSrini: On two occasions he's tried to make jokes (to Vettel in Australia and Hamilton in Malaysia) and both times the two men have made him look a bit silly. You can tell his usually cool demeanour is taking a hit this year.

by Nate Saunders 4/11/2015 4:03:28 AM
I really hope the Iceman gets back on top... would really like to see him get another crown!

by F1tomkat 4/11/2015 4:03:30 AM
LOL....Alonso

by cash_flow_gold 4/11/2015 4:03:32 AM
The other McLaren of Button is currently circulating. McLaren has a real chance of making Q2 this afternoon so Alonso's troubles in this session will be a real blow.

by Nate Saunders 4/11/2015 4:04:07 AM
Interesting message from McLaren to Button: "Problem is not fixed, Jenson. Problem is not fixed."

by Nate Saunders 4/11/2015 4:04:48 AM
Remember, it's a marathon not a sprint for McLaren. They're still running things conservatively remember.

by Nate Saunders 4/11/2015 4:05:13 AM
I really hope Kimi has spent all his tokens of bad luck for the rest of the season

by Tedi Awaluddin 4/11/2015 4:06:16 AM
Kimi will win Chinese Grand Prix.

by Hann 4/11/2015 4:06:17 AM
Hi Nate, do you see Williams beating Ferrari in Qualifying? But RAI seemed so strong

by rockedin123 4/11/2015 4:06:28 AM
@rockedin123: It's always hard to tell as Williams does something completely different to the rest on Fridays. I can't remember the last time Williams looked decent pace-wise on a Friday. I expect to see it as close as it was in Melbourne, if I'm honest, as Malaysia is a track which really doesn't suit Williams.

by Nate Saunders 4/11/2015 4:07:13 AM
@Nate, how true is that hot weather suits ferrari more than others particularly Merc...if so, what are the other circuits that have typically hot and dry weather ??

by TS 4/11/2015 4:07:24 AM
Any initial assumptions being made about the "cooler" temperatures v. tyre wear? Could Ferrari be in the "cat-bird seat", again?

by Flying Finn 4/11/2015 4:07:25 AM
One of the strengths of Allison's SF15-T is its cooling package, but also the fact it is very easy on the tyres. In Malaysia this was crucial as Vettel was able to do a two-stop strategy while Mercedes struggled with deg. This is a cooler circuit and that strength is negated slightly.

by Nate Saunders 4/11/2015 4:08:15 AM
Ericsson plonks himself top of the leader board with a formative time of 1:42.174,.

by Nate Saunders 4/11/2015 4:08:30 AM
@Nate, is it true that McLaren / Honda still runs their engine revved down to their potential ?? If so, what is now stopping them to run to the max ?? or is it just stereotyped...

by TS 4/11/2015 4:08:42 AM
@TS: It is true. The problem facing McLaren is the engine penalties you get once you have used four power units. For them, turning the revs up fully brings a whole raft of new problems you face when you test the limits of the engine, so at the moment they are focused on making small gains rather than risky big leaps.

by Nate Saunders 4/11/2015 4:09:41 AM
I think Nico is feeling a little bit down with no confidence anymore.

by Andreas 4/11/2015 4:09:43 AM
Are there any thoughts at this point to replace Rosberg at Merc?

by Mary-Lou 4/11/2015 4:09:44 AM
@Mary-Lou: Whenever Mercedes needs a new driver I would expect it to be Bottas.

by Nate Saunders 4/11/2015 4:09:56 AM
Hi you etrohead studs! now has anyone told the Hammer that 44 is a very very bad number for anyone in Asia. It is frank the number that Honda deserve!

by Mary-Lou 4/11/2015 4:10:04 AM
Nasr has replaced team-mate Ericsson at the top of the board by 0.03s.

by Nate Saunders 4/11/2015 4:10:17 AM
by F1 Fanatic via twitter 4/11/2015 4:10:50 AM

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F1 - Chinese GP
Chinese Grand Prix April 10-12

April 10: Free practice 1
10:00 local | 02:00 GMT | 03:00 BST
April 10: Free practice 2
14:00 local | 06:00 GMT | 07:00 BST
April 11: Free practice 3
12:00 local | 04:00 GMT | 05:00 BST
April 11: Qualifying
15:00 local | 07:00 GMT | 08:00 BST
April 12: Race
14:00 local | 06:00 GMT | 07:00 BST

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