The 2013 Chinese Grand Prix has taken on a slight
new context and interest surrounding it has been hyped following the
clash between the two Red Bull drivers Sebastian Vettel and Mark
Webber at the Malaysian Grand Prix. The furore started when Webber
was the leading the race, but Vettel, under team orders to hold his
second place in the race, decided to take matters into his own hands
and go and take the win by passing, his arguably slower teammate.
That sparked a team fall out, even between support staff and rumours
circled that Mark Webber was even considering his future in the
sport. However, the Australian has calmed things down by saying that
it isn’t true and he will be out and competing at the 2013 Chinese
Grand Prix in April.
Could this be a case of beware the
wounded beast? Are the troubles likely to spur Webber into life and
take a firm grip of the race? No, it doesn’t work like that and it
is not going to be that straightforward. Vettel is far faster than
his teammate Webber is, and even though Webber was leading the
Malaysian Grand Prix, he was holding up the rest of the race, one
which would have been ran at a quicker pace without him at the front.
Webber really hasn’t the consistency, track record or car to really
come out of the blocks and start heading up fields. If his car and
set up was as quick as Vettel's, the three time World Champion Vettel
would still be edging things out of the two.
Looking back of the past history of the
Chinese Grand Prix, in what will be its tenth year this edition,
Webber hasn’t take a victory. Incidentally, Vettel has only taken
one title in China, with the McLaren’s taking back to back wins in
2011 and 2010. So it is McLaren who may take some precedence at this
year’s running, even though the two McLaren’s of Sergio Perez and
Jenson Button are still playing catch up with other front runners
this season. The McLaren team went well again at the 2012 Chinese
Grand Prix, taking second and third. The question is, will they have
learned enough from the first two races of the season to really make
an impact in the latest renewal? Button was going well at the
Malaysian Grand Prix until he had a problem in the pits with a tire
change, ruining what could well have been a podium finish. A podium
finish has to be a strong target for this year’s race.
However, overall precedence really has
to stick with Vettel, as clearly his own team can’t even stop him
winning. He’ll probably want to prove a point he can win cleanly
and fairly. The Ferrari’s haven’t been doing great at the Chinese
Grand Prix over the past five seasons or so, and with Fernando Alonso
not totally showing up in the 2013 season yet, may be worth looking
over. If there is a solid outside shot to take a look at in 2013Chinese Grand Prix betting then it could be Lewis Hamilton. It was
Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg who took the win last season in China,
and Lewis Hamilton himself, moving to Mercedes for this season’s
drive, is the only multiple winner of the Chinese Grand Prix (2008,
2011). Quietly, his Mercedes has been quicker and more competitive
than expected. This could be where he makes his breakthrough for his
new team.
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