Chinese Grand Prix

[sam9ball]

http://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/43750717

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton edged Kimi Raikkonen's Ferrari by just 0.007secs in second practice at the Chinese GP.

Hamilton made a couple of small errors on his fastest lap but the times suggest another close battle between Mercedes and Ferrari for the race win.

There was just 0.108secs between Hamilton and title rival Sebastian Vettel in fourth, with Valtteri Bottas' Mercedes third.

Hamilton is 17 points behind Vettel, who has won the first two races.

The world champion has said he cannot afford to lose any more ground to the German in the title race.

Hamilton was highly impressive in setting the fastest time in the first session on Friday, but the frontrunners closed in the second.

The Mercedes perhaps still has a small advantage, as Raikkonen set his fastest time a little later in the session when the track grip levels would have improved.

"It has been a good day," said Hamilton. "Ferrari were quick and Red Bull looked really fast on the long run. It's good to see all the times so close, but it means that we really need to bring our A game."

"It is not yet there where I want to be," said Vettel. "We are still looking. It is difficult to find the sweet spot but if you do then you can unleash the pace."

 

[BMR_Brad]

I think Hamilton has not only looked in control and faster than anyone else in the Friday sessions, they also appear to have chosen the a better tyre combination for the race than anyone else.

We won't know true speed until they fit the race engines for Saturday practice and qualifying, but think Hamilton is further ahead then they are saying in that article. Especially for Pole.

 

[Tart]

This is Hamilton's to lose like most of these races.

 

[BMR_Brad]

It all seems to have fallen apart for Mercedes over Saturday. They may even struggle to make the podium. I'm confused by that though and still would not be shocked if they look much better in the race.

I've taken a few out there bets.

Merc and Ferrari both start on the harder "soft" tyres with Red Bull on the Ultra Softs on the third row. I've taken Verstappen 11.00 and Ricciardo 15.00 to lead the first lap. Just for .25 of a unit.

Along the same lines, thinking tyres, Red Bull, Renault, Grosjean and Perez are all starting the race on the softest tyres and will have to make at least 2 pits stops to complete the race. Where as it seems likely that both Mercedes and Ferrari will be attempting to stop just once and change to the hardest of the 3 compounds when they do.

If one of those 2 stopper cars uses the Ultra Soft in their final stint they should be a very strong chance to snatch the fastest lap. So have taken all of them for fastest lap

Verstappen 11.00
Ricciardo 13.00
Hulkenburg 101.00
Sainz 101.00
Grosjean 66.00
Perez 200.00



Head to Heads

Verstappen to beat Bottas 2.55
Ocon > Perez 2.62
Magnussen > Grosjean 2.00


Good luck race fans

 

[GreenAcres]

Where are you betting these Brad? Pinny? I'm going to tail you on a few

 

[BMR_Brad]

Ladbrokes, Crwonbet and Betonline Greenacres.

First lap leader bets were a waste of money.

But got a nice win on Fast Lap with Ricciardo (who set about 5 of them in last 10 laps)

2-1 on head to heads. Verstappen should have beaten Bottas too but keeps making mistakes trying for hero passes.

Happy with result and happy I didn't get sucked in to chasing early Hamilton bets with Vettel bets in the race.


Ricciardo beat Bottas, Raikkonen, Hamilton, Verstappen, Hulkenberg, Alonso, Vettel, Sainz and Magnussen for anyone reading who didnt watch