2012 UBS Chinese GP Chat and Predictions Thread

I used to be desperate for wet races, but since McLaren have been the quickest so far i dont want anything that will upset the order.

 

The DRS activation zone has been shortened by 50m.

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Which is about 0.75s at 150mph. Was a little to long but not horrifically bad last year was it (wasn't it (was it))?

 

Not horrifically bad that I recall, but a minor tweak down is good to make it a tad tighter.

I think DRS restrictions need to be reversed now. Its use should be allowed anywhere by everyone but if you're less than a second ahead of the driver chasing you in the detection zone then your DRS should be inactive in the activation zone.

 

Problem is then the leaders don't get it when they're behind lapped cars.

EDIT: Though to be brutally honest I'd rather the people in charge of DRS got better at it and decided AFTER practice. I get the feeling that with the insane speeds cars reach down that straight DRS will vary between too effective and not effective enough.

 

They would - it would be the lapped (or about-to-be-lapped) cars that would be deactivated.

 

I've ever more coming round to the idea that the blue flag rule should be scrapped. A race is a race no matter who your against and with DRS surely if you can pull a lap ahead of someone you can overtake them.

 

My sentiments exactly.

 

Never know why they put it so late in the straight, I know it's more effective at speed but a lot of the cars, especially late in the race, are already on the limiter long before they reach the end of the straight.

Completely disagree. You shouldn't be trying to race a car which is over 3 miles in front of you, if the back markers want to race at the front they should build a better car or drop down a formula.

 

Put it earlier in the straight and it becomes a formality.

 

Rain! YES! YES! YES!

Perfect damage limitation.

 

If they put it any earlier it would be such a long zone that it'd be too easy to get past.

 

I meant start it and end it earlier, so the activation zone is the same length just further from the braking zone.

 

The end is the braking zone, though. They can only set the start of the activation zone.

 

Both your fav drivers on the podium again?

 

Until Perez takes out Alonso in the first corner

Quite fancy a dry race but as long as they don't stop it I never mind a wet race.

 

I hate it when it rains these days, rain used to give amazing grand prix action, today it gives safety cars

 

rain in asia is no fun. Rain in europe isnt too bad unless you are in it

 

i don't like DRS. it discourages drivers taking risks at any other corner, as then they could drop too far back for the DRS zone. so they just line up and get them on the str8, which is a skill in its own, but its not overtaking as it used to be. i think it should really just be used for some tracks, like monaco, where its very difficult to overtake.

 

This is going to be a really interesting one. Obviously McLaren did well last year and I'd expect them to do well again this year. Mercedes will be the intriguing aspect of the weekend for me. I suspect a real go at pole position on Saturday if they can maintain the benefits in their car. But will they sacrifice that quali pace for extra downforce in the race to help preserve their tyres for longer? They could well, but either or I would expect Mercedes to do well this weekend.