A look at the qualifying times for the Chinese Grand Prix tells one story but after all of the teams have send out their press releases, the FIA publish the weights of the cars and this throws new information into an already complex equation.

As a rule of thumb, 10kg of fuel lasts four to five laps while 10kg of fuel slows the car by roughly 0.3s a lap – depending on the circuit type and length.

We suspected that Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber would be running light in the final phase of qualifying and that was indeed the case, but it was Fernando Alonso who ran the lightest car to qualify his heavily modified Renault a superb second.

Brawn Mercedes had dominated qualifying in Australian and Malaysia but line up tomorrow in Shanghai with Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button fourth and fifth respectively.

With 22 kg more fuel on board his Brawn Mercedes than Fernando Alonso, championship leader Button should be able to complete at least eight laps more than the Renault driver before pitting.

Of course all of this data is interesting, but as ever a lot will depend on the run to the first turn on Sunday afternoon while those outside of the top ten in qualifying are now free to change their fuel levels to whatever they wish.

China - Qualifying Weight (kg)
1 . F. Alonso - Renault R29 - 637.0
2 . S. Vettel - Red Bull Renault RB5 - 644.0
3 . M. Webber - Red Bull Renault RB5 - 646.5
4 . A. Sutil - Force India Mercedes VJM02 - 648.0 *
5 . N. Rosberg - Williams Toyota FW31 - 650.5
6 . T. Glock - Toyota TF109 - 652.0 *
7 . J. Button - Brawn Mercedes BGP 001 - 659.0
8 . R. Kubica - BMW Sauber F1.09 - 659.0 *
9 . R. Barrichello - Brawn Mercedes BGP 001 - 661.0
10 . J. Trulli - Toyota TF109 - 664.5
11 . S. Buemi - Toro Rosso Ferrari STR4 - 673.0
12 . K. Raikkonen - Ferrari F60 - 673.5
13 . L. Hamilton - McLaren Mercedes MP4-24 - 679.0
14 . N. Heidfeld - BMW Sauber F1.09 - 679.0 *
15 . G. Fisichella - Force India Mercedes VJM02 - 679.5 *
16 . K. Nakajima - Williams Toyota FW31 - 682.7 *
17 . S. Bourdais - Toro Rosso Ferrari STR4 - 690.0 *
18 . F. Massa - Ferrari F60 - 690.0 *
19 . H. Kovalainen - McLaren Mercedes MP4-24 - 697.0 *
20 . N. Piquet - Renault R29 - 697.9 *

* Declared weight (outside of top ten)

Earl ALEXANDER
© CAPSIS International

 

No surprise that the Brawn boys were running with quite a bit fuel. I have no doubt that they'll take the lead and stay out front for most of the race tomorrow after the first set of pit stops.

 

Hamad, I changed the title so as not to make any of our more "sensative" members upset over potential spoilers.

Look out for Hamilton on race day!!

 

Let's hope you're right!

 

Sorry for the slip up Dana I should've put spoiler in the title

3000 baby

 

I hope Vettel show what he is made off tomorrow... i am still betting that he will make it

 

Hamad Congrats, and glad you are back on fire, havent seen you around as much this week..

 

Congrats Hamad!

 

I hate to say it but Webber is bound to screw up turn one and take out at least one other, say Rubens?

This will allow Vettel and Alonso to scoot away and build up enough of a lead to still be in front after the first round of pit stops.

 

Despite his speed in qualifying, Alonso doesn't stand much of a chance this weekend, imo.