Chinese Grand Prix 2011: Raceday - Formula One Highlights (Part 10)
Welcome back to Shanghai as we get right back into the action.
While the Red Bull has arguably been the one of the most reliable car on track so far this season, the story with Sebastian Vettel’s on board radio was a touch contradicting. The World Champion’s race engineer told him that it was hard making out a word
he was transmitting due to some static but assured him that his pace was good. Elsewhere on track, Mark Webber set up Rubens Barrichello brilliantly and overtook him on the outside line. The Australian was effectively in 14th place.
The race headed into Lap 30. Nico Rosberg was in hot pursuit of Fernando Alonso’s Ferrari and went on to overtake him for 3rd position. Jenson Button followed suit and effectively slotted in 4th spot. A few cars back, Michael Schumacher
made a lunge on Sergio Perez using the Drag Reduction System as the Mercedes and Sauber headed into turn 14. Moments later, the seven-time World Champion came out the other side with the lead on the Mexican. However, the lap ended with Lewis Hamilton setting
the fastest lap.
Carrying his speed into the next lap, Hamilton was easily able to get past Alonso for 5th position – Overtaken by 3 cars within the space of 1 lap reflected some concern in the Ferrari camp – Could it be tyres or some other issues?
Taking a peek into pit lan, Kamui Kobayashi’s Sauber came to a standstill in front of his designated garage. Despite sporting a damaged nose, the team opted for a tyre change only – A gamble to keep track position perhaps? Staying with the pit lane camera,
a few moments later, Sebastian Vettel came into the pits for a set of hard compound tyres. The young German effectively rejoined the race track in 6th position.
It appeared that Ferrari had opted for a two-pit strategy for Felipe Massa as he was yet to make his 2nd pit stop as opposed to the front runners who had dived into the pits and returned to the action on track with a fresh set of Pirellis. The
Brazilian was effectively ahead of the two McLarens of Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton – Perhaps a matter of time as the MP4 – 26 would catch up with its much healthier rubber.
To be continued in part 11...
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