90 replies to this topic

[AustinF1]

BTW now they're considering Q and the GP tomorrow due to the fear the weather will be just as bad on Sunday as it is now.

[Jvr]

BTW now they're considering Q and the GP tomorrow due to the fear the weather will be just as bad on Sunday as it is now.

Really? Did you hear that from somewhere?

[AustinF1]

Really? Did you hear that from somewhere?

Sky.

[SophieB]

Indeed.

Maurice Hamilton‏ @MauriceHamilton  12m12 minutes ago

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.@MBrundleF1 on @SkySportsF1 says #ChinaGP run tomorrow after Quali being considered because of weather. #F1

[AustinF1]

Ted says now that the FIA says racing tomorrow is a no-go.

[thegamer23]

Ted says now that the FIA says racing tomorrow is a no-go.

Better to not race at all, indeed!

[Marklar]

Ted says now that the FIA says racing tomorrow is a no-go.

Albert Fabrega says the same

 

With the TV contracts I reckon that this would have been difficult.

 

Will be interesting to see anyway 

[FullOppositeLock]

Hope not! That would be outrageous. How about fans who have bought tickets for the race on Sunday and who aren't there on the Saturday? Surely there are too many complications to a replan like this?

Edited by FullOppositeLock, 07 April 2017 - 08:00.

[AustinF1]

Albert Fabrega says the same

 

With the TV contracts I reckon that this would have been difficult.

 

Will be interesting to see anyway 

Yep, and ticketing, seating, Paddock Club, etc could be a big mess too.

[SophieB]

Tobi Grüner  ‏Verified account @tgruener  23s23 seconds ago

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Team managers discussed possible race start on Saturday with Whiting. No final decision yet. We hear regular Sunday race more likely. #AMuS

[Marklar]

 

Tobi Grüner  ‏Verified account @tgruener  23s23 seconds ago

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Team managers discussed possible race start on Saturday with Whiting. No final decision yet. We hear regular Sunday race more likely. #AMuS

 

Andrew Benson‏Verified account @andrewbensonf1  1m1 minute ago

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FIA spokesman says F1 director Charlie Whiting dismisses claims that the Chinese Grand Prix could be run on Saturday because of weather

[ArchieTech]

Ted says now that the FIA says racing tomorrow is a no-go.

Brilliant logic there FIA.

 

If qualifying is delayed they're happy to run it on Sunday morning, so why not do the opposite if that's what is needed?

[ArchieTech]

If qualifying is delayed they're happy to run it on Sunday morning, so why not do the opposite if that's what is needed?

Actually I'll answer my own question... nobody will want to take the decision just in case Sunday is fine and they've messed up the broadcast schedules and fan's travel plans for nothing.

[Seanspeed]

Brilliant logic there FIA.

 

If qualifying is delayed they're happy to run it on Sunday morning, so why not do the opposite if that's what is needed?

Potentially broadcast contracts?  Moving qualifying is one thing.  The race is generally what most people tune into, though.  Moving it forward would probably get missed by a lot of casual fans. 

[Peat]

Moving the race forward a day does invite Murphys' Law somewhat.

They are stuck between a rock and a hard place, but FIA/FOM could really do with allowing themselves more flexibility in such events. Indycar play fast and loose with their weekend schedules to make sure everything gets squeezed in as and when it can. They are not afraid to bring the race forward a few hours to avoid incoming storms etc. As we've seen a few too many times in the past, F1 tends to just sit there and let fate deliver a fiasco.

I really don't know what to suggest for this weekend though. If the helichoppers can't land at the hospital, that's a protocol not to be ignored.

[SophieB]

Autosport‏Verified account @autosport  5m5 minutes ago

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The #F1 teams and the FIA are meeting to discuss bringing forward the Chinese GP to Saturday http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/128828/chinese-gp-second-practice-cancelled …

 

Doesn't say anything about it specifically in the linked article, though so who knows whether this is posted with the knowledge of Whiting earlier saying how it wouldn't be moving it to Saturday and stuff has changed now or what.

[Razoola]

With all the money F1 has it would not be impossible for a mobile hospital with treatment centre complete with CT scanners and all medical equipment required. Not only would that make sence, but it would also mean much quicker treatments for drivers unlucky enough to require it.

For the F1 show sopposed to be getting better and better, things like this in practice today show just how big some of the flaws in the current system are.

Edited by Razoola, 07 April 2017 - 09:48.

[SophieB]

Adam Cooper‏ @adamcooperF1  3m3 minutes ago

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Big problem here is how long it takes to get to designated hospital by road. FIA did a test between FP1 and FP2, and it wasn't fast enough

[Marklar]

I liked Markos suggestion that the city has an express train

[HuddersfieldTerrier1986]

Said it in the other thread, but unless they can get a local forecast that can give pretty good accuracy for cloud level/visibility as well, for Sunday, and unless that says it'll be no better on Sunday than today, then I'd say leave the race on Sunday. Only move it if there's a very high risk of Sunday being the same. It's not the same as moving quali to a Sunday as you're judging that live, whereas moving Sunday to Saturday is a pure gamble.

