It's probably fair to say that a lot of the people working here today will be keen to see this race, and next weekend's event in China, over and done with as soon as possible.
Nothing to do with the weather here or the vast empty grandstands in Shanghai mind you, more to do with the desire to get back to HQ and work on the updates that will hopefully move them closer to the front… and Ferrari will be more eager than most.
The site of Fernando Alonso, helmet still firmly in place, staring at the timing screens in disbelief yesterday, realising that he is at least a second off the pace, is one that will live with many fans for years to come.
While we always expected Red Bull to be up there, and, despite the scepticism from certain sections of the media, also expected McLaren to be in pursuit, nobody expected Ferrari to be struggling so early. Then again, the same could be said of the mighty Mercedes.
If F1 sticks to the script, today should be all about Red Bull versus McLaren with the rest fighting for the scraps that remain. However, F1 rarely sticks to the script and as if the threat from the weather gods isn't enough there is also the big question mark over tyre wear… and that's before we get to the subject of the Pirelli wets which most drivers haven't tried yet.
An hour before the start, a large heavy storm came close to the north-east of the track however, it gradually moved on. Nonetheless, the experts are claiming the chance of a Monsoon downpour at some stage today could be as high as eighty percent.
Putting the weather on hold for now, if - and that's a big if - it remains dry, today's race will be about Red Bull v McLaren. While Lewis Hamilton mounted a magnificent battle for pole yesterday, Sebastian's pole-winning time was enough to convince us that the German and 'Kinky Kylie' have this one wrapped up. Mark Webber and Jenson Button will be up there, but we have a feeling that - should it remain dry - the first four will repeat yesterday's qualifying feat - the first four finishers in the same order as in Melbourne.
Behind them there are sure to be a number of keen battles not least as Renault attempts to take full advantage of Ferrari's current weakness. Then there is Mercedes, which claims that Michael Schumacher's failure to make it into Q3 was due to an issue with his movable rear wing, and Sauber.
Toro Rosso had the edge over its main rivals in qualifying, but Force India and Williams are both thereabouts.
The Faenza duo will be spurred on by the fact that Daniel Ricciardo is waiting in the wings, and we all know that if it is felt a driver isn't pulling his weight at the Red Bull junior outfit the powers that be show little patience or loyalty.
At Force India we have the intriguing in-team battle which has seen Paul di Resta come straight in an immediately threaten his experienced teammate, Adrian Sutil. This is a situation that could prove very entertaining as the season develops.
After a dreadful start in Melbourne, there has been further frustration for Williams this weekend, the Grove outfit a pale shadow of its glory days.
Once again, Lotus has the edge in terms of the 'newbies', and while Virgin continues to look for improvements, Hispania is delighted merely to have qualified.
The soft (option) Pirellis are around a second quicker than their hard (prime) counterpart however, the drop off in performance is significant. Should it remain dry, the leading ten will start on the soft tyres they used for their best laps in Q3. This, of course, could benefit Schumacher and those other drivers starting outside the top ten.
If it remains dry we could be looking at as many as three stops by each driver and even Sergio Perez will be hard pushed to repeat his Melbourne feat. However, as we've seen all weekend, drivers are not only struggling for grip due to degradation, the excessive marble are also causing them problems and with drivers (hopefully) having to move off the racing line in order to overtake, this could cause more fun and games.
After a less than impressive display in Melbourne, KERS and the DRS are expected to play a major part in today's race with some 'experts' promising a "feast" of overtaking. Having opted not to use it, Red Bull is using it here, ominous news for McLaren and the rest.
And then there's the weather…
As the clock counts down to start time (16:00) dark clouds begin to gather. Mike Gascoyne reports that there is "lots of rain on the radar". If nothing else it will keep Bernie happy. DRS, which is disabled for the first two laps, is available only on the start-finish straight and then only to those drivers within one second of the car ahead at the detection zone at the entry to Turn 15.
As the field prepares to head off on the parade lap, the air temperature is 28 degrees C, while the track temperature is 31 degrees. Humidity is currently a staggering 83 percent. Pirelli reports that there will be no rain for the first thirty minutes.
