20/04/2014
NEWS STORY
Lewis Hamilton has bravely said that today's race is "mine to lose", a comment few others would be bold enough to make, not when the likes of Pastor Maldonado are sharing the same few miles of tarmac.
Having made history yesterday by becoming the most successful British driver in terms of pole positions, today the Mercedes driver would like to set his own personal record by winning three successive Grands Prix for the first time. However, there are a few others out there today with their own agendas and records to break, with little room for sentiment.
The Briton's pole lap was stunning, even if the TV director managed to miss most of it, and the 0.595 gap to second placed Daniel Ricciardo tells us pretty much all we need to know about the current form of Hamilton and his car.
His teammate, despite having a strong start to the weekend, had a nightmare session, his final lap suggesting that frustration is now creeping in.
Aided, just a little, by the conditions, and the fact that the Mercedes customer teams aren't quite as strong here, Red Bull did well to take second and third, and one can sense the obvious fear along the pitlane that the world champions, and partners Renault, are finally getting on top of their game.
Assuming Hamilton makes a strong start, and he usually does, the battle between the Red Bulls, Rosberg and Fernando Alonso, particularly during the opening laps, should be thrilling and could prove decisive.
One couldn't help note the despondency in Sebastian Vettel's voice yesterday, the German once again eclipsed by his new teammate and even admitting that Daniel is "doing a good job"
Although not best suited to the conditions yesterday, Williams was the best placed Mercedes customer team, and while Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas should be equally strong today, keep an eye on Nico Hulkenberg who is slowly, but surely, taking handfuls of points from each race.
Following yesterday's rain, conditions today are much improved, even slightly better than Friday afternoon. Though the Shanghai smog remains firmly in place it is warmer though this will raise the issues we witnessed on Friday, namely understeer and graining, particularly the front-left, while yesterday's rain has left the track 'green'.
Furthermore, with it's long, long straights - Valtteri Bottas hit 216 mph in the wet - brakes are very important here and we all know the problems some teams have been having with the new fly-by-wire systems.
Sadly, Bahrain has set the bar high and as a result the usual suspects insist that it was the first two races under the 2014 regulations which were the anomaly whereas we all know that in fact it was a set of unique circumstances in the desert that produced that particular thriller. Besides, we're not sure we could take that kind of pressure every couple of weeks.
Nonetheless, we can probably expect some similar type battles throughout the field today, especially with the likes of the McLarens, Sergio Perez and Kimi Raikkonen so out of position. And then there are the Toro Rossos, Romain Grosjean, giving Lotus its best qualifying result of the year, and that man Maldonado.
Whatever the outcome today, the teams will be keen to get the race out of the way for after this comes a useful three week break before the start of the European season, traditionally the time when the development race really gets going.
Theoretically the fastest way of tackling today's race - with the best compromise between performance and track position - is to start on softs, change to softs again on lap 14 and then to mediums on lap 28.
An alternative two-stop strategy is to start on softs, change to mediums on lap 12, then mediums again on lap 34.
Of course, we are assuming that the weather gods will not make an appearance today, and, other than the desert races, that is never a wise move. Indeed, yesterday Pirelli was talking of a fifty percent chance of rain. And while that has diminished it cannot be ruled out.
That said, thirty-five minutes before the race is due to start the sun is shining.
Nearly half of the Grands Prix here have been affected by wet weather, while there have been just two Safety Car periods over the years.
The drivers begin making their way to the grid, watched by an unusually large crowd... certainly in the main grandstand. Amongst the last to the grid is the Ferrari duo.
As the field heads off on the warm-up lap the air temperature is 16 degrees C, while the track temperature is 24 degrees. Currently there is a ten percent chance of rain during the race.
All are on options except Magnussen - starting from 15th - who is on the prime rubber. Qualifying having been wet means the drivers are free to choose their dry rubber.
Asked for feedback on his get away from the warm-up grid, Rosberg, who will be keen to pass the Red Bulls as soon as possible, replies: "Perfect start, perfect."
Hamilton really packing the field up as he heads to the grid, teammate Rosberg does likewise.
They're away. Brilliant start from Massa who weaves through the field while Hamilton leads Vettel and Alonso into the first corner. Poor start from Rosberg, who clashes with Bottas, while Massa bangs wheel with Alonso causing the Williams to 'jump' and perhaps attracting the attention of the stewards.
At the end of lap 1, it's Hamilton, Vettel, Alonso, Ricciardo, Massa, Rosberg, Hulkenberg, Grosjean and Raikkonen. A great scrap between Rosberg and Hulkenberg.
