RANDOM THOUGHTS ON THE CHINESE GP
The third race of the 2012 Formula 1 season, the Chinese Grand Prix, is done and the results have surprised most, me being one. Personally I did not consider the Mercedes AMG car was winning material, and even if I was told that the car could take the podium, I would have imagined 7-time World Champion Michael Schumacher would be the driver leading it. But today it was another German for whom the Champagne flowed – Nico Rosberg. Son of former Champion Keke Rosberg, he became the seventh German driver to win a F1 race, winning it by a comfortable margin of 20.6 seconds. He was followed by McLarens’ Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton.
To be honest, I have mixed feeling about the results of the Chinese GP. Though I am happy for Rosberg and really glad that the Mercedes AMG car has shown potential, I am a tad bit disappointed with Michael Schumacher’s race. When he qualified at the Number 3 position, I expected a podium finish at least. But that expectation was shattered on Lap 13 when a tyre problem forced Schumi to retire. I am not sure what exactly happened but from what I saw, he lost a wheel-nut because the front-tyre changer was unable to secure the wheel-nut before the system gave the go signal. According to www.f1pulse.com, this is what happened - “Schumacher pits for prime tyres. He comes out right behind Button. On replay, we see Rosberg lock up his front-right tyre and run wide, as his soft tyres begin to give up grip now. Race over for Schumacher as he pulls his Mercedes to the side of the track. On radio, he said he was 'losing a wheel.'
The contrasting emotions at Mercedes Camp aside, it was indeed a good race to watch, especially when you are forced to come to office on a Sunday. Mark Webber’s wheelie, Rosberg’s pit-stop strategy, Button’s remarkable comeback after losing almost 10 seconds in a faulty pit-stop were all enjoyable to watch. Of course I was hoping for a better performance form Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel and felt bad for Sergio Perez, from Number 1 to Number 11. But overall it was a fun thing to do on a Sunday afternoon in office…
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