As the cars line up on the grid, it's worth pointing out that following a request from the drivers - who were concerned at the amount of marbles on the left hand side of the main straight and the first corner - the pole spot has been moved from the left hand side of the track to the right.
They're away, Vettel makes a great start, unlike his teammate, while the two Renaults are challenging the McLarens into the first corner. Somehow, Heidfeld gets the jump on Hamilton while Schumacher is up to eighth. Webber has dropped to tenth, the Australian having reported a problem on the parade lap.
At the end of lap 1 it's: Vettel, Heidfeld, Hamilton, Button, Petrov, Massa, Alonso, Schumacher, Webber and Kobayashi, the Australian having made a bold move on the Sauber driver.
Great stuff, lots of battles throughout the field but no silliness.
After two laps Vettel leads Heidfeld by 2.4s with Hamilton all over the Renault. Barrichello slows on the main straight the Brazilian, who has a left-rear puncture, while teammate Maldonado has clouted Perez. Rosberg and di Resta fighting hard for thirteenth.
Sutil pits at the end of lap 3, as Alonso and Kobayashi post some very fast sector times. Barrichello also pits.
After 4 laps, Petrov has two Ferraris all over him, Massa having the advantage over his Ferrari teammate. Webber has lost out to Kobayashi and has now slipped back to tenth.
Vettel is warned that there will be a few spots of rain but nothing serious. Schumacher makes a move on Petrov but the Russian is having none of it. The German is told to protect his tyres and to expect rain in the next five minutes.
As Hamilton continues to harry Heidfeld, Vettel builds a 4.2s lead. Elsewhere, Webber makes a great move on Kobayashi to take back ninth but the Sauber takes full advantage of his DRS and KERS to retake the place on the main straight.
"I'm starting to pick up some vibration," Vettel tells his crew on lap 8, though it is not immediately clear what he is referring to. Most likely tyres. Elsewhere, his teammate is still battling with Kobayashi, though he's able to use his DRS with great effect he doesn't have KERS in order to really take on the Sauber driver.
Maldonado pits at the end of lap 8 as Vettel builds a 5.2s lead. Button is 3.4s down on his McLaren teammate but 1.6s clear of Massa.
We said earlier about sticking to the script, well, nobody really thought we'd be seeing Heidfeld heading the McLarens.
As Vettel continues to complain about tyre drop off, Maldonado climbs from his car having never left the pits. The first retirement of the afternoon.
At the end of lap 10, Webber is the first driver to make a regular stop, he rejoins in seventeenth still on softs.
As Hamilton really applies the pressure, Heidfeld is struggling with his rear end. Elsewhere, di Resta pits.
Having lost 6.1s to Petrov, Schumacher is now under pressure from Kobayashi.
"We're running through the tyres," Vettel is told, "we know exactly where you are".
Hamilton pits at the end of lap 12, rejoining in tenth just ahead of Alguersuari. Kobayashi goes around the outside of Schumacher to take eighth.
Vettel pits at the end of lap 13 as do Heidfeld, Button and Massa. Despite the fact that the first spots of rain are falling, witness the umbrella in the stands, all stick with dry tyres.
At the end of lap 14 Alonso pits as does Schumacher, the German having been in the midst of a battle that saw three cars - Hamilton and Buemi being the other two -running abreast down the back straight.
"We're on Plan B," Vettel is told as Massa pits and Trulli runs wide.
Petrov pits at the end of lap 15, Vettel leads Kobayashi, Hamilton, Button, Alonso, Heidfeld, Webber and Massa. The Japanese driver has yet to stop.
Alonso makes a surprise move on Button in Turn 1 and appears to catch the 2009 champion napping. The Ferrari immediately builds a considerable gap.
The stewards announce that they are investigating Buemi for speeding in the pitlane.
As Perez pits on lap 18, Massa posts a new fastest lap, the Brazilian, currently running eighth, crossing the line at 1:43.630. Kobayashi pits, rejoining in eleventh behind his old mate Schumacher.
As he attempts to close the 5.7s gap to Vettel, Hamilton posts a new fastest lap (43.388). Alonso is third, 4.4s down on Hamilton, and 1.5s ahead of Button. Heidfeld, who lost out during the first round of stops, is fifth, ahead of Webber, Massa, Petrov, di Resta and Schumacher.
Webber, unhappy with his balance, casks if he can have his front wing adjusted during his next stop. A small piece of bodywork falls from Petrov's car as Buemi serves his drive-through.
Massa makes short woks of KERS-less Webber, as Hamilton takes small chunks out of Vettel's lead. The gap is now down to 4.4s.
Webber pits at the end of lap 22, the Australian, still on softs, rejoins in eleventh. Elsewhere, Heidfeld runs wide as he falls 6.3s behind Button and into the clutches of Massa.
Button makes his second stop at the end of lap 23, rejoining in seventh place. Elsewhere, Webber goes quickest in the two final sectors.
Asked what state his tyres are in, Vettel calmly replies: "There still in stage one but coming into stage two".
As Hamilton makes his second stop, rejoining in fifth, the charging Webber makes short work of Kobayashi.
Barrichello climbs out his car, his team's second double DNF in as many races. Perez' race is also over.
At the end of lap 25, Vettel makes his second stop. The German heads down the pitlane in second but by the time he rejoins the track he is down in fourth behind Heidfeld and Massa who are now battling for second behind Alonso.
Speaking of the Spaniard, he pits at the end of lap 26 as does Heidfeld. Elsewhere, Webber posts a new fastest lap (41.600).
DRS sees Vettel pass Massa, and while the Brazilian tries to hold on there is little he can do. At the end of the lap the Ferrari driver pits as does Petrov, both stick with the softs.
As Kobayashi and Schumacher continue to scrap, the German's tyres clearly shot to pieces, Alonso complains that his rear wing is not working.
After 27 laps, and the second round of stops, Vettel leads Hamilton by 3.9s. Button is third, 1.8s down on his teammate, but 4s ahead of Alonso who heads Webber, Heidfeld, Massa and Kobayashi. Schumacher pits, promoting Petrov to ninth and di Resta tenth.
Surprisingly, over the radio Vettel is told not to use his KERS. McLaren will be delighted to hear that. Indeed, moments later Button is advised of this and told that if he can get close the German won't have a chance.
Rosberg, having a lonely afternoon in twelfth, makes his second stop of the afternoon.
Having posted his fastest timer of the afternoon, Vettel asks his crew to "repeat the KERS message"… maybe he should ask Button.
Webber makes his third stop at the end of lap 32, now on hards rejoins in seventh. Alguersuari, Buemi and Sutil also pit.
Petrov sweeps past Kobayashi to take eighth as Vettel posts a new fastest lap (41.539).
Behind the top ten, Schumacher is eleventh, ahead of Rosberg, Kovalainen, Alguersuari, Sutil, Buemi, Glock, D'Ambrosio, Liuzzi and Trulli.
As Stefano Domenicali advises Alonso of the state of play, the Spaniard replies: "I'm pushing, I'm pushing, don't worry, don't worry".
After 35 laps, Vettel now leads Hamilton by 7.9s, with Button just 1.5s down the road. Alonso is fourth, 4.1s down on Button, but 11.5s clear of Heidfeld. Massa, who is closing on the Renault, is sixth, ahead of Webber, Petrov, Kobayashi and di Resta.
Kobayashi and D'Ambrosio both pit, the Japanese driver rejoining in eleventh behind Schumacher.
Hamilton pits at the end of lap 37, rejoining in sixth on the hard tyre. Di Resta also pits.
The big question now is can Hamilton get his prime tyres to last the remaining 19 laps.
Button pits for hards at the end of lap 38, rejoining just in front of his McLaren teammate who has Webber filling his mirrors. Massa also pits, the Ferrari driver making the switch to hards.
When di Resta challenges on the back straight, Rosberg has no answer, the Scot cruises by into eleventh.