As Hamilton posts fastest lap (42.523), already enjoying a 2.4s lead, Magnussen, currently 16th, complains of damage to his front wing. Button makes a bold move on Vergne in T2 to take 13th.
Rosberg, frustrated by that less than perfect start, is all over Massa, the German seemingly caught up in the earlier clash between the Brazilian and Alonso.
After five laps the field is mostly strung out - not in the '60s sense - though Alonso is right behind Vettel, Perez is shadowing Kvyat and Vergne is all over Button. Maldonado is up to 18th.
Rosberg is told that he will have no telemetry during the race. However, the news gets worse when he is told that he will need to watch fuel use. Elsewhere, Sutil is the first retirement of the day, suspected power unit issue.
"Left-front graining," complains Alonso. Hamilton also has graining but it's not causing any problems, "tyres are quite good," he reveals.
Button pits at the end of lap 7, swapping to primes, as Rosberg closes on Ricciardo.
Massa who must have incurred some damage at the start, is losing ground to Rosberg and now under threat from Hulkenberg.
"I am starting to have some serious graining to my front left," complains Vettel. However, he is advised that he just has to get on with it as to pit now would leave him in heavy traffic.
Grosjean pits at the end of lap 9, like Button changing to primes. The Frenchman dropping from 10th to 18th.
Next time around Massa, Raikkonen and Perez all pit. It's a dreadful stop for Williams leaving Massa shaking his head in disbelief. He finally leaves the pits in last position behind Ericsson.
Alonso and Hulkenberg pit at the end of lap 10, as do Kobayashi and Maldonado. Alonso rejoins in 7th splitting the Toro Rossos.
After 12 laps, Hamilton leads Vettel by 11.5s as the German dives into the pits, as does Bottas. The German rejoins behind Alonso and Kvyat, making short work of the Russian.
With a 19s advantage over second placed Ricciardo, Hamilton now has a full pit-stop advantage. Meanwhile, at the end of lap 13 Rosberg pits, the German apparently also now afflicted by rubber lodged in his front wing and costing him downforce. He rejoins in 7th.
Vettel hunts down Alonso as Hamilton is told that Ricciardo is the only other driver in a similar "pit window". Elsewhere, Raikkonen gets it all wrong as he battles Grosjean for eleventh.
As Kvyat and Gutierrez pit, Perez makes a great move on former teammate Button. Meanwhile, having asked if he should "back-off" Alonso for now, Vettel is told yes. The German unable to pass the Ferrari which clearly has the edge on the straights.
Dreadful news for everyone as Hamilton says: "Surprisingly the front tyres are really good". Along with Magnussen he is the only driver yet to pit.
Good or not, Hamilton runs wide suggesting that Hamilton needs to pit. Indeed he does, 'boxing' at the end of lap 17 for a set of primes. He exits still leading, albeit just 3.5s ahead of Alonso who leads Vettel by a further 2.7s. Magnussen also pits.
"When you cross the finish line Nico, please read the number..." Rosberg reads out the number and is told that his fuel use is good. All of which is massively frustrating to someone who takes ten minutes to read his electricity meter.
After 19 laps, around one-third distance, it's Hamilton, Alonso, Vettel, Rosberg, Ricciardo, Hulkenberg, Bottas, Raikkonen, Grosjean and Perez. Massa still down in 20th.
Magnussen passes Kobayashi to take 15th, not what McLaren wanted from this race.
Ricciardo is told that he is quicker than Alonso and Vettel as he closes to within 3.1s of Rosberg. The Mercedes driver, now aware that he is well within his fuel limit, has upped his pace.
Rosberg passes Vettel to take 4th, the Mercedes driver needing to go off line in order to do it, they fight for a few corners, even after he is through, but the world champion cannot really do anything about it.
As Rosberg heads off into the distance, Vettel is now under pressure from Ricciardo who closed in during the earlier scrap. The Australian, courtesy of DRS, makes his move but his teammate is having none of it.
Vettel is told to let his teammate through, Ricciardo having been told to close in and pass. When the German queries the call he is told that Ricciardo has fresher rubber. "Tough luck!" is the reply. Game on.
Watched anxiously fro the pit-wall by Christian Horner the two head into T1, the Australian passing his teammate. However, did Vettel run wide having overdone it, or was he given the order from above. Or did he simply have second thoughts.
"Sebastian, Ricciardo is on a two stop," Vettel is advised.
Meanwhile. Hamilton now leads Alonso by 10.9s, the Spaniard 4.7s ahead of Rosberg. Ricciardo, already 1.5s clear of Vettel, is 5.4s down on the second Mercedes.
As Magnussen passes Gutierrez for 14th, Grosjean is told to try not to use 4th gear or risk a DNF. Vettel is told to stay out, advised that it is important to the team. 2Please stay out, it helps us," he is told.
