Chinese Grand Prix 2011: 1st Qualifying session – Formula One highlights (part 2)
After much wait, the first qualifying session of the 2011 Chinese Grand Prix kicked off. The Sauber of Sergio Perez was the first to head out on the track. After a warm up routine, Perez was seen starting off his hot lap.
Moments later, Paul di Resta in his Force India made his way on track followed by the Renault of Nick Heidfeld. Soon after, Perez set the first timed lap of the day with a 1 minute 38.295 seconds. Paul di Resta was 0.7 seconds behind after his first effort. Nick Heidfeld started his flying lap. Almost all the cars were effectively out on track.
Heidfeld slotted in 2nd as Perez improved his time to enter the 1 minute 37 second range. The Sauber was going around quite smoothly then as overhauling Heidfeld’s Renault is quite a big deal seeing the consistency of the French constructors so far this season.
Elsewhere on track, Paul di Resta suffered a massive lock up with his right front tyre under braking for Turn 14 – Evidence of how hard these drivers were pushing to make it into the top 17 which goes on to suggest how competitive the motorsport has evolved into these past few years. No one is safe; be it the first qualifying period or the final dash for places in final qualifying, Q3.
The McLarens joined the party. Jenson Button shot to the top of the charts. Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso also finished his first flying lap and took the 3rd fastest slot. However, these positions were short lived as Jamie Alguersuari came out of nowhere to rocket himself to the front after running more than half a second faster than Button’s best so far.
Lewis Hamilton entered the picture. The Briton, after a casual stroll around the Shanghai circuit to bring his Pirellis up to race temperature, started his first hot lap. Moments later, the timesheets classified the McLaren as the fastest car on track ahead of Alguersuari’s Toro Rosso.
Sebastien Buemi, in the second Toro Rosso, began his exploits on track. The Spaniard slotted into P3. Nico Rosberg in the first of the Mercedes started his first timed lap. The young German finished P4 – just behind Buemi’s Toro Rosso.
Stay tuned to the action from Shanghai to find out what happened next in qualifying.
Continued in part 3...
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