Shanghai Grand Prix - another race, another rain-storm!
- Apr 20, 2009
Another race, another rain-storm! At least this time, the grey skies and rain in Shanghai did not stop the Grand Prix early - as it had in Malaysia - and we got the full 56 laps.
It made for a challenging race with treacherous conditions and a lack of visibility making it tough to keep on the track, let alone pass other cars. On TV it appeared the drivers were steering blind through lakes on many corners and I was amazed we did not see more spins.
Despite the rain, I am pleased to report another successful weekend for the Brawn GP team. Jenson Button steered his car skillfully through the puddles to take 3rd place - his third podium in 3 races. Jenson had some good battles with Red Bull's Mark Webber but in the wet - it appears the Red Bull cars were just that bit quicker - with Sebastien Vettel and Mark Webber grabbing a 1-2.
Rubens Barrichello did brilliantly to nurse his car round the first part of the race with faulty brakes and take 4th place.
After 3 races, Jenson is first, Rubens second and the Brawn team are leading the Constructor's championship. A great start by the team - well done to all.
With the GP teams heading to Bahrain and back to Europe - let's hope for dry weather and some more thrilling racing. I hope to get back to a race soon.
A last word on the winner - Sebastien Vettel - who I read likes to name his cars after women and called his first car of the season Kate. We do the same at Virgin Atlantic - where each plane is given a distinctive female name.
Vettel smashed Kate up at the Australian GP and had to rename the car. He called it "Kate's Dirty Little Sister" as he said this winning car was "more aggressive and faster!" I am not sure we could get away with that at Atlantic!
It made for a challenging race with treacherous conditions and a lack of visibility making it tough to keep on the track, let alone pass other cars. On TV it appeared the drivers were steering blind through lakes on many corners and I was amazed we did not see more spins.
Despite the rain, I am pleased to report another successful weekend for the Brawn GP team. Jenson Button steered his car skillfully through the puddles to take 3rd place - his third podium in 3 races. Jenson had some good battles with Red Bull's Mark Webber but in the wet - it appears the Red Bull cars were just that bit quicker - with Sebastien Vettel and Mark Webber grabbing a 1-2.
Rubens Barrichello did brilliantly to nurse his car round the first part of the race with faulty brakes and take 4th place.
After 3 races, Jenson is first, Rubens second and the Brawn team are leading the Constructor's championship. A great start by the team - well done to all.
With the GP teams heading to Bahrain and back to Europe - let's hope for dry weather and some more thrilling racing. I hope to get back to a race soon.
A last word on the winner - Sebastien Vettel - who I read likes to name his cars after women and called his first car of the season Kate. We do the same at Virgin Atlantic - where each plane is given a distinctive female name.
Vettel smashed Kate up at the Australian GP and had to rename the car. He called it "Kate's Dirty Little Sister" as he said this winning car was "more aggressive and faster!" I am not sure we could get away with that at Atlantic!