[SophieB]

Just to recap on this, kind of mixed messages floating around on this in last hour or so. Andrew Benson said Whiting had dismissed the possibility of moving it but Zak Brown has apparently said they're actively considering moving it if conditions aren't likely to improve:

 

Albert Fabrega ES‏ @AlbertFabrega  19m19 minutes ago

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Zak Brown"si hay una alta probabilidad de q las condiciones sean iguales el domingo, habría q ver posibilidades d correr en sábado"

 

 

[RPM40]

Can't remember this ever happening in my time following the sport. We've had Sunday qualifying before.

[David1976]

Move it to Saturday and be done with it.  I get the impressions there'll be no lack of seats.

[Kristian]

I liked Markos suggestion that the city has an express train

 

The circuit should commission the building of the Maglev from the circuit to the hospital... you know, F1 will be worth the cost.... 

 

(I rode on the Maglev to the airport and its an amazing piece of technology - up to 422km/h on my ride IIRC. It took 7 mins to get there, then I went back by metro and it took nearly 2hrs)

[PayasYouRace]

I'd be very annoyed if I had arranged to go to a race and it ended up being held the day before.

[Vesuvius]

I'd be very annoyed if I had arranged to go to a race and it ended up being held the day before.

Indeed, but you would also be very annoyed if the race would be cancelled totally.

[Marklar]

Via Albert Fabrega

FIA believes that Sunday conditions will be different. There will be more wind, less fog and cloudiness at a higher altitude at the scheduled race time, will stay as it is.

Edit: link

https://mobile.twitt...287767690952704

Edited by Marklar, 07 April 2017 - 10:11.

[SophieB]

Fritz-Dieter Rencken‏ @RacingLines  11m11 minutes ago

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According to my info, brief discussions @5pm re change to ChineseGP schedule, but stays as is. Low cloud Sunday-no race due to local laws.

[Kristian]

I think its less hassle for fans moving from Sunday to Saturday (given many are on 3-day tickets) than Sunday to Monday, when most will either be back in work or have flights. 

 

Saying that, the change won't happen. 

[george1981]

According to the article on autosport the designated hospital is 38km away which is too far to travel in 20 minutes. But there is a hospital 5km which still couldn't be reached in 20 minutes due to local traffic. Given how much is at stake I think the local authorities might consider closing the road(s) between the track and the hospital 5km away so an ambulance can get there in 20 minutes.

[Giz]

It's not like they are short of spare seats if all the Sunday tickets were valid for Saturday

[johnmhinds]

This is F1, they wont move the race, we will just sit on the grid for several hours on Sunday as Charlie keeps putting the start back by 30min as he crosses his fingers.

[Kristian]

According to the article on autosport the designated hospital is 38km away which is too far to travel in 20 minutes. But there is a hospital 5km which still couldn't be reached in 20 minutes due to local traffic. Given how much is at stake I think the local authorities might consider closing the road(s) between the track and the hospital 5km away so an ambulance can get there in 20 minutes.

 

Given this is China, that is possible. 

[Jvr]

According to the article on autosport the designated hospital is 38km away which is too far to travel in 20 minutes. But there is a hospital 5km which still couldn't be reached in 20 minutes due to local traffic. Given how much is at stake I think the local authorities might consider closing the road(s) between the track and the hospital 5km away so an ambulance can get there in 20 minutes.

I was in Beijing during the Olympic Games and they had dedicated lines allocated to OG -traffic. 

 

Also very frequently when somebody very important was moving around, the police simply closed the crossroads for the convoy to pass with high speed. Closure at a specific site lasted about 5 - 10 min maximum and was not really a problem to the other already congested traffic.

 

They very well could have a prepared team of Police ready for an urgent ambulance road clearance but let the traffic flow normally if nothing happens.

[TomNokoe]

The race shouldn't have to be moved because of rain and fog.

Say what you like about head injuries but the probability is so so small that it ever becomes a factor. The FIA has learnt from the Bianchi tragedy.

If we aren't going to race on safety grounds then why do we have open wheel racing in the first place?

Edited by TomNokoe, 07 April 2017 - 10:28.

[GrumpyYoungMan]

The race shouldn't have to be moved because of rain and fog.

While I do agree, it really does depend on how bad the rain and fog is...

 

If the MediCopter can not operate then that does suggest its more than just rain and fog...

[Kristian]

The FIA has learnt from the Bianchi tragedy.

If we aren't going to race on safety grounds then why do we have open wheel racing in the first place?

 

This is a bit of a contradiction... 

[Thursday]

According to the article on autosport the designated hospital is 38km away which is too far to travel in 20 minutes. But there is a hospital 5km which still couldn't be reached in 20 minutes due to local traffic. Given how much is at stake I think the local authorities might consider closing the road(s) between the track and the hospital 5km away so an ambulance can get there in 20 minutes.

