2017 Chinese Grand Prix

[AndyL]

Looks like we could be in for a fun weekend, assuming we get a race at all. Just a handful of laps for most in FP1, and FP2 was cancelled altogether as mist prevented the medical helicopter flying. In the past when there's been a lack of Friday practice, it's resulted in a mixed-up grid and an interesting race. The forecast for Sunday is more cloud and rain though, let's hope it doesn't ground the helicopter again.

[Bagwan]

I wrote this post in reaction to FP1 and 2 , but I figured it might disturb the thread , so I've copied it to a new one .
Sorry for the duplication .

Seems to me that they need a mobile surgical hospital in one of those containers they ship around the world .
Or , they need to require track owners to provide facilities fully stocked with staff and supplies during GPs , at least for places prone to atmospheric disturbance like this .

The world saw a sad crowd .
That's bad for the show .
And , the show must go on .

So , I predict they'll have a quick reaction to this one .
Toss some money at it , and you can fix the helicopter visibility problem we've had for many years .

It would have to be a vastly expensive box of tricks , but it would guarantee the staging of the race , which would have to be a huge plus .

[Nitrodaze]

Surprising really that there isn't a contingency for when the chopper is able to fly for whatever reason. We have a situation where the cars could drive the track but are not allowed to. I wonder if they would cancel the race if it turns out to be cloudy on sunday as well.

[Tazio]

Quali dawgz!

[Tazio]

'vinazzi :rolleyes:

[Tazio]

Nice job by the freakin' Boss

[BleAivano]

Surprising really that there isn't a contingency for when the chopper is able to fly for whatever reason.
We have a situation where the cars could drive the track but are not allowed to. I wonder if they would cancel the race if it turns out to be cloudy on sunday as well.

There are rules for when helos are allowed to fly and when they are not, called Visual flight rules.
These rules can be a little different from one country to another which is why helos can fly in a certain weather in country x but not in country y.

Page 34: http://www.icao.int/Meetings/anconf12/Document%20Archive/an02_cons%5B1%5D.pdf

[zako85]

Fernando Alonso called Maranello. He wants his ride back.

[AndyL]

Surprising really that there isn't a contingency for when the chopper is able to fly for whatever reason. We have a situation where the cars could drive the track but are not allowed to. I wonder if they would cancel the race if it turns out to be cloudy on sunday as well.

They have got it sorted out for Sunday apparently. Seems the rule is not specifically that the helicopter has to be able to fly, but that you have to be able to get an injured driver to a fully-equipped hospital in 20 minutes. So they've moved some equipment to a smaller hospital nearer the circuit, and made arrangements for an ambulance to travel with a police escort.

[AndyL]

Excellent qualy lap by Lewis... it looked like Ferrari had the edge through P3 and early qualifying. Looking forward to a close race between Lewis and Seb again. Slightly concerning how far everyone else is behind Ferrari and Mercedes, but at least it's an improvement on everyone being that far behind Mercedes alone.

[Tazio]

So it's going to be a damp start. Will anyone start on slicks?
It could be a scary movie!

[steveaki13]

Morning Taz.

Sainz on slicks..... that will be a handful to start and could quickly lead the race. It is drying nicely

[Tazio]

Carlos Sainz is the lone starter on slicks! Evening Steve! :wave:

[steveaki13]

A Toro Rosso could be leading the race soon

[Tazio]

Stroll spanked

[Tazio]

'vinassi :rolleyes:

[steveaki13]

Giovinazzi is off and now Vettel should take the lead. It has worked out brilliantly for him.

[steveaki13]

Nope read that wrong then. Vettel has lost out.

Ricciardo on Inters again?

[steveaki13]

:fasttalk: Fred

Engineer: Take a drink.
Alonso: I dont need a f****** drink. Its hard enough to keep the car on track.

:rotflmao:

[steveaki13]

Alonso 7th. Thats impressive

[Tazio]

Bottas McSpun!

[steveaki13]

Max 16th to 2nd in 10.5 laps???? :monkee:

[Tazio]

Max is on a tear!

[Tazio]

Kimi is holding off Vet! ;)

[steveaki13]

moaning Vettel incoming :p

[Tazio]

moaning Vettel incoming :p
With cursing :dork:
Boss is cruising!

