The culmination of the Chinese grand prix in some ways signaled the end of the first stage of the 2014 Formula One season. Next stop: Barcelona, and a whole host of upgrades being implemented by teams up and down the pitlane.
Mercedes have undoubtedly owned the opening flyaway races, claiming four victories in as many weekends. What follows next this year depends on how the Silver Arrows evolve, and whether or not anyone can catch them in the development contest.
If Paddy Lowe and co. have seen the best of their days at the summit of F1 already, they sure went out on another high by recording another one-two at the Shanghai circuit. There were several factors that were key in Mercedes again recording that result and in the hounding line-up that followed.
Here is a look at five points in particular that were pivotal in how the Chinese grand prix panned out:
Still no rain on a Sunday:
For the third time this season, Formula One fans were teased by a precipitous qualifying session, only to discover it is bone dry on Sunday. Rain is a special ingredient that transforms a lot of races into captivating contests.
Drivers and teams are currently being provided with varying conditions to master across a race weekend, but if it was wet when it really counted, we could be in store for some top notch sporting drama.
Perhaps it is the long wait for a wet race day – all the way back to 2012 now – that makes the prospect of rain hanging in the air so tantalizing, but a damp Sunday could really rearrange the field, and give us a contest to savour.
Massa and Alonso’s collision:
Contact at the very first corner of a race often results in retirement for one or both of the drivers involved. Luckily for Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa, the pair’s respective afternoons weren’t curtailed when they collided at the start.
As the Ferrari and Williams closed in on the centre of the track, they had the sudden realization that they had run out of room to strafe. Front tyres kissed, and with an entire field filing in behind, it wouldn’t have been surprising to see an early retirement.
Nevertheless, both drivers continued unscathed, without any sanctions from the race stewards being imposed. Alonso would claim his first podium of 2014, but Massa had a nightmare pit-stop when his mechanics had trouble changing a tyre, condemning him to racing amongst the back markers.
Hamilton’s getaway:
At a circuit with double-DRS, it was important for Lewis Hamilton to break away from the pursuing pack as soon as possible. Despite the sheer straight line speed of the Mercedes, progressing out of the detection zone meant that the Brit didn’t have to deal with the disadvantage of coping against an open rear wing.
A lightning start was followed by some impressive laps early on. Solid tyre conservation helped the leader become one of the last runners to pit for the first time.
As a result, Hamilton again extinguished the outside chance of DRS and continued his leisurely drive at the front of the field. The strong foundation laid down in the early exchanges of the race meant that the 2008 world champion’s third win in China was comfortable.
Red Bull’s equal driver policy:
A year may have passed since “multi 21” was radioed through to Sebastian Vettel in Malaysia, but a lot of fans still hold his defiance that day against him. For that reason, it was encouraging to once again see the four-time world champion being told to move aside for his team-mate.
Daniel Ricciardo has more than held his own with the frontrunners since moving to the reigning constructors’ champions, though a maiden podium still awaits him following the debacle at his home grand prix.
Nevertheless, the Australian once again proved his pedigree with a strong drive to fourth, which included forcing his way past his senior teammate for the second race running. At this early stage in the season, Red Bull are siding with their quickest competitor. And for once, it isn't Vettel.
Nico Rosberg’s resurgence to hold championship lead:
Spinning on the start/finish straight on his final run in qualifying left Nico Rosberg with a fourth place grid slot to accept. His hopes of extending his stay at the summit of the driver’s standings after four races looked slimmer when the chasing pack swallowed him up at the start.
Whilst teammate, Lewis Hamilton, drove off into the pollution-clogged horizon, Rosberg had a tough task that involved weaving his way back through the field. He had the best car in the paddock at his disposal though to achieve that objective.
The on-track sparring with the sister Mercedes in Bahrain seemingly aided the German, who looked impressive as he carved his way towards a second-place finish and a four-point championship lead.