But does that hospital have the facilities to treat the potential injuries? 

I live very close to a medical centre but if I broke my leg I would be packed off to a hospital in the next town.

[Music Lover]

With all the money F1 has it would not be impossible for a mobile hospital with treatment centre complete with CT scanners and all medical equipment required. Not only would that make sence, but it would also mean much quicker treatments for drivers unlucky enough to require it.

For the F1 show sopposed to be getting better and better, things like this in practice today show just how big some of the flaws in the current system are.

Ideed flawed

Think "Military field hostpital". Fast and effective.

[Melbourne Park]

I'd be very annoyed if I had arranged to go to a race and it ended up being held the day before.

I'd be very annoyed if I went to a race and it ended up not happening. 

 

Concerning foreign (i.e. non Australian residents) who visit for the Australian GP, they come for the whole event, not just the Sunday race. I don't know much about the Chinese GP. Except there seem to be lots of spare seats on race day. 

Edited by Melbourne Park, 07 April 2017 - 10:41.

[dierome87]

Wouldn't be surprised if they move the race to Saturday and then, in typical F1 weather fashion,  Sunday turns out to be sunny and with clear skies 

Edited by dierome87, 07 April 2017 - 10:41.

[f1paul]

SATURDAY RACE!

[f1paul]

From my weather forecasts for Sunday, it's saying that the rain is only going to be heavy in the morning and it will stop at midday before heavy rain again at around 7-8pm. It's not like it's gonna be raining all day non-stop. There's a big window of opportunity to have the race. As for the clouds, they will be high enough to have a medical helicopter and should cause no problem.

 

Sunday race-85% Saturday race-14.5% No race-0.5%  

[Marklar]

From my weather forecasts for Sunday, it's saying that the rain is only going to be heavy in the morning and it will stop at midday before heavy rain again at around 7-8pm. It's not like it's gonna be raining all day non-stop. There's a big window of opportunity to have the race. As for the clouds, they will be high enough to have a medical helicopter and should cause no problem.

 

Sunday race-85% Saturday race-14.5% No race-0.5%  

The issue today was not rain at all (though it was worrying how they were even on inters sliding off the track), but the fog and apparently we will have less of that on sunday.

 

Edit

 

Motorsport.com‏Verified account @Motorsport  47s47 seconds ago

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No change to #ChineseGP schedule despite the threat of poor weather on Sunday: http://www.motorsport.com/all/article/?id=890609 … #F1

Edited by Marklar, 07 April 2017 - 10:52.

[f1paul]

 

The issue today was not rain at all (though it was worrying how they were even on inters sliding off the track), but the fog and apparently we will have less of that on sunday.

 

Edit

 

Motorsport.com‏Verified account @Motorsport  47s47 seconds ago

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No change to #ChineseGP schedule despite the threat of poor weather on Sunday: http://www.motorsport.com/all/article/?id=890609 … #F1

 

Ah, right there doesn't look like there will be much fog either anyway.

 

edit: Race on Sunday it is! 

Edited by f1paul, 07 April 2017 - 10:53.

[Quickshifter]

F1 cars should bring your b*lls right in to your mouth in wet conditions. People watching these cars should get a feeling that F1 drivers are super humans who can control such machinery in wet conditions. The wow factor is what will bring people to watch the races. A couple of slides and we will have people complaining how dangerous it is out there. Safety is paramount in f1 and every precaution needs to be taken but driving an F1 car in wet MUST not be easy. It should sort the men out from the boys. The drivers with precision control over the throttle pedal should be rewarded. F1 cars are not meant to look like rails in wet conditions.

 

So if Sunday is going to be wet i for one would love to see how the newer drivers would cope over 900bhp power on wide tires which threaten to break traction if you get too naughty with the throttle. In Brazil last year Verstappen  put in one  an astounding drive and it was great to see. Drivers like Alonso and Hamilton want to see the cars geting tougher and harder to control. Going by pure laws of physics the wider tires are more trickier in wet conditions. Narrower tires are better in wet conditions as they pose a greater resistance to aquaplaning. So i want to see which drivers will excel in these cars with wide tires bolted on and squirming  on throttle application.

Edited by Quickshifter, 07 April 2017 - 11:09.

[Quickshifter]

No Changes in schedule

 

https://www.motorspo...chedule-890609/

[FullOppositeLock]

Sanity prevails! Here's hoping for a safe, wet race (without smog/fog on the flightpath to hospital) on Sunday.

[thegamer23]

Wonder how many drivers will go for a more wet-oriented setup tomorrow, expecting rain on Sunday

Edited by thegamer23, 07 April 2017 - 11:27.

[Jvr]

The problem is the dew point. As you can see from this site, currently the dew point is 14 decrees and the temperature is 15. That means just above fog temperature.

Nobody knows what is the situation on Sunday...

 

http://aqicn.org/city/shanghai/

Edited by Jvr, 07 April 2017 - 11:37.