News On F1 - Formula 1 News, Results, Information and Statistics

Formula 1 Store
F1 Tickets, Tours, Gear
F1 Books
& Biographies

Formula 1 News - October, 2008
Team-by-team summary: Saturday, China

F1 Merchandise
Main Page
Formula 1 News
2009 F1 Schedule
2009 F1 Line-up
2008 F1 Schedule & Results
2008 F1 Line-up
F1 Team Reports
F1 Teams
F1 Drivers
8 'n' Pole
Register - Submit
F1 Regulations
The Forums
Live F1 Coverage
Motorsport Shop
Motorsport Calendar
F1 Merchandise
UK
- USA
F1 Tours
F1 Tickets
F1 Diecast
F1 Videos
F1 Games
F1 Trivia
Past Formula 1 Seasons
2007 F1 Results
2006 F1 Results
2005 F1 Results
2004 F1 Results
2003 F1 Results

2002 F1 Results

2001 F1 Results

2000 F1 Results

1999 F1 Results

1998 F1 Results

1997 F1 Results
Links
Translate
Search
Contact Us
About
Archives
Your Say
Diagnosis & Prognosis
By the Heretic
Controversy Corner
The Real Race
By the Quali-flyer
F1 Testing
2006 World Cup


Oct.18 (GMM) MCLAREN-MERCEDES

Lewis Hamilton has been the standout McLaren or Ferrari driver all weekend in China, and the championship leader duly dominated qualifying for this potentially decisive round. However, Heikki Kovalainen looks unlikely to play a role in the outcome from fifth on the grid. "It will be a very important day and all the team wants to make the best out of it," said Mercedes' Norbert Haug.

-

FERRARI

Felipe Massa's face told the story better than any words could; he was bitterly disappointed to qualify third, but at least his championship-assistant teammate Kimi Raikkonen shares the front of the grid with Hamilton. "A very tough qualifying, up against a very strong rival," said engineer Luca Baldisserri.

-

RENAULT

Despite an uncompetitive morning session, Fernando Alonso's P4 on the grid proves he is now an ever-present force in the upper part of the field. Nelson Piquet missed a spot in Q3 by 7 thousandths of a second.

-

RED BULL-RENAULT

Mark Webber's P6 looks strong, but he must move ten places down following his spectacular morning engine failure. "Let's hope for some rain tomorrow," said the Australian, amid forecasts of possible showers. David Coulthard, who failed to move out of the initial Q1 segment, was furious with BMW's Nick Heidfeld, who was penalised for holding up the Scot. "It was very un-sportsman like behaviour," he fumed.

-

BMW-SAUBER

Heidfeld, fastest of all in morning practice, moved through all qualifying segments and booked a solid 7th place on the grid, but he must move back three places after stewards deemed he blocked Coulthard at the end of Q1. Factoring in Webber's penalty, he will start the race P9. The German told reporters: "In the last sector, when I supposedly blocked him, he was faster than his previously fastest lap. So I don't understand," said Heidfeld. Robert Kubica's slim title chances took a hit, when after a weekend of struggling with car balance, he lines up just P11 on the grid.

-

TORO ROSSO-FERRARI

Sebastian Vettel's weekend was not impressive until qualifying, when he moved past his teammate to qualify P8, becoming P7 after Webber's penalty. "It was impressive," veteran engineer Giorgio Ascanelli admitted. Sebastien Bourdais was the slowest qualifier in the decisive Q3 segment. "I had no option tyres left, but I am very happy with this result," said the Frenchman.

-

TOYOTA

Jarno Trulli made the Q3 cut and will start the race from P8, while Timo Glock qualified thirteenth but also benefits from Webber's penalty. "It's been hard to get the setup right all weekend," said Glock.

-

HONDA

Jenson Button in qualifying was faster only than the slow Force Indias, but Rubens Barrichello made it out of 'Q1' and was even quicker in Q2 than Williams' Nico Rosberg. "I don't think we would have been able to produce anything more than that," said a pleased Barrichello, who is fighting for his future in F1.

-

WILLIAMS-TOYOTA

A very bad showing by the British team, with Kazuki Nakajima dropping out in Q1 and Rosberg the slowest of the fifteen Q2 competitors.

-

FORCE INDIA-FERRARI

Adrian Sutil and Giancarlo Fisichella were separated by just 9 thousandths of a second in Q1. Unfortunately, their deficit to the next best competitor was a less impressive 7 tenths. "Our race pace is always better when we get the tyres to run during the longer runs," said technical boss Mike Gascoyne.

Discuss this topic on NewsOnF1 Forums

Share this article on your favourite social site



Latest Formula 1 News Headlines
11 Feb: Sandstorm halts Bahrain testing
11 Feb: More bad news about Donington Park
11 Feb: Ralf secures new Mercedes DTM contract
11 Feb: F1 and sports cars no problem - Bourdais
11 Feb: Slim Buemi wants to lose 5 kilos
11 Feb: Vettel's new colour-changing 'disco' helmet
11 Feb: Singapore GP a financial success
11 Feb: No launch for new Force India next month
11 Feb: Dennis, Hamilton, win award
11 Feb: Red Bull fast in Spain, Toyota in Bahrain
11 Feb: Button facing end of F1 career - Coulthard
11 Feb: Chandhok blames 'finance' for F1 struggle
10 Feb: Hockenheim dilemma leaves Bernie 'unhappy'
10 Feb: Vettel plays down fears of driver 'strike'
10 Feb: Vettel gained weight ahead of 2009 season
10 Feb: Bourdais confirmed for Le Mans, Sebring
10 Feb: New helmet design for Vettel
10 Feb: Donington denies debt reports
10 Feb: French government gives Renault 3bn euros
10 Feb: Glitch halts new Red Bull's debut

The latest Formula 1 News

Back to the main news page

Back To Top


Google
 
Web NewsOnF1.com
NewsOnF1.net (Forum)

 
F1 Tickets
2009 Australian F1 Grand Prix
also Accommodation packages
2009 Malaysian F1 Grand Prix
2009 Bahrain F1 Grand Prix
2009 Spanish F1 Grand Prix
2009 Monaco F1 Grand Prix
2009 British F1 Grand Prix
2009 Belgian F1 GP
2009 Abu Dhabi F1 GP
MotoGP Tickets
more Motorsport Tours & Holidays
2009 Clipsal 500 package (Adelaide)

Official 2007 F1 Season Review

Autocourse 2007 Annual

F1 Merchandise US

F1 Merchandise UK

Motorsport Magazines

Formula 1 Annuals

Formula 1 Yearbooks

Formula 1 Season Reviews

Formula 1 Technical Books

Formula 1 Design Books

The Official Tribute To Ayrton Senna
1960 To 1994

Chariot Makers: Assembling the Perfect Formula 1 Car

The Science of
F1 Design

Formula 1 Books

Race Driving Books

Race Car Design Books


Ayrton Senna

Past Formula 1 Drivers