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China F1 2018 Preview

1,978 views · Published 13 April 2018 · 11:42 · Indexed 30 October 2026

Channel: Racing Reviews · 2018 · People & Blogs

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Mercedes’ qualifying record in Shanghai is remarkable. It is the only track on which they have been on pole for each of the last six events. Ominously for rivals, only in 2013 did they fail to turn pole into victory. Not a bad conversion rate, eh?

The figures from Friday suggest that staggering run could be under threat this year. Mercedes led the way on best single lap, but that was just 0.007s ahead of Ferrari, courtesy of Kimi Raikkonen. The Iceman continued his impressive start to the season, holding the edge over team mate Sebastian Vettel.

His boss Maurizio Arrivabene said he was “quite happy” with the Finn’s performance this year, pointing to his “good physical form” in light of the back problem he suffered a couple of years ago. “He is recovering well,” he added. “He’s really fit and focused on his job.”

But he’ll need to be at his very best to topple Hamilton in qualifying and achieve his first pole since Monaco last year. Despite the small gap, Hamilton looked at one with the car on Friday. Every time he hit the track, he looked quick. Fine-tuning was needed, he said, but he was pleased with the balance.

The data suggests it will be a two-way battle for pole, with Red Bull a little way off in third. That’s not surprising, given it has been their race rather than qualifying pace that has impressed so far this year. And Daniel Ricciardo admitted they struggled for pace over single laps on the ultrasofts on Friday.

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