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NFT: Formula 1 - Chinese Grand Prix (Spoilers)

Trainmaster : 4/20/2014 6:20 pm
Note: Results of the race will be discussed, so if you haven't seen it yet, read no further.


The lead that Mercedes has in the constructor's championship is already huge at almost 100 points after 4 races. They seem to have the best engine and might have the best or second best car from a downforce standpoint. It will be interesting to see how they do as the race temperatures climb and the circuits get more "twisty".

I'm really surprised Vettel is struggling so much compared to Ricciardo. Is Ricciardo really that good? If so, Red Bull seems to have promoted the right drive. Kimi being so far behind Alonzo is surprising although Kimi's ease on tires might explain him struggling to get heat in the tires.

McLaren being so far off pace with the Mercedes engine is also surprising. Then next year, new engines engine with Honda.

It will be a very interesting season; at least the race for second.

I'm a big F1 fan but this is almost unwatchable.  
Dave in Buffalo : 4/20/2014 6:27 pm : link
Merc's power plant is a world apart from the rest of the field. There's no competition, It's Merc taking the win every race now. Often by a substantial margin.

Plus this 6 cyl engine is just not working for the fans. The cars are too slow, and you can see the difference.
I'm not  
JoshB : 4/20/2014 6:48 pm : link
a huge fan of Vettel but his reply on the radio of "tough luck" in regards to his team asking him to let Ricciardo through made me giggle
From what I understand...  
Vinny from Danbury : 4/20/2014 6:58 pm : link
Vettel's having problems with applying the power out of the corners in these new cars.

The lack of rear downforce this season, and the increase of in the Torque in this new powerplant is leading to him spinning his tires on exit too much, which usually results in having to back out of the gas until the tires grip again, so he's losing speed in the straights.

Whereas Ricciardo seems to have a lighter touch out of the corner when applying power, and is not losing as much speed in the straights because he's not spinning his tires.

Basically Vettel simply has not adjusted to the new paradigm of lower downforce overall, but especially on the rear of the car, and the increase in torque in these new hybrid powerplants. But he's a very talented driver. He'll work it out, it's just taking time. Either that or Newey has to brainstorm up some more rear downforce into the car. hehe...

As far as the Chinese GP goes, I thought it was pretty boring. Other than the Red Bull exchange when they wanted Vettel to let Ricciardo by, that race finish was decided before the race started. Mercedes right now is so much better then everyone else, that it's far worse than the RB domination of the last few seasons, in my opinion.
I Agree That These "Wire To Wire"  
Trainmaster : 4/20/2014 7:12 pm : link
races with the same driver in first are boring.

With all the regulation changes for 2014, I would have guessed that the DRS would have been made to be more effective. I also haven't seen any graphics during the race about the new "KERS" (MGU-K and MGU-H) and their ability to provide a boost for passing.

I'm glad the cars and engines have been more reliable than I expected.
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