On the first day of track action in Shanghai the big talking points were Pastor Maldonado’s off-track adventures and Marco Mattiacci’s first day as Ferrari team principal.
Here are the highlights from Twitter.
Practice 1
Dawn breaks over a hazy #Shanghai. Less than 4 hours to go until FP1. #gotthatfridayfeeling #F1 #ChineseGP pic.twitter.com/E8ifnzLw9f
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) April 17, 2014
Found a sculpture park at the Shanghai track this morning. A few interesting characters… pic.twitter.com/BVlBc6cVjX — Jon Noble (@NobleF1) April 18, 2014
New Ferrari boss Marco Mattiacci will be on pit wall for first practice, starting in 30mins
— Ted Kravitz (@tedkravitz) April 18, 2014
https://twitter.com/redbullf1spy/status/457003892903915520
There were plenty of Brazilian flags in the grandstands to support Williams, with Felipe Massa and test driver Felipe Nasr on driving duties in the morning session.
A bit of love from Brazil in the grandstand this morning too! #FP1 pic.twitter.com/X6lVQ004OW — WILLIAMS RACING (@WilliamsRacing) April 18, 2014
Kvyat: “Gearbox upshift is harsh.” #F1 Matassa: “OK gearbox is harsher but faster so you live with that.” Kvyat: “OK.” #F1
— F1 Fanatic Live (@f1fanaticlive) April 18, 2014
A few drivers struggled on the cold and green track.
Pace setter Alonso stops for a front wing change. Second fastest Rosberg goes wide at turn six and Vettel oversteers off at turn ten. #F1 — F1 Fanatic Live (@f1fanaticlive) April 18, 2014
‘Left, Pastor. Left! LEFT!’ #F1 pic.twitter.com/QJpNsqPG9I — F1 Fanatic (@f1fanatic_co_uk) April 18, 2014
When Vettel sat down for his press conference in China, he was overwhelmed by so many pressmen. “I thought Multi 21 was last year,” he joked
— James Roberts (@JRobertsF1) April 18, 2014
When everyone's discussing new team boss's sunglasses you know it's a slow news day @bbcf1 #China ps it's tough to see here full stop #SMOG
— suzi perry (@suziperry) April 18, 2014
Practice 2
Just bumped into Max Chilton in the Paddock. I swear, if that kid gets any thinner, the poor fellow will be see-through. Incredible.
— F1 Paddock Pass (@F1PaddockPass) April 18, 2014
Update on @LewisHamilton‘s car; it was a suspension issue this morning that limited running. Hoping to be back out in P2! #TheBeastGoesEast — MERCEDES AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) April 18, 2014
After a spin in first practice, Maldonado crashed at the pit entry in the second session. The off was reminiscent of Lewis Hamilton’s in the 2007 Chinese Grand Prix.
Maldonado: “I crash.” Truer words were never spoken. #F1
— F1 Fanatic Live (@f1fanaticlive) April 18, 2014
And in the wall. But at least @LewisHamilton can sympathise with @Pastormaldo going off in the Shanghai pit entrance. pic.twitter.com/PEBpR4O62O
— F1 Fanatic (@f1fanatic_co_uk) April 18, 2014
Rosberg: “Is there any way for you to help me out a bit more at the pit exit? It’s really hard to see.” Ross: “Just with traffic?” #F1 — F1 Fanatic Live (@f1fanaticlive) April 18, 2014
Rosberg: “Affirm. It’s hard to see.” Ross: “OK. I’m looking at the GPS, a car came into the pits which is why I was late with the clear.”
— F1 Fanatic Live (@f1fanaticlive) April 18, 2014
Flying the flag: @JensonButton‘s vivid helmet colours stand out against our silver bodywork. #F1 pic.twitter.com/kobtpcSz9T — McLaren (@McLarenF1) April 18, 2014
Pujolar: “Lap was quite good in sector 2. We lost a bit in turn two 2 the last corner. How was it?” Vergne: “Extremely difficult to drive.”
— F1 Fanatic Live (@f1fanaticlive) April 18, 2014
Rennie: “Good run on [softs] mate. Most people only did ten or twelve laps.” Ricciardo: “What did we do in the end?” Rennie: “21.” #F1 — F1 Fanatic Live (@f1fanaticlive) April 18, 2014
And that’s session complete for both drivers. P1 for @LewisHamilton and P3 for @nico_rosberg on the timesheets #TheBeastGoesEast
— MERCEDES AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) April 18, 2014
After the action
I am a big fan of @RenaultSportF1's Rob White, but bless him, brevity never was his strong point! #F1
— Oliver Weingarten (@OWeingarten) April 18, 2014
Untold tedious & ill-informed questions re; engine noise in #FIA Team Technical Bosses press conference now @ #ChineseGP #getoverit
— Darren Heath (@F1Photographer) April 18, 2014
.@FelipeNasr It’s another circuit learnt and more time in the car which is really valuable for me, although it was quite a challenge — WILLIAMS RACING (@WilliamsRacing) April 18, 2014
After the resignation of Ferrari Team Principal Stefano Domenicali on Monday, his replacement was on the pit wall for the first time.
New Ferrari boss Marco Mattiacci came across well in his first meeting with the F1 media. He’s well aware of the challenge he faces
— Adam Cooper (@adamcooperF1) April 18, 2014
Finally without the sunglasses! Kudos to the German Bild reporter who asked why he had worn them all day! #F1 pic.twitter.com/b1hHw5oPqJ — Jennie Gow (@JennieGow) April 18, 2014
Ferrari’s new boss Marco Mattiacci revealed he was wearing sunglasses because of the number of flights he’s been on this week. #redeye
— James Roberts (@JRobertsF1) April 18, 2014
Got lots of mileage in today which is good for us. Still working on the balance but happy with the race runs! #M4X pic.twitter.com/qJwoS3okWZ
— Max Chilton (@maxchilton) April 18, 2014
Have gone for a blue visor this weekend as there isn't much blue sky here in Shanghai so I created my own blue sky!😉 pic.twitter.com/NKnpJgs70F
— M A X Chilton (@maxchilton) April 18, 2014
Now THAT's a manhole cover. Stanton Warrior eat your heart out. #ChineseGP pic.twitter.com/z9tzR5pP11
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) April 18, 2014
F1 Fanatic on Twitter
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2014 Chinese Grand Prix
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- Dull Chinese Grand Prix gets lowest score so far
- 2014 Chinese Grand Prix team radio transcript
- 2014 Chinese GP Predictions Championship results
- Top ten pictures from the 2014 Chinese Grand Prix
InSilico_ (@insilico)
18th April 2014, 17:03
The joke Vettel made is genious.
BasCB (@bascb)
18th April 2014, 17:09
Lovely extension of the tweets coverage this. Makes for a really nice look through what went on today, and some good smiles it brought (2xpastor)
Hamilfan (@hamilfan)
18th April 2014, 17:15
“I crash ” – Truer words were never spoken
LOL
Hamilfan (@hamilfan)
18th April 2014, 17:18
Who are the people depicted in the sculptors – Bernie , Alonso ( guess ) , Schumacher ( wild guess ) , no idea .
George (@george)
18th April 2014, 17:55
I was trying to work it out too. Bottom left looks like Sutil to me, and top right looks like…a young Max Mosley? Bottom right for some reason makes me think of a young Kimi, although I would guess it’s meant to be Bianchi.
hunocsi (@hunocsi)
18th April 2014, 20:47
I thought Bernie, Hunt, Schumacher, Räikkönen, but only sure of Ecclestone.
GB (@bgp001ruled)
18th April 2014, 19:15
OK gearbox is harsher but faster so you live with that.
LOL!!!!
and pastors i crash! awesome!!!
LAK (@lak)
19th April 2014, 8:57
Great compilation @bbudna and @KeithCollantine, great feature ;-D Keep up the great work!
Boštjan Budna (@bbudna)
20th April 2014, 19:26
Thanks @lak, that’s very kind!