Hamilton is told that there are 17 laps remaining and that there are no more planned tyre stops. Meanwhile, teammate Button, 15.7s down on Alonso, posts a new fastest lap (41.388).
Red Bull responds by bringing in Vettel for a brand new set of hards, Alonso also pits, as does Rosberg.
Vettel rejoins still leading, however, a poor stop sees Alonso drop to fifth. Button is second, Hamilton third and Webber fourth.
"Forecast?" asks Alonso. "No rain, no rain," is the response. Elsewhere, Schumacher runs wide as his battle for ninth with Kobayashi continues.
As Webber makes another stop - his fourth of the afternoon - Petrov moves aside for teammate Heidfeld, the Russian needing to hold off Massa who is on a charge. However, next time around the Brazilian makes short work of the Russian.
Alonso is all over Hamilton, he goes off line into Turn 1 and loses grip. Meanwhile, Petrov makes his third stop of the afternoon.
Out front, Vettel has an 8.7s lead over Button who has a 7.2s advantage over the Hamilton/Alonso scrap. The Spaniard is advised that his rear wing is not working properly.
As Webber posts a new fastest lap (40.736), Alonso gets too close to Hamilton and clouts the McLaren's right-rear tyre. The Ferrari immediately drops back, stopping at the end of the lap for a new nose. The Spaniard rejoins in seventh behind Webber, who posts yet another fastest lap (40.571). Elsewhere, D'Ambrosio is the sixth retirement of the afternoon.
With a 15.5s cushion in terms of Alonso, Webber now closes in on Massa who is just 1.6s up the road.
As Webber and Massa battle, Button is told that nobody has done more than 16 laps on the prime tyre whereas he has to make his last for 19 laps.
Webber uses his DRS to great effect to pass Massa. However, the Brazilian has the benefit of KERS and is able to respond. Nonetheless, the Australian is having none of it and hold station.
With 6 laps remaining, the big question is how those hard tyres will stand up. Vettel leads Button by 6s while Hamilton is a further 19.3s behind with Heidfeld closing in.
The German makes perfect use of his DRS and takes third from Hamilton while Webber also closes in on the frustrated Englishman whose car clearly suffered in the clash with Alonso.
Hamilton goes cross country between Turns 7 and 8 allowing through to fourth. The Englishman immediately pits, rejoining in eighth.
"Heidfeld's tyres are four laps older than yours," Webber is told, "he could be reaching the cliff soon".
Petrov's race is run, the Russian having run wide clouts a small hill and takes to the air as he heads back to the track braking the impact breaking his steering column in the process.
Webber is all over Heidfeld, the Australian, like the German, clearly struggling for grip.
Without KEWS at his disposal, Webber has to rely on DRS but with little affect. Buemi, who is running ahead of the battling duo, politely moves aside. However, it's of no benefit to Webber, the Red Bull driver unable to make a dent in the German's lead.
Vettel takes the flag, his fourth win in as many races, while Button takes second and Heidfeld hangs on for third. Webbers finishes fourth, ahead of Massa, Alonso, Hamilton, Kobayashi, Schumacher and di Resta.
Sutil is eleventh, ahead of Rosberg, Buemi, Alguersuari, Kovalainen, Glock and poor old Petrov.
We began by talking about the F1 script however, that all appeared to go out the window this afternoon.
Vettel, despite a strong win, didn't have it all his own way, while teammate Webber despite the handicap of losing his KERS before the start almost grabbed a podium.
Speaking ahead of the podium ceremony, even Button seemed surprised to find himself up there, as must Heidfeld.
Alonso only had himself to blame for his failure to finish higher while Hamilton will have every right to point an accusing finger at the Spaniard.
Great performances from Kobayashi and di Resta also, while Petrov will be bitterly disappointed to come away from here with nothing.
Hardly a classic, even though there was a lot happening. Indeed, despite the threat of rain, the 59 (count 'em) pitstops and the numerous scraps and incidents one still feels a little unfulfilled, much like one feels an hour or so after a Chinese meal.
All of which sets us up nicely for Shanghai in seven days time.
