Chinese Grand Prix 2011: Raceday - Formula One Highlights (Part 11)
33 laps into the race as Fernando Alonso paid a visit to the pit lane for a fresh set of hard compound tyres. Meanwhile, Mark Webber, after making a lot of ground to challenge for the point scoring top 10 positions, was hot on the heels of the most decorated
driver in the motorsport’s six decade history, Michael Schumacher.
With two veterans up against each other, who would come out on top? To spice up the duel, both cars had to get past Vitaly Petrov's somewhat slow moving car as quickly and safely as possible – Schumacher got past the Renault heading into turn 6 while Webber
was still behind the Russian.
The Ferrari pit crew got up and rushed out in unison with a set of new tyres. Felipe Massa, on provisional race lead, got off the racing line and turned his scarlet car in the direction of the pit lane. At lap 34, this was effectively the Brazilian’s second
pit stop which all but confirmed the Italian team’s strategy of pitting their driver only twice compared to the 3-pit stop strategy employed by the McLaren cars.
Massa came to a standstill in front of the team garage, slapped on a fresh set of hard tyres and headed back on track – Not opting for the soft compounds was further indication that the Ferrari driver wouldn’t stop again as he would’ve had to come in later
to take on the mandatory hard compound rubber otherwise. Massa headed back on track but in doing so, went over the white pit exit line. This potentially endangered the scarlet car of incurring a penalty from the stewards.
As the cameras focused back to the action from the Shanghai circuit, Mark Webber was still stuck behind Vitaly Petrov; allowing Schumacher to further distance himself from the Red Bull. Shortly afterwards, the Australian managed to find a way past Petrov
and take 7th spot – Webber effectively had to make up some time to claw his way back into the rear view mirrors of the Mercedes in front.
Meanwhile, Fernando Alonso made his move on Sergio Perez to snatch 9th spot. Webber seemed to have risen to the occasion as he set the fastest time for lap 35 – Watch out seven-time World Champion!
35 laps of the race were completed. Stay tuned for more to come.
To be continued in part 12...
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