LIVE Formula 1 Qualifying Belgian GP Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps On Board Timing Live Streaming

a spark from underneath the car from the titanium block has just caught on a bump or something and sent the Sparks showering into the grass by the side of the track that's what's ignited it that would be pretty miraculous though wouldn't it I mean there's probably no other explanation but or yeah maybe it is there's a bump there where where cars are putting spots on every single left every single time of your B but that this would be really miraculous could be I mean because the wind is pointing that direction you would push them from from where the cars are it would push the spark into the corri I mean it's either about or a very elaborate way to stop 10 grabbits for 4 no cars by the side of the track you know we have raid Chan now fire here in Shanghai once a thiser Chan this is not good for any driver or any team who only had 60 minutes to get practice uh in time in time for the uh for the qualifying later and now got even less time at Kar I'll come to you in a moment Mike RS with us on the pit wall at Aston Martin at first time he's joined us and Mike we're really really grateful that you give him some time to come and have a chat to us this is this is very bad news for you and the rest of the teams isn't it yeah I don't work um yeah bet yous bu the same for everybody so uh not really and so what was your run plan for today what are you what were you hoping thing to try and do during the 60-minute session that we have for practice but actually you uh you know the first thing is he's a proper Baseline run which I think everybody has done now about checking the car checking the track uh there seems to be not a lot of Hope from the surface uh but it's this a normal homework that you try to do uh TR has turned three now again after this more corruption so I think there's not so much disruption to to be honest that's good um what do you know of the track surface um from these early stages what of the drive has been saying and and the fact that we've had that bitman pain put down how much of a surprise was that to before you came in yeah right there wasn't so much information coming year uh about the surface itself we discovered this to dat uh on the truck inspection the drivers have reported no brick and you seen the left time outs are quite far from nor left or expected left time so I think uh there needs to be a bit of rubbering in over the next laps and then they would be interesting in qualifying to see uh the track Improvement and the driver improvement so uh yeah something to look for to two yeah absolutely did you worry a bit M that we we'll have a racing line with lots of grip and and then off mine it won't get the chance to grip in a bit and that might make overtop a bit more tricky for the races yeah I understand the concerned player taking is normally on the sub so the is so I think through the corners it's probably too but it is also the same for for other circuits that the Robert LLY one so uh yeah with the overtaking mainly on the St I think we do not see that procession Mike it's Nico here this is a very different topic you just confirmed your one driver perando which is super then when can we expect you to confirm uh Lance as surely that should be just uh um should be done soon right yes something that I'm not really thinking about to in a session to be honest U but um yeah I mean there some in this L is home so uh and we want continuity so uh I think uh uh yeah over the next week we'll see I think you did enough though in s to very much book of place on the the discussion table shall we say 710 off Carlos SS in the first sector now I know he's been on these tires before I done a la on with 710 off quite C long way down yeah and he just had a lot of oversteer there Corner unusual valid player not looking like in a good base for now that car uh let's see how it goes on the exit here a little bit Snappy still in the steer wheel and went way too far off there he's used to the tarmac being there and now there grabble they have to they have to adapt um well supposed to get turn 10 but um of course you don't know what few level they're running huh I mean being so far off in the first sector uh could be that they're just running more fuel at the moment it's a soft tire race Tire should it be a race tire for this weekend would you would you run it on on heavy fuel in this session just to see um Cy that is like impossible I impossible any teams no so um yeah don't know what to say to that why I just I I'm I'm speculating could it be I race T yeah you're cleverest M I know that I lost but that's cuz you not know many people by now friends whatsoever is um running 10 again there's that new bit of gravel that has been put in we we giving a big thumbs up for ench to the uh these gravel traps that have been brought a little bit closer to the Trap Hallelujah coffee we love gravel trap at the end of this takes away that AR T we have all the time isn't it we need more of these TS absolutely um I just pick out a couple of things I'm listening on the team radio in here uh I think the drive is they the group level is coming but just as a reference to it from 2019 to today in power there were 1.3 second store so we know I think you said a 339 with fb1 in 29 tis right so we should be in the low 35s and as Mike said we're still at 3 seconds from that that tells you where the time m is thank you for that Sher improves to go four Fest to overall the eight chance off the pace team mik K currently 13th at fast color science out on the track a few moments ago this was a turn 10 one of three corners but he brought the gravel closer to the side of the track car SS finding out exactly where that gravel was a large plume of dust into the sky they put out the small Fire by the side of the track and so we could get back up with the racing now say this is GE Russell on a hard tire for Mercedes who stays 20th and slowest so far with a 141 and one as his best tie Mercedes putting their drivers on the the hard Tire to start this session others like Ferrari going on the soft few on the me mediums as well real mixture of of tires out on this track currently real mixture of tires and strategies I mean Mercedes is probably the most easy to understand and obvious one they've started with the high tire and high fuel just to get their race balance uh sorted and then they will go for some qualifying practice at the end of the at the end of the session whereas the others are already doing home mix of things yes Sprint qualify ladies so don't we use medium Tire before the soft TI first two parts for spread qualifying as medium then we have soft for uh for the final top 10 on that one so you can understand some of the medium Tire Runners out there to get a feel if they're on fi [Music] we we had the other day phis Hamilton get temperature into his tires let's Max for sta Bast who's uh not on who is on a lap I should say and then it all gets a little bit scruffy there with Nik hulberg I think wanted to get past as well that was not very friendly Nik hulberg will not be happy with that and now he's locked up or ear when now the and at the last minute realized he Happ to stay to the right coming into the pits there I think there's a b that the drivers have to stay to the right that was introduced by the race director over for Night Le has to go a bit closer to that brael trap anyway n will not be happy with that cuz I think Lou didn't see him at all CU he was right behind the Red Bull and so I just ran him off the [Music] track a drive through to the pits there which makes me think that that wasn't a PR entrance into the pits either for leis H yeah that's what I said that it looked like a lock up into the cor of and I'm not sure looking it up so he's he's already yeah yeah he lock up oh there's a in the way and also that's oh whole mess going on there wow you see I was right I it looked very weird it would lock up and it walk gas as so well points It Out by Pono on that one see we've only been away for 5 years leis Hamilton one of the more experience driis we w't have full weekends but last year it was only a 10th across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between the Sprints and the the thing so so far podcast has [Music] had 11 Mill from Commando Aluma of course secur the construction championship for Ren back in 2005 when he won here was sat next to Joe grer the Press conf yesterday Jo said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of whom was Fernando Alonzo can't quite believe I'm now sat next to him and I'll be on the grid in my home race with him on Sunday and Fernando Alonzo here for another couple of years as well which I'm sure will please as to M that my name sporting director Andy Stevenson had signed a contract to remain with the team and then HED yesterday that it would probably be his last contract in Formula 1 but he look at be 45 4 45 by the end of it yeah but um he did say probably yeah I didn't say definitely so he left the door open to continue to the 50 the only man who said definitely was you and you've stuck to it you never wanted to come back and you found it very easy to to give up this racing haveit I think Fernando alonto would find it less easy no no it's never easy find it easy either but uh yeah certainly Fernando looks like he's still very much enjoying um the racing and the lifestyle so good for him and I'm I'm it's amazing age he's going to be 42 years old very very soon across of we will have four weekends but last year it was only a 10th across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between the Sprints in the the thing so so far maras has had quite a bit of an advantage over Joe the season talking of Advantage Max was St 1394 the fastest driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonso of course the constructions championship for Rena back in 2005 when he won here was sat next to Joe gu in the press conference yesterday Joe said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of whom was Fernando Alonzo can't quite believe I'm now sat next to him and I'll be on the grid in my home race fill him on Sunday and uh Fernando alono here for another years as well pleas as martic that my the sportive director Andy Stevenson had signed a contract to remain with the team and then hit his yesterday that it will probably be his last contract in Formula One but I it be 45 4 45 by the end of it yeah but um he did say probably yeah he didn't say definitely so I left the door open to continue to the 50 to 50 the only man who said definitely was you and you've stuck to it you've never wanted to come back and you found it very easy to to give up this RAC I think [Music] fernandoo it's amazing you know at his age I mean he's going to be 43 years old back and he is still absolutely at the top of the game you know and so uh brant3 years old K in ji long time I think Cy he he kind of maybe as well but I feel like Fernando is the first of the drivers in post Michael shoak generation where they came in and Michael raised the power right in Fitness and and you know just L professionalism and Fernando and he arriv 2001 you know he's been training car so really yeah [Music] [Music] across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between the Sprints and the the thing so uh so far pod has had quite a bit of an adage over Joe this season talking of Advantage Max for sta with a 1394 still the fastest driver Now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonso of course secured the Constructor Championship for Ren back in 2005 when he won here was sat next to Joe gu at the press conference yesterday Joe said I can remember across across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between the Sprints and so talking of Advantage Max for sta him with a 1394 still the fastest driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonso of course secure the construction championship for Rena back in 2005 when he won here was sat next to Joe guyu at the press conference yesterday Joe said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of whom was Fernando Alonso can't quite believe I'm now sat next to him and I'll be on the grid in my home race with on color SS out on the track a few moments ago this was a 10 10 one of three corners but they brought the gravel closer to the side of the track and car find out exactly where that gravel was and picking up a large plume of dust into the sky they put out the by the side of the [Music] track and slowest so far with a 141 one as his best Mercedes putting their drivers on the the hard tires to start this session others like Ferrari going on the soft few young mediums as well real mixture of of tires out on this track currently real mixture of tires and I me Mercedes is probably the most easy to understand and obvious one they' started with the high tire and high fuel just to get that race balance uh sorted and then they will go for some qualifying practice at the end of the at the end of the session with whereas the others are really doing whole mix of things yes Sprint qualify later today so that will use medium Tire [Music] before final top 10 on that so you can understand some of the medium Tire Runners out there to get a feel if they're on low fuel of course me we don't know what the fuel levels are uh currently what we do know is that there seems to be a low brick which is not surprising because it is the first practice session and the track will be nice and fresh especially after the rain looks we had the other day phis Hamilton as CH trying to get temperature into his tires let's Max stast who's uh not on a who is on a lap I should say and then it will gets a little bit scruffy there with h I think wanted to get past as well because that was not ra friendly H will not be happy with that and know he's locked up what did he know Le is to the B and and at the last minute realized he had to stay to the right coming I think there's a Bullard that the drivers have to stay to the right to that was introduced by the race direct overnight this W Lewis has to go a bit closer to that gravel trap anyway n will not be Happ after cuz I think LS didn't see him at all cuz he was right behind the Red Bull and so he just ran him off the track and LS is done a drive-thru into the pits there which makes me think that that wasn't a ground entrance into the pits either for Le H yeah that's what I said that it looked like a lock up into the point I'm not sure look at enough up yeah yeah he lock up oh there's a in the way also oh whole mess going on there wow for off you see I was right I said it looked very weird and it was the lock up and G as so well pointed out by Bono on that one I mean sh karum we've only been away for 5 years L Hamilton one of the experienc [Music] driv a book of place on the on the discussion T chall 710 off Carlos SS in the first sector now I know he's been on these tires before I done a lap on 710 offs qu caught a way down yeah and he just had a lot of oversteer there in the high corner un bance there not looking like in a good place for now that car uh let's see how it goes on the exit here a little bit Snappy still in the St and went way too far off there cuz he's used to the tarmac being there and now there gravel they have to they have to adapt um well spotted again to 10 but um of course we don't know what fuel level they're running huh I mean um so far off in the first sector uh could be that they're just running a l more fuel at the moment is it soft tire in race TI should it be a race TI for this weekend which would you run it on on heavy fuel in this session just to see um impossible team um yeah don't know what to say to that why I just I I'm speculating could it be I race Ty could be went yeah Trevor's M I know you not know many people but now friends what over um his running there's that new bit of gravel that has been put in we we we're giving a big thumbs up dur Chand to the these gravel traps that have been brought a little bit closer to the Trap Hallelujah we love travel Trap by the Ed of this takes away that nons all give us track us we have over time isn't it we need more of these travel traps absolutely edge of the track um I just figure out things I'm listening another team radio in here here uh I think the drivers that the grip level is coming but just as a reference do from 2019 to today in into a 1.3 second slow up so we know I think you said a 339 with fb1 in 29s right so we should be in the low 30 PBS where and as Mike C said we're still at 3 seconds from that that tells you where the com like is I CH scw thank you for that shower qu impr Bru to go four fastest overall the eight CHS off the B Team car currently his 13th at fastest said I'm going to have to interrupt you you know that bit about there's lots of girls on the track they ain't going to last for long there's a fire by the side of the track the grass has caught lights there is a fire at the grass 67 understood and I don't think I have ever ever seen grass catch fire by the side of a foral one track and I'm sure there's a marshall nearby with a fire exting it's see to put this out and it's a very small grass fire at the moment so Cy I want you to say now how do you think that happened I would not even like to begin to speculate on that one and I tell you what it would not have happened on Wednesday CU When we landed here in Shanghai there was the Del use of all Del uses it was like a wet weekend in Grim school when we we landed here nothing wrong with that but many a happy Saturday afternoon at grimby uh but there's no chance I say a small see how fast it spreads here but it it is windy today and it it is very very breey today here and I assume them that that has helped dry out CR by the side of the track which is uh nice and short and the Marshall with one fire extinguisher uh putting out what is now a a fairly large pile of uh of of black Dey where the grass used to be but I have no idea how that would have happened unless of course nio a spark from underneath the car from the titanium blocks as just caught on a bump or something and sent the Sparks showering into the grass by the side of the track and that's what's ignited it that would be pretty miraculous though wouldn't it like I mean there's probably no other explanation but well and maybe it is be there's a bump there where where cars are putting Sparks out every single left every single time they go by but that this would be really miraculous could be I mean the [Music] Wind by the side of the track you know we have R now fire here in Shanghai once they get for cage ch no this is not good for any driver or any team who only had 60 minutes to get practice uh in time in time for the uh for the Sprint qualify later and now got even less time at at the moment Mike RS with us on the pitb and ason Martin at first time he's joined us and Mike we're really really grateful that you give him some time to come and have a chat to us this this is very bad new for you and the rest of the teams isn't [Music] it yeah I um yeah bad views bu just same for everybody so uh not really [Music] problem and so what was your run plan for today what are you what were you hoping to try and do during the 16-minute session uh that we have for practice but actually you uh you know the first thing is he's a proper Baseline Runner which I think everybody has done now uh about checking the car checking the track uh there seems to be not a lot of grip uh from the surface uh Cen nor homework that he tried to do uh in the Baseline track is turned BR now again after this so there's not so much disruption to the program to be honest that's good we know of the track uh surface um from these early uh stages what of the driv has been saying and and the fact that we've had that vitim pain put down how much of a surprise was that to you uh before you came yeah right there was not So Much Information coming here uh about the surface itself we discovered this yesterday uh on the track inspection the drivers have recorded low grip and you see the left times out quite far from normal uh lap time or or expected lap time so I think uh there needs to be a bit of rubing in over the next laps and then they would be interesting in qualifying to see uh the track Improvement and the driver improvement so uh yeah something to look for yeah absolutely do you worry a bit Mike that we we'll have a racing line lot of GP and and then offline it won't get the chance to grip in a bit and that might make overtaking a bit more tricky for the races um yeah I understand the concern Tak is normally on sub STS so uh where the DRS is so I think uh through the corners it's probably to but it is also the same for for other circuits that the Rober line is the most po one so uh yeah with the overtaking mainly on the straights I think uh we do not see that procession Mike it's Nico here this is a very different topic you just confirmed your one driver Fernando which is super when when can we expect you to confirm uh Lance surely that should be just uh um should be done soon right [Music] in new so I think uh will next week U but last year it was only a 10th across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between the splints and the the uh so far podcast has had quite a bit of an advantage over Joe this season talking of Max for Sten with a 1394 still the fastest driver but now by ear 11 milliseconds [Music] from I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of whom was Fernando Alonzo can't quite believe I'm now sat next to him and I'll be on the grid in my home race will him on Sunday and Nano Alonzo here for another couple of years as well which I'm sure pleas as to M that M the sportive director Andy Stevenson had sign a contract to remain with the team and then hinted yesterday that will probably be his last contract in Formula One but he be 45 uh 4 45 by the end of it yeah but um he could say probably yeah I didn't say definitely so he left the door open to continues to the 50s to his 6 y already mad who said [Music] definit would it less easy no no I never easy I didn't find it easy either but uh yeah certainly Fernando looks like he's still very much enjoying um the racing him the lifestyle so a good for him and I'm I'm it's amazing you know at his age I mean he's going to be 4 3 years old very very soon now um across of we will have four weekends but last year it was only a 10th across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between the Sprints and the the thing so uh so far forcast has had quite a bit of an advantage over Joe the season talking of Advantage Max for sta him with 139 full still the fastest driver and now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonzo of course secure the constru Champ for Rene back [Music] in believe I'm now sat next to him and I'll be on the grid in my home race F him on Sunday and uh Fernando Alonzo here for another couple of years as well which I'm sure will pleas as Mar that my there the sporting director Andy Stevenson and contract to remain with the team and then hit yesterday that it would probably be his last contract 45 that 4 45 by the end of it yeah but um he did sa probably didn't say definitely so he left the door open to continue to the the only man who said definitely was you and you've stuck to it you've never wanted to come back and you found it very easy to to give us aing haveit I think [Music] certainly Fernando looks like he's still very much doing um the RAC him the lifestyle so good for him and I'm I'm it's amazing you know at his age I mean he's going to be 43 years old very very soon yeah and he is still absolutely at the top of the game you know so uh brilliant to see 43 years old kud in ji but long I think Cy he he kind of maybe Nico like your thoughts as well but I feel like Fernando St the drivers in that post Michel Shak generation where they came in and Michael raised the power right in Fitness and and you know just LEL profess and Fernando when he arrived 2001 you know he's been trading hard for 20 OD years so really yeah okay the numbers is 45 but he hasn't got the fitness of body of an average [Music] the thing so so far has quite a bit of an advantage over Joe this season talking of Advantage Max for Sten with a 1394 stole the fastest driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonso of course secure the constructs championship for Rena back in 2005 what he won here was sat next to Joe GL near the the press conference yesterday Jo said I can remember across across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between the Sprints and the the things so so far podcast has had quite a bit of an advantage over Joe this [Music] season seconds from Fernando Alonso of course secur the constructions championship for Rena back in 2005 when he won here was sat next to Joe at the press conference yesterday Joe said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of whom was Fernando Alonso can't quite believe I'm now sat next to him and I'll be on the grid in my whole race with I'm going to have to interrupt you that bit about this h of girls on the track they ain't going to last for long there's a fire by the side of the track that Rous has caught light there is a fire 6 to seven understood and I don't think I have ever ever seen grass catch fire by the side of a foral one track now I'm sure there's a marshall nearby with a fire extinguisher uh it's to where to put this out and it's a very small grass fire at the moment but so Cy I want you to say now how do you think that happened I would not even like to begin to speculate on that one and I tell you what it would not have happened on Wednesday cuz when we landed here in Shanghai there was the delug of all Del uses it was like a what weekend in grimo when we when we landed here nothing wrong with that SP many a happy Saturday afternoon in gri uh but there's no chance that I say it's a small car see how fast it spreads here but it is windy today and it it is very very Breezy today here and I ass that has helped dry out the CR by the side of the track which is uh nice and short and the Marshall with one fire extinguisher uh pulling out what is now a a fairly large pile of uh of of black Dy where the grass used to be but I have no idea how that would have happened unless of course ni a spark from underneath the car from the titanium blocks has just caught on a bump or something and sent the Sparks showering into the grass by the side of the track and that's what's ignited it that would be pretty miraculous though wouldn't it but I mean there's probably no other explanation but or may yeah and maybe it is be there's a bump there where where cars are putting Sparks out every single lap every single time they go by but that this would be really miraculous could be I mean cuz the wind is pointing that direction and you know it would push them from from where the cars are it would push the Sparks into the corner I mean inside of that or a very elaborate way to stop krabit reporting on cars by the side of the track you know we have RAV Jaan now fired here in Shanghai once a for Chanel this is not good for any driver or any team who only had 60 minutes to get practice uh in time in time for the uh the Sprint qualifying later and now got even less time and Karen I'll come to you in a moment Mike RS with us on the pit wall and ask to Mar that first time he's joined us and Mike we're really really grateful that you give him some time to come and have a CH this this is very bad news for you and the rest of the teams isn't it yeah um yeah BS bu for everybody so not and so what was your run plan for today what are you what were you hoping to try and do during the 16-minute session uh that we have for practice but actually you you know the first [Music] track there seems to be not a lot of grip from the surf uh but it's this noral homework that he tried to do uh in the Baseline track is turned three now again after this more Interruption so I think there's not so much disruption to the program to be honest that's good um what do you know of the track uh surface um from these early uh stages one of the drivers been saying and and the fact that we've had that victan paint put down how much of a surprise was that to you uh before you came right there was not So Much Information coming here uh about the surface itself we discovered this yesterday uh on the truck inspection the drivers have low grip you seen the left times out are quite far from [Music] impr yeah something to look for you yeah absolutely do you worry a bit Mike that we we'll have a racing line with lots of grit and and then off f it won't get the chance to grip in a bit and that might make overtaking a bit more tricky for the racers um yeah I understand the concern but on the other hand is normally on the of the main straights so uh where the DRS is so uh I think uh to the corners it's probably true but it is also the same for for other circuits one so uh yeah with the overtaking mainly on the strikes I think uh we do not see that procession Mike it's niik here just a very different topic you just confirmed your one driver Pando which is super then when can we expect you to confirm [Music] yes something that I'm not really thinking about to win a session to be honest um but um yeah I mean that's a Martin is L's home so uh and we want continuity so uh I think uh uh yeah hope the next week I think you did enough though in s to very much put the place on the on the discussion T you shall we say 71 up caros SS in the first sector now I know he's been on these tires before I done moment before but 710 offs qu quite a long way down yeah and he just had a lot of oversteer there in the height be Corner unusual balance there not looking like in a good place for now that car uh let's see how it goes in the exit here had a little bit Snappy still in the stair wheel and went way too far off there yeah cuz he's used to the back being there and now there's gra they have to they have to adapt um well spotted again turn 10 but um of course we don't know what fuel level they're running in and being so far off in the first sector uh could be that they're just running a lot more fuel at the moment is is soft tire in race TI should it be in race TI for this weekend would you would you run it on on heavy fuel in this session just to see um the Cy that is like impossible dir teams know so um [Music] yeah not know many people [Music] and we giving a big thumbs up to these gravel traps that have been brought a little bit closer to the Trap Hallelujah coffee we love gravel trop at the edge of this takes away that n we have over time isn't it we need more of these travel trps absolutely the edge of the track um I just piig out a couple of things I'm listening on the team radio here uh I I think the drivers that the group level is coming but just as a reference St from 2019 today in into a 1.3 second slower so we know I think you said a [Music] 33 level thank you for that show and Bruce to go four fastest overall near the8 chance off the pace see my caros sights carried his 13th at fastest caros sites out on the track you a few moments ago this was a turn 10 one of three corners but he brought the gravel closer to the side of the track and caros SS finding out exactly where that gravel was and kicking up a a large plume of dust into the sky they put out the uh small Fire by the side of the track and so we could get back up with the racing now we have practice now we should say this is George on a [Music] Mercedes as his best time Mercedes putting their drivers on the the hard [Music] time tires andies I mean Mercedes is probably the most easy to understand and obvious one started with the high tire and high fuel just to get that race balance uh sorted and then they will go for some qualifying practice at the end of the at the end of the session with the others are really doing whole mix of things yes Sprint qualifi later today so though we use medium Tire before the soft tire the first two parts of spread qualifying is medium then we have soft for uh for the final top 10 on that one so you can understand some of the medium TI run [Music] the first practice session and the track nice and fresh especially after the rain th we had the other dayis Hamilton as CH trying to get Temple to his tires let's Max for sta past who's uh not on who is on a lap I should say and then it all gets a little bit scruffy hul I think wanted to get past as well VI that not very H will not be happy with that and now he's locked up the B and and at the last minute realized he had to stay to the right coming into the pits there I think there's a Bard that the drivers have to stay to the right that was introduced by the race director overnight Lewis has to go a bit closer to let anyway n will not be happy in that cuz I think L didn't see him at all he was right behind the Red Bull and so he just ran him off the track and and Le is done I drive through into [Music] the so he's he's already held up yeah yeah he lock up oh there's a McLaren in the way and also oh whole mess going on there wow for you see I was right I said it looked very Weir weird that it was a lock up and it was as so well pointed out by Pono on that one Kar we've only been away for 5 years and leis Hamilton one of the more experienced drivers and we w't have full weekends but last year it was only a 10th across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between the Sprints and the the uh so far bcast has had quite a bit of an advantage over Joe this season talking of Advantage Max was St him with a 1394 still the fastest driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonso of course secure the his championship for Ren back in 2005 what he won here was sat next to Joe grer in the press conference yesterday Joe said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of whom was Fernando Alonso can't quite believe I'm now sat next to him and I'll be on the grid in my whole race with him on Su [Music] and uh Fernando alono here for another couple of years as well which I'm sure will please as Mar that director Andy Stevenson and signed a contract to remain with the team and then hinted yesterday that it would probably be his last contract in fora one but I be 45 45 by the end of it yeah but um he did say probably yeah I didn't say definitely so he left the door open to continues to the 50s to his sist the only man who said definitely was you and you've stuck to it You' never wanted to come back and you found it very easy to to give up this racing habit I think Fernando Al would find it less easy no no it was never easy I didn't find it easy either but uh yeah certainly Fernando looks like he's still very much enjoying um the racing and the lifestyle so a good for him and I'm I'm it's amazing you know at his age I mean he's going to be 42 years old very very soon now and ofr of we going have four weekends but last year it was only a 10th across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between the Sprints and the the thing so uh so far B guys has had quite a bit of an advantage over Joe talking of Advantage Max for sta him with 1394 still the fastest driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonzo of course secure the constructions championship for Ren back in 2005 when he won here was next to Joe gu in the press conference yesterday Joe said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of whom was Fernando Alonzo can't quite believe I'm now sat next to him and I'll be on the grid in my home race F him on Sunday and uhto here for another couple of years as well which I'm sure will please as martic that madet the sporting director Andy Stevenson had signed a contract to remain with the team and then hit his yesterday that it would probably be his last contract for w but I said going be 45 at 40 45 by the end of it yeah but [Music] uh man who said definitely was you and you've stuck to it You' never wanted to come back and you found it very easy to to give up this racing haveit I think Fernando would find it less easy no no it's was never easy I didn't find it easy either but uh yeah certainly Fernando looks like he's still very much enjoying um the racing and the lifestyle so a good FR and I'm I'm it's amazing you know at his age I mean he's going to be 43 years old very very soon he is still absolutely at the top of the game you know and so uh it's brilliant to see 43 years old mind but I had the whole long time I think Cy kind maybe Nico like your thoughts as well but I feel like Fernando is the first of the drivers in that post Michael Sho generation where they came in and Michael ra the B right in Fitness and and you [Music] just fness of body of an average 45 old and that's why I think you can still keep going we in this year this both and we won't have full weekend across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between the Sprints and the the f uh so far Bas has had quite a bit of an advantage over Joe this season talking of bage Max for stack with 1394 still the fastest driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonzo of course secured the constructions championship for Ren back in 2005 when he won here was sat next to Joe gu the press conference yesterday Jo said I can remember of cross across all [Music] so far B has had quite a bit of an advantage over Joe talking of Advantage Max for staffen with a 139 full still the fastest driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonso who of course secur the constru championship for Rena back in 2005 when he won here was sat next to Joe guu at the press conference yesterday Joe said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of whom was Fernando Alonso can't quite believe I'm now sat next to and I'll be on the grid in my home [Music] race caros out on the track a few moments ago this was a turn 10 one of three corners but they brought the gra closer to the side of the track and go ofs [Music] by of the track practice now we should say this is George Russell on the hard side for Mercedes who stays 20th and slowest so far with a 141 one as his best tie Mercedes putting their drivers on the the hard Tire to start the session others like Ferrari going on the soft few on the mediums as well real mixture of of out on this track current real mixture of tires and strategies I mean Mercedes is probably the most easy to understand in OB one they've started with the high tire and high fuel just to get that race balance uh sorted and then they will go for some qualifying practice at the end of the at the end of the session where whereas the others are really doing whole mix of things yes Sprint qualify l so though we use medium Tire before the soft tire the first two parts of qualifying as medium then we have soft for uh for the final top 10 on that one so you can understand some of the medium Tire Runners out there to get a feeli if they're on low fuel of course we don't know what the fuel levels are uh currently what we do know is that there seems to be at low git which is not surprised because it is the first practice session and the track will be nice and fresh especially after the r look we had the other day dyis Hamilton as shocks trying to get temperature into his tires let Max with stab Bast who's uh not on a who is on a lap I should say and then it all gets a little bit scruffy there with NI hulkenberg I think wanted to get past as well that was not very friendly niik hogo will not be happy with that and now he's locked up or what did he L is the bits and and at the last minute realized he have to stay to the right coming into the pits there I think there's a Bart that the drivers have to stay to the right here that was introduced by the race director overnight has to go a bit closer to that gravel trap anyway Nik H will not that cuz I think nois didn't see him at all cuz he was right behind the red and so he just ran him off the track and Le is done a drive through into the pits there which makes me think that that wasn't a PL entrance into the PS either for Le hon yeah that's I said that it looked like a lock up into the sure a look at it enough so he's he's already held up yeah yeah he lock up oh there's a McLaren in the way and also but oh whole mess going on there wow you see I was right I said it looked very weird and it was a Lo up and it was be asrey as well pointed out by PLO on that one I mean see karum we've only been away for 5 years and leis Hamilton one of the more experienced drivers I think you to enough it soundy to very much a book of place on the on the discussion table shall we say [Music] car AOW way down yeah and he just had lot of over steer there in the he Corner R unusual balance there not looking like in a good place for now that car let's see how it goes on the exit here little bit Snappy F in the Ste wheel and went way too far off there cuz he's used to the TAC being there and now there gravel they have to they have to adapt um well well supposed again but um of course we don't know what fuel level they're running huh so far off in the first sector uh could be that they're just a l more fuel at the moment is a soft tire race Tire should it be in race time this weekend would you would you run it on on heavy field in this session just to see um the CRA that is like impossible impossible teams know St so um yeah don't know what to say that why just I'm I'm speculating could it be a race [Music] Tire many friends whatsoever is you w um his caros running wild and there's that new bit of gravel that is have been put here we we we're giving a big thumbs up to Jack Gra grael traps have been brought a little bit closer to the Trap Hallelujah coffee we love gravel trap at the end of this takes away that nonsense I'll give us our track we have all the time isn't it we need more of these Trel trops AB at the edge of the track um I just figure out a couple of things I'm listening in another team radio in here I I think the drivers that the group level is but just as a reference toing from 2019 to today in power there were 1.3 seconds slow so we know I think you said a 339 with fb1 in 2019 right so we should be in the low 35s where and as Mike C said we're still about 3 seconds from that that tells you where the time like is all cheers crew thank you for that shower CL improves to go four fasters overall CH off the pace team like kight currently 13th at fastest Ted I'm going to have to interrupt you you know that about there's HS of girls on the track they ain't going to last for long there's a fight by the side of the track the grass has caught lights there is a fire at the grass 6 to S understood and I don't think I have ever ever seen grass catch fire by the side of a foral one trap I'm sure there's a mar nearby with a fire extinguisher uh to to put this out and it's a very small grass fire at the moment but Ry I want you to say now how do you think that happened I would not even like to begin to speculate on that one and I tell you what it would not have happened on Wednesday cuz when we landed here in Shanghai there was the Deluge of all deluges it was like a wet weekend in grimby when we had when we landed here nothing wrong with that but many a happy Saturday afternoon in grimby uh but there's no chance that I say see how fast it spreads here but it it is today and it it is very very Breezy today here and I assume then that that has helped dry out the grass by the S track which is uh nice and short and the Marshall with one fire extinguisher uh putting out what is now a a fairly large pile [Music] of but I have no idea how less of course NCO a spark from underneath the car from the titanium blocks as just caught on a bump or something and sent the Sparks showering into the grass by the side of the track that's what's ignited it that would be pretty miraculous though wouldn't it like I mean there's probably no other explanation but or may yeah maybe it is be there's a bump there where where cars are putting Sparks out every single left every single go byes but that this would be really miraculous could be the wind just point in that direction and they would push them from from where the cars [Music] [Music] are in Shanghai what this for K Chan this is not good for any driver or any team who only had 60 minutes to get practice uh in time in time for the uh for the uh Sprint qualifying l and now got even less time at Kar I'll come to you in a moment Mike CS with us on the pitb and ason Martin at first time he's joined us and might really really grateful that you've given some time to come and have a chat to us this this is very bad news for you and the rest of the teams isn't it yeah I don't work um yeah that the same for everybody so [Music] uh and so what was your run plan for today what are you what were you hoping to try and do during the 60 session and that we have for practice but actually you uh you know the first thing he's he's a proper Baseline run which I think everybody has done now uh I think the car checking to track there seems to be not a lot of grip uh from the surface uh but this this the normal homework that he tried to do uh in the Baseline track is turned to three now again after this more Interruption so I there's not so much disruption to the program to be honest uh that's go um what do you know of the track uh surface um from these early uh stages what of the drivve has been saying and and the fact that we've had that bitchman pain put down how much of a surprise was that to you uh before you came here G right there wasn't so much information coming year uh about the surface itself uh we discovered this yesterday uh on the truck inspection the driv low grip and you see the left time Zs are quite far from normal uh left time or or expected lap time so I think uh there needs to be a bit of rubbering in over the next laps and then it would be interesting in qualifying to see uh the track Improvement and the driver improvement over uh yeah something to look for do you yeah absolutely do you worry a bit Mike that we we'll have a racing line for lots of grip and and then offline it won't get the chance to grip been a bit and that might make overtaking a bit more tricky for the races um yeah I understand the concern but on the other hand the overtaking is normally on the sub the main straights so uh where the DRS is so I think through the corners it's probably true but it is also the same of the circuits that the robt Nile is the most pry one so uh yeah we Tak mainly on the strs I think uh um we do not see that session Mike it's niik here just a very different topic you just confirmed your one driver Fernando which is super when when can we expect you to confirm uh L surely that should be just uh um should be done soon right yes something that I'm not really thinking about to in a session to be honest uh but U yeah I mean that's some in is L is home so uh and we want continuity so uh I think uh uh yeah hope the next week we won't have four weekends but last year it was only a 10th across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between the Sprints and the the thing so uh so far podcast has had quite a bit of an advantage over Joe this season talking of Advantage Max was sta him with a 1394 still the fastest driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonso of course secured the constructions championship for runner back in 2005 what he won here was sat next to Joe grer in the press conference yesterday Joe said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of whom was Fernando Alonzo can't quite believe I'm now sat next to him and I'll be on the grid in my whole race will him on Sunday and uh Nano Alonso here for another couple of years as well which I'm sure please as M the sportive director Andy Stevenson have signed a contract to remain with the [Music] team 45 uh 4 45 by the end of [Music] it manuck to it never wanted to come back and you it very easy to to give up this racing habit I think Fernando Alo would find it less easy no no it's never easy yeah certainly Fernando looks like he's still very much enjoying um the racing and the lifestyle so good for him and I'm I'm it's amazing you know at his age he's going to be 43 years old very very soon um across of weekends but last year it was only a 10th across all I think it was 28 qualifying session the things so uh so far B has had quite a bit of an advantage over Joe this season talking of Advantage Max for staffen with 139 full still the fastest driver but now by only 11 millisecond from Fernando alono of course secure the constructions Champion for Rene back in 2005 when he won here was sat next to Joe gu in the press conference yesterday Joe said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of whom ISO can't quite believe I'm now sat next to him and I'll be on the bridge in my whole race will on Sunday and uh Fernando alono here for another couple of years as well which I'm sure will please Asar and that my B the sporting director Andy steon and signed a contract to remain with the team and then hints is yesterday that it will probably be his love form one [Music] but um he did say probably yeah he didn't say def so he left the door [Music] open next easy no no it's never easy I didn't find it easy either but uh yeah certainly Fernando looks like he's still very much enjoying um the racing the lifestyle so a good for him and I'm I'm it's amazing you know at his age I mean he's going to be 43 years old very very soon yeah and he is still absolutely at the top of the game you know and so brilliant to see 43 years old kud in Jami I think Cy he he kind maybe Nico like your thoughts as well like feel like Fernando is the first of the drivers in that post Mich Sho generation where they came in and Michael raised the power right in Fitness and and you know just and Fernando and 2001 you know he's been training hard for 20 OD years so really yeah okay the numbers is 45 but he hasn't got the fitness of 4 an average 45y old and that's why I think he can still keep going well in this the SCH we W have full weekend across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between the Sprints and the the thing so so far far pass has had quite a bit of an advantage over Joe this season talking of a BX it's Max for Sten with a 1394 still the fastest driver Now by only 11 MCS from Fernando Alonso of course secure the construct challeng at K back in 2005 when he won here was sat next to Joe GL press conference yesterday Joe said I can remember across across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between the Sprints and the the things so uh so far B had quite a bit of an advantage over Joe this season talking of Advantage Max was sta him with a 1394 still the fastest driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonso of course secure the Constructors Championship for Rena back in 2005 when he won here was sat next to Joe guy at the press conference yesterday Joe said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of whom was Fernando Alonzo can't believe I'm now sat next to him and I'll be on the grid in my whole race with him on I'm going to have to interrupt you you know that bit about there's Hots of girls on the track they ain't going to last for long there's a fire by the side of the track the grass has caught lights there is a fire at the grass 6 or seven understood and I don't think I have ever ever seen grass catch fire by the side of a formal one I'm sure there's a marshal nearby with a fire extinguisher uh to uh to put this out and it's a very small grass fire at the moment but profy I want you to say now how do you think that happened I would not even like to begin to speculate on that one and I tell you what it would not have happened on Wednesday cuz when we landed here in Shanghai there was the Del of all Del uses it was like a wet weekend in grimby when we when we landed in nothing wrong with that spent many a happy Saturday afternoon in grimby uh but there's no chance a [Music] small very today here and I ass that has helped dry out uh the grass by the side of the track which is uh nice and short and the Marshall with one fire extinguisher putting out what is now a a fairly large pile of uh of of black a where the grass used to be but I have no idea how that would have happened unless of course they a spark from underneath the car from the titanium blocks and just caught on a bump or something and sent the Sparks showering into the grass by the side the track that's what's ignited it that would be pretty miraculous though would but I mean there's probably no other explanation well may yeah and maybe it is be there's a bump there where where cars are put Sparks out every single lap every single time to go by but that this would be really miraculous could be I mean cu the wind is poting that direction and would push them from from where the cars are it would push the Sparks into the corter many I mean it's about or a very elaborate way to stop Ted kravits reporting on cars by the side of the track you know we have rid Japan and now fire here in Shanghai Once A is for Chan this is not wor for any driver or any team who had 60 minutes to get practice uh in time in time for the uh for the uh Sprint qualifying later and now got even less time at Kar I'll come to you in a moment Mike CS with us on the pit wall at ason Martin at first time he's joined us and Mike we're really really grateful that you given some time to come and have a chat to us this this is very bad news for you and the rest of the teams isn't [Music] it yeah I don't work um yeah just same for everybody so uh prob and so what was your run plan for today what are you what were you hoping to try and do during the 16-minute session and then we have for practice but actually you uh you know the first thing is is a proper Baseline run we I think everybody has done now uh about checking the car checking the track uh there seems to be another lot of uh but the noral homework that you Tred to do uh in the Baseline track is turned 3 now again after this more Interruption so I think there's not so much disruption to the program to be honest uh that's good um what do you know of the track uh surface um from these early uh States what of the driv has been saying and and the fact that we've had that bitchman paint put down how much of a surprise was that to you uh before you came here yeah right there was so much information coming year uh about the Ser itself uh we discovered this yesterday uh on the truck inspection the drivers have reported low grip um you see the left out are quite far from normal uh left time or or expected left time I think uh there needs to be a bit of rubbering in over the next laps and then it would be interesting in qualifying to see uh the track Improvement and the tri so uh yeah something to look for two two yeah absolutely worry a bit M we'll have a racing line with lots of grip and and then offline it won't get the chance to grip in a bit and that might make overtaking a bit more tricky for the [Music] races some the main straights so where the DRS is so I think [Music] [Music] we do not see that [Applause] procession Mike it's Nico here this a very different topic you just confirmed your One D for is super when when can we expect you to confirm uh Lance is surely that should be just uh um should be done soon [Music] right yes something that I'm not really thinking of to in a session to be honest um but um yeah I mean as some Mar in his L is home so uh and we want continuity so uh I think uh uh yeah what will the next week we see I think he to enough in s to very much put a place on the on the discussion T shall we say 710 off caros S in the first sector now I know he's been on these tires before I don't know laugh 710 s qu quite a way down yeah and he just had a lot of over steer there and then cor unusual balance there not looking like in a good base for now that car uh let's see how here little s still on the Ste wheel and went way too far off there yeah cuz he's used to the tarmac being there and now is GRA they have to they have to adapt um well supposed get T but um of course we don't know what fuel level they R TI race TI should it be a race TI for this weekend would you would you run it on on heavy field in this session just to see um that isible team so um yeah don't know what to say to that why I just I I'm I'm speculating could it be I race be not that's not know many people his running there's that new bit of gravel that has been put in we're giving a big thumbs up dur Chad to the uh these gravel traps that have been BR a little bit closer to the track Hallelujah we love [Music] team radio uh I think the drivers the the grip level is coming but just as a reference from 2019 to today in bar into a 1.3 second slow up so we know I think you said a 339 with fb1 in 2019 right so low 35 where and as Mike still 3 seconds from that tells you where the Tom m is in terms of grip level cheers crew thank you for that shower qu improves to go four F over8 chance off the Bas team M KS currently 13th at [Music] fastest the three corners thr the gravel closer to the side of the track and caros S finding out exactly where that gravel was and picking up a a large Blom for dust into the sky they put out the uh small Fire by the side of the track and so we can get back up with the racing now the practice now is George Russell on the hard tire for Mercedes who stays 20th and slowest so far 141 one as his best tie Mercedes putting their dri on the the hard Tire to start this session others like Ferrari going on the soft few on the mediums as well real mixture of of tires out on this track currently real mixture of tires and strategies I mean Mercedes is probably the most easy to understand and obvious one they've started with the high tire and high fuel just to get that race balance uh sorted and then they will go for some qualifying practice at the end of the at the end of the session where whereas the others are really doing yes Sprint qualify later today so they will use medium Tire before the soft tire the first two parts of strep qu is medium then we have soft for uh for the final top 10 on that one so you can understand some of the medium Tire Runners out there uh to get a feel if they're on low fuel of course we what the fuel levels are uh currently what we do know is that there seems to be at low grip which is not a surprise CU it is the first practice and the track and will be nice and fresh especially after the rain but we had the other dayis Hamilton as CH trying to get temperature into his tires let Max [Music] P that was not very friendly m h would not be happy with that and know he's locked up what did he a bits and and at the last minute realized he had to stay to the right coming into the pits there I think there's Pro that the drivers have to stay to the right here that was introduced by the race director [Music] overnight Lewis has to go a bit closer to that gravel trap anyway Nik H will not be having there didn't see him at all CU he was right behind the Red Bull and so he just ran him off the track a drive through into the pitch there which makes me think that that wasn't a PL entrance into the pits either for Le hon that it looked like a lock up into the corner and I'm not sure looking it enough so he's he's already held up yeah yeah he locked up oh there's McLaren in the way and also mess going on there wow you see I was right I it looked very weird and it was a lock up and it w basy as so well points it out BYO on that one I mean Ser karum we've only been away for 5 years and leis Hamilton one of the more experienced drivers we don't have four weekends but last year it was only a 10th across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between the Sprints and the the thing so uh so far podcast has had quite a bit of an advantage over Joe the season talking of advances Matt just sta him with a 1394 still the fastest driver Now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonso who of course secur the constructors champman back in 2005 when he won here was sat next to Joe gu in the press conference yesterday Joe said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of whom was Fernando alono can't quite believe I'm now sat next to him and I'll be on the grid in my home race with him on Sunday and Fernando Alonzo here for another couple of years as well which I'm sure will please as to M that man the sportive director Andy Stevenson and signed a contract to remain with the team and then hinted yesterday that it would probably be his last contract 45 for 45 by the end of it yeah but um he did say probably yeah I didn't say definitely so he left the door open to continue to the 50s to the 6 the only man who said definitely was you and you've stuck to it you've never wanted to come back and he found it very easy to to give up this racing habit I think Fernando Oro would find [Music] amazing you know at his age I mean he's going to be 42 years old very very soon yeah across of we don't have four weekends but last year it was only 10th across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between the Sprints and the the thing so uh so far Bas has had quite a bit of an advantage over Joe the season Talking bage Max for sta him with 139 full still the fastest driver but now by only 11 millisecond from Fernando Alonso of course secur the construct championship for Ren back in 2005 when he won here was sat next to Joe gu in the press conference yesterday said I can remember watching the [Music] first can't quite believe I'm now sat next to him and on the grid in my home race with him on Sunday andando alono here for another couple of years as well which I'm sure will please as that the sporting director Andy Stevenson and sign the contract to remain with the team and then hit his yesterday would probably be his last I be 45 45 by the end of it yeah but um he did say probably yeah he didn't say definitely so he left the door open to continue to the 50 the only man who said definitely was you and you've stuck to it you never wanted to come back and you found it very easy to to give up this racing haveit I think Fernando will also find next easy no no it's never find easy either but uh yeah certainly Fernando looks like he's still very much enjoying um racing the lifestyle so good for him and I'm I'm it's amazing you know at his age he's going to be 43 years old very very soon yeah and he is still absolutely at the top of the game know so uh it's brilliant to see 43 years old kud ji I think C like your thoughts as well I feel like Fernando is the first of the drivers in that post Michel schak generation where they came in and Michael raised the power right in Fitness and you know just level professionalism and Fernando when he arrived 2001 he been trading hard for 20 OD years so really yeah okay the numbers is 45 but he hasn't got the fitness of body of an average 45y old and that's why I think he can still keep going in this of the SCH cross all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions wi the Sprints and the the thing so uh so far bcast has had quite a bit of an advantage over Joe this season talking of Advantage Max ver stord with 1394 still the fastest driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonso of course secur the constructions Champion for Ren back in 2005 what he won here was sat next to Joe G in the press conference yesterday Jo said I can remember across across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions the the thing so so far podcast has had quite a bit of an advantage of this SE talking of advantage Max was SCA with 1394 still the fastest driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonso of course secure the constructions championship for Rena back in 2005 what he won here was s to Joe G in the press conference yesterday Jo said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of whom isando Alonzo can't quite believe I'm now sat next to him and I'll be on the grid in my home race with color science out on the track a few moments ago this was a turn 10 one of three corners but they brought the gravel closer to the side of the track SS finding out exactly where that gravel was and picking up a large plume of dust into the sky they put out the small Fire by the side of the track so we can get back off with the racing now the practice now should say this is George Russell on the hard time for Mercedes stays 20th and slowest so far with a 141 one as his best time Mercedes put in that drivers on the the hard tie to start this session and others like Ferrari going on the soft on the mediums as well real mixture of of tires out on this track currently real mixture of tires and strategies I mean Mercedes is probably the most easy to understand and obvious one they've started with the high tire and high fuel at the end of the at the end of the session where the others really doing whole mix of things yes Sprint qualify later today so that we use medium Tire before the soft tire the first two parts of Sprint qualifying is medium then we have S for for the final top 10 on that one so you can understand some of the medium time Runners out there to get a feel if they're on low fuel currently what we do know is that there seems to be at low brick which is not a surprised first practice session and the track will be nice and fresh especially after the r look we had the other dayis Hamilton as shs trying to get temperature into his tires let's Max with st fast who's uh not on a who is on a lap I should say and then it will gets a little bit scruffy there [Music] coming into the think there a that the drivers have to stay to the right that was introduced by the race director overnight Le has to go a bit closer to that brael trap anyway ni will not because I think Le didn't see him at all cuz he was right behind the red him off the track is done a drive through to the P there which makes me think that that wasn't a plan entrance into the PS either Le yeah that's what I said that it looked like a lock up into the corner there and I'm not sure look at it enough so he's he's already held up yeah yeah he lock up oh there's a McLaren in the way and also that's oh home mess going on there [Music] wow and as well pointed out by Bono on that one Kar we've only been away for 5 years Le Hamilton one of the more experienced drivers I think he to enough though it sound to very much a book of place of the of the discussion say 710 off Carlos s in the first sector now I know he's been on these tires before 710 off cor a low way down yeah and he just had a lot of over there in the Hy corner B there not looking like in a good base now that far but let's see how it goes in the exit here feeling the St wheel and went way too far off there as he's used to the being there and now there grabble how do they have to they have to adapt um well spotted again turn 10 but um you of course we don't know what fuel level they're running huh I mean um so far off in the first VOR could be just running a l more fuel at is a soft tire a race Tire should it be a race tire for this weekend would you would you run it on on heavy Fu just to see um that is like impossible dams no so um yeah don't know what to say to that why I just I'm speculating could it be a race Tire could be why not Trev M I know many running and there's that new bit of gravel that is we we giving a big thumbs up dur Chand to the be gravel traps have been brought a little bit closer to the track H coffee we love takes away that nons all give us T that long time isn't it we need more of these of the track um I just pick a couple of things I'm listening in radio here um the think the drive is it the goup level is coming but just as a reference go from 2019 to today into a 1.3 second store so we know I think you said a 339 with fb1 in 2019 so we should be in the low 35s where and said we still 3 seconds on that that tells you the time like his cheers K thank you for that shower improves to go four fastest overall off the base team like caros Curr 13th at fastest said I'm going to have to interrupt you you end up get about there's lots of girls on the track they ain't going to last for long there's a fire by the side of the track the grass has caught lights there is a fire at the grass Ser understood and I don't think I have ever ever seen grass catch fire by the side of a for a one track and I'm sure there's a marshall nearby with a fire exting uh to to put this out and it's a very small grass fire at the moment but so Cy I want you to say now how do you think that happened I would not even like to begin to speculate on that one and I tell you what it would not have happened on Wednesday CU When we landed here in Shanghai there was the delug of all Del uses it was like a wet weekend in grimville when we when we haded here nothing wrong with that spent many a happy Saturday afternoon at grimby but there's no chance that I say it's a small car see how fast but it is windy today and it it it's very very Breezy today here and I assume them that that has helped dry out the grass by the side of the track which is uh nice and short and Marshall with one fire extinguisher 20 out but is now a fairly large pile of of of black debris where the grass used to be but I have no idea how that would have happened unless of course nio a spark from underneath the car from the titanium blocks has just caught on a bump or something and S the Sparks showering into the grass by the side of the track and that's what's ignited it would be pretty miraculous though would be but mean there's probably no other [Music] [Music] explanation could be I mean cuz the wind is p in that direction and they would push them from from where the cars are it would push the Sparks into the quarter I'm idiot I mean it's either of Doubt or a very elaborate way to stop Ted kravits for 4 cars by the side of the track great Japan now a fire at here in Shanghai once a against certain dur Chanel this is not good for any driver or any team who only had 60 minutes to get practice uh in time in time for the uh for the spring qualifying later and now got even less time have Kar I'll come to you in a moment Mike Rags with us on the pitb and as Martin at first time he's joined us and Mike we're really really grateful that you give him some time to come and have a chat to us this this is very very bad news for you and the rest of the teams isn't [Music] it yeah I don't um yeah bad news the same for everybody and so what was your run plan for today what what were you hoping to try and do during the 16-minute session and that we have the but actually you you know the first thing he he's a proper baseland run which I think everybody has done now uh track uh there seems to be not a lot of grip uh from the surface uh but noral homework that you tried to do uh in the Baseline track is now again after this more Interruption so I think uh there's not so much disruption to the program to be honest that's good um what do you know of the track a surface um from these early stages what of the drive has been saying and and fact that we've had that bitman paint put down how much of a surprise was that to you before you came here yeah right there was not So Much Information coming here uh about the Sur itself we discovered this yesterday uh on the track the drivers have reported and you see the left time outs are quite far from left time or expected left time so I think there need to be the next and then they would be interesting in qualified to see the track Improvement and the driver improvement so uh yeah something to look for yeah absolutely you worry a bit mik that we we'll have a racing line with lots of crit and and then offline it won't get the chance to grip in a bit and that might make overtaking a bit more tricky for the races yeah I understand they concern but overtaking is normally the main straights so the is so I think to the corners it's probably two but it is also and for for other circuits that the r line is the most poy one so uh yeah with the overtaking main on the STS I think we do not see that procession Mike it's Nico here just a very different topic just confirm your one driver Fernando which is super when when can we expect you to confirm uh Lance is surely that should be just uh um should be done soon right yes something that I'm not really thinking about to Inn a session to be honest but uh yeah I mean as Mar in is Lance is home so uh and we want continuity so uh I think uh uh yeah over the next week we'll see we W have four weekends but last year it was only a 10 across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between the Sprints and the so uh so far podcast has had quite a bit of an advantage over Joe this talking of Advantage Max was St him with 1394 still the fastest driver but now by ear 11 milliseconds from Alonso of course secur the Constructors Championship for Rena back in 2005 when he won here was sat next to Jo new in the press conference yesterday and Co said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of whom was Fernando alono can't quite believe I'm now sat next to him and I'll be on the grid in my home race with him on Sunday Ando alono here for another couple of years as well which I'm sure as M that myet the sporting director Andy Stevenson have signed a contract to remain with team and then hinted yesterday that it will probably be his last contract in Formula One 45 uh 4 45 by the end of it yeah but um he did say probably I didn't say definitely so he left the door open to continue to the 50 to the only man who said definitely was you and you've stuck to it you never wanted to come back and you found it very easy to to give up this racing habit I think Fernando alono would find it less easy no never easy I didn't find it easy either but uh yeah certainly Fern looks like he's still very much enjoying um the racing and the lifestyle so good for him and I'm I'm it's amazing you know at his age I mean he's going to be 43 years old very very soon now I'm across of we have four weekends but last year it was only a 10 across or I think it was 28 qualifying sessions to Wi a spint so uh so far podcast has had quite a bit of an advantage over Joe the season talking of Advantage Max for sta him with 13 full still the fastest driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonzo of course secur the con structur championship for Rena back in 2005 when he won here was sub to Joe press conference yesterday Joe said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of whom was Fernando Alonzo can't quite believe I'm now sat next to him and I'll be on the grid in my home race F him on Sunday and now here for another couple of years as well which I'm shown with please as martic from that my there the sporting director Andy Stevenson had signed the contract to remain [Music] with5 45 by the end of it yeah but um he didn't say probably yeah he didn't say definitely so he left the door open to continue to the to the the only man who said definitely was you and you've stuck to it You' never wanted to come back and you found it very easy to give up this racing habit I think Fernando wono would find it less easy no no it's never e but yeah certainly looks like he's still very much enjoying um the racing and the LIF style so good for him and I'm I'm it's amazing you know at his age I mean he's going to be 43 years old very very soon yeah and he is still absolutely at the top of the game you know so uh it's brilliant to see 43 years old kud in Ji I think Cy he he kind of made your thought as well I feel like Fernando is the first of the drivers in that post Michael schak generation where they came in and mich raised the power right in Fitness and and you know just that level professionalism and Fernando 2001 you know he's been trading hard for 20 OD years so really yeah okay the numbers is 45 but he hasn't got the fitness of body of an average 45y old and that's why can still keep going well in this ER of the SP we will have full we oh I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between the Sprints and the the thing so uh so far Bast has had quite a bit of an advantage over job Seas talking of bage Max ver St with 1394 still the fastest driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonso secure the constructions championship for Rena back in 2005 we won here was sat next to Joe gu at the press conference yesterday Joe said I can remember across across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between so so far podcast has had quite a bit of an advantage over Joe the season Talking ofage Max for staff with a 1394 still the fastest driver but now by only 11 millisecs from Fernando Alonso of course secur the constructions championship for Rena back in 2005 when he won here was sat next to Joe gu at the press conference yesterday Joe said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my Heros one of them is Fernando Alonzo can't quite believe I'm now sat next to him and I'll be on the grid in my home race with him on I'm going to have to interrupt you you know that bit about there's lots of cars on the track a't going along there's a fire by the side of the track the grass has caught lights there's a fire at the grass 6 or S understood and I don't think I have ever ever seen grass catch fire by the side of a form one track and I'm sure there's a marshall nearby with a fire extinguisher uh to uh to put this out it's a very small gr fire at the moment but so try I want you to say now how do you think that happen I not even like to begin to speculate on that one and I tell you what it would not have happened on Wednesday cuz when we landed here in Shang High there was the Del us of all Del uses it was like a wet weekend in Grimsby when we when we landed here nothing wrong with that but many a happy Saturday afternoon in grimby uh but there's no chance that say see how and I assume them that that has helped dry out uh the grass by the side of the track which is uh nice and short and the Marshall one fire extinguisher pulling out what is now a a fairly large pile of of of black Davy where the grass used to be but I have no idea how that would have happened unless of course ni as SP from underneath the car from the titanium blocks as caught on a bump or something and sent the Sparks showering into the grass by the side of the track and that's what's ignited it that would be pretty miraculous though would it like I mean there's probably no other explanation but or yeah maybe it is be there's a bump there where where cars are putting spots out every single left every single time to go by but that this would be really miraculous could be I mean the wind is point in that direction and they always would push them from from where the cars are SP into the corner I me I mean talk about or a very elaborate way to stop Ted kravit reporting on cars by the side of the track you know we have rated Japan and now a fire here in Shanghai once he get for certain dur Chanel this is not good for any driver or any team who only had 60 minutes to get practice uh in time in time for the uh for the qualifying later and now got even less time have K I'll come to you in a moment Mike cracks with us on the and as Martin at first time he's joined us and Mike really really grateful that you give him some time to come and have a chat to us this this is very bad news for you and the rest of the teams is it yeah I don't um bad news but he just by everybody F not me and so what was your run plan for today what are you what were you hoping to try and do during the 16-minute session uh that we have for practice well actually you uh you know the first thing is is a proper Baseline run which I think has done now uh about checking the car checking the track there seems to be not a lot of grip uh from the surface uh but it's this the normal homework that you try to do the Baseline track is turned to Green now again after this more Interruption so I think there's not so much disruption to the program to be honest that's good and um what do you know of the track uh surface um from these early uh stages what are the drivers been saying and and the fact that we've had that vitim and paint put down how much of a surprise was that to you yeah right there was not So Much Information coming here uh about the C we discovered this yesterday uh on the truck inspection the drivers have reported and you seen the left time outs are quite far from moment uh left time or or expected left time so I think uh there needs to be a bit of rubbering in over the next laps and then they would be interesting in qualifying to see the track Improvement and the driver improvement so yeah look yeah absolutely do do worry a bit mik that we we'll have a racing line for lots of grp and and then offline it won't get the chance to grip in a bit and that might make overtaking a bit more tricky for the races um yeah I understand the concern uh but on the other hand the overtaking is normally of the main STS so uh where the DRS is so I think uh through the corners it's probably true but it is also the same for for other circuits that the r of line is the most so uh yeah with the overtaking mainly on the straights I think uh we do see that possession confirm your Fernando super when when can we expect you to confirm uh Lance as surely that should be just uh um should be done soon right yes something that I'm not really thinking about during a session to be honest uh but uh yeah I mean as some Martin is Lance is home so uh and we want continuity so uh I think uh uh I think you did enough though it sound to very much a book of place on the on the discussion table 710 off Carlos s in the first sector now I know he's been on these tires before I done a lap on over 710 SS CAU caught a long way down yeah and he just had a lot of oversteer there in the he be corner on not looking like in a good Bas now that part uh let's see how it goes when the exit here a little bit Snappy St and went way too far off there yeah cuz he's used to the tarmac being there and now his grabble they have to they have to adapt um well spoted again to 10 but um of course we don't know what fuel level they're running huh I mean um so far off in the first sector uh could be that they're just running a lot more fuel at the moment is it soft tire a race TI should it be a race TI for this weekend would would you run it on on heavy field in this session just to see um that is like impossible um yeah don't know what to say to that is your not many people friends whatsoever is you well um his Carlos side running wild turn 10 again there's that new gravel that has been put in we we we giving a big thumbs up for a CH off to the uh these gravel traps that have been brought a little bit closer to the track Hallelujah coffee we love TR the edge of the track takes away that nonsense need more of these trops the edge of the track um I just pick a couple of things listening another team radio in here uh I think the drivers the the goup level is coming but just as a reference to from 2019 to today in B into a 1.3 second slow so we know I think you said a 339 be W in 29 right so we should be in the low 35s where and as Mike said we're still at 37 that tells you where the comat is uh in terms of grip level all cheers K thank you for that show BRS to go four fastest to overall and takes off the pace te Ms currently his 13 at fastest colos SS out on the track a few moments ago this was a turn 10 one of three corners but he brought the gravel closer to the side of the track girl of ss finding out exactly where that gravel was and picking up a a large Blom of dust into the sky they put out the uh small Fire by the side of the track and so we can get back off with the racing now we practice now I should say this is George Russell on the hard tire for at Mercedes putting their drivers on the the hard Tire to start this session others like Ferrari going on the soft few the mediums as well real mixture of of tires out on this track currently real mixture of tires and strategies I mean Mercedes is probably the most easy to understand and obvious when they started with the high tire and high fuel just to get that race balance uh sorted and then they will go for some qualifying practice at the end of the at the end of the session where whereas the others are already doing mix yes Sprint qualify later today so they will use medium Tire before the soft tire the first two parts of spread qualifying is medium then we have soft for uh for the final top 10 on that one so you can understand some of the medium tie Runners out there to get a [Music] fi will be nice and fresh especially after the r we had the other dayis Hamilton as trying to get temperature into his tires let Max for staff pass who's uh not on is on my lap I should say and then it all gets a little bit St when Nik hul I think wanted to get past as well VI that was not R friendly niik H and at the last minute realized he Happ to stay to the right coming into the pits there I think there's a b that the drivers have to stay to the right in that was introduced by the race overnight Le has to go a bit closer to that brael trap anyway will not be Happ [Music] that and Le has done a drivethru into the bit which makes me think that that wasn't a plan entrance into the bits either for leis hon yeah I said that it looked like a lock up into the corner there and I'm not sure look enough so he's already held up yeah yeah he lock up oh there's a McLaren in the way and off oh whole mess going on there wow you see I right I it looked very weird and it was the lock up and W Asbury as the well fors it out by Pho on that one I mean k we've only been away for 5 years leis Hamilton one of the more experienced drivers we w't have four weekends but last year it was only a across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between the Sprints and the the thing so uh so far podcast has had quite a bit of an advantage over Joe this season talking of boxes Max with sta him with 1394 still the fastest driver but now by only 11 millisecond from Fernando Alonso of course secure the constructors Champion the run back in 2005 what he won here was sat next to Joe GR in the press conference yesterday Jo said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of whom was Fernando alono can't quite believe I now sat next to him and I'll be on the grid in my home race with him on Sunday and alono here for another couple of years as well which I'm sure we pleas as M that my thetive director and ston had sign a contract to remain with the team and then hinted yesterday that it will probably be his last contract in Formula 1 but be 45 uh 4 45 by the end of it yeah but um he did take probably yeah didn't take definitely so he left the door open to continue to the 50 to assist Yodi M who said definitely was you you've stuck to it you've never wanted to come back and you found it very easy to to give up this racing habit I think Fernando alonto would find left SE no no it's was never easy I didn't find it easy either but uh yeah certainly Fernando looks like he's still very much enjoying um racing the lifestyle so good for him and I'm I'm it's amazing you know at his age I mean he's going to be 3 years old very um across we're going to have four weekends but last year it was only a 10th across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between the Sprints and the the thing so so far bcast has had quite a bit of an advantage [Music] over driver Now by 11 [Music] of course secur the constructions championship for Ren back in 2005 when he won here was s next to Joe gu in the press conference yesterday Jo said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of them was Fernando Alonzo can't quite believe I'm now sat next to him and I'll be on the grid in my home race with him on Su andern alono here for another couple of years as well which I'm sure pleas as martic and that my V the sportive director Andy Stevenson at sign of the contract remain with the team and then hint is yesterday that prob his last contract in form one be 45 at 4 45 by the end of it but [Music] um the only man who said definitely was you you stuck to it you've never wanted to come back and you found it very easy to to give up this racing habit I think Fernando would find it that's easy no no it's never easy I didn't find it easy either but uh yeah certainly Fernando looks like he's still very much enjoying um the racing him the lifestyle so good for him and I'm I'm it's amazing you know at his age I mean he's going to be 43 years old very soon he is still absolutely at the top of the game you know and so uh it's brilliant to see 43 years old M but I had long I think Cy he he kind maybe ni like your thoughts as well but I feel like Fernando is the first still the drivers in that post Michael shoak generation where they came in and Michael raised the power right in Fitness and and you know just and Fernando when he arrived 2001 you know he'd been trading hard for 20 OD years so really yeah okay the numbers is 45 but he hasn't got the fitness of body of an average 45y old and that's why I think he can still keep going we in this ER of this both we won't have full weekend of acoss all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between the Sprints and the the thing so so far bcast has had quite a bit of an advantage over Joe this season talking of Advantage Max versus St with 139 full still the fastest driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonso of course secure the constructions championship for Ren back in 2005 what he won here was sat next to Joe GL the press conference yesterday show said I can remember across across all I think it was 28 qualified SE the Sprints in the the thing so so far Bas has had quite a bit of an advantage show this season talking of advanage Max for staff with a 1394 still the fastest driver but now by only 11 millisecs from Fernando Alonso of course secure the constructions championship Ren back in 2005 when he won here was sat next to Joe GL in the press conference yesterday Joe said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of whom is Fernando Alonzo can't quite believe I'm now s next to him and I'll be on the grid in my home race with him color SS out on the track a few moments ago this was a turn 10 one of three corners but they brought the gravel closer to the side of the track finding out exactly where that gravel was and picking up a large plume of dust into the sky they put out the small Fire by the side of the track and so we could get back on with the racing now the practice now should this is George Russell on a hard tire for Mercedes who stays 20th and slowest so far with a 141 one as his best TI at Mercedes putting their drivers on the hard Tire to start this session others like Ferrari going on the soft few on the mediums as well real mixture of of tires out on this track C real mixture of tires and strategies I mean Mercedes is probably the most easy to understand an obvious one they've started with the high tire and high fuel just to get the race balance uh sorted and then they will go for some qualifying practice at the end of the where the other so we use medium Tire before the soft tire first two parts of spread qualifying as medium then we have soft for uh for the final top 10 on that one so you can understand some of the medium Tire Runners out there to get a feel if they're on low fuel of course we don't know what the fuel levels are uh currently what we do know is that there seems to be at low grip which is not a surprise because it is the first practice session and the track be nice and fresh especially after the raid thought we had the other day phis Hamilton as CH trying to get temperature into ties that's Max with sta Bast who's uh on who is on a lap I should say and then it all gets a little bit scruffy there with hul I think wanted to get past as well because that was not very friendly not be happy with that and now he's locked up what a [Music] bit the right overnight Lewis has to go a bit closer to that gravel trap anyway niik H will not be happy with that cuz I think L didn't see him at all CU he was right behind the Red Bull just ran him off the track and and Lewis has done a driveth through into the pitch there which makes me think that that wasn't a brown bit Le hon yeah that's what I said that it looked like a lock up into the point and I'm not sure let looking enough so he's he's already held up yeah yeah he loock up oh there's a McLaren in the way and also but oh whole mess going on there wow you see I was right they I it looked very weird it [Music] was we've only been away for 5 years leis Hamilton one of the more experienced drivers I think you to enough it sound to very much put place on the on the discussion table shall we say 71 off Carlos s in the first sector now I know he's been on these tires before I done know lap B but 710 offs qu quite a long way down yeah and he just had a lot of over there in the corner not looking like in a good place for now that Park uh let's see how it goes when the exit here a little bit Snappy still in the steer wheel and went way too far off there he's used to the tarmac being there and now there's gravel they have to they have to adapt um well spos to again to Ted but um of course we don't know what fuel level they're running huh I mean um so far from the first uh could be that they're just running a lot more fuel at the moment is it soft tire in race time should it be in race time for this weekend would he would you run it on on heavy fuel in this session see um to Cy that is like impossible team um yeah don't know what to say I just I'm speculating could it be a race Tire course be why not you not know many people friends you his CARiD running wild at turn 10 again there's that new bit of gravel that has have been put in we we we're giving a big thumbs up dur Chad to the uh these gravel traps that have been brought a little bit closest to the track track we have all the time isn't it we need more of these absolutely edge of the track um I just pick out a couple of things I'm listening in under team radio in here uh I I think the drivers the the G level coming but just as a reference to from 2019 to today in power into a 1.3 second slower so we know I think you said a 339 with fb1 in 2019 right so we should be in the low 35s where and as Mike said we're still about 3 seconds that tells you where the time is inp level I CH through thank you for that sh qu to go four fastest overall near the 81 off the te like K currently 13th at [Music] fastest fire at the grass 6 or S and I don't think I have ever ever seen grass catch fire by the side of a foral one track now I'm sure there's a martial nearby with a fire shot uh to to put this out and it's a very small grass fire at the moment but so profy I want you to say now how do you think that happened I would not even like to begin to speculate on that one and I tell you what it would not have happen on Wednesday when we landed here in Shanghai there was the delug of all Del uses it was like a wet weekend in Grim school when we had when we landed here nothing wrong with that but many a happy Saturday afternoon at grimby and [Music] wind today and it it is very very Breezy today and I assume then that that has helped dry out uh the grass by the side of the track which is uh nice and short and the Marshall with one fire extinguisher putting out what is now a fairly large pile of uh of of black Dy when the used to be but I have no idea how that to happen unless of course Nico a spark from underneath the car from the titanium blocks as just caught on a bump or something and sent the Sparks showering into the grass by the side of the track and that's what ignited it that would be pretty miraculous though wouldn't it like I mean there's probably no other explanation but or may yeah and maybe it is be there's a bump there where where cars are putting Sparks out every single go left every single time they go by but that this would be really miraculous could be I mean cuz the wind is point in that direction and they always would push them from from where the cars are it would push the part into the quarter I me I mean it's about or very elaborate way to stop Ted kravits with 140 cars by the side of the track you know we have rated chipad now a fire here in Shanghai once a for this is not good for any driver or any team who only had 6 minutes to get practice uh in time in time for the uh for the uh Sprint qualifying later and now got even less time at Ken I'll come to you in a moment Mike CS with us on the pit wall at Aston Martin at first time he's joined us and Mike we're really really grateful that you given him some time to come and have a chat to us this this is very bad news for you and the rest of the teams isn't it yeah I um yeah same for everybody so uh and so what was your run plan for today what are you what were you hoping to try and do during the 16-minute session that we have for practice actually you uh you know the first thing he's he's a proper based landine run which I think everybody has out about checking the car checking the track there seems to be not a lot of grip uh but it's noral homework that you Tred to do uh in the B F Track is Turn 3 now again after this more Interruption so I think there's not so much disruption to the program to be honestos um what do you know of the track uh surface um from these early uh stages what of the drivers been saying and and the fact that we've had that vitim how much surprise uh about the surface itself uh we justed this yesterday uh on the truck inspection the drivers have reported uh low grip and you see the left times are quite far from normal left time or or expected left time so I think there needs to be a bit of f in over the next laps and then they would be interesting in qualifying to see the TR Improvement and the driver improvement so yeah something to look for two yeah absolutely you worry a bit M that will have a racing line lots of grip and and then offline it won't get the chance to grip in a bit and that might make overtaking you a bit more tricky for the races yeah I understand the concern but other hand the overtaking is normally on straights so uh where the DRS is so I think the corers it's probably true but it is also the same for for other circuits that the r of nine is the mosty one so uh yeah with the overtaking mainly on the strikes I think uh um we do not see that procession Mike it's Nico here this is a very different topic you just confirmed your one driver Fernando which is super when when can we expect you to confirm uh L surely that should be just uh um should be done soon right yes something that I'm not really thinking about during a session to honest U but uh yeah I mean that's Martin is L is home so uh and we want continuity so uh I think uh uh yeah over the next week we'll see have four weekends but last year it was only a 10th across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between the Sprints and the the thing so uh so far bcast has had quite a bit of an advantage over Joe this season talking of Advantage Max sta him with a 1394 still the fastest driver but now by ear 11 M seconds from Fernando Alonso of course secur stru championship for Ren back in 2005 when he won here was sat next to Joe gr at the press conference yesterday Joe said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of whom was Fernando Alonzo can't quite believe I'm now sat next to him and I'll be on the grid in my race with him on Sunday and uh Lano alono here for another couple of years as well which I'm sure will please as M that madet the sporting director Andy Stevenson and signed a contract to remain with the team and then hinted yesterday that it will probably be his last contract in Formula One but I it be 45 uh 4 45 by the end of it yeah but um he did say probably yeah I didn't say definitely so he left the door open to continue to the Yodi M who said definitely was you and you stuck to it you never wanted to come back and you found it very easy to to give up this racing habit I think fernandoo would find it easy no no I was never easy I didn't find it easy either but uh yeah certainly Fernando looks like he's still very much enjoying um the racing and the lifestyle so it good for him and I'm I'm it's amazing you know at his age I mean he's going to be 43 years old very very soon now andoss we're going to have four weekends but last year it was only a 10th across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between a SP the thing so uh so far mar has had quite a bit of advantage over Joe the season talking box each Max for St him with 139 full still the fastest driver Now by 11 CH back in5 Joe gu knew in the press conference yesterday show said up and remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of whom was Fernando Alonzo can't quite believe I'm now sat next to him and I'll be on the grid in my home race fil him on Sunday andando alono here for another couple of years as well which I'm sure will please as sportive director Andy Stevenson and sign a contract to remain with the team and then hits it yes today that it will probably be his lost contract in Formula 1 but 45 at 4 45 by the end of it yeah but um he did say probably yeah he didn't say definitely so he left the door open to continue to the to the Yodi man who said definitely was you and you've stuck to it and you never wanted to come back and you found it very easy to to give up this racing haveit I think fernandoo find it less easy no no it's was never easy I didn't find it easy either but uh yeah certainly fando looks like feel very much enjoying um the racing and the lifestyle so a good friend him I'm I'm it's amazing you know at his age I mean he's going to be 43 years old Barry R he is still absolutely at the top of the game you know and so uh it's brilliant to see 43 years oldo I think Cy he he kind maybe Nico like your thoughts as well but I feel like Fernando is the first of the drivers in that post Mich Shak generation where they came in and Michael raised the ball right in Fitness and and you know just level professionalism and when he arrived 2001 you know he been training hard for 20 OD years so really yeah okay the numbers is 45 but he hasn't got the fitness of body of an average 45y old and that's why I think he can still keep going well in this other both and we won't have full weekend across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between the Sprints and the thing so uh so far podcast has had quite a bit of an advantage over Joe this season talking of Advantage Max for sta him with a 1394 still the fastest dver Now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonso of course secured the construction championship for Rena back in 2005 when he won here was sat next to Joe gu in the press conference yesterday Jo said I can remember across across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between the the things [Music] so talking of Advantage Max for staing with 1394 still the fastest driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando alono of course secure the Constructor chamionship for Rena back in 2005 when he won here was sat next to Joe at the press conference yesterday show said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of whom is Fernando alono don't I believe I'm now sat next to him and I'll be on the grid in my whole race with I'm going I have to interrupt you you know that bit about this lots of girls on the track that ain't going to last for long there's a fire by the side of the track and grass has caught lights there is a fire at the grass six to seven understood and I I have ever ever seen grass catch fire by the side of a fora one track and I'm sure there's a marshall nearby with a fire exting to to put this out and it's a very small grass fire at the moment buty I want you to say now how do you think that happened I would not even like to begin to speculate on that one and I tell you what it would not have happened on Wednesday cuz when we landed here in Shanghai there was the Deluge of all Del uses it was like a weekend in G nothing wrong with that but many a happy Saturday afternoon in grimby uh but there's no chance that I say it's a small far see how fast it spreads here but it it is windy today and it it is very very Breezy today here and I assume them that that has helped dry out uh the grass by the side of the track which is nice and short [Music] what is now a a fairly large pile of of of black debris where the grass used to be but I have no idea how that would have happened unless of course Nico a spark from underneath the C the titanium blocks has just caught on a bump or something and sent the Sparks showering into the grass by the side of the track and that's what's ignited it that would be would be you I mean there's probably no other explanation but or yeah maybe it may there's a bump there where where cars are putting spots on every single lap every single time they go by but that this would be really miraculous could be I mean cuz the wind is pointing in that direction and they would push them from from where the cars are it would push the Sparks into the corner I mean inside of about or very elab white to stop Ted kravits with 14 on cars by the side of the track you know we have R in Japan and now fight here in D High wants a g for K Channel this is not good for any driver or any team who only had 60 minutes to get practice uh in time in time for the uh for the uh Sprint qualifying later and now got even less time at Ken I'll come to you in a moment Mike CS with us on the P at Aston Martin at first time he's joined us and Mike we're really really grateful that you given some time to come and have a chat to us this this is very bad news for you and the rest of the teams isn't it yeah I don't work um bu just same for everybody so and so what was your run plan for today what are you what were you hoping to try and do during the 16-minute session that we have for [Music] practice but actually you uh you know the first thing is he's a proper Baseline run which I think everybody them now uh about checking the car checking the track the seems to be not a lot of grip the surface uh but this this the normal homework that he tried to do the Baseline track is turned to three now again after this eruption so I think there's not so much disruption to the program to be honest um what do you know of the track H surface um from these early uh stages what of the drivve has been saying and and the fact that we've had that bitchman paint b down how much of a surprise was that you uh before you came in day right there was not So Much Information coming here uh about the surface itself we discovered this yesterday track inspection the drivers have reported uh low GP you see the left times out are quite far from noral left time expected left time so I think uh there needs to be a bit of R over the next laps and then they would be interesting in qualifying to see uh the track Improvement and driver improvement so something to look for you you yeah absolutely you worry a bit Mike that we we'll have a racing with lots of grip and and then offline you won't get the chance to grip in a bit and that might make overtaking a bit more tricky for the races yeah I understand the concern overtaking is normally on the sub the main straights so uh where the DRS is so I think uh through the corners it's probably true but it is also the same for for other so the Rob of nine is the most try one so uh yeah taking mainly on the straights I think uh we do not see that procession uh Mike it's Nico here just a very different topic you just confirmed your one driver Pando which is super when when can we expect you to confirm uh Lance surely that should be just uh um should be soon right yes something that I'm not really thinking about to win a session to be honest but um yeah I mean that's Mar is L is home so uh and we want continuity so uh I think uh uh the next week I think he It's s to very much a book of place on the on the discussion T sh say 71 off caros s in the first sector now I know he's been on these tires before I don't know how before but 710 offs quite quite a long way down yeah and he just had a lot of over there on that high corner very unusual balance there not looking like in a good place now that car uh let's see how it goes on the exit here a little bit Snappy still in the St whe and went way too far off there yeah cuz he's used to the tarmac being there and now let's gravel they have to they have to um well well suppos to get to but um of course we don't know what F level there bu huh I mean um being so far off in the first sector uh could be that they're just running on out more fuel at the moment it's a soft tire and race TI should it be a race tire for this weekend would you would you run it on on heavy field in this session just to see um Cy that is like impossible [Music] yeah don't know what to say to that why I just I'm speculating could it be a race Tyre many running there's that new bit of gravel that is been put here we we we're giving a big thumbs up these grael traps have been brought a little bit closer to the track Hallelujah company into the track takes away that nonsense I'll give us track isn't it we need more of these Trav trops absolutely the edge of the track um I just figure out a couple of things lening under team radio in here uh I I think the driver is bit the grip level is coming but just as a reference from 2019 to today in power there were 1.3 second so we know I think you said a 339 with fb1 in 29s right so we should be in the low 35s and as Mike said we're still 3 seconds that that tells you where [Music] the cheers thank you for that shower Bru to go four fastest to overall like K currently 13th the fastest color sights out on the track a few moments ago this was a turn 10 one of three corners but they brought the gravel closer to the side of the track caros s finding out exactly where that gravel was and picking up a a large plume of dust to the sky they put out the uh small Fire by the side of the track and so we could get back off with the racing now the practice now we should say this is George Russell the hard tire for Mercedes who stays 20th and slowest so far with a 141 one as his best tie at Mercedes putting their drivers on the the hard Tire to start this session others like Ferrari going on the soft few on the mediums as well real mixture of of tires out on this track real mixture of tires and strategies I mean Mercedes is probably the most easy to understand and obvious when they started with the high tire and high fuel just to get that race balance uh sorted and and they will go for some qualifying practice at the end of the at the end of the session where whereas the others are really doing yes Sprint qualify later today so they will use medium [Music] Tire the medium Tire Runners out there to get a feel if they're on low fuel of course we don't know what the fuel levels are uh currently we do know is that there seems to be at lowp which is not a surprise because it is the first practice session and the track will be nice especially after the raid th we had the other day phis Hamilton as CH trying to get temperature into his tires let Max St fast who's uh not on a who is on a lap I should say and then it all gets a little bit scruffy there with NI hulkenberg I think want to get past as well VI that was not very friendly m h will not be happy with that and now he's locked up what bit H and and at the last minute realized he have to stay to the right coming into the pits there I [Music] think director overnight Lewis has to go a bit closer to that brabel trap anyway Nico H will not be happy with that cuz I think didn't see him at all cuz he was right behind the Red Bull and so he just ran him off the track and Lewis has done a drive through to the pit there which makes me think that that wasn't a plan entrance into the BS either for leis hon yeah because I said then it looked like yeah and I'm not sure looking enough so he's he's already held up yeah up oh there's a McLaren in the way and [Music] off look very weird and it was a lock up and it w beasy as well points It Out by Bono on [Music] of weekend last all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions to be the Sprints in the thing so uh so far bcast has had quite a bit of an advantage over Joe this talking of Advantage Max was sta him with a 1394 still the fastest driver but now by ear 11 misec from Fernando Alonso of course secure the constru championship for run back in 2005 when he won here was sat next to Joe G in the press conference yesterday Joe said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of whom was Fernando Alonzo can't quite believe I'm now sat next to him and I'll be on the grid in my home race s on [Music] the sporting director Andy Stevenson had sign a contract to remain with the team and then they hinted yesterday that it would probably be his last contract in Formula 1 it it be 45 uh 4 45 by the end of it yeah but um he did say probably I didn't say definitely so he left the door open to continue to the 50s to the only man who said definitely was you and You' stuck to it you never wanted to come back and you very easy to to give up this racing habit I think Fernando Al would find it less easy no no it's never easy I didn't find it easy either but yeah certainly Fernando looks like there's still very much enjoying um the racing and the lifestyle so good for him I'm I'm it's amazing you know at his age I mean he's going to be 43 years old very very soon [Music] but so far B has had quite a bit of an advantage over Joe the season talking of Advantage Max for staff 1394 still the fastest driver but now by only 11 millisec from Fernando Alonso of course secured the construction championship for Ren back in 2005 when he won here was sat next to Joe gu in the press conference yesterday Joe said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of them was Fernando Alonzo can't quite believe I'm now sat next to him and I'll be on the grid in my whole race with him on Sunday and Fernando alono here for another couple of years as well which I'm sure we please ask that my bet the [Music] sport that it will probably be his last contract in fora one it going to be 45 at 4 45 by the end of it yeah but um he didn't say probably yeah he didn't say definitely so he left the door open to continue to the fifth the only man who said definitely was you and you've stuck to it and you've never wanted to come back and you found it very easy to to give up this racing habit I think Fernando W next easy no no it's never easy I didn't find it easy either but uh yeah certainly Fernando looks like still very much enjoying um the racing and the lifestyle so good for him and I'm I'm it's amazing you know at his age I mean he's going to be 43 years old very very soon yeah and he is still absolutely at the top of the game you know I'm say it's brilliant to see 43 years old [Music] K Michael raised the power rightness and and you know just level professionalism and Fernando and 2001 you know he's been training hard for 20 OD years so really yeah okay the numbers is 45 but he hasn't got Fitness of 40 of an average 45 that's why can still keep going when he the sport going have full weekend across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between the Sprints and the the thing so uh so far Bast has had quite a bit of an advantage over Joe this season talking of Advantage Max for Sten with a 1394 still the fast driver but now by only 11 millisecs from Fernando ala of course secure the constructions championship for Ren back in 2005 he W here was sat next to Joe guer in the press conference yesterday Joe said I can remember across across oh I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between the Sprints and the the F so so far has had quite a bit of an advantage over Joe this season talking of Advantage Max verus staff with a 139 still the fastest driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonso of course secure the construct championship for Renault back in 2005 when he won here was sat next to Joe guu in the press conference yesterday Joe said I can remember watching the first place here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of whom was Fernando Alonzo can't quite believe I'm now sat next to him and I'll be on the grid in my home race with col out on the track a few moments ago this was a turn 10 one of three corners but they broke the gravel closer to the side of the track sight finding out exactly where that gravel was and kicking up a a large bloom of dust into the sky and they put out the uh small Fire by the side of the track so we could get back up with the racing now the practice now should say this is George Russell on the hard tire for Mercedes St 20th and slowest so far with a 141 one as his best tie put in their drivers on the the hard Tire to start this session others like Ferrari on the soft few on the mediums as well real mixture of of tires out on this real mixture of tires and strategies I mean probably the most easy to understand and obvious one they've started with the high tire and high fuel just to get that race balance uh sorted and then they will go for some qualifying factors at the end of the at the end of the session where whereas the others are really doing whole mix of things yes Sprint qualify later today so they will use medium Tire before the soft tire the first two parts for spread qualifying as medium then we have soft for uh for the final top 10 so you can understand some of the medium tie Runners out there to get a feeli if they're on low field we don't know what the field levels are currently what we do know is that it seems to be at low brick which is not a surprise because it is the first practice session and the track will be nice and fresh especially after the rain th we had the other dayis Hamilton has CH trying to get temperature into his tires next match St Bast who's uh not on a who is on a lap I should say and then it all gets a little bit scruffy there M hul to past that was not very friendly mik H will not be happy with that and now he's locked up going to the pits and and at the last minute realized he had to stay to the right coming into the pits there I think there's a pro but the drivers have to stay to the right that was introduced by race director overnight Le has to go a bit closer to that brael trap anyway not be Happ that I think see him at all cuz he was right behind the Red Bull and so I just ran him off the track L is a drive through to the pitch there which makes me think that that wasn't a b entrance into the pits either for Le hamon yeah that's what I said that it looked like a lock up into the corner there and I'm not sure looking enough so he's he's already held up yeah oh there's a McLaren in the way and also there oh home mess going on there wow that you see I was right it look very weird and it was and it w the asy as well pointed out by Pono on that one I mean Ser Kar we've only been away for 5 years leis Hamilton one of the more experienced driv I think you enough in s to very much place the on the discussion table shall we say 710 12 Carlos s through the first sector now I know he's been on these tires before I don't know la for but 710 off sad a long way down yeah and he just had a lot of over steer there in the height be Corner R onug balance there not looking like face for now that car uh let's see how it goes on the exit here and went way too far off there yeah cuz he's used to the tarmac being there and now let Grabel do they have to have to adapt um well spoted again turn 10 but um of course we don't know what fuel level they're running I mean um so far off in theor uh could be that they're just running more fuel at the moment is a soft tire race TI should it be a race TI for this weekend would you would you run it on on heavy Fiel in this session just to see that is like impossible impossible teams know away so um yeah don't know what to say to that why I just I'm I'm speculating could it be a race could be why not yeah you Trevor m i iost not know many people friends whatever is his caros running wide at 10 10 again there's that new bit of gravel that has been put we we we're giving a big thumbs up G Chad to the uh these gravel traps that have been BR a little bit closer to the Trap Hallelujah coffee we love gravel tra to the track takes away that nonis all giv track giv us we have all the time isn't it we need more of these T TOS absolutely edge of the track um I just figure a couple of things I'm listening in another team radio in here uh I think the drivers the the grip level is coming but just as a reference to from 2019 to today in there were 1.3 seconds slow so we know I think you said 339 with fb1 in 39 right so we should be low 35s where and as Mike C said we're still at 3 seconds from that that tells you where the car like is uh he cheers K thank you for that sh and Bruce to go four fastest to over nearly 81 off the base this team car currently 13th at fastest T I'm going to have to interrupt you you know that bit about there HS of cars on the track they ain't going to Lost for long there's a fire by the side of the track the grass has caught lights there is a fire at the grass 6 to 7 UND and I don't think I have ever ever seen grass catch fire by the side of a for a one track and I'm sure there's a marshall nearby with a fire extinguisher uh to to put this out and it's a very small grass fire at the moment but so Cy I want you to say now how do you think that happened I would not even like to begin to speculate on that one and I tell you what it would not have happened on Wednesday because when we landed here in Shanghai there was the Del us of all Del uses it was like a wet weekend in Grim when we uh when we landed here nothing wrong with that but many a happy Saturday afteron uh but there's no chance that I say SL see how fast it sprs here but it is windy today and it it is very very Breezy today here and I assume them has helped dry out the crass by the C track which is uh nice and short and the Marshall with one fire pulling out what is now a a fairly large pile of uh of of black day where the grass used to be but I have no idea how that would have happened unless of course Nico a spark from underneath the car from the [Music] titanium CAU a [Music] [Applause] [Music] like I mean there's probably no other explanation but or may yeah maybe it is being there's a bump there where where cars are putting spars on every single lap every single time Vibes but that this would be really miraculous could be I mean the wind is poin in that direction and they know would push them from from where the cars are it would push the Sparks into the for you I me I mean inside of that are a very elaborate way to stop Ted krabit reporting on cars by the side of the track you know we have ra now a fire here in Shanghai one thing is for Chanel this is not good for any driver or any team who only had 60 minutes to get practice uh in time in time for the uh for the uh Sprint qualifying later and now even less time at Kar I'll come to you in a moment Mike cracks with us on the pit wall and as Mar at first time he's joined us and Mike we're really really grateful that You' given some time to come and have a chat to us this this is very bad news for you and the rest of the teams isn't it yeah I don't um yeah B same for everybody so uh not me prob and so what was your run plan for today what are you what are you hoping to try and do during the 16-minute session and that we have for practice but actually you uh you know the first thing is is a proper Baseline run which I think everybody has done now uh about checking the you can do track uh there seems to be not a lot of grip uh from the surface uh but this this the normal homework that he tried to do line track is turned to three now again after this more Interruption so I think there's no so much disruption to that's good um what do you know of the track uh surface um from these early uh stages what of the drive has been saying and and the fact that we've had that vitim paint put down how much of a surprise was that to you before you came here yeah right there was not So Much Information coming here uh about the surface itself we discovered this yesterday uh the tribers have reported low brick and you SE the left F out are quite far from uh left time or expected left time so I think there needs to be a bit of rubbering in over the next laps and then they would be interesting in qualified to see uh the track Improvement and the driver improvement so uh yeah something to look for two yeah absolutely to worry it might have a racing line for lots of crit and and then offline it won't get the chance to grip in a bit and that might make overtaking a bit more tricky for the racers um yeah I understand the concern uh hand the overtaking is normally on the subate strikes so uh so I think through the corners it's [Music] probably Mike it's Nico here this a very different topic you just confirmed your one driver perando which is super when when can we expect you to confirm uh GL surely that should be just uh um to be done soon right yes something that I'm not really thinking about during a session to be honest uh but uh yeah I mean Mar is L is home so uh and we want continuity so uh I think uh uh yeah over the next week we will have four weekends but last year it was only a 10th across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions the Sprints and the the thing so uh so far podcast has had quite a bit of an abage over this season talking of advances Max ver sta with 1394 still the fast driver but now by ear 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonso of SEC the constru championship for Rena back in 2005 when he won here was sat next to Joe G in the press conference yesterday CH said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of whom was Fernando alono can't quite believe I'm now sat next to him and I'll be on the grid in my home race withing on Sunday andando alono here for another couple years as well which I'm sure will please as Mar that M the sportive director Andy Stevenson signed a contract to remain with the team and then hinted yesterday that would probably be his last contract in form [Music] one the only man who said definitely was you stuck to it you never wanted to come back and you found it very easy to give up this racing habit I thinkto find it less easy it's never easy I didn't find it easy either but uh yeah certainly Fernando looks like still very much enjoying um the racing of the lifestyle so a good for him I'm it's amazing you know at his age I mean he's going to be 43 years old very very soon across of we going have four weekends but last year it was only a 10 across all I think it was 28 qualified sessions so uh so far podcast has had quite a bit of an adantage over J the season talking of Max sta him with 1394 still the fastest driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonso of course secured the constructions Cham it for Renee back in 2005 when he won here was sat next to Joe gu in the press conference yesterday Joe said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of them Miss Fernando Alonzo can't quite believe I'm now set to him and I'll be on the grid in my race will him on Sunday and Mano here for another couple of years as well which I'm sure will pleas as Mar that my the sporting director Andy Stevenson and sign the contract to remain with the team and then hits his yesterday will probably be his last contract in form one but I think be 45 at 4 45 by the end of it but um he didn't say probably yeah didn't say definitely he left the door open to continue to the 50 the only man who said definitely was you and you've stuck to it you've never wanted to come back and you found it very easy to give up this racing haveit I think Fernando alono would find it less easy no no it's never easy I didn't find it easy either but uh yeah certainly Fernando looks like he's still very much enjoying um the racing him the lifestyle so good for him and I'm I'm it's amazing you know at his age I mean he's going to be 42 years old very very soon and he is still Absol at the top of the game you know and so uh it's brilliant to see 43 years old K in I think Cy he he kind maybe like your thoughts as well I feel like Fernando is the first of the Dr in that post Michael sh generation where they came in and Michael raised the power right in Fitness and and you know just a little professionalism and Fernando and he arrived 2001 you know he's been trading hard for 20 OD years so really yeah okay the numbers is 45 but he hasn't got the thickness of 40 of an average 45y old and that's why I think he can still keep going what in the sport we have full weekend of oh I think it was 28 qualifying sessions to win and the so so far B has had quite a bit of an advantage over Joe this season talking of bage Max was staff with 1394 driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonso of course secur the construct championship for Rene back in 2005 when he won here was sat next to Joe gu at the press conference yesterday Jo said I can remember across across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between the Sprints and the the thing so so far podcast has had quite a bit of an advantage over Jo this season of advances Max t with 1394 still the fastest driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonso of course secur the constructions championship for Rena back in 2005 when he here was sat next to Joe GL new in the press conference yesterday Joe said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of whom was Fernando Alonso can't quite believe I'm now set next to him and I'll be on the grid in my home race with I'm going to have to interrupt you you know that bit about there's lots of girls on the track they ain't going to last for long there's a fire by the side of the track the grass has caught lights there is a fire at the grass 6 to seven underst and I don't think I have ever ever seen grass catch fire by the side of a Formula One Track I'm sure there's a marshall nearby with a fire extinguisher to to put this out it's very fire at the moment but Soy I want you to say now how do you think that happened I would not even like to begin to speculate on that one and I tell you what it would not have happened on Wednesday because when we landed here in Shanghai there was the delug of all D uses it was like a wet weekend in gsv when we when we landed here nothing wrong with that many a happy Saturday afternoon in grimby uh but there's no chance that smoke see how spread but it it is windy today and it's very very Breezy today here and I assume that that that has helped dry out uh the grass by the side of the track which is uh nice and short and the Marshall with one fire extinguisher uh putting out but is now a a fairly large pile of uh of of black day where the grass used to be but I have no idea how that would have happened unless a spark from underneath the car from the titanium blocks has just caught on a bump or something and S the Sparks showering into the grass by the side of the track and as what's ignited it that would be pretty miraculous but would like I mean there's probably no other explanation but for yeah maybe it be there's a bump there where where cars are pulling spars out every single lap every single time they go by but that this would be really could be I mean cuz the wind is point in that direction and they would push them from from where the cars are it would push the Sparks into the corter I mean exide of that or a very elaborate way to stop tech graits for 40 cars by the side of the track we have R now fire here in Shanghai once a for Chan up this is not good for any driver or any team who only had 60 minutes to get practice uh in time in time for the uh for the uh Sprint qualifying later and now got even less time at Kar I'll come to you in a moment Mike CS with us on the pit wall at Aston Martin at first time he's joined us and Mike we're really really grateful that you given him some time to come and have a chat to us this this is very bad news for you and the rest of the teams isn't it yeah I don't um yeah back news bu just a for everybody so uh not me and so what was your run plan for today what are you hoping to try and do during the 60-minute session uh that we have for practice you uh you know the first thing is he's a proper Baseline run which I think everybody has done now uh about checking the car I can to track not a lot of grip from the surface uh but this the normal homework that you tried to do uh in the basine track turned three now again after this more interruption so I think there's not so much disruption to the program to be honest uh that's good um what do you know of the track surface um from these early uh stages one of the drivers been saying and and the fact that we've had that btim and paint put down how much of a surprise was that to you uh before you came here yeah you right there wasn't so much information coming year uh about the surface itself so we discovered this yesterday uh truck inspection the drivers have reported low grip and you see the left quite far [Music] from ring in over the next and then they would be interestingly qualifi to see uh the track Improvement and the driver improvement so uh yeah something to look for two two yeah absolutely do you worry a bit Mike that we we'll have a racing line for lots of GP and and then offline it won't get the chance to grip in a bit and that might make overtaking a bit more tricky for the races yeah I understand the concern but on the other hand they taking is normally on the main stes so where the drses so I think the corners it's probably true but it is also the same for for other circuits line is the most could one so uh yeah with over the stra I think and we do not see that possession Mike it's Nico here this a very different topic you just confirm your one driver Fernando which is super when when can we expect you to confirm uh lad surely that should be just uh um should be done soon right yes something that I'm not really thinking about to Wi a session to be honest uh but um yeah I mean some in this L is home so uh and we want continuity so uh I think uh the next week we I think he did enough though in s to very much B of place on the on the discussion T say 710 off Carlos s in the first sector now I know he's been on these tires before I don't know but 710 offs qu quite a long way down yeah and he just had a lot of over there corner on you go [Music] little bit SL M and went way too far off there cuz he's used to the tarmac being there and now this grab they have to they have to adapt um well supposed get Tot but um of course we don't know what few level they're running huh I mean um being so far off in the first sector uh could be running is this soft tire and race Tire should it be a race tire for this weekend would you would you run it on on heavy F session just to see um that is like impossible any the teams know way so so um yeah don't know what to say to that why I just I'm I'm specula could it be a race not Trev you not know many people by now umid running wi at 10 10 again there's that new bit of gravel that has have been put in we we we're giving a big thumbs up dur Chand off to the uh these gravel traps that have been BR a little bit closer to the track Hallelujah coffee we love gravel trap at the end of this that arac we have all time is more the track um I just F out a couple of things I'm listening another team radio in here uh I think the drivers that the goup level is coming but just as a reference do from 2019 to today in into a 1.3 second slore so we know I think you said a 339 with1 in 39 right so we should be in the low 35 and as Mike said we're still over 3 seconds from that that tells you where the like his level cheers K thank you for that show impr go four fastest overall the 810 off the Bas team caros Curr 13th at fastest col SS out on the track a few moments ago this was a turn 10 one of three corners the gravel closer to the side of the track car s is finding out exactly where Gra wasn't picking up a large plume of dust into the sky and they put out the small Fire by the side of the track and so we could get back on with the RAC now the practice now we should say this is George Russell on the hard tie for Mercedes who stays 20 and slowest so 14 [Music] mediums as well real mixture of tires out on this track currently real mixture of tires and stres I mean Mercedes is probably the most easy to understand an obvious one they've started with the high tire and high fuel just to get that race balance sorted and then they will go for some qualifying practice at the end of the at the end of the session where whereas the others are really doing whole mix of things yes Sprint qualify later today so that we use medium Tire before the s tire the first two parts of Sprint qualifying is medium then we have soft for uh for the final top 10 on that one so you can understand some of the medium Tire Runners out there to get a feel if they're on [Music] lck which is not a surprise because it is the first practice and the track will be nice and fresh especially after the break but we had the other day was as trying to get temperature into his tires that's Max with sta past who's not on a who is on a lap I should say and then it will gets a little bit scruffy there with Nik Hulen I think wanted to get past as well because and that was not very friendly Nik hogenberg will not be happy with that and he's locked up the bits and and at the last minute realized he had to stay to the right coming into the pits there I think there's a pro that the drivers have to stay to the right to that was introduced by uh the race resor overnight Lewis has to go a bit closer to that gravel trap anyway would not be happy on an that cuz I think didn't see him at all cuz he was right behind [Music] the that's what I said that it looked like a lock up and I'm not sure look at it another so he's he's already held up yeah yeah he lock up oh there's the mlar in the way also oh whole mess going on there wow for you see I was right I said it looked very weird and it was a lock up and it walk the gas so well pointed out by Pono on that one sh karum we've only been away for 5 years and leis Hamilton one of the more experienced drivers we W have four weekends but last year it was only 10 across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between the splints and the the thing so uh so far bcast has had quite a bit of an advantage over Joe this talking of the bounces Max was staff with 1394 still the fastest driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonso of course secured the construct championship for Rena back in 2005 what he won here was sat next to Jo knew at the press conference yesterday Jo said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of whom was Fernando Alonzo can't quite believe I'm now sat next to him and I'll be on the grid in my home race will him on Sunday Ando here for another couple of years as well which I'm sure will please ason Martin now my man the sporting director Andy Stevenson and signed a contract to remain with the team and then they hinted yesterday that would probably be his last contract in Formula One but be 45 uh 4 45 by the end of it but um he did say probably I didn't say definitely so he left the door open to continue to the 50 to assist the only man who said definitely was you and you've stuck to it we never wanted to come back and you found it very easy to to give up this racing habit I think Fernando Alonzo would find it less easy no no it was never easy I didn't find it easy either but yeah certainly Fernando looks like he's still very much enjoying um the racing in the lifestyle so a good for him and I'm I'm it's amazing you know at his age I mean he's going to be 43 years old very very soon across we have four weekends but last year it was only a 10th across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between the Sprints and the the thing so uh so far podcast has had quite a bit of an advantage over Joe the season talking of Advantage Max was staing with 139 full still the fastest driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonzo of course secur the constructions championship for Rena back in 2005 when he won here was sat next to Joe gu in the press conference yesterday Joe said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of whom was Fernando Alonzo can't quite believe I'm now sat next to him that be on the grid in Mah race will on Sunday and here for another couple of years as well which I'm sure pleas and that my there the sporting director Andy Stenson has signed a contract to remain with the team and then H yesterday that it will probably be his last contract in Formula One be 45 for he's 45 by the end ofia but um he did say probably yeah he didn't say definitely so he left the door open to continue to the 50 to the 50 Yodi M definitely either but uh yeah certainly Fernando looks like he's still very much enjoying um the racing and the lifestyle so good for him and I'm I'm it's amazing you know his age I mean he's going to be 43 years old very very soon yeah and he is still absolutely at the top of the game you know and so uh it's brilliant to see 43 years old kud in Jamal I think Cy he he kind maybe n like y as well but I feel like Fernando is the first of the drivers in that post Michael shoak generation where he came in and Michael raised the B right in Fitness and and just profess and Fernando when he arrived 2001 you know he been training hard for 20 years [Music] 45y old and that's why I think he can still keep going well in this ER of the spoof and we won't have full weekend across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between the Sprints and the the thing so uh so far podcast has had quite a bit of an advantage over job the season talking of Advantage Max vs St with 1394 still the fastest driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonzo of course secure the construction Champion for Ren back in5 when he won here was sat next to Joe GL the press conference yesterday Joe said I can remember across across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between the splints and the the things so so far B has had quite a bit of an advantage this [Music] of course secure the championship for Rena back in 2005 when he won here was sat next to Joe guu in the press conference yesterday Joe said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my Heros one of whom was Fernando Alonzo can't quite believe I'm now sat next to him and I'll be on the grid in my home race with him on color science out on the track a few moments ago this was a turn 10 one of three corners but they brought the gravel closer to the side of the track and caros S finally out exactly where that gra was picking up a large plume of dust into the sky they put out the small Fire by the [Music] of Mercedes who stays 20th and slowest so far with a 141 one as the best tie at Mercedes putting their drivers on the the hard Tire to start this session others like Ferrari going on the soft few on the mediums as well real mixture of of tires out on this track currently real mixture of tires and strategies I mean Mercedes is probably the most easy to understand an obvious one they've started with the high tire and high fuel just to get their race balance uh sorted and then they will go for some qualifying practice at the end of the at the end of the session where whereas the others are really doing whole mix of things yes qualify later today so they we use medium Tire before the soft tire the first two parts for spread qualifying is medium then we have soft for uh for the final top 10 on that one so you can understand some of the medium Tire Runners out there to get a feel if they're on late fuel of course me we don't know what the fuel levels are uh currently what we do know is that there seems to be at low Bri which she is not a surprise cuz it is the first practice session and the track will be nice and fresh especially after great but we had the other day D Hamilton has just trying to get temperature into his tires that's Max for staffen past who's uh not on a who is on a lap I should say then it get a little sculy there with NI Hulen who I think wanted to get past as well that was not very friendly niik Hulen will not be happy with that and now he's locked up or what L is now to the bit and at the last minute realized he have to stay to the right coming into the P I think there a that the drivers have to stay to the right that was introduced by the race director overnight Lewis has to go a bit closer to that TR anyway will not be happy in an that cuz I think LS didn't see him at all cuz he was right behind the red and so he just ran him off the track LS is time a drive- through into the pit there which makes me think that that wasn't a plan entrance into the P either for Le hson yeah that's I said that it looked like a lock up the and I'm not sure have a look at it up so he's he's already held up yeah yeah he lock up oh there's a McLaren in the way whole mess going on there wow for you see I was right it looked very weird and it was a lock up and it w the as that's well pointed out by Pono on that one we've only been away for five years and leis Hamilton one of the more experienced drivers I think he did enough though it sounded to very much book of place of the of the discussion T shall say 710 off Carlos SS in the first sector now I know he's been on these ties I done the lap on over 710 UPS a l way down yeah and he had a lot of over there in the height be Corner unusual balance there not looking like in a good base P now that car see how it goes the exit here little bit Snappy feeling the and went way too far off there yeah cuz he's used to the tarmac being there and now there's grabble how they have to they have to adapt um well spos to again turn 10 but um of course we don't know what fuel level they're running huh I mean um being so far off in the first sector uh could be that they're just running a lot more Fel at the moment is it soft tire in race TI should it be in race time for this weekend would he would you run it on on heavy field in this session just to see um the cofy that is like impossible team don't know what to say to that why I just I'm speculating could be I race why not [Music] whatsoever is um his CARiD running wild at 10 10 again there's that new bit of gravel that is been for we we we're giving a big thumbs up GR Chand to the uh these gravel traps that have been brought a little bit closer to the track hallelu we love D TR this takes away that nonsense AR give usack we have over time isn't it we need more of these TR TR the edge of the f um I just fig out a couple of things I'm listening under radio in here uh I I think the drivers the group level is coming but just as a reference toping from 2019 to today inal into a 1.3 second slower so we know I think you said a 339 with fb1 in9 right so we should be in the low 35s where and as M said we're still at 3 seconds from that that tells you where the Tom m [Music] is I thank you for that sh and brues to go four fastest to overall 8 CH off the pace is team M currently 13th at fastest Ted I'm going to have to interrupt you you know that bit about this girls on the track they ain't going to last for long there's a fire by the side of the track grass has caught lights there is a fire the grass 67 understood and I don't think I have ever ever seen grass catch fire by the side of a Formula One Track I'm sure there's a marshal nearby with a fire extinguisher to put this out and it's a very small grass fire at the momenty I want you to speculate on that one and I tell you what it would not have happened on Wednesday because when we landed here in Shanghai there was the Deluge of all deluges it was like a what we did with when we when we landed here nothing wrong with that but many a happy Saturday afternoon of gby uh but there's no chance that I say it's a small far see how fast it spreads here but it is windy today and it it is very very today here and I assume them that that has helped dry out uh the grass by the side of the track which is nice and short and the Marshall with one fire extinguisher the putting out what a fairly large pile of uh of of black debris where the grass used to be but I have no idea how that would have happened unless of course Nico a spark from underneath the car from the titanium blocks has just caught on a bump or something and sent the Sparks showering into the grass by the side of the track and that's what's ignited that would be pretty miraculous though with the I mean there's probably no other explanation but but or may yeah maybe it is be there's a bump there where where car putting Sparks out every single left every single time to go by but that this would be really miraculous I mean the wind just pointing that direction push them from from where the cars are would push the Sparks into the corter I mean I mean inside of that or a very elaborate way to St said grabits for 14 on cars by the side of the track you know we have ra Jaan now a fire here in Shanghai once for channel this is not good for any driver or any team who only had 60 minutes to get practice uh in time in time for the uh for the uh Sprint qualifying later and now I've got even less time Karen I'll come to you in a moment Mike rcks with us on the pitb at ason Martin at first time he's joined us and Mike we're really really grateful that you given him some time to come and have a chat to us this this is very bad news for you and the rest of the teams isn't it [Music] yeah I um yeah B news bu thebody so and so what was your run plan for today what are you what were you hoping to try and do during the 16-minute session uh that we have for [Music] practice but actually you uh you know the first thing he's he's a proper Baseline run I think everybody has done now uh about checking the car checking the track uh from the surface uh but it's this noral homework that he tried to do uh in the Bas line track is turned now again after this more Interruption so I think there's not so much disruption to the program to be uh that's go um what do you know of the track uh surface um the early uh stages one of the drivers been saying and and the fact that we've had that vitiman paint put down how much of a surprise was that to you before you came here yeah right there wasn't so much information coming here uh about the surface itself we discovered this yesterday uh on the track inspection the drivers have reported uh low grip you see the left time out are quite far from normal uh lap time or or expected lap time so I think uh there needs to be a bit of rubbering in over the next steps and then they would be interesting in qualified to see uh the track Improvement and the D Improvement uh yeah something to look for you you yeah absolutely you worry a bit Mike that we we'll have a racing line we lots of grip and and then offline it won't get the chance to grip in a bit and that might make overtaking a bit more tricky for the races yeah I understand the concern but on the other hand overtaking is normally on on the main straights so uh where the DRS is so I think uh I'll the corners it's probably true but it is also the same for for other C the Rob line is the most gry one so uh yeah overtaking mainly on the straights I think uh um we do not see that procession Mike it's Nico here this a very different topic you just confirmed your one driver which is super when when can we expect confirm [Music] yes something that I'm not really thinking about during a session to be honest um but um yeah I mean some in this L is home so uh we want continuity so uh I think uh uh yeah next week we'll see we won't have four weekends but last year it was only a 10th across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between a Sprint the the things so uh so far maras has had quite a b of an advantage over Joe this season talking Bo is Max sta with 1394 still the fastest driver but now by only 11 millisecond from fernandoo alonza of course secured the conr championship for Ren back in 2005 what he won here was sat next to Joe grer at the press conference yesterday Joe said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering know my heroes one of whom was Fernando alono can't quite believe I'm now sat next to him and I'll be on the grid in my home race with him on Sunday andando Alonzo here for another couple of years as well which I'm sure will please as M that M the sporting director Andy steon have signed a contract to remain with the team and then hinted yesterday that it will probably be his last contract in Formula One 4 45 by the end of it but um he did say probably yeah I didn't say definitely so he left the door open to continue to the 50s to his ass Yodi M who said definitely was you and you've stuck to it you never wanted to come back you found it very easy to to give up this racing habit I think Fernando would find it less easy no no I was never easy I didn't find it easy either yeah certainly F looks like he's still very much enjoying um the racing and the lifestyle so a good for him and I'm I'm it's amazing you know at his age I mean he's going to be 43 years old very very soon and ofr have four weekends but last year it was only a 10 across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between the Sprints and the the thing so uh so far forast has having quite a bit of an advantage over Joe the season talking of Advantage Max for staffen with 1394 still the fastest driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonso of course secured the constructions championship for Rena back in 2005 when he won here was sat next to Joe gu new in the press conference yesterday Joe said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of whom was Fernando Alonzo I believe I'm now sat next to him and I'll be on the grid in my home race with him on Sunday and alono here for another couple of years as well which I'm sure will please as Mar that might bet the sporting director Andy Ste and signed a contract to remain with the team and then hit his yesterday that it will probably be his last contract in Formula One but said be 45 for 45 by the end of it yeah but um he didn't say probably yeah he didn't say definitely so he left the door open to UE to the to the the only man who said definitely was you and you stuck to it youve never wanted to come back and you found it very easy to to give up this racing habit I think Fernando would find it less easy no no it's never easy I didn't find it easy either but uh yeah certainly Fernando looks like he's still very much enjoying um the racing him the lifestyle so good for him and I'm I'm it's amazing you know at his age I mean he's going to be 43 years old very very soon and he is still absolutely at the top of the game you know and so uh 43 years old k j I think Cy he he kind maybe ni like your thoughts as well like like fando is the first of the drivers in that post Michel Sho generation where they came in and Michel raised the power right in Fitness and and you know just a l professionalism and Fernando when he arrived 2001 you know he's been training hard for 20 OD years so really yeah okay Columbus is 45 but he hasn't got the fitness of body of an average 45y old and that's why I think he can still keep going we're in this era of the sport we won have [Music] so so far B has had quite a bit of an advantage over Joe this season talking of a Max staff with a 139 full still the fastest driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonso of course secured the constructions championship for Rena back in 2005 what he won here was sat next to Joe G the press conference Jo said I can remember across across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between the Sprints and the the things so so far mar has had quite a bit of an advantage over Joe the season talking of Advantage Max was sta him with a 139 score still the fastest driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from [Music] the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of whom was Fernando Alonso can't quite believe I'm now sat next to him and I'll be on the grid in my home I'm going to have to interrupt you you know that bit about there of cars on the track that ain't going to last for long there's a fire by the side of the track BR has C lights there is a fire in the grass 67 understood and I don't think I have ever ever see grass catch fire by the side of a foral one track and I'm sure there's a marshall nearby with a fire extinguisher uh to to put this out and it's a very small grass fire at the moment but I want you to think how do you [Music] think speculate on that one and I tell you what it would not haveen on Wednesday CU When we landed here in Shanghai there was the delug of all Del uses it was like a wet weekend in Grim when we had when we landed here nothing wrong with that SP many a happy Saturday afternoon in Grimsby uh but there's no chance that un say it's a small far see how fast it spreads here but it it is windy today and it it it's very very grey today here and I assume then that that has helped dry out uh the grass by the side of the track which is nice short and the Marshall with one fire putting out what is now a very large pile of uh of of black de where the grass used to be but I have no [Music] idea the track was ignited it that would be pretty miraculous though would it I mean there's probably no other explanation but yeah maybe it is be there's a bump there where where cars are putting Sparks out every single lap every single time to go by but that this would be really miraculous could be I mean cuz the wind is poting in that direction they push them from from where the cars are would push the Sparks into the corner come here I mean it's s of that or very wait to stop t crra with 40 cars by the side of the track you we have ra Japan now fire here in Shanghai once is for career Chanel this is not good for any driver or any team who only get time the the Sprint qualifying later and now got even less time Kar I'll come to you in a moment Mike RS with us on the pitb at Aston Martin at first time he's joined us and Mike we're really really grateful that you given some time to come and have a chat to is this this is very bad news for you and the rest of the teams isn't [Music] it yeah I don't work um yeah bad news bu just same for everybody so uh not problem and so what was your run plan for today what are you what were you hoping to try and do during the 16-minute session uh that we have for practice but actually you uh you know the first prop Baseline run which I think everybody has done now uh about checking the car checking the track uh there seems to be not a lot of grip uh from the surface uh but it's this noral homework that he tried to do uh in the Baseline track is turned fre now again after this more Interruption so I think there's not so much disrupture to the program to be honest that's goes um what do you know of the track uh surface um from these early uh stages one of the driv saying and and the fact that we've had that bitchman paint put down how much of a surprise was that to you uh before you came in yeah right there was not So Much Information coming here uh about the surface itself we discovered this yesterday uh on the truck inspection the drivers have reported low grip um you seen the left time out are quite far from normal uh left time or or expected left time so I think needs to be a bit of rubbering in over the next laps and then interesting in qualifying to see uh the track Improvement and the driver improvement so uh yeah something to look for two yeah absolutely to worry a b Mike that we we'll have a racing line with lots of grip and and then offline it won't get the chance to grip in a bit and that might make overtaking a bit more tricky for the races um yeah I understand the concern uh but on the other hand the overtaking is normally on the the main stes so uh where the DRS is so I think through the corners it's probably true but it is also this head for for other circuits that the Rob mosty one so uh yeah with main on the strikes I think we do not see that [Applause] procession Mike it's Nico here just a very different topic you just confirmed your one driver Fernando which is super when when can we expect to [Music] confirm something that I'm not really thinking about to ining a session to be honest but um yeah I mean as Martin is L is home so uh and we want continuity so uh I think uh uh yeah what will the next week think you to enough it s to uh very much looking place on the on the discussion table shall we say 710 off Carlos s to the first seor now I know he's been on these tires before I've done a lap on before with S10 offs quite quite a long way down yeah and he just had a lot of over steer there the high corner R unusual balance there not looking like in a good place for now that car uh let's see how it goes on the exit here a little bit Snappy still in the St whe and went way too far up there used to the TAC being there and now there gravel they have to they have to adapt um well supposed to get to 10 but um of course we don't know what fuel level they're running I mean um the so far off in the first uh could be that they're just running a l more fuel at the moment is it self tire race TI should it be a race TI for this weekend would he would you run it on on heavy field of this session just to see um that is like impossible team yeah don't know what to say to that why I just I'm speculating could it be I race T be why not yeah not know many people now friends whoever is um his caros side running wide at 10 10 again there's that new bit of GRA that have been put in and we we we're giving a big thumbs up during Chad off to the uh these gravel traps that have been brought a little bit closer to the track Hallelujah we love D the end of this track takes away that nonsense all giv attack givers we have all the time isn't it we need more of these T Tops Absol the edge of the track um I just figure out a couple of things I'm listening under team radio in here uh I think the driver is bit the grip level is coming but just as a reference talking from 2019 to today inar into a 1.3 second store so we know I think you said a 339 with fb1 in 2019 right so we should be in the low 35s where and as mik said still 3 seconds from that that tells you where the time [Music] is cheers through thank you for that sh qu improves to go four fastest overall the8 sets off the face his team like caros SES currently 13th at [Music] fastest caros sites out on the track a few moments ago this was a turn 10 one of three corners but they brought the gravel closer to the side of the track K finding out exactly where the was up a large plume and dust into the sky and they put out the Smo Fire by the side of the track and so we can get back up with the racing now the practice say this is George Russell on a hard tire for Mercedes who stays 20th and slowest so far with a 141 one as his best tie Mercedes putting that drivers on the the hard Tire to start this session and others like Ferrari going on the soft few on the mediums as well real mixture of of tires out on this track current get real mixture of tires and strategies that R is probably the most easy to understand one they've started with the high tire and high fuel just to get that race bance uh sorted and then they will go for some qualifying factors at the end of the at the end of the session whereas the others are really doing whole mix of things yes Sprint qualify today so that we use medium Tire before the soft tire the first two parts of spread qualifying is medium then we have soft for uh for the final top 10 on that one so you can understand some of the medium TI run out to get a feel if they're on low fuel at G we don't know what the fuel levels are uh currently what we do know is it seems to be at low brip which is not a surprise because it is the first practice session and the track will be nice and fresh especially after the raid thought we had the other day talk trying to get temperature into his tires let's Max for sta Bast who's uh not on a is on a lap I should say and then it all gets a little bit scruffy there with n hulkenberg I think wanted to get past as well that was not very friendly m h will not be happy with that now he's up bit and and at the last minute realized he had to stay to the right coming into the P I think there's a Bart that the drivers have to stay to the right to that was introduced by the race director overnight has to go a bit closer to that gravel trap anyway Nik H will not be happy that I think Lis didn't see him at all cuz he was right behind the Red Bull and so he just ran him off the track and Lis has done a drive through to the pit there which makes me think that that wasn't a plan entrance into the P either Leon yeah that's I said that it looked like a lock up and I'm not sure looking at enough so he's he's already held up yeah yeah he's lock up oh there's a McLaren in the way and also oh whole mess going on there wow [Music] for you see I was right they I it looked very weird and it would though and it w be asy as well pointed out by Pono on that one see Kar we've only been away for 5 years leis Hamilton one of the more experienced drivers we won't have four weekends but last year it was only a 10 across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions for wi sprs and the the thing so uh so far bcast has had quite a bit of an advantage over Jo this season talking of Advantage Max was sta him with a 1394 still the fastest driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonso of course secur the Constructors Championship for Rena back in 2005 what he won here was s next Joe GR in the press conference yesterday Joe said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of whom was Fernando Alonzo can't quite believe I'm now sat next to him and I'll be on the grid in my race will him on Sunday and then alono here for another couple of years as well which I'm sure we please as M that madet the sportive director Andy Stevenson had signed a contract to remain with the team and then hinted yesterday that will probably be his last contract in Formula One but I before uh 4 45 by the end of it yeah but um he did say probably yeah I didn't say definitely so he left the door open [Music] would find it less easy no no it's never easy I didn't find it easy either but uh yeah certainly Fernando looks like he's still very much enjoying um the racing and the lifestyle so a good for him and I'm I'm it's amazing you know at his age I mean he's going to be 43 years old very very soon um across of we're going to have four weekends but last year it was only a 10th across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between the Sprints and the the thing so uh so far bcast has had quite a bit of an advantage over Joe this season talking of Advantage Max for sta him with 1394 still the fastest driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando alonza who of course secured the structur championship for Rene back in 2005 when W here was s next to Joe gu in the press conference yesterday Joe said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of them is Fernando Alonzo can't quite believe I'm now sat next to him and I'll be on the grid in my home race with him on Sunday and Fernando alonto here for another couple of years as well which I'm show pleas as martic from that M the sporting director Andy Stevenson signed a contract to remain with the team and then hit his yesterday that it will probably be lost comat in for but 45 at 4 45 by the end of it yeah but um he did say probably yeah he didn't say definitely so he left the door open to continue to the 50 to the 60 Yi M who said definitely was you and you've stuck to it and you've never wanted to come back you found it very easy to to give up this racing habit I think Fernando alonto would find it less easy no no it's was never easy I didn't find it easy either but uh yeah certainly looks like he's still very much enjoying um the racing and the lifestyle so good for him and I'm I'm it's amazing you know I him and he's going to be 43 years old very very soon yeah and he is still absolutely at the top of the game you know and so uh it's brilliant to see 43 years old in Ju I think Cy he he kind maybe n like I be like Fernando is the first of the drivers in that post Michel Sho generation where they came in and Michael raised the power right in Fitness and and you know just that level professionalism and Fernando when he arrived 2001 you know he been trading hard for 20 OD years so really yeah okay the numbers is 45 but he hasn't got the fitness of body of an average 45y old and that's why I think he can still keep going well in this ear of the both and we won't have full weekend across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between the Sprints and the so so far Bas has had quite a bit of an advantage over Joe this season talking of Advantage Max to St him with a 1394 still the fastest driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonso of course secured the construction championship for Ren back in 2005 when he won here was sat next to Jo gu in the press conference yesterday show said I can remember of cross of cross all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions in the the thing so so far Bas has had quite a bit of an advantage over Joe this season bage Max for sta with a 139 full still the fastest driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonso of course secured the construct championship for Rena back in 2005 when he won here was sat next to Joe guy in the press conference yesterday both said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of them was Fernando Alonzo can't quite believe I'm now sat next to him and I'll be on the grid in my home race with him on col sites out on the track a few moments ago this was a turn 10 one of three corners but he brought the gravel closer to the side of the track Carlo s finding out exactly where that bra was and kicking up a a large plume into the sky and they put out the small Fire by the side of the track and so we can get back off with the racing now the practice now we should say this is George Russell on the hard tire for Mercedes who stays 20th and slowest so far with a one 41 and one as his best tie at Mercedes putting their drivers on the the hard tie to start this session and others like Ferrari going on the soft few on the mediums as well real mixure of of tires out on this track Curr get real mixture of tires and strategies Mercedes is probably the most easy to understand an obvious one they've started with the high tire and high fuel just to get that race balance uh sorted and then they will go for some qualifying practice at the end of the at the end of the session where whereas the others are really doing whole mix yes Sprint qualify later today so they will use medium Tire before the soft tire the first parts of spread qualifying as medium then we have soft for uh the final top 10 on that one so you can understand some of the medium Tire Runners out there uh to get a feel if they're on low fuel of course we don't know what the fuel levels are uh currently what we do know is that there seems to be at low git which is not a surpris because it is the first practice session the track will be nice and fresh especially after the raid th we had the other dayis Hamilton as CHS trying to get temperature into his tires let Max stab and pass who's uh not on a he is on a lap I should say and then it all gets a little bit scruffy there with n hulkenberg I think wanted to get past as well VI and that was not R friendly mik hog will not be happy with that now he's locked up Le is the bits and and at the last minute realized he have to stay to the right coming into the pits there I think there's a proad that the drivers have to stay to the right that was introduced by uh the race director overnight Le has to go a bit closer to that trap anyway ni will not be happy on an that cuz I think L didn't see him at all cuz he was right behind the Red Bull and so he just ran him off the track and Le is time I dve to to the pitch there which makes [Music] me I said that it looked like a lock up into the corner there and I'm not sure never looking enough so he's he's already held up yeah yeah he lock up oh there's the mlar the way and all a whole mess going on there wow for you see I right it looked very weird and it was a lock up and it w be asy as so well points It Out by Bono on that one k we've only been away for 5 years and Le Hamilton one of the more experienced drivers I think you to enough though it sound to uh very much put the place on the on the discussion say sh say 710 off Carlos SS in the first sector now I know he's been on these tires before I don't know LA but 710 off quite cor no way [Music] down little bit Snappy in the stel and went way too there yeah cuz he's used to the TAC being there and now there's gravel they have to they have to ad um well supposed to get Ted but um of course we don't know what fuel level they're running huh I mean um being so far off the first could be that they're just running a lot more fuel at the moment is a soft tire race Tire should it be a race TI for this weekend would you would you run it on on heavy field in this session just to see umy that is like impossible team no way so um yeah don't know what to say to that why I just I I'm I'm speculating I race T could be why not yeah you're a clever M I know you not know many people but friends whatever um his caros to running wide at turn 10 again there's that new bit of gravel that has have been put in we we're giving a big thumbs up for Chand to the uh gravel traps that have been brought a little bit closer to the track Hallelujah TR takes away that Nomis all giv track givers we have all the time isn't it we need more of these D cops Absolut the edge of the track um I just a couple of things I'm listening under team radio in here uh I I think the drivers that the G level is coming but just as a reference do from 2019 to today are [Music] as mik said we're still 3 seconds from the is level thank you for that Sher improves to go four fastest to overall sets off the pace his team like K car is 13th at fastest I'm going to have to interrupt you you know that bit about this lots of girls on the track they ain't going to last for long there's a fire by the side of the track the grass has CAU lights there is a fire at the grass 6 to seven understood and I don't think I have ever ever seen grass catch fire by the side of a foral one track now I'm sure this's a marshall nearby with a fire extinguisher seeet to put this out and it's a very small grass fire at the but so Cy I want you to say now how do you think that happened I would not even like to begin to speculate on that one and I tell you what it would not have happened on Wednesday cuz when we landed here in Shanghai there was the delug of all Del uses it was like a wet weekend in grimby when we had when we landed here nothing wrong with that but many a happy Saturday afternoon in grimby and there's no chance that I say it's a small fire see how fast it spreads here but it it is windy today and it it it's very very Breezy today here and I assume them that that has helped dry out uh the grass by the side of the track which is uh nice and short and the Marshall with one fire extinguisher uh putting out is now a a fairly large pile of uh of of black Dy where the grass used to be but I have no idea how that would have happened unless of course ni a spark from underneath the car from the titanium blocks has just caught on a bump or something and sent the Sparks showering into the grass by the side of the track and as what ignited it that would be pretty miraculous though would be I mean there's probably no other explanation but well may yeah maybe it is being there's a bump there where where cars are putting spares out every single lap every single CL they go by but that this would be really miraculous I mean cuz the wind is pointing in that direction and always would push them from from where the cars are it would push the Sparks into the corter how may I mean it's out of that or a very elaborate way to stop te crabbits were 4 on cars by the side of the track you know we have raid Japan fire here in Shanghai once they get for c c Chan up this is not good any driver or any team who only had 60 minutes to get practice uh in time in time for the uh for the uh spr qualifying later and now got even less time at Kar I'll come to you in a moment Mike CS with us on the pit wall and as Martin at first time he's joined us and Mike we're really really grateful that you given some time to come and have a chat to us this this is very bad news for you and the rest of the teams isn't it yeah I um yeah bad news bu the same for everybody so uh [Music] problem and so what was your run plan for today what are you what were you hoping to try and do during the 16-minute session that we have for [Music] practice from the surface this the normal homework that you try to do uh in the Baseline track is turned to fre after this more Interruption so I think uh there's not so much disruption to the program to be honest that's go um what do you know of the track a surface uh the early stages one of the drivve has been saying and and the fact that we've had that bitchman paint put down how much of a surprise was that to you uh before you came here right there wasn't so much information coming here uh about the surface itself uh we discovered this yesterday uh on the truck inspection driv have reported low grip and you seen the left times out of f far normal uh left time or or expected lap time so I think uh there needs to be a bit of rubbering in over the next laps and then they would be interesting in qualifying to see uh the track Improvement and the driver improvement so uh yeah something to look for two you yeah absolutely you worry a bit M we have a racing line for lots of grip and and then offline it won't get the chance to grip in a bit and that might make overtake bit more trick the RAC yeah I understand the concern uh but on the other hand the overtaking is normally on the sub the main straights so uh where the DRS is so uh I think to the corers it's probably true but it is also the same for for other circuits that the r line is the most try one so uh overing mainly on the straights I think uh we do not see that procession Mike it's Nico here this is a very different topic you just confirmed your one driver Fernando which is super when when can we expect you to confirm uh Lance surely that should be just uh um should be done soon right yes something that I'm not really thinking about to in a session to be honest um but um yeah I mean that's some in this l so so uh and we want continuity so I think uh uh yeah hope the next week we'll see we W have four weekends but last year it was only a 10 across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between the Sprints and the the thing so uh so far forcast has had quite a bit was St him with a 1394 the fastest driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonzo who of course secur the construct championship for Rena back in 2005 when he won here was sat next to Joe GR in the press conference yesterday CH I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of whom was Fernando Alonzo can't quite believe I'm now sat next to him I'll be on the grid in my home race will him on Sunday and Lano Alonzo here for another couple as well which I'm sure we please as m m the sporting director Andy Stevenson had signed a contract to remain with the team hinted yesterday that it would probably be his last contract in form they it be 45 uh 4 45 by the end of it yeah but um he did say probably yeah I didn't say definitely so he left the door open to continue to the 15 the only man who said definitely was you and you've stuck to it you've never wanted to come back and you found it very easy to to give up this have it I think Fernando alono would find it less easy no no it's never easy I didn't find it easy either but uh yeah certainly Fernando looks like he's still very much enjoying um racing him the lifestyle so good for him and I'm I'm it's amazing you know at his age I mean he's going to be 43 years old very very soon of cross we're going to have four weekends but last year it was only a 10th across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between the Sprints and the the thing so so far F has had quite a bit of an advantage over Joe this seasoning of Advantage Max for staffen with 1394 still the fastest driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonso of course secured the constructions championship for Renee back in 2005 when he won here was sat next to Joe Guan in the press conference yesterday Joe said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of whom was Fernando Alonzo can't quite believe I'm now sat next to him and I'll be on the grid in myah race fil him on Sunday and uh Lando alono here for another couple of years as well which I'm sure will please Asar from that there the sporting director Andy ston sign a contract to remain with the team and then hit it yesterday that will probably be his last contract in Formula One but I said be for at 4 40 five by the end of it yeah but um he did say probably yeah he didn't say definitely so he left the door [Music] open Fernando wono would find it less easy it's never easy I didn't find it easy either but uh yeah certainly Fernando looks like he's still very much enjoying um the racing him the lifestyle so a good for him I'm I'm it's amazing you know at his age I mean he's going to be 43 years old very very soon yeah and he is still absolutely at the top of the game you know so brilliant to see 43 years old K I think Cy he he kind maybe ni like your thoughts as well but I feel like Fernando is the first of the drivers in that post Michael shoak generation where they came in and Michael raised the power right in Fitness and and you know justl professionalism and Fernando when he arrived 2001 you know he been trading hard for 20 OD years so really yeah okay the numbers is 45 but he hasn't got the fitness of body of an average 45y old and that's why I think he can still keep going but in this era of the SP we W have full weekend across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between the Sprints and the the thing so uh so far podcast has had quite a bit of an advantage over Joe this season talking of ADV it's Max for staff with a 139 full still the fastest driver but now by only 11 millisecond from Fernando Alonso of course secur the construct championship for Ren back in 205 when he won here was s next to Joe grer at the press conference yesterday Joe said I can remember across across all I think it was 28 qualifying session [Music] happen with a 1394 still the fastest driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonso of course secur the constructions championship for Rena back in 2005 when he won here was sat next to Joe gu the yesterday Joe said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of was Alonzo can't quite believe I'm now sat next to him and I'll be on the grid in my home race with I'm going to have to interrupt you know that bit about there's HS of girls on the track that ain't going to last for long there's a fire by the side of the track the grass has caught lights there is a fire at the grass understood I brass Catch Fire by the side of a former on a one track I'm sure there's a marshall nearby with a fire extinguisher uh to to put this out and it's a very small grass fire at the moment but so cfty I want you to say now how do you think that happened I would not even like to begin to speculate on that one and I tell you what it would not have happened on Wednesday cuz when we landed here in Shanghai there was the Del us of all Del users it was like a wet weekend in grimville when we when we landed here nothing wrong with that spent many a happy Saturday after grimby uh but there's no chance that I a small fire see how fast it spreads here but it it is windy today and it it it's very very Breezy today here and by assume then that that has helped dry out uh the grass by the side of the track [Music] isar of of black D where the grass used to be but I have no idea how that would have happened unless of course ni a spar from underneath the car from the titanium blocks has just caught on a bump or something and set the Sparks showering into the grass by the side of the track and that's what's ignited it that would be pretty miraculous but that me there's probably no other explanation but or may yeah and maybe it is be there's a bump there where where cars are putting Sparks out every single left every single time to go by but that this would be really miraculous could be I mean cuz the wind is pointing that direction and any would push them from from where the cars are it would push the Sparks into the [Music] corter inside of that are very elaborate way to stop T kravits reporting no cars by the side of the track you know we have rated Japan and now a fire at here in Shanghai once a get for K Chan this is not good for any driver or any team who only had 60 minutes to get practice uh in time in time for the uh for the uh Sprint qualifying later and now got even less time at Karen I'll come to you in a moment Mike CS with us on the pit wall at Aston Martin at first time he joined us and Mike we're really really grateful that you've given some time to come and have a chat to us this this is very bad news for you and the rest of the teams isn't [Music] it yeah I what um yeah back you was bu just same so not really prob and so what was your run plan for today what are you what were you hoping to try and do during the 60-minute session that we have for [Music] practice but actually you uh the first thing he's he's a proper Baseline run which I think everybody has done now uh about checking the car checking the track there seems to be another from the surface uh but it's this a noral hard work tries to do uh in the Baseline track is turned to now again after this more Interruption so I think uh there's not so much destruction to the program to be honest that's good um what do you know of the track surface um from these early uh stages what of the drivve has been saying and and the fact that we've had that bitman paint put down how much of a surprise was that to you uh before you came here yeah right there was not So Much Information coming here about the surface [Music] itself low grip and you seen the left time Zs are quite far from normal uh left time or or expected lap time so I think uh there needs to be a bit ofing in over the next laps and then they would be interesting in qualifying to see uh the track Improvement and the driver improvement so uh yeah something to look for two two yeah absolutely did you worry a bit Mike that we we'll have a racing line with lots of grip and and then off M it won't get the chance to grip in a bit and that might make overtaking a bit more tricky for the races yeah I understand concern B overtaking is normally on the St so uh where the DRS is so I think through the corners it's probably true but it is also the same for for other circuits [Music] do not see that possession Mike it's niik here just a very different topic you just confirmed your one driver pronoun no which is super when when can we expect you to confirm uh Lance surely that should be just uh um should be done soon right yes something that not really thinking about to win a session to be honest uh but um yeah I mean that's Mar this L is home so uh he we want continuity so uh I think uh uh yeah hope the next week [Applause] see I think he did enough h s to very much put the place on the the discussion table challenge T 7 of Carlos SCS in the first sector now I know he's been on these tires before had done the lap on 710 off way now yeah and he just had a lot of over steer there in the high corner unusual not looking like in a good place now that uh let's see how it goes on the exit [Music] here of course we don't know what fuel level they're running I mean um being so far off in the first sector uh could be that a lot more fuel at the moment is it soft TI and race TI should it be a race tire for this weekend would he would you run it on heavy field in this session just to see um Cy that is like impossible you impossible 30 any teams know so um yeah don't know what to say to that why just not know many people Nows [Music] whatever caros turn 10 again there's that new that put in we we're giving a big thumbs up for a CH to the gravel traps that have been brought a little bit closer to the Trap Hallelujah we love takes away that nonis are give us T if we have all time isn't it we need more of these the of the I just figure out a couple of things I'm listening in under team radio in here uh I think the drive is a good level is coming but just as a reference go him from 2019 to today in bin there were 1.3 second store so we know I think you said a 339 with fb1 in 2019s right so we should be in the low 35s and as Mike said we're still about 3 seconds from that that tells you where in the time like is in [Music] terms col SS out on the track a few moments ago this was a turn 10 one of three corners but they brought the gravel closer to the side of the track s finding out exactly where that gravel was and kicking up a a large plume of just into the sky and they put out the small Fire by the side of the track so he can get back off with the racing now practice now should say this is George Russell on the hard tire for Mercedes who stays 20th and slowest so far with a 141 and one as his best TI putting their drivers on the the hard Tire to start this session others like Ferrari soft few young the mediums as well real mixture of of tires out on this track currently real mixture of tires and strategies I mean redes is probably the most easy to understand and obvious one theyve started with the high tire and high fuel just to get that race balance uh sorted and then they will go for some qualifying practice at the end of the at the end of the session where the other are really doing whole mix of things yes Sprint qualified later today so that will use medium Tire before the soft tire the first two parts of Sprint qualifying as medium then we have soft for uh for the final top 10 on that one so you can understand some of the medium Tire Runners out there to get a feel if they're on low fuel of course we don't know what the fuel levels are uh currently what we do know is that there seems to be at low brick which is not the surprise because it is the first practice and the track will be nice and fresh especially after the break we had the other day Hamilton as trying to get temperature into his tires that's Max fora past who's uh not on a is on a lap I should say and then it will gets a little bit scruffy there with hulberg I think wanted to get past as well that was not R friendly M Hulen will not be happy with that and know he's locked up what to the B and and at the last minute realized he had to stay to the right coming into the B is a b that the drivers have to stay to the right that was introduced by uh the race director overnight which means has to go a bit closer to that Rebel trap anyway Nik H will not be happy with that because I think Lou didn't see him at all cuz he was right behind the and so he just ran him off the track and Le is done a driveth through to the pit there which makes me think that that wasn't a plan entrance into the B either yeah because I said that it looked like a lock up into the corner and I'm not sure have a look so he's he's already held up yeah yeah he lock up oh there's a mlar in the way and also oh whole mess going on there wow for you see I right I it look very weird and it was a lock up and he walk the well points it out BYO on that one see we've only been away for five years L Hamilton one of the more experienced drivers but last year it was only a 10th across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions to be in Sprints in the the thing so so far podcast has had quite a bit of an advantage over Joe this season talking of Advantage Max was St him with 1394 still the fastest driver but now by early 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonso of secur the construct his championship for Ren back in 2005 what he won here was sat next to Joe G the press conference yesterday CH said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of whom is Fernando Alonzo can't quite believe I'm now sat next to him and I'll be on the grid in my home race reallying Sunday and Nano alono here for another couple of years as well which I'm sure will pleas as M myet the sportive director Andy Stevenson have signed the contract to with the team yesterday will probably be his last contract in for be 45 4 45 by the end of it yeah but um he did say probably yeah I didn't say definitely so he left the door open to continue to the 50s deist the only man who said definitely was you and you've stuck to it you never wanted to come back [Music] it's never easy I didn't find it easy either but uh yeah certainly Fernando looks like he's still very much enjoying um the racing in the lifestyle so with him I'm I'm it's amazing you know at his age I mean he's going to be 43 years old very very soon ofr only have four weekends but last year it was only a 10th across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between the Sprint and so far podcast has had quite a bit of an advantage over job the season Talking ofage Max for sta with 139 full still the fastest driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonso of course secur the constructions championship for Rene back in 2005 when he won here was sat next to Joe gu in the press conference yesterday Joe said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of whom was Fernando Alonzo can't quite believe I'm now sat to and I'll be on the grid in my whole race with him on Sunday andern alono here for another couple of years as well which I'm sure we pleas Asar that the sporting director Andy Steam and signed a contract to remain with the team and then hit his yesterday that it will probably be his last contract in Formula One but I said be 45 4ent but um he's didn't say probably yeah didn't say definitely left the door open to continue to the 50 till 6 the only man you said definitely was you and you've stuck to it you've never wanted to come back and you found it very easy to give up this racing habit I think Fernando alono would find it less easy no no it's never easy I didn't find it easy either yeah certainly Fernando looks like he's still very much enjoying um the racing and the lifestyle so good for him and I'm I'm it's amazing you know at his age I mean he's going to be 43 years old very very soon and he is Absol at the top of the game you know and so uh it's brilliant to see 43 years old K in ji but I had the long I think Cy he he kind maybe Nico like your thoughts as well I feel like Fernando is the first of the drivers in that both Michel shich generation where they came in and Michel raised the power right in Fitness and and you know just a level professionalism and fando when he arrived 2001 you know he's been trading hard for 20 OD years so really yeah okay the numbers is 45 but he hasn't got the fitness of 40 over an average 45y old and that's why I think he can still keep going but in there both and we won have full weend across all 28 qualifying sessions between the Sprints and the the thing so uh so far bcast has had quite a bit of an advantage over J this season talking of Advantage Max was staff with 1394 his driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonso of course SEC the construct Cham at for Rena back in 2005 when he won here was sat next to Joe R in the press conference yesterday Joe said I can remember across acoss all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between the Sprints and the the F so so far Bas has had quite a bit of an advantage over Joe this season of the bage max was sta him with a 1394 still the fastest driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonso of course secure the construction championship for Rena back in 2005 when he was one here was sat next to Joe Glu at the press conference yesterday Jo said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of whom was Fernando Alonzo can't quite believe I'm now sat next to him and I'm in my home race with on col out on the track a few moments ago this was a turn 10 one of three corners but they brought the gravel closer to the side of the track exactly where that gravel was and picking up a a large plume of dust into the sky they put out the small Fire by the side of the track and get back up with the racing now we have practice now should say this is George Russell on the hard TI for Mercedes who stays 20th and slowest so far with a 141 one as his best TI putting their drivers on the the hard Tire to start this session others like Ferrari going on the soft few on the meds as well real mixture of of tires out on this track currently real mixture of tires strategies I mean recedes is probably the most easy to understand an obvious one they've started with the high tire and high fuel to get the race balance uh sorted and then they will go for some qualifying factors at the end of the at the end of the session where whereas the others are already doing whole mix of things yes Sprint qualify later today so they will use medium Tire before the soft tire the first two parts of spread qualifying is medium then we have soft for uh for the final top 10 on that one so you can understand some of the medium Tire Runners out there to get a feel if they're on l f of course me we don't know what the field levels are uh currently what we do know is that there seems to be at low grip which is not a surprise because it this practice session and the track will be nice and fresh especially after the r look we had the other day bis Hamilton has CH trying to get temperature into his tires let's Max stab past who's not on a who is on a lap I should say and then it all gets a little bit scruffy there with n hul I think want to get past to that was not very friendly n hul not be happy with that and know he's locked up what did he do a bit and and at the last minute realized he's to rights coming into the pits there I think there's a b that the drivers have to stay to the right that was introduced by the race director over nights Lewis has to go a bit closer to that grael trap anyway n not be happy that because I think Louis didn't see him at all cuz he was right behind the Red Bull and so he just ran him off the track is [Music] D yeah yeah he lock up oh there's a McLaren in the way also that's oh whole mess going on there wow for you see I was right they I said it looked very weird and it was lock up and it w as a well pointed out by P on that one we've only been away for 5 years L Hamilton one of the more experienced drivers I think you did enough though it sounding to very much B of place on the of the discussion shall we say 710 off caros S in the first sector now I know he's been on these tires before Adon lap on but 710 off f a way down yeah and he just had a lot of over there in the corner on not looking like in a good Bas out that Park uh let's see how makes it here a little bit Snappy still in the steer wheel and went way too far off there cuz he's used to the tarmac being there and now there gra they have to they have to adapt um well spoted again turn 10 but um of course we don't know what fuel level they're running huh I mean um being so far off in the first a lot more fuel at the moment is a soft tire a race Tire should it be a race tire for this weekend would you would you run it on on heavy field in this session just to see umy that is like impossible teams know so um yeah don't know what to say to that why I just I I'm I'm speculating could it be a race Tire of course could be why not whatever is um his running one again there's that new bit of gravel that is been put in we we we giving a big thumbs up for Chad to the uh these gravel traps that have been brought a little bit closer to the Trap Hallelujah cof we love gravel the takes away that nonsense AR need more of these absolutely edge of the track um I just piig out a couple of things I'm listening on team radio in here uh I think the drivers the group L is coming but just as a stop from 2019 to today in power they were 1.3 second slow so we know I think you said a 339 with fb1 in 39 right so we should be in the low 35s where and as Mike said we're still at 3 seconds that tells you where the com m is tell a level I cheers K thank you for that sh improves to go four fastest to overall the8 CH off the pace team like caros currently 13th fastest Ted I'm going to have to interrupt you you know that bit about this Hots of girls on the track they ain't going to last for long there's a fire by the side of the track the grass has caught lights there is a fire the grass 67 and I don't think I have ever ever seen grass catch fire by the side of a for a one track and I'm sure there's a marshall nearby with a fire extinguisher it's to to put this out and it's a very small grass fire at the moment but Soy I want you to say now how do you think that happened I would not even like to begin to speculate on that one and I tell you what it would not have happened on Wednesday cuz when we landed here in Shanghai there was the Deluge of all Del it was like a wet weekend in gmv when we when we landed here nothing wrong with that SP many happy Saturday afternoon in grimby uh but there's no chance that I say it's a small F see how fast it spreads here but it it is windy today and it it it's very very Breezy today here and I assum that has helped dry out the grass by the side of the track which is uh nice and short and the Marshall with one fire extinguisher pulling out but is now at a fairly large pile of uh of of black Davy where the grass used to be but I have no idea how that would have [Music] have has just caught on a bump or something and sent the Sparks showering into the grass by the side of the track and that's what's ignited it that would be pretty miraculous though would it but I mean there's probably no other explanation but well may yeah maybe it is be there's a bump there where where cars are putting Sparks on every single lap every single time they go by but that this would be really miraculous could be I mean cuz the wind is point in that direction and they always would push them from from where the cars are it would push the Sparks into the corter may I mean inside of that or a very elaborate way to stop pravit were 4 cars by the side of the track you know we have R Japan and now a fire at here in Shanghai Once A is for Chanel this is not good for any driver or any team who only had 60 minutes to get practice uh in time in time for the uh for the uh spring qualify later and now I've got even less time at Kar I'll come to you in a moment Mike RS with us on the at ason Martin at first time he's joined us and Mike we're really really grateful that you given him some time to come and have a chat to this this is very bad news for you and the rest of the teams isn't it yeah I um yeah B VI bu just a for everybody so not me problem and so what was your run plan for today what are you are you hoping to try and do during the 16-minute session and that we have for practice but actually you uh you know the first thing is is a proper Baseline which I think everybody has done now uh about checking the car checking the track uh there seems to be not a lot of grip uh from the surface uh but this a normal homework that you try to [Music] do I think there's not so much disruption to the program to be honest that's goodes um what do you know of the track uh surface um from these early uh stages what are the drivve has been saying and and the fact that we've had that bitchman paint put down how much of a surprise was that to you before you came here yeah right there was not So Much Information coming here uh about the surface itself we discovered this yesterday uh on the truck inspection the drivers have reported uh no good you see the left times out are quite far from normal uh left time or or expected left time so I think there needs to be a b over the next laps and then it would be interesting in qualifying to see uh the track Improvement and the driver improvement so uh yeah something to look for you yeah absolutely do you worry a bit Mike that we we'll have a racing line with lots of grip and and then offline it won't get the chance to grip in a bit and that might make overtaking a bit more tricky for the races yeah I understand the concern B overtaking normally on the of the main St so uh where the DRS is so I think to the corners it's probably two but also the same for for other so uh yeah we taking STS I think um we do not see that procession Mike it's Nico here just a very different topic you just confirmed your one driver Fernando which is super when when can we expect you to confirm uh glance surely that should be just uh um should be done soon right yeah something that I'm not really thinking about to win a session to be honest um but um yeah as is L is home so uh and we want continuity so uh I think uh uh yeah over the next week we will see we're going have four weekends but last year was only a 10th across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between the Sprints and the the F so far podcast has had quite a bit of an advantage over Joe this season talking of the boxes Max was staing with a 1394 still the fastest driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonso of course secured the constru championship for Rena back in 2005 what he won here was s next to Joe Guan at the press conference yesterday Joe said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of whom was Fernando Alonzo can't quite believe I'm now sat next to him and I'll be on the grid in my home race with him on Sunday and uh Fernando Alonzo a couple of years as well which I'm sure will please as M now madet the sporting director Andy Stevenson have signed a contract to remain with the team and then hit yesterday that it would probably be his last contract in for W 45 uh 4 45 by the end of it yeah but um he did say prob I didn't say definitely so he left the door open to continues to the 50s to his assist the only man who said definitely was Y and you stuck to it youve never wanted to come back and you found it very easy to to give up this racing have it I think Fernando alonto would find it less easy no no I was never easy I didn't find it easy either but uh yeah certainly looks like he still r [Music] you know at his age I mean he's going to be 43 years old very very soon and ofr of we're going to have four weekends but last year it was only a 10th ofr all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between the Sprints and the so uh so far podcast has had quite a bit of an advantage over Joe the season talking of Advantage Max for St with 139 full still the fastest driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonzo course secure the constru championship for Renee back in 2005 when he won here was sat next to Joe gu in the press conference yesterday Joe said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of them was Fernando Alonzo can't quite believe I'm now sat next to him and I'll be on the grid in my home race F him on Sunday and uh Ando alono here for another couple of years as well which I'm sure will pleas as martic and that my the sporting director Andy Stevenson has signed a contract to remain with the team and then hinted yesterday that it will probably be his last contract in Formula One but I that 4 45 by the end of it yeah but um he did say probably yeah he didn't say definitely so he left the door open to continue to the to the Yodi man who said definitely was you and you stuck to it you never wanted to come back and you found it very easy to to give up this racing haveit I think Fernando wonto would find it less easy no no it's was never easy I didn't find it easy either but uh yeah certainly Fernando looks like he's still very much enjoying um the racing him the lifestyle so a good for him and I'm I'm it's amazing you know at his age I mean he's going to be 43 years old very very soon yeah and he is still absolutely at thep [Music] I think Cy he he kind of maybe like your thoughts as well but I feel like Fernando is the first of the drivers in that post Michael shich generation where they came in and Michael raised the power right in Fitness and and you know just L professionalism and Fernando when he arrived 2001 you know he's been trading hard for 20 OD years so really yeah okay the numbers is 45 but he hasn't got the fitness of body of an average 45y old and that's why I think he can still keep going but in this ER of the SP we W have full weekend across all it was 28 qualifying sessions between the Sprints and the the uh so far bcast has had quite a bit of an advantage over Jo this talking of Advantage Max was Stafford 139 [Music] what he won here was sat next to Joe the press conference yesterday Jo said I can remember across across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between a SPS and the thing so so far B has had quite a bit of an advantage over Joe this season talking of Max Stafford with 1394 still the fastest driver by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonso of course secur the constructions championship for Rena back in 2005 when he won here was s next to Joe at the press conference yesterday Joe said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of was can't quite [Music] believe I'm going to have to interrupt you you know that bit about h of girls on the track they ain't going to last for long there's a fire by the side of the track the grass has caught lights there is a fire at the grass six to seven un and I don't think I have ever ever seen grass catch fire by the side of a Formula One Track and I'm sure there's a marshall nearby with a fire exension see where to put this out and it's a very small grass fire at the moment but so Cy I want you to say now how do you think that happened I would not even like to begin to speculate on that one and I tell you what it would not have happened on Wednesday because when we landed here in Shanghai there was the Deluge of all deluges it was like a wet weekend in Grimsby when we had when we landed here nothing wrong with that SP many a happy Saturday afternoon at Grimsby uh but there's no chance that I say it's a small fire see how fast it spreads here but it is windy today and it it it's very very Breezy today here here and I assume them that that has helped dry out uh the grass by the side of the track which is uh nice and short and Marshall with one fire extinguisher uh putting out is now a a fairly large pile of uh of of black J where the grass used to be but I have no idea how that would have happened unless of course they go a spark from underneath the car from the titanium blocks has just caught on a bump or something and sent the Sparks showering into the grass by the side of the track and that's what's ignited it that would be pretty miraculous though would it but I mean there's probably no other explanation but well yeah maybe it is there's a bump there where where cars are putting spots on every single lap every single time they go by but that this would be really miraculous could be I mean cuz the wind is pointing that direction and they always would push them from from where the are with into the [Music] corner on cars by the side of the track you know we have raid in Japan and now F here in Shanghai Once A is for certain care Chan up this is not good for any driver or any team who only had 60 minutes to get practice uh in time in time for the uh for the uh Sprint qualifying later and now I've got even less time K I'll come to you in a moment mik CS with us on the pit and after Martin at first time he's joined us and Mike we're really really grateful that you given some time to come and have a chat to us this this is very bad news for you and the rest of the teams isn't it yeah I don't um yeah B yours bud just a for everybody so and so what was your run plan today what are you what were you hoping to try and do during the 16-minute session as what we have [Music] checking the car checking the track there seems to be not a lot of grip from the surface uh but it's this noral homework that he tried to do uh in the Baseline track is turned to Green now again after this more Interruption so I think uh there's not so much disruption to the program to be honest that's good um what do you know of the track uh surface from these early stages what are the drivers been saying and and the fact that we've had that bitman paint put down how much of a surprise was that to you uh before you came here yeah right there was not So Much Information coming here uh about the surface itself we discovered this yesterday uh on the truck inspection the drivers have reported little grip and you seen the left times out are quite far from normal uh left time or expected lap time so I think uh there needs to be a bit of rubbering in over the next laps and then they would be interestingly qualifying to see uh the track Improvement and the driver improvement so uh yeah something to look for do you yeah absolutely you worry a bit Mike that we we'll have a racing line the lots of grip and and then offline it won't get the chance to grip in a bit and that might make overtaking a bit more tricky for the racers um yeah I understand the concern uh but on the other hand taking is normally on the sub the main Straits so uh where the DRS is so I think uh through the corners it's probably true but it is also the same for for other circuits that the r line is the most gry one so uh yeah with overtaking mainly on the stengths I think we do not see that procession uh Mike Nico here just a very different topic you just confirmed your one driver fando is super when when can we expect you to confirm uh L surely that should be just uh um should be done soon right yeah something that I'm not really thinking about to in a session to be honest uh but um yeah I mean some in this L is home so uh and we want continuity so uh I think uh uh yeah what will the next week I think you to enough though in s to very much a book of place on the on the discussion table shall we say 710 off Carlos SS in the first sector I know he's been on these tires before I done a lap on over 710 up Cor L way down yeah and he just had a lot of over steer there in the height be Corner r on you B not looking like in a good Bas now that Park uh let's see how it goes on the here a little bit Snappy still in the stair wheel and went way too far off there cuz he's used to the tarmac being there and now there's grabble how they have to they have to adapt um well spoted again turn 10 but um of course we don't know what fuel level they're running huh I mean um the so far off in the first sector uh could be let just R and L more fuel at the moment is a soft tire a race Tire should it be a race tire for this weekend would he would you run it on on heavy fuel in this session just to see um Cy that is impossible 30 teams um don't know what to say to that why I just I'm speculating could it be a race TI Why not yeah your Trev M I know you not know many people now friend ever is he W umid running wide at 10 10 again there's that new gravel that has been put in we we we giving a big thumbs up for Chad to the uh these gravel traps that have been brought a little bit closer to the track Hallelujah we love this takes away that NIS all give us we have all the time isn't it we need more of these Trav tops Abol um I just be a couple of things I'm listening in number team radio in here uh I I think the drivers the the group level is coming but just as a reference to from 2019 to today in there were 1.3 second slow so we know I think you said a 339 with fp19 right so we should be in the low 35s where and as Mike C said we're still at 3 seconds that tells you where the time like is in thank you for that sh and Bru to go four fastest overall near the 81 off the PA as team like car car is 13th fastest col SS out on the track a few moments ago this was a turn 10 one of three corners but they brought the gravel closer to the side of the track and car sign to finding out exactly where that gra was picking up a large plume of dust into the sky put out the uh small Fire by the side of the track and so we can get back up with the racing now be practice now we should say this is George Russell on the hard tire for Mercedes who stays 20th and slowest so far with a 141 out one as his best tie at Mercedes putting their drivers on the the hard Tire to start this session others like Ferrari going on the soft few on the medium as well real mixture of of tires out on this C real mixture of tires and strategies I mean Mercedes is probably the most easy to understand and obvious one that they've started with the high tire and high fuel just to get that race balance uh sorted and then they will go for some qualifying practice at the end of the at the end of the session where whereas the others are really doing whole mix of things yes Sprint qualify later today so though we use medium Tire before the soft tire the first two parts have spread qualified [Music] can understand some of the medium tie Runners out there to get a feel if they're on low fuel of course we don't know what the fuel levels are uh currently what we do know is that there seems to be at low grip which is not a surprise because it is the first practice session and the track will be nice and fresh especially after the rain but we had the other day Hamilton has sh trying to get temperature into his tires let's Max for sta past who's uh not on a who is on a lap I should say and then it all gets a little bit scruffy there with NI hulkenberg I think wanted to get past as well and that was not ready friendly mik hogo will not be happy with that and now he's locked up the bits and and at the last minute realized he had to stay to the right coming into the pits there I think there's a Bard that the drivers have to stay to the right to that was introduced by the race to re overnight M Lewis has to go a bit closer to let trap anyway Nik will not be happier to that up cuz I didn't no didn't see him at all cuz he was right behind the Red Bull and so he just ran him off the track and leis is dumb I drive through pit there which makes me think that that wasn't a PL entrance into the B either Le hon yeah said that it looked like a lock up into the corner there and I'm not sure looking enough so he's he's already held up yeah yeah he loock up oh there's a McLaren in the way and off that's like oh whole mess on there wow for you see I was right I said it looked very weird it was up and it wury as so well pointed out BYO on that one me karum we've only been away for five years leis Hamilton one of the more experienced drivers we won't have four weekends but last year it was only a 10 across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between aint thing so uh so far Marcas has had quite a bit of an advantage over Joe this season talking of Advantage Max was sta him with 1394 still the fastest driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonso of course secured the Constructors Championship for Rena back in 2005 when he won here he sat next to Joe gu at the press conference yesterday Joe said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering My Heroes one of whom was Fernando alono can't quite believe I now sat next to him and I'll be on the grid in my home race with him on Sunday andano alono here for another couple of years as well which I'm sure will pleas Asar that M the sporting director Andy steon and signed a contract to remain with the team and then hinted yesterday that it would probably be his last contract in Formula 1 but nice it be 45 4 45 by the end of it yeah but um he did say probably yeah I didn't say definitely so he left the door open to continues to the 50s to his assist Yodi man who said definitely was you and you've stuck to it you've never wanted to come back and you found it very easy to to give up this racing habit I think Fernando would find it less easy no no it's never easy I didn't find it easy either but uh yeah certainly Fernando looks like he's still very much enjoying um the racing and the lifestyle so good for him and I'm I'm it's amazing you know his I me he's going to be 43 years old very very soon yeah um ofr of we will have four weekends but last year it was only a 10th across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between the Sprints and the the thing so uh so far B quite a bit of an advantage over Joe the season toing Max for staffen with 139 full still the fastest driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonso of course secure at the constructions championship for Ren back in 2005 when he won here was sat next to Joe gu in the press conference yesterday Joe said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of them was fando Alonzo can't quite believe I'm now sat next to him and I'll be on the grid in my whole race will him on Sunday and uh an ano alono here for another couple of years as well which I'm sure we please as martic and that my bet the sportive director Andy Ste and sign a contract to remain with the team and then hited yesterday that it would probably be his last contract in Formula One [Music] but y man who said definitely stuck to it and you've never wanted to come back and you found it very easy to to give up this racing habit I think Fernando find it less easy no no it's was never easy I didn't find it easy either but uh yeah Fernando looks like he's still very much enjoying um the racing him the lifestyle so good for him I'm I'm it's amazing you know at his age I mean he's going to be 43 years old very very soon and he is still absolutely at the top of the game you know and so uh it's brilliant to see 43 years old K in ji I think try he maybe make like your thoughts as well but I feel like is the first of the drivers in that post M generation where they [Music] came and Fernando when he arrived 2001 been trading hard for 20 OD years so really yeah okay the numbers is 45 but he hasn't got the fitness of body of an average 45y old and that's why I think he can still keep going we in the of this pool we W have we can't across all I think it was 28 qualified sessions between the Sprints and the the thing so so far Bast has had quite a bit of an advantage over Joe this season talking of Advantage Max was sta him with the 139 full still the fastest driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando alono of course secur the Constructor Championship for R back in 2005 what he won here was sat next to Joe GL near the press [Music] conference [Music] Jo talking of Advantage Max for staff with a 1394 still the fastest driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonso of course secur the conr championship for Rena back in 2005 when he won here was sub to Joe GL at the press conference yesterday Joe said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of whom is Fernando Alonzo can't quite believe I'm now sat next to him and I'll be on the grid in my home race with him [Music] on color science out on the track a few moments ago this was a turn 10 one of three corners but he the picking up a large plume of dust into the sky they put out the uh small Fire by the side of the track and so he could get back up with the race now the practice now we should say this is George Russell on the hard tire for Mercedes stays 20th and slowest so far with a 141 one as his best tie that Mercedes putting their drivers on the the hard TI start this session and others like Ferrari going on the soft few on the mediums as well real mixture of of tires out on this track C real mixture of tires and strategies I mean Mercedes is probably the most easy to understand and obvious one they' started with the high tire and high fuel just to get that race balance uh sorted and then they will go for some qualifying practice at the end of the at the end of the session where whereas the others are already doing whole mix of things yes qualify later today so they'll be use medium Tire before the soft tire the first two parts and for spread qualifying is medium then we have soft for uh for the final top 10 on that one so you can understand some of the medium tire runers out there uh to get a feel if they're on L Fuel of course we don't know what the fuel levels are uh currently what we do know is that there seems to be at low brick which is not surprised it is the first practice session and the track will be nice and fresh the r look we had the other dayis Hamilton has talk trying to get temperature into his tires let Maxa past who's uh not on a who is on a lap I should say and then it all gets a little bit scruffy there with hulkenberg I think wanted to get past as well VI and that was not very friendly n hog will not be that and now he's locked up what is the bit and and at the last minute realized he have to stay to the right coming into the pits there I think there's a b that the drivers have to stay to the right that was introduced by uh the race director overnight M Lewis has to go a bit close to so that bravel trap anyway n h will not be happy on thatz I think didn't see him at all cuz he was right behind the Red Bull and so he just ran him off the track and and Lewis has done a drive-thru to the pit there which makes me think that that wasn't a br entrance into the pits either Le havon yeah that's what I said that it looked like a lock up into the corner not sure let looking enough so he's he's already held up yeah yeah he loock up oh there's a McLaren in the way home mess going on there wow for you see I was right I said it look very weird L and it w the as as so well points It Out by PLO on that one Kar we've only been away for 5 years leis Hamilton one of the more experienced drivers I think he to enough so it s to uh very much a book of place on the on the discussion table shall we say 71 up car sight in the first sector now I know he's been on these tires before I don't know half for but 710 offs quite quite a long way down yeah and he just had a lot of over steer there the not looking like in a good face now that car uh let's see how it goes with the exit here a little bit Snappy still in the steer wheel and went way too far off there yeah cuz he's used to the tarmac being there and now there's Grabel they have to they have to adapt um well supposed get to 10 but um of course we don't know what fuel level they're running huh I mean so far off in the first sector uh could be that they're just running a lot more fuel at the moment this is soft tire in race Tire should it be a race time for this weekend would you would you run it on on heavy field in this session just to see um that is [Music] like team so um yeah don't know what to say to that why I just I'm specula Tire yeah m i you not know many people but now friends um his car running wi at 10 10 again there's the gravel that has have been put in we we we giving a few thums up during Chand to the uh these gravel traps that have been [Music] a just couple team radio in here uh I I think the drivers that the grip level is coming but just as a reference toing from 2019 to today in B there were 1.3 slower so we know I think you said a 339 with fb1 in 2019 us right so we should be in the low 35s where and as Mike said we're still at 3 seconds from that that tells you where the time like is iers scw thank you for that sh qu impr brov to go four fastest to overall chance off the B Team M K Cur his 13 fastest Ted I'm going to have to interrupt you yet you never about this HS of girls on the track they ain't going to last for long there's a fire by the side of the track the grass has caught lights there is a fire at the grass 6 to [Music] seven and I don't think I have ever ever seen grass catch fire by the side of a foral one track I'm is a marshal nearby with a fire exting sh it's to to put this out and it's a very small grass fire at the moment buty I want you to say now how do you think that happened I would not even like to be to speculate on that one and I tell you what it would not have happened on Wednesday cuz when we landed here in Shanghai there was the Deluge of all deles it was like a wet weekend in grimby when we when we landed here nothing wrong with that spent many a happy Saturday afternoon in grimby uh but there's no chance that I say it's a small far see how fast it spreads here but it is windy today and it it is very very pleas today here and I assume them that that has helped dry out uh the grass by the side of the track which is nice and short and the Marshall with one fire extinguisher uh putting out what is now a a fairly large pile of uh of of black where the grass used to be but I have no idea how about have unless of course they go a spark from underneath the car from the titanium blocks as just caught on a bump or something and sent the Sparks showering into the grass by the side of the track and that's what ignited it that would be pretty miraculous though wouldn't it like I mean there's probably no other explanation but or may yeah and maybe there's a bump there where where cars are putting Sparks out every single lap every single time they go by but that this would be really miraculous could be I mean the wind is pointing that direction and any would push them from from where the cars are it would push the Sparks into the corter I mean inside of that are a very elaborate way to stop 10 kravits with 4 no cars by the side of the track you know we have rated to P now a fire at here in Shanghai once a get for cor Chan up this is not good for any driver or any team who only had 60 minutes to get practice uh in time in time for the uh for the uh Sprint qualifying later and now got even less time at Kar I'll come to you in a moment Mike CS with us on the pit wall at Aston Martin at first time he's joined us and Mike we're really really grateful that you given some time to come and have a chat to us this this is very bad news for you and the rest of the teams isn't it yeah um yeah back yours bu just for everybody so uh not and so what was your run plan for today what are you what were you hoping to try and do during the 16-minute session that we have for [Music] practice but actually you uh you know the first thing is is a proper baseland run which I think everybody has done now uh about checking the car checking their track there seems to be another a lot of grip uh from the surface uh but this this noral homework that you try to do Bas line track is turned to 3 n again after this more Interruption so I think uh there's not so much disrup Pro to be honest uh that's goodes um what do you know of the track uh surface um from these early uh stages one of the drivve has been saying and and the fact that we've had that btim paint put y right there was so much information coming here uh about the surface itself uh we discovered this yesterday uh on the truck inspection drivers have reported low grip and you see the left time results are quite far from normal uh left time or or expected left time so I think uh there needs to be a bit of rubbering in over the next laps and then they would be interesting in qualifying to see uh the track Improvement and trement so uh yeah something to look for yeah absolutely did you B might we'll have a racing line for lots of grip and and then offline it won't get the chance to grip in a bit and that might make overtaking a bit more tricky for the [Music] races um yeah I understand the concern but on the other hand the taking is normally some the main Straits so uh where the DRS is so uh I think uh through the corners it's probably true but it is also the same for for other circuits that the r of n is most tropy one so uh yeah with the overtaking mainly on the stres I think um we do not see that procession Mike it's Nico uh here just a very different topic you just confirmed your one driver pernando which is super when when can we expect you to confirm uh Lance as surely that should be just uh um should be done soon [Music] right yes something that I'm not really thinking about to Wi a session to be honest U but um yeah I mean is Lance is home so uh and we want continuity so uh I think uh uh yeah over the next week we will [Music] see all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between a Sprints and the the thing so uh so far maras has had quite a bit of an advantage over Jo SE talking of Advantage Max was sta him with a 1394 still the fastest driver but now by ear 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonso of course secured the construction championship for Ren back in 2005 what he won here was sat next to Joe grer at the press conference yesterday Joe said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of whom was Fernando Alonzo can't quite believe I'm now sat next to him and I'll be on the Grid in my home race will him on Sunday and uh Alonzo here for another couple of years as well which I'm sure will please askor sign [Music] cont but um he did say probably I didn't say definitely so he left the door open to continues to the 50 the only man who said definitely was you and you've stuck to it you've never wanted to come back and you found it very easy to to give up this racing habit I think Fernando alono would find it less easy no no it's was never easy I didn't find it easy either but uh yeah certainly looks like he's still very much enjoying um the racing and the lifestyle so good for him and I'm I'm it's amazing you know at his age I mean he's going to be 43 years old very very soon there um across don't have G but last year it was only a 10th across all I think it was 28 qualifying seconds the seasoning of Advantage Max for stappen with 1394 still the fastest driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonzo who of course secured the constructions championship for Rene back in 2005 when he won here was sat next to Joe gu in the press conference yesterday Joe said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of them is Fernando Alonzo can't quite believe I'm now sat next to him and I'll be on the grid in my home race with him on Sunday and Fernando Alonzo here for another couple of years as well which I'm sure will please as martic and that my the sportive director Andy Stevenson and sign a contract to remain with the team and then hit his yesterday that would probably be his last contract in for one but at 4 45 by the end of it but um he did say probably yeah he didn't say definitely so he left the door open to continue to the 50 to the 6 o man who said definitely was you and you've stuck to it you've never wanted to come back and you found it very easy to to give up this racing habit I think Fernando alono would find it less easy no no it's never easy I didn't find it easy either but uh yeah c looks like he been very much enjoying um the racing and the lifestyle so a good for I'm I'm it's amazing you know at his age I mean he's going to be 43 years old very very soon and he is still absolutely at the top of the game you know and so uh it's brilliant to see 43 years old kud in ji blo I think Cy he he kind of maybe like your thoughts as well like feel like Fernando is the first of the drivers in that post Michael shich generation where they came in and Michael raised the power right in Fitness and and you know just a Lev professionalism and Fernando when he arrived 201 you know he's been training hard for 20 OD years so really yeah okay the numbers is 45 but he hasn't got the fitness of body of an average 45y old and that's why I think he can still keep going well in is year both and we w't have full weekend across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between and the the thing so uh so far Bas has had quite a bit of an advantage over Joe this season talking of Advantage Max for sta with a 1394 still the fastest driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonso of course secure the constructors champion at cor back in 2005 when he won here was sat next to Joe gler at the press conference yesterday chose it up and remember across across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between the Sprints and the so far podcast has had quite a bit of an advantage over Joe season talking of Advantage Max vers [Music] 39 2005 when he won here was to Jo gu at the Press conference yesterday Jo said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of whom was Fernando Alonzo hope I believe I'm now sat next to him and I'll be on the grid in my whole race V I'm going to have to interrupt you you know that bit about this HS of girls on the track they ain't going to last for long there's a fire by the side of the track the grass has caught lights there is a fire at the gr understood and I don't think I have ever ever seen grass catch fire by the side of a for a one track now I'm sure there's a [Music] marsh say now how do you think that happened I would not even like to begin to speculate on that one and I tell you what it would not have happened on Wednesday cuz when we landed here in Shanghai there was the delug of all Del uses it was like a wet weekend in grimby when we when we landed here nothing wrong with that but many a happy Saturday afternoon in grimby uh but there's no chance that I say a see how fast it spreads here but it it is windy today and it it is very very Breezy today here and I assume then that that has helped dry out uh the grass by the side of the track which is uh nice and short and the Marshall with one fire extinguisher uh rning out what is now a a fairly large pile of uh of of black debris where the grass used to be but I have no idea how that would have happened unless of course go a spark from underneath the car from the titanium blocks just caught on a bump or something and sent the Sparks showering into the grass by the side of the track and that's what ignited that would be pretty miraculous would I mean there's probably no other explanation but or may yeah maybe it is be there's a bump there where where cars are putting spots out every single lap every single time to go by but that this would be really miraculous could be I mean cuz the wind is pointing that direction and it would push them from from where the cars are it would push the Sparks into the quter I mean inside of about or very elaborate way to stop set crabbits were 4 no cars by the side of the track you know we have ra P now a fire [Music] or any team who only had 60 minutes to get practice uh in time in time for the uh for the uh Sprint qualifying later and now got even less time at Kar I'll come to you in a moment Mike RS with us on the pit wall at ason Martin at first time he's joined us and Mike we're really really grateful that you given some time to come and have a chat to us this this is very bad news for you and the rest of the teams isn't it [Music] yeah I don't um yeah back you was bu the same for everybody so and so what was your run plan for today what are you what were you hoping to try and do during the 16-minute session that we have for [Music] practice but actually you uh you know the first thing [Music] [Applause] [Music] to do the Baseline truck is turned to 3 and now again after this more Interruption so I think uh there's not so much disruption to the program to be honest that's goes um what do you know of the track uh surface from these early uh stages what of the drive has been saying and and the fact that we've had that and paint put down how much surprise was that to you uh before you came here game right there was not So Much Information coming year uh about the surface itself uh we discovered this yesterday uh on the truck inspection the drivers have reported uh low grip you see the [Music] left over the next laps and then they would be interesting in qualifying to see the track Improvement and the driver improvement so uh yeah something to look for yeah absolutely did you worry a bit mik we we'll have a racing line for lots of grip and and then offline it won't get the chance to grip in a bit and that might make overtaking a bit more tricky for the races um yeah I understand the concern uh but on the other hand the overt taking is normally on the some the main stes so uh where the DRS is so uh I think uh through the corners is probably two but it is also the same for for other circuits that the rth mine is the most pry one so uh yeah with overtaking mainly on the strikes I think uh um we do not see that procession uh Mike it's Nico uh here just a very different topic you just confirmed your one driver Fernando which is super when when can we expect you to confirm uh Lance and surely that should be just uh um should be done soon [Music] right yes something that I'm not really thinking about during a session to be honest um but um yeah I mean as some m in his L is home so uh and we want continuity so uh I think uh uh yeah over the next week is I think you to enough in s to uh very much B the place on the on the discussion T sh say 710 off Carlos s in the first sector now I know he's been on these tires before I don't know LA on Li but 710 off qu quite a long way down and he just had a lot of over steer there in the Corner unusual balance there looking like in a good place for now that car uh let's see how it goes when the exit here a little bit Snappy still in the steer wheel and went way too far off there yeah cuz he's used to the TAC being there and now let's gravel they have to they have to adapt um well supposed to get to 10 but um of course we don't know what fuel level they're running huh I mean um being so far off in the first second they're just running a lot more fuel at the moment is a soft tire race time should it be in race time for this weekend would you would you run it on on heavy field in this session just to see um the Cy that is like impossible impossible 30 let the teams know way so um yeah don't know what to say to that just I'm speculating could it be i r [Music] yeah many people by now friends whatsoever is welome um his carides running wild at 10 10 again there's that new bit of gravel that has have been put in we we we're giving a big thumbs up for Chand to the uh these gravel traps have been brought a little bit closer to the Trap Hallelujah coffee we love gravel trap at the edge of this takes away that nonsense arack we have we need more of these gravel traps Absol the edge of the track um I just figure out a couple of things I'm listening under radio in here uh I I think the drivers the grip level is coming but just as a reference go from 2019 to today in Far there were 1 3 seconds slower so we know I think you said a 339 that1 in 2019s right so we should be in the low 35 Mike said we're still at 3 seconds from that that tells you where in the time m is um in terms of RP level he cheers KW thank you for that show qu improves to go four fastest overall 8 chance off the PA team M K SS currently 13th at fastest [Music] col out on the track a few moments ago this was a turn 10 one of three corners but they brought the gravel closer to the side of the track and Carlo s's finding out exactly where that gra was kicking up a large plume of dust into the sky they put out the uh smoke fire by the side of the track and so we could get back up with the racing now the practice now should say this is George Russell on a hard tire for Mercedes who stays 20th and slowest so far with a 141 one pass the best TI that Mercedes putting their drivers on the the hard tires to start this session others like Ferrari going on the soft few on the mediums as well real mixture of tires out on this track currently real mixture of tires and strategies I mean Mercedes is probably easy to understand an obvious one they've started with the high tire and high fuel just to get that race balance uh and then they will go for some qualifying practice at the end of the at the end of the session where whereas the others are already doing all Mix B yes Sprint qualify later today so that we use medium Tire before the soft tire the first te parts of spread qualifying is medium then we have soft for uh for the final top 10 on that one so you can understand some of the medium time Runners are out there as to get a feel if they're on low fuel of course we don't know what the fuel levels are uh currently what we do know is that there seems to be at low grip which is not a surprise because it is the first practice session and the track will be nice and fresh especially after the rain looks we had the other dayis Hamilton as talks trying to get temperature into his tires let Max St past who's uh not on a who is on a lap I should say and then it all gets a little bit strugg alen I think wanted to get past as well VI that was not R friendly mik hogo will not be happy with that no it's locked up well Le is now to the pits and and at the last minute realized he had to stay to the right coming into the pits there I think there's a Bart that the drivers have to stay to the right that was introduced by uh the race director overnight Le has to go a bit closer to that gravel trap anyway niik H will not be happy in that cuz I think L didn't see him at all cuz he was right behind the and so just ran him off the track and leis is done a drive through into the pit there which makes me think that that wasn't a plan entrance into the pits either for Le hon yeah that's I said that it looked like the lock up into the corner there and I'm not sure never looking at enough so's already held up yeah yeah he lock up oh there's a mlar in the way it also like oh whole mess going on there wow you see I was right I said it looked very weird and it was a lock up and it walk gas and so well points It Out by PLO on that one see Kar we've only been away for 5 years and leis Hamilton one of the more experienced drivers we going have four week last [Music] year between the Sprints and the the thing so so far maras has had quite a bit of an advantage over Joe this season toing Advantage Max for sta him with a 1394 still the fastest driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonso of course secured the constructure championship for Runa back in 2005 when he won here was sat next to Joe B in the press conference yesterday Joe said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of them is Fernando alono can't quite believe I'm now sat next to him and I'll be on the grid in my race will on Sunday andano Alonzo here for another couple of years years as well which I'm sure will pleas as maret the sportive director Andy Stevenson has signed a contract to remain with the [Music] team but um he did say I didn't say definitely so he left the door open to continue to the 50s to the 6 y man who said definitely was you and youve stuck to it you've never wanted to come back and you found it very easy to to give up this racing haveit I think fando alono would find it less easy no no it's never easy I didn't find but uh yeah certainly Fano looks like he's still very much enjoying um the racing and the lifestyle so good for him and I'm I'm it's amazing you know at his age I mean he's going to be 43 years old very very soon yeah um across of we will have four weekends but last year it was only a 10th across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between the Sprints and the the thing so uh so far Bas has had quite a bit of an advantage over Joe this season talking of Advan Max for staffen with 1394 still the fastest driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonso who of course secur the construction championship for Rene back in 2005 when he won here was sat next to Joe gu in the press conference yesterday Joe said I can remember watching the the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of them is Fernando Alonso can't quite believe I'm now sat next to him and I'll be on the grid in myo race fill him on Sunday and and alono here for another couple of years as well which I'm sure we please ask about it from that M the sporting director Andy Stevenson has signed a contract to remain with the team and then hit his yesterday will probably be his last contract in Formula One but I said going be 45 that 4 4 five by the end of it but um he did say probably yeah he didn't say definitely so he left the door open to continue to the 50 to the6 the only man who said definitely was you and you've stuck to it and you've never wanted to come back and you found it very easy to to give up this racing habit I think Fernando alono would find it less easy no no it's was never easy I didn't find it easy either but yeah certainly Fernando looks like he's still very much enjoying um the racing him the lifestyle so a good for him I'm I'm it's amazing you know at his age he's going to be 43 years old very very soon yeah and he is still absolutely at the top of the game you know and so uh brilliant 43 years old kud in July long time I think Cy he he kind maybe n like your thoughts as well but I feel like Fernando is the first of the drivers in that PO Michel shoak generation where they came in and Michael raised the power in Fitness and and you know just Lev professionalism and Fernando and you know he's been training hard for 20 odd years so really yeah okay the number is 45 but he hasn't got the fitness of body of an average 45y old and that's why I think he can still keep going well in this era of this both we W have full weekend across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between spr so uh so far Bast has had quite a bit of an advantage over Joe this season talking of Advantage Max for staffen with a 1394 still the fastest driver but now by only 11 millisecond from Fernando Alonso of course secured the construction championship for Rene back in 205 when he won here was sub to Joe guer in the press conference yesterday Joe said I can remember across across all I think it was 28 qualified CES between the Sprints and the the thing so so far Bas has had quite a bit of an advantage on this season talking of ADV bage Max for sta with 139 full still the fastest driver Now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonso course secur the constructions championship for Rena back in 2005 W here was sat next to Joe gu in the press conference yesterday Jo said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of whom was fando Alo can't quite believe I'm now sat next to him and I'll be on the grid in my home race with him on color sits out on the track a few moments ago this was a turn 10 one of three corners but they broke the gravel closer to the side of the track and caros S finding out exactly where that gravel was picking up a large plume of dust into the sky they put out the uh small Fire by the side of the track so we could get back up with the racing now the practice now we should say this is George Russell on the hard tire for Mercedes who stays 20th and slowest so far with a 141 one as his best tie at Mercedes putting their drivers on the the hard time to start this session others like Ferrari going on the soft few on the mediums as well real mixture the tires outs on this track currently real mixture of tires and strategies Mercedes is probably the most easy to understand and obvious one they' started with the high tire and high fuel just to get that race balance uh sorted and then they will go for some qualifying practice at the end of the at the end of the session whereas the others are really doing whole mix of things yes Sprint qualified later today so they use medium Tire before the soft tire the first two parts and for spread qualifying his medum then we have Sol for uh for the final top 10 on that one so you can understand some of the medium tie Runners out there to get a feel if they're on low fuel of course we don't know what the fuel levels are uh currently what we do know is that there seems to be at low brick which is not a surprise because it is the first practice [Music] [Music] s on a la I should say look bit scruffy there with n hul I think wanted to get past as well that was not R friendly Nik hok will not be happy with that no he's locked up the bits and and at the last minute realized he had to stay to the right coming into the pits there I think there's a pro that the drivers have to stay to the right that was introduced by the race director overnight lewi has to go a bit closer to that grael trap anyway we will not be happy with that done cuz I think Lis didn't see him at all cuz he was right behind the Red Bull and so he just ran him off the track and ls's turn I drive through into the pits there which makes me think that that wasn't entrance into the pits either Le H yeah said that it looked like a lock up into Theo and I'm not sure never looking enough so he's already held up yeah yeah lock up oh there's a McLaren in the way and off home mess going on there wow you see I was right look very weird and it was a lock up and it w be ased out by Pono on that one we've only been away for 5 years Le Hamilton one of the more experienced drivers I think he did enough though in to very much put the place on the on the discussion table shall we say 710 up caros SS in the first sector now I know he's been on these tires before that's on the map on but 710 off caught a l way down yeah and he just had a lot of over steer there in the highp corner very unusual balance there now that car uh let's see how it goes the exit here little bit Snappy F on the stair whe and went way too far up there he's used to the T being there and now there's grab they have to they have to adapt um I'm well supposed to get turn 10 but um of course we don't know what level they're running H I mean um being so far off in the first day just running i l more fuel at the moment is a soft tire in race time should it be in race TI for this weekend would you would you run it on on heavy fuel in this session just to see umy that is like impossible on the teams know way so um yeah don't know what to say to that why I just I'm speculating could it be a race tire was why not running wide at 10 10 again there's that new bit of gravel that is have put we we be giving a big thumbs up for CH to the uh these gravel traps that have been brought a little bit closer to the track Hallelujah cof we love TR the Ed of the track takes away that non track we have all the time isn't it we need more of these Trav TRS at the edge of the track um I just figure a couple of things I'm listening on the team radio in here uh think the drivers the grip level is coming but just as a reference do from 2019 to today are into a 1.3 second slower so we know I think you said a 339 with fb1 in 19 that's right so we should be in the low 35s and as Mike said we're still at 3 seconds tells you where the com back is level cheers thank you for that show improves to go four fastest o the 810 off the Bas team M currently 13th at fastest saided I'm going to have to interrupt you you know that bit about there HS of girls on the track ain't going for long there's a fire by the side of the track the grass has caught lights fire at the grass 67 and I don't think I have ever ever seen grass catch fire by the side of a Formula One Track I'm sure there's a marshall nearby with a fire exting and see to put this out and it's a very small CR fire at the moment but so Cy I want you to say now how do you think that happened I would even like to begin to speculate and I tell you what it would not have happened on Wednesday because when we landed here in Shanghai there was the Del us of all Del uses it was like a wet weekend in grimby when we when we landed here nothing wrong with that many happy Saturday Al grimby and but there's no chance that say far see how fast it spreads here but it is windy today and it it it's very very Breezy today here and I ass that has helped to dry out the grassp by the side of the track which is uh nice and short and the Marshall there's one fire extinguisher pulling out but it's now a fairly large pile of uh a black debris where the grass used to be but I have no idea how that would have happened unless of course nio a spark [Music] miraculous though would it like there's probably no other explanation but or yeah maybe it is be there's a bump there where where cars are putting spots out every single lap every single time they go byes but that this would be really miraculous could be I mean cu the wind is pointing that direction would push them from the way the cars into the cor I mean it's about or a very elaborate way to stop Ted kravits for 40 cars by the side of the track you know we have R in Japan and now a fire here in Shanghai Once A is for dur Chan up this is not good for any driver or any team who only had 60 minutes to get practice uh in time in time for the uh for the uh Sprint qualifying later and now got even less time at I'll come to you in a moment Mike RX with us on the pit at Aston Martin first time he's joined us and Mike we're really really grateful that you given him some time to come and have a chat to us this this is very bad news for you and the rest of the teams isn't it yeah I um yeah and so what was your run plan for today what do you what you to try and do during the 16-minute session and that we have for practice but actually you uh you know the first thing is is a proper Baseline run which I think everybody has done now uh about checking the of the track uh there seems to be not a lot of grip uh from the surface uh but this a normal homework that you try to do uh Time Track is turned to GRE now again after this more Interruption so I think there's not so much disruption to the program to be honest that's good what do you know of the track uh surface um from these early uh stages what of the drive has been saying and and the fact that we've had that viman paint put down how much of a surprise was that to you before you came here yeah right there was not So Much Information coming here uh about the C itself we discovered this yesterday uh on the track inspection drivers have reported to low gck and you see the left 's out are quite far from more left or expected left time so I think there needs to be a bit of rubbering in over the next laps and then they would be interesting in qualifying to see uh the track Improvement and the driver improvement so uh yeah something to look for two you yeah absolutely did you worry a bit Michel have a racing line for lots of grip and and then offline it won't get the chance to grip in a bit and that might make overtaking a bit more tricky for the races yeah I understand the concern but on the other hand they overtaking is normally on the some the main strikes so uh where the DRS is so I think to the corners it's probably true but it is also the same for for other show keeps that the r l is the most so uh yeah with overtaking M on the Straits I think uh um we do not see that procession Mike it's Nico here is a very different topic you just confirmed your one driver Fernando which is super when when can we expect you to confirm uh Lance surely let should be just uh um done soon right yeah something that I'm not really thinking about to Inn a session to be honest uh but yeah I mean as some Mar in his Lance is home so uh and we want continuity so uh I think uh uh yeah s we won't have four weekends but last year it was only a 10th across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between wi the Sprints and the so far forast has had quite a bit of an advantage over J the season talking of Advantage Max was sta him with 1394 still the fastest driver but now by ear 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonso of course secured the constru championship for Rena back in 2005 what he won here was sat next to Joe guy press conference yesterday Jo said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of whom was Fernando Alonzo can't quite believe I'm now sat next to him I'll be on the grid in my home race with him on Sunday and Nano Alonzo here for another couple years as well which I'm sure we please as M that madet sporting director Andy Stevenson the contract to remain with the team HED yesterday that would probably be his last contract in Formula 1 but be 45 the 4 45 by the end of it yeah but um he did say probably I didn't say definitely so he left the door open to continue to the his 50 the only man who so definitely was you and you've stuck to it you've never wanted to come back and you found it very easy to give up this racing habit I think Fernando alonto would find it easy no no I was never easy I didn't find it easy either but [Music] like we only have four weekends but last year it was only a 10th across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions but we a the thing so uh so far podcast has had quite a bit of an advantage over the season talking of Advantage Max was sta with 139 still the fastest driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonso who of course secured the constructions championship for Ren back in 2005 when he won here was sat next to Joe gu the press conference yesterday he chose said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of whom was Fernando Alonzo can't I'm now sat next to him and I'll be on the grid in my whole race with him on Sunday and Fernando alono here for another couple of years as well which I'm sure we please Asar that my B the sporting director Andy Stevenson and signed a contract to remain with the team and then hit today that it will probably be his last contract in Formula 1 but place it could be 45 for 45 by the end of it yeah but um he did say probably yeah didn't say defin so he left the door open to continue to the field F the only man who said definitely was you and you've stuck to it you've never wanted to come back and you found it very easy to to give up this racing habit I think Fernando wono would find it less easy no no it's never easy I didn't find it easy either but uh yeah certainly Fernando looks like he's still very much enjoying um the racing and the lifestyle so a good for him and I'm I'm it's amazing you know at his age he's going to be 43 years old very very soon is still absolutely at the top of the game you know so uh it's brilliant to see 43 years old Peru I think Cy he he kind maybe Nico like your thoughts as well but I feel like Fernando is the first of the drivers in that PO Michael SCH generation where they came in and Michael raised the power right in Fitness and and you know justl Prof and Fernando when he arrived 2001 you know he'd been trading hard for old years so really yeah okay the numbers is 45 but he hasn't got the fitness of 40 of an average 45 own and that's why I think he can still keep going when in this ER of this B we W have full weekend across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between the Sprints and the the thing so uh so far podcast has had quite a bit of rarus over joe9 [Music] still the fastest driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando alono of course secur the constructions Champion for Rene back in 2005 what he won here was sat next to Joe gu in the press conference yesterday Joe said I can remember across across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between the Sprints and the the thing so so fars have quite a bit of an advantage over this season talking of boun Max sta with a 1394 still the fastest driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonso secur the constructions championship for Rena back in 2005 when he W here was sat next to Joe gu in the press conference yesterday Joe said I can remember watching the first on [Music] my I'll be on the [Music] I'm going to have to interrupt you you know that about there's lots of cars on the track that ain't going to last for long there's a fire by the side of the track the grass has caught lights there is a fire at the grass 6 or S understood okay and I don't think I have ever ever seen grass catch fire by the side of a Formula One Track I'm sure there's a marshal nearby with a Fire EX to to this and it's a very small grass fire at the moment but I want you to say now how do you think that happened I would not even like to begin to speculate on that one and I tell you what it would not have happened on Wednesday cuz when we landed here in Shanghai there [Music] was with that many a happy Saturday after uh but there's no chance that I say a see how fast it spreads here it is windy today and it it is very very Breezy today here and I assum that has helped dry out the grass by the side of the track which is nice and short and the Marshall with one fire extinguisher putting out what is now a a fairly large pile of uh of a black debre where the grass used to be but I have no idea how that would have happened unless of course nio a spark from underneath car from the titanium blocks has just caught on a bump or something and sent the Sparks showering into the grass by the side of the track and that's what's ignited that would be pretty miraculous though would be but that mean there's probably no other explanation but or yeah maybe there's a bump there where where cars are putting spars on every single lap every single P to go by but that this would be really miraculous could be I mean cuz the wind is poting that direction and would push them from from where the cars are it would push the Sparks into the corner how inside of that or very elaborate way to stop Ted pravits for forting our cars by the side of the track you know we have raid in Japan and now a fire here in Shanghai Once A is for G Chan this is not good for any driver or any team you only had 60 minutes to get practice uh in time in time for the uh for the uh Sprint qualifying later and now got even less time Kar I'll come to you in a moment Mike CS with us on the pit wall at ason that first time [Music] he very bad news for you and the rest of the teams isn't it yeah I know what um yeah bads bu just a for everybody so and so what was your run for today what are you what were you hoping to try and do during the 16-minute session that we have the PR but actually you uh the first thing is is's a proper Baseline run which I think everybody has done now uh about checking the car checking the track there seems to be not a lot of grip uh from the surface uh but it's this a noral home work that she tried to do uh in the Baseline truck is turned to now again this more Interruption so there's not so much disruption to the program to be [Music] honest how much of a surprise was that to you before you came yeah right there was not So Much Information coming here uh about the C itself we discovered this yesterday today uh on the truck inspection the drivers have reported and you seen the left time out are quite far from expected left time so I think there needs to be a b rubbering in over the next laps and then they would be interestingly qualified to see uh the track Improvement and the driver improvement so uh yeah something to look for yeah absolutely did you worry a bit Mike that we we'll have a racing line with lots of git and and then offline it won't get the chance to grip in a bit and that might make overtaking a bit more tricky for the RAC yeah I understand the concern but on the other hand overtaking is normally on the sub main stes so where the DRS is so I think through the corners it's probably true but it is also the same for for other circuits mine is the most poy one so uh yeah we taking main on the I think uh uh we do not see that procession Mike it's Nico here this a very different topic you just confirmed your one driver perando which is super when when can we expect you to confirm uh Lance surely that should be just uh um should be done soon right yes something that I'm not really thinking about here in a session to be honest um but um yeah I mean is L is home so uh and we want continuity so uh I think uh uh yeah over the next week we'll see I think he did enough though in s to very much look of place on the on the discussion T shall we say 710 off Carlos SS in the first set now I know he's been on these tires before I don't know La forward S10 offs quite quite a long way down and he just had a lot of over there and the unusual valid that car uh let's see how here a little bit Snappy still in the stair wheel and went way too far off there cuz he's used to the tarmac being there and now let's grab him they have to they have to adapt um well sported again turn 10 but um of course we don't know what fuel level they're running huh I mean um being so far off in the first could be that they're just running a lot more fuel at the moment is it soft tire in race TI should it be in race TI for this weekend would he would you run it on on heavy fuel in this session just to see um that is like impossible teams um yeah don't know what to say to that why I just I'm speculating could it be a race T be I know you not know many people now friend whatever as he um his turn again there's that new bit of gravel that is have been put in we giving a big thumbs up G Chad to the uh these gravel traps that have been brought a little bit closer to the track Hallelujah the end of this takes away that nonsense I'll give us T we have over time isn't it we need more of these TS Absolut the edge of the track um I just a couple things I'm listening under team radio in here um I think the drivers that the group level is coming but just as a reference copy from 2019 to today into a 1.3 second slower so we know I think you said a 339 with fb1 in 29s right so we should be in the low 35 and as Mike said we're still 3 seconds tells you where the car is level I cheers screwing thank you for that show qu and Bru to go four fastest overalls off the pace team K SS currently 13th at [Music] fastest color science out on the track a few moments ago this was a turn 10 three corners but they brought the gravel closer to the side of the track exactly where that grael was and kicking up a a large plume of dust into the sky they put out the small Fire by the side of the track and so he can get back on with the RAC now practice now this is George Russell on a hard side for Mercedes he stays 20th and slowest so far with a 141 at one as his best TI Mercedes putting their drivers on the the hard Tire to start this session look like s going on the soft few on the mediums as well real mixture of of tires out on this track currently real mixture of tires and strategies I mean Mercedes is probably the most easy to understand an obvious one they've started with the high tire and high fuel just to get Bas balance uh sorted and then they will go for some qualifying practice at the end of the at the end of the session where where's the others are really doing mix yes Sprint qualify later today so the we use medium Tire call the soft tire the first two parts of spread qualifying is medium then we have soft for uh for the final top 10 on that so you can understand some of the medium Tire Runners out there uh to get a feel if they're on low fuel of course we don't know what the field levels are uh currently what we do know is that there seems to be a low brick which is not a surprise cuz it is the first practice session and the track will be nice and fresh especially after the rain th we had the other day Hamilton as CH trying to get temperature into his tires let Max for staing fast he's not on he is on a lap I should say and then it all gets a little bit scruffy there with Nik hogenberg I think wanted to get past as well that was not very friendly Nik hogenberg will not be happy with that know he's locked up a bit and and at the last minute realized he have to stay to the right coming into the pits there I think there's a bll AR that the drivers have to stay to the right to that was introduced by uh the race director overnight has to go a bit closer to that rvel trap anyway Nik will not be happy with that LE didn't see him at all cuz he was right behind the Red Bull and so he just ran him off the track L is done a driveth through into the pitch there which makes me think that that wasn't a plan entrance into the B side Le hon yeah said that it looked like a lock up and I'm not sure let have a look at it enough so hold up yeah yeah he loock up oh there's a McLaren in the way and also whole mess going on there [Music] wow hson one of the more experienced drivers we w't have four weekends but last year it was only a 10th across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between the Sprints and the the thing so uh so far mar has had quite a bit of an advantage over Joe the season talking of Advantage Max versus chap with 1394 still the fastest driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonso of course secur the constructions championship for R back in 2005 what he won here was Joe GR in the press conference yesterday Joe said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of whom was Fernando Alonzo can't quite believe I'm now sat next to him and I'll be on the grid in my whole race with him on Sunday and uh Nano alono here for another couple of years as well which I'm sure will please as to M that M the sporting director Andy Stevenson have signed a contract to remain the team [Music] uh 4 45 by the end of it yeah but um he did say probably yeah I didn't say definitely so he left the door open to continue to the 50s toist the only man who said definitely was you and you've stuck to it you never wanted to come back and you found it very easy to to give up this racing habit I think Fernando Orono would find it less easy no no he's never easy I didn't find it easy either but uh yeah certainly Fernando looks like he's still much enjoying um the racing and the lifestyle so a good for him and I'm I'm it's amazing you know at his age I mean he's going to be 43 years old very very soon there um across of we only have four weekends but last year it was only a 10 across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between the Sprints and the the things but so far forcast has had quite a bit of an advantage over Joe the season talking of box Max happen with 1394 still the fastest driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonso course secur the constructions championship for Rene back in 2005 when he won here was s to Joe gu in the press conference yesterday Joe said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of whom was Fernando alono who I believe I'm now sat next to him and I'll be on the grid in my home race with him on Sunday and uh andando alonto here for another couple of years as well which I'm sure would pleas Asar that M the sporting director Andy Stevenson had signed a contract to remain with the team and then hit yesterday that it would probably be his last contract in Formula One but at 40 45 by the end of it yeah but um he did say probably yeah he didn't say definitely so he left the door open to continue to the to the 50 the Y man who said definitely was you and you've stuck to it you've never wanted to come back and you found it very easy to to give up this racing habit I think Fernando wonto will find it less easy no no it's never easy I didn't find it easy either but uh yeah certainly Fernando looks like he's still very much enjoying um the racing him the lifestyle so with it's amazing you know at his age I mean he's going to be 43 years old very very soon and he is still absolutely at the top of the game you know and so uh it's brilliant to see 43 years old in j but I no I think Cy he he kind maybe Nico like your thoughts as well I think like Fernando is the first of the drivers in that post M [Music] [Music] sh so really yeah okay the numbers is 45 but he hasn't got the fitness of body of an average 45y old and that's why I think you can still keep going we're in this ER of the SP and we won't have full weekend across all 28 qualifying sessions between the Sprints and the the thing so uh so far farcast has had quite a bit of in this season talking of advanage Max vers St with a 1394 still the fastest driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonso of course secur the constructions Champion for Ren back in 2005 what he won here was sat next to Joe guer in the press conference yesterday Jo said I can remember across across all I think it was 28 qualifying sessions between a thing so uh so far Bast has had quite a bit of an advantage over Joe this season talking of Advantage Max was staff with a 1394 still the fastest driver but now by only 11 milliseconds from Fernando Alonso of course secure the construction challeng it for Rena back in 2005 one here s to Joe gu in the press conference yesterday Joe said I can remember watching the first race here in 2004 cheering on my heroes one of whom was Fernando Alonzo can't quite believe I'm now sat next to him and I'll be on the grid in my home race with him color science out on the track back a few moments ago this was a turn 10 three corners but they brought the gravel closer to the side of the track col s finding out exactly where that gravel was and kicking up a large of dust into the sky they put out the uh smoke fire by the side of the track and so we could get back off now the practice now we should say this is George Russell on the hard time for Mercedes he stays 20th and slowest so far with a 141 one as his best tie that Mercedes putting their drivers on the the hard tie to start this session others like Ferrari going on the soft few on the mediums as well real mixture of of tires out on this track C real mixture of tires and strategies I mean Mercedes is probably the most easy to understand and obvious one they've started with the high Tire on high fuel just to get their race balance uh sorted and then they will go for some qualifying this at the end of the at the end of the session whereas the others are really doing whole mix of things yes Sprint qualify l so though we use medium Tire before the soft tire the first two parts of spread qualifier is medium then we have soft for uh for the final top 10 on that one so you can understand some of the medium Tire Runners out there to get a feel if they're on L Fuel of course we don't know what the fuel levels are uh currently what we do know is that it seems to be which is not surprised because it is the first practice session and the track will be nice and fresh especi thought we had the other day thereis Hamilton has shocks trying to get temperature into his tires let's Max for sta Bast who's uh not is on a lap I should say and then it all gets a little bit scruffy there with NI hul I think wanted to get past as well that was not very friend h [Music] realiz to stay to the [Music] right have to stay to the right that was by the race to reor overnight Lewis has to go a bit closer to the Trap anyway Nik H will not be happy with that cuz I think L didn't see him at all he was right behind the Red Bull and so he just ran him off the track and Lewis is done a drive through to the pitch there which makes me think that that wasn't entrance into the P either for Le yeah that's what I said that it looked like a lock up into the never looking enough so he's he's already held up yeah yeah he lock up oh there's a McLaren in the way and also oh whole mess going on there so well pointed out BYO on that one I mean ser karum we've only been away for 5 years leis Hamilton one of the more experienced drivers I think you to enough in s to uh very much looking place on the on the discussion T shall we say 71 off caros S in the first sector now I know he's been on these tires before I've done the lap on a but 710 UPS what down yeah and he just had a lot of overare there in the high corner un B there not looking like good Bas now that far let's see how it goes little bit Snappy F in the St and went way too far off there yeah cuz he's used to the TAC being there and now there's Grabel they have to they have to adapt um well supposed get turn 10 but um of course we don't know what fuel level they're running huh I mean um so far first sector uh could be that they're just running a lot more fuel at the moment is a soft tire race TI race time for this weekend would you would you run it on on heavy field in this session just to see umy that is like impossible I impossible teams know I'm speculating could be Trev you want not know many people by now whatever run turn 10 again there's that new bit of gravel that is have been put in we we we get a big thumbs up for Chad to the uh these gravel traps that have been a little bit closer to the track Hallelujah coffee we love takes away that nonsense all giv us attackers we have all the time isn't it we need more of these D TS AB at the edge of the TR um I just figure out a couple of things I'm listening the team radio in here uh I I think the drive is it the group level is coming but just as a reference toy from 2019 to today in into a 1.3 second store so we know I think you said a 339 with fb1 in 29 to right so we should be in the low 35s where and as Mike said we're still 3 seconds from that that tells you where the time m is all cheers K thank you for that sh and Bru to go four fter to overall off the Bas te M KS current is 13th at fastest T I'm going to have to interrupt you you know that about this lots of girls on the track they ain't going to last for long there's a fire by the side of the track the grass has caught lights there is a fire at the grass 6 to S and I don't think I have ever ever seen grass catch fire by the side of a fora one track and I'm sure there's a marshall nearby with a fire exting to to put this out and it's a very small grass fire at the moment but so Cy I want you to say now how do you think that happened I would not even like to begin to speculate on that one and I tell you what it would not have happened on Wednesday cuz when we landed here in Shanghai there was the delug of all Del uses it was like a weekend in grimby when we we landed here nothing wrong with that spent many a happy Saturday afternoon in Grimsby but there's no chance that I say it's a small far see how fast it spreads but it it is windy today and it it is very very Breezy today here and I've seen them that that has helped dry out uh the grass by the side of the track which is uh nice and short and the Marshall with one fire extinguisher putting out what is now a a fairly large pile of uh of black Dy where the grass used to be but I have no idea how that would have happened unless of course ni a spark from underneath the car from the titanium blocks as just caught on a bump or something and sent the Sparks showering into the grass by the side of the track and that's what ignited it that would be pretty miraculous though would it and there's probably no other explanation but or may yeah maybe it is be there's a bump there where where cars are putting spots on every single left every single time to go by but that this would be really miraculous could be I mean cuz the wind is pointing that direction and they would push them from from where the cars are would push the Sparks into the corter inside of that or very elaborate way to stop said crabbit were 40 cars by the side of the track you know we have rated Japan and now a fire here in high once a is forer C Chanel this is not good for any driver or any team who only had 60 minutes to get practice uh in time in time for the uh the uh Sprint qualifying later and now got even less time at K Country at the moment Mike rord is on the pit at ason Martin at first time he's joined us and Mike we're really really grateful that you given him some time to come and have a CH this this is very bad news for you and the rest of the teams isn't it yeah I don't um yeah the same for everybody so uh not any problem and so what was your run plan for today what are you what were you hoping to try and do during the 60-minute session uh that we have for [Music] practice but actually you uh you know the first thing he he's a proper Baseline run which I think everybody has done now I track to be not a lot of grip uh from the surface uh it's just the noral homework that you try to do uh in the Baseline Tru has turned to three now again after this more Interruption so I think uh there's not so much disruption to the program uh that's go um what do you know of the track uh Sur from these early uh stages what are the drivers been saying and and the fact that we've had that viman paint put down how much of a surprise was that to you you uh before you came there you are there was not So Much Information coming here