Formula1: What a race! (The Chinese GP)

The headlines everywhere, I am certain, are still screaming. The glass-shattering shrieking will continue until the minute lungs the words have infused within each letter or syllable explode! What are they screaming? They will all follow like soldiers in a drill parade and shamelessly say words to the effect of – Mercedes wins its first GP since 1955, or Rosberg finally, or Rosberg holds on and wins his first GP, etc.

The focus, I am positive, will be centered around Mercedes’ and Rosberg’s achievement. And yes, appropriately so. Do they deserve commendation? Do they deserve praise? Do they deserve all the champagne the massive bottles can hold? Should Ross Brawn, Norbert Haug and company still be in a drunken stupor as they slowly wake up to the reality of their stunning accomplishment. The answer to all of the aforementioned questions is without question –YES!

But, I do not want to walk the same road. Do I want to walk the proven path? Do I want to follow in the footsteps of giants? No, definitely not!  I will choose my own path. I will make my own way and stay true to what I value the most- the clarity and deep-seated satisfaction independent thought gives! I know it is the right path and if you disagree, tell me. But, you are only allowed an opinion if you are a devoted F1 aficionado and you have been glued to each Round for at least the last 5 years!
This is my take on the Chinese Grand Prix. What we witnessed was what I have been hoping for, for some time now. It rose briefly during last season, but like a pimple, it didn’t stay for very long. And possibly due to the superiority of the Red Bull chassis, the competition was not as close as it could have been.

Red Bull Racing

In March 2012, a new season drove in. Beginning with the season-opener, what we have gotten thus far could not have been predicted, not even if we had the expertise of St Thomas’ best ‘reader-man’. The new rules for 2012 saw the blown diffusers being thrown in the history basket and some are still arguing that, that is what is largely responsible for Red Bull’s lackluster showing thus far.

Whatever the reasons, Red Bull Racing is still struggling to come to grips with the various challenges and while they struggle, McLaren, Ferrari and now Mercedes are grabbing the victory headlines. But, that is not what I am excited about.

Sunday morning, I thought it best to stay awake and watch SPEEDTV’s live telecast of the Chinese GP. Sleep has a way of conquering even the bravest of men and there were stages where I lost the battle without contest. Fortunately I saw most of the GP, from a few laps after Schumacher’s retirement to the end. What I saw was so riveting and refreshing, I decided that I had to watch the GP in its entirety, Sunday afternoon!

It was obvious that Mercedes GP had the right formula for the Chinese GP and if Schumacher did not have a miscue in the pits, we possibly would have seen a Mercedes 1-2! So, if left to Rosberg alone, we would have had a boring race. The substance of the race, the spectacular component, was wrapped within the breathless, chasing pack behind Rosberg.

The battle for 1st and 2nd could have been a lot closer, but a glitch in another pit-stop, this time with Button, meant that the gap between 1st and 2nd widened. I am now at the important part of the race – the reason for this rather lengthy blog.

Part II Tomorrow.

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer