Grand Prix Date Tire Compounds
Chinese Grand Prix April 18-20 Medium/Soft
Grand Prix of Spain May 9-11 Medium/Soft
Grand Prix of Monaco May 22-25 Supersoft/Soft
Drivers’ championship:
1. Nico Rosberg 61
2. Lewis Hamilton 50
3. Nico Hulkenberg 28
4. Fernando Alonso 26
5. Jenson Button 23
6. Sebastian Vettel 23
7. Kevin Magnussen 20
8. Valtteri Bottas 18
9. Sergio Perez 16
10. Daniel Ricciardo 12
11. Felipe Massa 12
12. Kimi Raikkonen 7
13. Jean-Eric Vergne 4
14. Daniil Kvyat 3
Constructors’ championship:
1. Mercedes 111
2. Force India 44
3. McLaren 43
4. Red Bull 35
5. Ferrari 33
6. Williams 30
7. Toro Rosso 7
Michael Schumacher
There has been some positive news from Sabine Kehm concerning the condition of Formula 1 ace Michael Schumacher. In a medically induced coma since a severe head injury on December 29th, the news concerning Michael has been infrequent and primarily circumspect.
This past week, we received some news that could be interpreted as positive and a step in the right direction. Sabine Kehm has been releasing all of the updates on Schumacher and said “he shows moments of consciousness and awakening”
The team caring for Michael does not intend to disclose details or specifics concerning this statement but many people have been interpreting this as a good sign and hopefully a step in the right direction.
Gene Haas Entry
Major news!
As expected, Gene Haas has been given the go ahead to join the paddock for the 2015 Formula 1 season.
AWESOME!
He has been informed by the FIA that his application has been accepted and Haas is extremely pleased to have been granted a Formula One license by the FIA. “It’s an exciting time for me. Now the really hard work begins. It’s a challenge we embrace as we work to put cars on the grid.”
How cool is that! An American team in F1 and based out of Charlotte!
Red Bull Fuel Sensor Decision
The FIA’s International Court of Appeals meets on Monday, April 14th, to resolve the disqualification of Daniel Ricciardo from the Australian Grand Prix for a fuel sensor violation.
Red Bull feels very strongly that they can prove the rule used to disqualify Ricciardo, has no regulatory value and that these circumstances allowed a team to use its own fuel sensor values.
Who has the power, the teams or the FIA?
Jean Todt, of the FIA, has made himself very clear. “There is a rule, and you need to respect the rule”
Red Bull would benefit immensely from the points lost in Australia. This will be very interesting to watch!
Bahrain Test
Mercedes led both days of in season testing after which the teams finally packed up and left Bahrain. Lotus struggled on both days of testing registering only 16 laps each day.
Sebastian Vettel was absent from the tests and many reserve drivers got time in the cars. Test times are below.
Tuesday Test Times
1. Nico Rosberg, Mercedes, 1m 35.697s, 121 laps
2. Nico Hulkenberg, Force India, 1m 36.064s, 69 laps
3. Fernando Alonso, Ferrari, 1m 36.626s, 69 laps
4. Kevin Magnussen, McLaren, 1m 36.634s, 102 laps
5. Valtteri Bottas, Williams, 1m 37.305s, 28 laps
6. Max Chilton, Marussia, 1m 37.678s, 60 laps
7. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull, 1m 38.326s, 91 laps
8. Sergey Sirotkin, Sauber, 1m 39.023s, 76 laps
9. Robin Frijns, Caterham, 1m 40.027s, 63 laps
10. Pastor Maldonado, Lotus, 1m 40.183s, 16 laps
11. Daniil Kvyat, Toro Rosso, 1m 40.452s, 67 laps
Wednesday Test Times
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 1m 34.136s, 120 laps
2. Jean-Eric Vergne, Toro Rosso, 1m 35.557s, 64 laps
3. Kevin Magnussen, McLaren, 1m 36.203s, 26 laps
4. Sergio Perez, Force India, 1m 36.586s, 63 laps
5. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull, 1m 37.310s, 67 laps
6. Jules Bianchi, Marussia, 1m 37.316s, 93 laps
7. Giedo van der Garde, Sauber, 1m 37.623s, 77 laps
8. Fernando Alonso, Ferrari, 1m 37.912s, 12 laps
9. Marcus Ericsson, Caterham, 1m 39.263s, 66 laps
10. Felipe Nasr, Williams, 1m 39.879s, 64 laps
11. Romain Grosjean, Lotus, 1m 43.732s, 16 laps
China Preview
China brings the final flyway race for the start of the F1 season as the teams head back to Europe after the China race. The Shanghai circuit is a very technical one from the drivers’ wheel. Downforce is important as the course has a mix of slow, medium and high-speed corners. The Shanghai track also has the longest straight of the year, which may play into the Mercedes cars showing their superiority again.
Another 1-2 finish would them so far ahead in terms of the constructors championship that it would be virtually impossible for another team to catch them. Truth be told, well done Mercedes, you have come prepared!
Shanghai is a wide course, which usually provides many opportunities for passing. Look for Mercedes to dominate again this week and perhaps Force India to parlay the strong showing in Bahrain to another podium.
For those who use Twitter, you can follow me @steve_aibel or check us all out @RacingDTC for Drafting the Circuits.