Chinese Grand Prix 2011: 1st Qualifying session – Formula One highlights (part 1)
It’s been an enthralling season so far with 3 rounds completed in this record 20-race season in 2011. After the Chinese Grand Prix, the formula one fraternity heads to Turkey for the Turkish Grand Prix in 3 week’s time – 3 weeks? That’s a long, long time!
Therefore, owing to our regular reader’s need for speed, we at Bettor.com bring to you blow by blow action from the Chinese Grand Prix in recognition of just that. What better way of waiting the 3 weeks than to relive the action of the latest installment
of the 2011 season: The Chinese Grand Prix.
Dominating the first 3 practice sessions, Sebastian Vettel appeared to be on the brink of another whitewash heading into qualifying. The German had faced some competition from the two McLarens; easily the most improved car these past race weekends.
Ferrari looked to be struggling all through Friday practice and only came within a second of Red Bull by third practice. This time round, Felipe Massa appeared to be at par with his Spanish teammate Fernando Alonso which was a good thing for the scarlet
constructors.
Elsewhere, Mercedes offered some promise as they seemed to have picked up the pace rather significantly as both their drivers came within a couple of tenths of the McLarens by the 2nd practice period.
Looking down the order, both Hispania Racing Team cars were the slowest compared to the rest of the 22 cars on track by the final practice session. They would no doubt be looking to find some more speed to avoid running afoul of the 107 percent rule of qualifying
during qualifying.
The first of the three qualifying sessions was about to get underway. The temperature was a pleasant 15* C which made for a comfortable qualifying stint. Since the first qualifying period is all about finding the top 17 cars out of the 24 that compete, the
emphasis was on the lower end cars. Team Lotus, Virgin Racing and HRT F1 are often part of the bottom of the table battle. Will we see a shock this term? Which of these teams would be able to trump their ‘competitive’ rivals? Would we see a Williams, Force
India or a Sauber shunned to the bottom seven?
The action from the first qualifying session is about to get underway. Stay tuned to bettor.com for the on track theatrics that went down to make it to the second qualifying session.
Continued in part 2...
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