[Tazio]

The Vet made the move\!

[steveaki13]

Brilliant move by Vettel on Daniel. Superb.

Less overtaking this year but real proper quality passing is still the best.

[steveaki13]

Damn. Max v Seb was going to be awesome. Shame he completely blew up at the hairpin.

[BigWorm]

Impressive stuff from Magnussen today

[yodasarmpit]

Better race today, although it was a shame we didn't get the chance to see Seb and Lewis race. The weather and Max livened this one up.

Overtaking is going to be a real issue this year, even worse than before.

[Nitrodaze]

There are rules for when helos are allowed to fly and when they are not, called Visual flight rules.
These rules can be a little different from one country to another which is why helos can fly in a certain weather in country x but not in country y.

Page 34: http://www.icao.int/Meetings/anconf12/Document%20Archive/an02_cons%5B1%5D.pdf

I know that already. the question is why don't they have a non-helicopter alternative as contingency for when the chopper is grounded for whatever reason.

[Nitrodaze]

It was a great race in the end. Some patterns are beginning to emerge; we are seeing the first signs that Verstapenn is emerging as the future of the Redbull hopes. Ricciado was simply out classed by the pesky dutchman today. It is beginning to take the shape of the Vettel and Webber scenario all over again. it may be too early to say but most people are beginning to think it.

The Ferrari pitwall seem incapable of working a strategy for two cars at the same time. Kimi got such a bad service from Ferrari today that it even annoyed me abit. Talking of things that annoyed during the race, Max's whinning for blue flags while he was 2 seconds away from the Haas of Grojeans really ticked me off. That said, he was the star of the show today and showed that he was really a champion in waiting.

The rookies really cost their teams dearly today. Sauber would be whincing their way to Bahrain as they calculate the dent to their small budget. I think Pascal would be getting the hurry up to get into the car after this weekend. The Stroll incident was classic rookie mistake. He left the door wide open and casually tries to close it as if on a drive to the shops. I am sure he would be sharper next time out.

Bottas cost Mercedes loads of points today. He recovered well but should not be making those sorts of mistakes in a top team like Mercedes. A Mercedes one-two was on the cards today. I think this race shows that he is not in the same league as Rosberg yet. It would come as the year develops. But a few more of these mistakes would certainly ruin his chance of keeping that coveted seat beyond the end of the season.

It was abit disappointing that the anticipated head to head between Vettel and Hamilton did not happen today. Hamilton drove a supreme race. And Vettel showed why he is a four time world champion as he muscled his way to the front.

Mclaren, what can l say. It is becoming a real embarrasment now. I just feel for Alonso. Where is he going to go in 2018? I doubt Ferrari would want him back. Bottas seem to be making the second car at Mercedes his own. Redbull is out of the question. Which leaves Williams or Renault.

What about Sainz? I thought he was bonkers starting the race on the red wall slick tyres. But it paid a handsome dividend in the end didn't it.

Ocon was great too actually. He did some great overtaking as well.

[easy rider]

Max is on a tear!

Brought back somewhat memories, of the 1st lap at Donnington in 1993........Good Stuff!

It was annoying, and pissed me off also as Nitrodaze said, " Max's whining for blue flags while he was 2 seconds away from the Haas of Grojean," was a bit much.

[N. Jones]

Good race, lots of battles. Shame for Giovanzazzi. McLaren - UGH. Lewis did a nice controlled race sand brought home the gold.

[N4D13]

I know that already. the question is why don't they have a non-helicopter alternative as contingency for when the chopper is grounded for whatever reason.
There is such an alternative: an ambulance. The problem is that the nearest hospital is too far away for an ambulance to get there in 20 minutes, so that was out of the question from the get-go. And if you can't get there soon enough by helicopter or by car/ambulance, what else do you have?

[Storm]

Didn't see this one, did I miss a lot?

[Nitrodaze]

There is such an alternative: an ambulance. The problem is that the nearest hospital is too far away for an ambulance to get there in 20 minutes, so that was out of the question from the get-go. And if you can't get there soon enough by helicopter or by car/ambulance, what else do you have?

A local emergency unit fitted with the key equipment and personnel to deal with dire situations. The military get by with such a setup in war zones across the world.