BlogF1

I think we are on provisional calendar number three at the moment, and while it is good for the sport to get such an important part of the Formula One World Championship correct, it is annoying me that I can’t book my summer holiday yet. And on a slightly more serious note, the Chinese Grand Prix has moved and there is still no return of Canada to the calendar, suggesting that there has been no further development between the Canadian officials and Bernie Ecclestone. Continue Reading

With a high level of confidence and domination, Lewis Hamilton took victory today in the Chinese Grand Prix. After a storming drive that left Ferrari demoralised, the McLaren driver has managed to extend his hopes of becoming world champion as the title goes down to the wire in Brazil in a fortnight. Both Ferrari pilots were on the podium while Heikki Kovalainen eventually retired from the race with brake issues. Fernando Alonso finished where he qualified in fourth. Continue Reading

Most drivers started the Chinese Grand Prix on the harder compound supplied by Bridgestone, although both Ferraris and both Williams started with the softer tyre, as did Adrian Sutil in the Force India. Most drivers two-stopped, although Timo Glock, Giancarlo Fisichella, David Coulthard and Kazuki Nakajima only pitted once. Robert Kubica did not change his tyres at his first stop, keeping the hard tyres on for his second stint. Sebastien Bourdais was the heaviest driver in Q3 yesterday, getting as far as lap 24 in today’s race before stopping. Continue Reading

Lewis Hamilton has won the 2008 Chinese Grand Prix, which means the championship will go down to the wire at the next race in Brazil. Felipe Massa came home in second after team mate Kimi Raikkonen gifted his position to the Brazilian. Raikkonen finished on the podium in third with Fernando Alonso closing him down in the final stages. Heikki Kovalainen retired with just seven laps to go with a brake issue. BMW claimed a double points finish, as did Renault with Nelson Piquet Jr collecting eighth place. Continue Reading

As the penultimate race of the 2008 season dawns upon us, the live blog will once again be discussing, analysing and providing commentary for the grand prix, this round being held in China. Lewis Hamilton has taken the pole position, but hot on his tail are both Ferraris and a rejuvenated Fernando Alonso. Also worthy of a mention is Hamilton’s team mate Heikki Kovalainen, who despite qualifying in fifth, ran well in Q1 and Q2, indicating pace and perhaps a heavy fuel-load. So join like-minded fans for the race that could, or could not decide the 59th Formula One World Championship. Continue Reading

The grid has been decided for tomorrow’s Chinese Grand Prix and it is Lewis Hamilton who is on pole, ahead of both Ferraris, Fernando Alonso and team mate Heikki Kovalainen. Mark Webber had actually qualified in an impressive sixth, but was forced to change his engine after Free Practice Three following a spectacular blow-up. This demoted the Red Bull pilot to sixteenth. Also receiving a penalty this weekend is BMW’s Nick Heidfeld. The stewards decided the experienced German driver had impeded David Coulthard during Q1 and has been dropped three places to ninth. Continue Reading

Lewis Hamilton has again stormed to pole position, this time at the Shanghai circuit in China. Beating both Ferraris to the top position, the McLaren driver was fastest in all three qualifying sessions. Kimi Raikkonen will line up alongside the Briton on the front row, just as he did last weekend in Japan. In third is championship rival Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso placed his Renault in fourth. Heikki Kovalainen will start in fifth after a disappointing run in the final stint. Continue Reading

Lewis Hamilton has taken pole position for the Chinese Grand Prix, beating both Ferraris, Fernando Alonso and his team mate. Both STRs got into Q3, and Mark Webber had his engine replaced and will therefore receive a ten grid slot penalty. David Coulthard was particularly upset with Nick Heidfeld after the BMW driver held up the Red Bull before entering the pitlane. Coulthard had some unkind words to say and has taken the issue to the stewards. Another driver not doing so well in qualifying was Robert Kubica, who just got into Q2, but was then knocked out after qualifying in twelfth. Continue Reading

The forty-seventh photograph to feature in BlogF1’s caption contest. You know the drill, think of something funny and witty to say and leave it as a comment below. As promised, I will try to vary the photos more and this time we have Michael Schumacher being snapped in a difficult position at the start of the Chinese Grand Prix back in 2005. Schumacher had spun his Ferrari and found his route back to the pitlane blocked. Isn’t it funny how no amount of protective clothing can fully prepare you for a life as a racing driver! Continue Reading

As Kimi Raikkonen stormed over the line to win the Chinese Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton’s McLaren was recovered from the pit entry and the 2007 drivers championship was forced down to the wire at the finale showdown in Brazil in a fortnight. In changeable conditions the championship looked over from the moment the red lights faded as Lewis Hamilton tore away from the line to lead the Ferraris for much of the race. However, by the time the chequered was being prepared Kimi had seen the stranded Number-Two McLaren and was defending his position to a resurgent Fernando Alonso. Continue Reading