The 16th Grand Prix 2004 : Grand Prix of China - comment F1,Formule 1, construct, konstrukce

The 16th Grand Prix 2004 : Grand Prix of China - comment

L.Pecháček | 26.9.04 | Komentáře - L.Pecháček 2004

F1 comments L.Pechaček

The second debuting circuit of the season in Shanghais proved to have qualities even better than Bahrain. This state-of-the-art circuit with magnificent background was built for 325mil. USD by Herrmann Tilke (also Sepang in Malaysia and Bahrain), probably the most famous architect of racing courses today. He enjoyed the freedom to use all possible futuristic ideas. The circuit itself is very wide, with long straights at the end of which it is easy to overtake, complicated first curve (enfolded), both fast and slow bends and chicanes. Anything a pilot may need. Ralf Schumacher returned to Williams after his injury but did not finish. Jacques Villeneuve took Trulli's place in the cockpit after a year's break. No matter how he boasted about being on the podium, he was the 11th. And finally Timo Glock,who has been successful in Montreal, exchanged Pantano in Jordan. The drivers only complained about minor roughness which made some cornering harder. This resulted in many skids and exiting the track. Even Michael Schumacher was one of those to pay the price in the qualification. He did not cross the finish line afterwards and was supposed to start from the 19th position. The team decided rather to start from the pits, gaining the possibility to refuel and pick the best tyre compound in the last moment. It proved pointless anyway. For him, the circuit became unlucky and full of discomfort. He fought his way to the 10th place, but had a collision with Klien, skidded again and his left rear tyre burst. He came 12th, losing 1 lap. He only managed to win the fastest lap.

His teammate Rubens Barrichello did quite opposite. He won the qualification, did not make a mistake coming of the pole-position and lead the race from the start to the finish. Only Button substituted for him during pitstops. Kimi Räikönen kept close behind him, but Button got over him after the 3rd pitstop. This order remained until the finish. It was the second victory in a row for Barrichello, 9th in his career. He confirmed his second position in the Drivers Table. Button, 1 second after Barrichello, gained 8 points which ensures the 3rd place in the Championship. He is 29 points ahead of Alonso(50) and cannot be outrun in the last 2 GPs (Japan, Brazil). The 3rd in the finish, Räikönen has 34 points and may attack the driver in front of him. Trulli does not race anymore and with his 46 points is equal to Montoya.Final standings: 1.Barrichello (Ferrari), 2. Button (BAR-Honda), 3. Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes), 4. Alonso (Renault), 5. Montoya (Williams-BMW), 6. Sato (BAR-Honda), 7. Fisichella, 8. Massa (both Sauber-Petronas).