Gutierrez is the first driver to make a second stop, Button following suit shortly after.
Perez makes his second top at the end of lap 30, the Force India driver dropping from 9th to 12th in the process. Elsewhere, Grosjean retires.
Massa pits at the end of lap 32, the Brazilian's race having totally fallen apart following that great start.
As Perez goes quickest (42.228), Maldonado is up to 13th, though the Lotus driver has only pitted once.
Alonso and Chilton both pit at the end of lap 33, the Spaniard rejoining in 5th.
Vettel's frustration is clearly getting the better of him. Cut up by Kobayashi, the German waves his hand. "Of course he's quicker, he has new tyres. He'll be off in a few laps". Ouch.
The German subsequently pits taking on a fresh set of primes, rejoining in 5th, 16.1s down on Alonso.
After 36 laps, it's: Hamilton, Rosberg, Ricciardo, Alonso, Vettel, Hulkenberg, Bottas, Raikkonen, Perez and Kvyat. Just two retirements thus far, Grosjean and Sutil.
Rosberg and Ricciardo both pit at the end of lap 37, rejoining in third and fourth as Vettel posts a new fastest lap (42.169).
Hamilton is told to pit at which time his front wing will be cleaned (or rubber) which will give the equivalent of "one click of balance".
The Mercedes driver rejoins the race still leading (natch!) 12.746s ahead of second placed Alonso.
Currently 3.4s down on Alonso, Rosberg goes quickest (40.402). Asked to give a fuel read out again, the German obliges before admitting that having to do this is "really annoying". He's lucky he's not relying on the official F1 Live Timing app... now that is annoying.
Bahrain seems a lifetime ago as the field is strung out, only a couple of minor skirmishes to keep us occupied. That said, Rosberg shadows Alonso, while Magnussen is hounding 12th placed Vergne.
Rosberg makes very short work of Alonso on the pit straight courtesy of DRS as Gutierrez makes his third stop of the day.
Rosberg is told that "fuel is fine to the end", Ricciardo having been previously tod that he is in a similar situation with his tyres.
After 45 laps, Vettel is 11.1s down on his teammate, a fact which will add massively to the German's obvious frustration.
It's: Hamilton, Rosberg, Alonso, Ricciardo, Vettel, Hulkenberg, Bottas, Raikkonen, Perez and Kvyat.
Button is eleventh, ahead of Vergne, Magnussen, Maldonado, Massa, Gutierrez, Bianchi, Kobayashi, Chilton and Ericsson.
A quiet afternoon for Alonso who continues to do a sterling job on his way to another 15 points. Meanwhile, teammate Raikkonen is down in 8th and under pressure from Perez.
Although Alonso is matching his pace, Ricciardo is told to keep pushing, urged that the Ferrari driver may yet run into problems.
Indeed, he may, his tyres that little bit older, Alonso runs wide allowing Ricciardo to close to within 3.6s.
With three laps remaining, Hamilton is 17s clear of his teammate as Mercedes heads towards its third successive 1-2. Alonso, 5.5s down on Rosberg, is 3.7s ahead of Ricciardo.
A great scrap for 17th between Bianchi and Kobayashi. Bottas also keeping 6th placed Hulkenberg on his toes.
Hamilton begins his final lap unclear that there is another lap. "I didn't see the chequered flag," he says, though he still has a lap remaining.
There it is, he finally takes the flag, almost twenty seconds clear of his teammate.
Alonso finishes third, Ferrari's first podium of 2014, ahead of Ricciardo, Vettel, Hulkenberg, Bottas, Raikkonen, Perez and Kvyat.
Button finishes eleventh, ahead of Vergne, Magnussen, Maldonado, Massa, Gutierrez, Kobayashi - who passed Bianchi on the final lap - Chilton and Ericsson.
As we said earlier, Bahrain was an anomaly and in their eagerness to end the row over the new regulations many of those who should know better attempted to tell us that we were wrong and that everything was fine.
No disrespect to anyone, least of all Lewis, Nico or Mercedes, but a third successive 1-2 does not bode well for a series celebrating the end of the Vettel/Red Bull era of domination.
That said, it is not up to Mercedes to ease up but rather their rivals to raise their game otherwise we face a long hot summer of domination by the Silver Arrows and Lewis Hamilton for, it appears, that Nico Rosberg is already wilting slightly.
Check out our Sunday gallery, here.
Chris Balfe
Note: We subsequently learned that the flag was initially waved a lap early in error, therefore the final result was based on the standings after lap 54 – before Kobayashi passed Bianchi.