Formula 1: Alonso wins in China!

The unusual race time was not a deterrent. I missed Round 1 and 2, so I was definitely not going to miss Round 3.  Round 3 in China ensured that zzzzzzss would be missing in action, but like Little Wayne I had – No Worries!

So there I was, ready to feel the 5 plus gs of braking/deceleration required for corner 1 and then nature intervened. Somewhere between the pre-race build up and the warm up lap, the strains associated with day-time activities took their toll. I woke up about mid-race!

Thanks to repeat programming I was able however to watch most of the race. Thanks NBCSN!

Vettel

Qualifying laid the foundation for a cracker and despite the Vettel-Webber drama flung to the curb, thanks to the conspiracy theorists view that Red Bull engineered a ‘fuel pressure’ problem, we all expected a thrilling encounter. We were not disappointed.

The uncertainty surrounding the tyres led to varying strategies, with Red Bull willing to take a massive plunge and start Vettel on the ‘medium’ tyre while most of the topguns were on ‘softs’.

Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton is quietly silencing his critics who prophesied gloom and doom when he made the switch to Mercedes. His pole producing qualifying run and his form thus far, provide zones of comfort for his many fans.

When the redlights went black on Sunday and the main event began Lewis was not to be outdone and his nerve held. Kimi was his usual ‘on the attack’ self and the Ferraris were on a charge. As the race took shape, it was clear that Alonso’s and his Ferrari were the pair to beat.

Kimi had a bit of drama, spearing another machine after a miscalculation. Webber’s weekend went from bad to worse with a collision and a departing rear wheel, after a pit-stop, which forced a DNF – ignore the increasing volume of conspiracy theorists.

Alonso owned Shangai and at times he was 11-19 seconds better than  his rivals. Red Bull did not succumb to the hoof-driven blows from the horse though. A late charging Vettel, who grabbed new shoes (new tyres) with a handful of laps to go (5 laps), demonstrated the significance of good rubber. A chase which began with approximately 11 seconds between himself (Vettel) and Hamilton in 3rd, was burnt away to nothing by the final lap.

But, ‘Daddy Hamilton’ raised no fool! Lewis was on the radio and he knew what was required. He pushed and stayed ahead and despite locking up (Hamilton), fortunately, Vettel’s rapidly degrading tyres meant he could not capitalise and as such they were locked like a chain across the finish line.

Alonso reigned in China. He removed the disappointment of Malaysia and replaced it with a convincing victory. Should he now be treated as a serious contender?

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer