Mercedes and Ferrari with the contrary vote

Mercedes and Ferrari with the contrary vote

The 1000th Formula One Grand Prix could become a China hit! After qualifying, the top teams are close together. The analysis:

The Formula 1 2019 remains a mystery even after the qualifying in Shanghai even for the top managers of the top teams. Red Bulls Chief Advisor Helmut Marko cannot explain the new strength of Mercedes in China after the weaker weekend in Bahrain. Marko to ABMS: "In the third sector, they gave us half a second, which has something to do with sheer power when accelerating - Mercedes must have found something on the engine again."

So the qualifying went:

He contradicts Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, who has found in Bahrain an extreme power advantage of Ferrari. One thing is certain: the paranoia in Formula 1 is extremely pronounced at the moment. What also Marko notes: "There is great tension in the paddock, everyone is extremely irritable and nervous, probably because nobody can finally put the true balance of power at the end."

At least in this respect, Wolff Marko is right. Despite double poles of his pilots Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton, he does not trust the peace yet. "It will not be a walk for us, I think five riders can win on Sunday." Who he means: His two drivers, both Ferrari drivers, and Red Bulls Max Verstappen. It's no coincidence that only these five start the race in the top ten with the medium tires. Everyone else in this group needs to start with the soft tires that break down faster.

Verstappen rages:

Mercedes chose more downforce to be faster in the turns. The numbers prove that in qualifying Vettel was up to ten kilometers faster than the Silver Arrows on top speed - which in turn more than caught up with their backlog in the corners, especially in the second sector.

Who has an advantage in the race, is completely open. Mercedes must try to win not only the start but until the third round, from the DRS is released to hold Ferrari from the second's window, in which the rear wing may be folded down. Otherwise, they will have to run to the front to keep Vettel and Leclerc behind. "There are several options to put pressure on Mercedes in the race," hopes the Heppenheimer.

As for the handling of the tires, gave the Long Runs on Friday, no final information. Mercedes, Red Bull, and Ferrari were there at eye level. Hot: Suspense for Sunday is guaranteed.