SHANGHAI: Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher rolled back the years in his Mercedes yesterday as he clocked the fastest time in practice for the Chinese Grand Prix, just ahead of Lewis Hamilton.
Formula One attempted to get back to the business of racing in Shanghai after all the talk about Bahrain, with the decorated German setting the pace at a damp and cool Shanghai International Circuit.
Schumacher roared around the 5.45-kilometre circuit in one min 35.973 seconds, as he goes in search of his first pole position and race victory since coming out of retirement in 2010.
“As a team, we’re a lot stronger in certain areas this season, and we have a much better base to work from, although we are not quite where we want to be with this car, yet but I am confident we will get there,” said Schumacher.
“We’ll now have to look deeper into the data in order to find out where we really are here, but I am looking forward to qualifying.”
Hamilton, who has incurred a five-place penalty on the grid for a change of gearbox, said he was relishing having to fight his way up the field on race day.
“I always like the challenge of trying to come through but it’s incredible at the start of the race,” he said. “Trying to gain positions while staying out of trouble is always key, but I am looking forward to qualifying and hope we can be as high as possible so then the penalty is not too bad. I think we’ll still be in the race.”
Sebastian Vettel, the two-time reigning world champion, was third quickest, followed by Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber. Nico Rosberg, Schumacher’s Mercedes team-mate, was fifth-fastest. Jenson Button was sixth.
Glock declared fit after smash
Timo Glock spoke of his relief after he escaped serious injury when his Marussia flew into a tyre wall during practice.
“There is damage to the car, as you might expect from the impact, but it is mainly cosmetic and the chassis is fine,” he said. “ I am fine. I initially had some pain in my hand from the steering wheel when I hit the wall, but no lasting damage.”
Ferrari’s struggle continues
Ferrari’s early season woes deepened after poor sessions again left Fernando Alonso admitting that his much-maligned car was well short of challenging.
The two-time world champion is top of the standings courtesy a win in Malaysia.
The Spaniard was a disappointing 11th fastest in the first practice and 10th in the second.
Team-mate Felipe Massa found it even harder going and was 17th quickest in the afternoon.
“We definitely lack a bit of performance,” said Alonso. “We’ll try and find it. There’s a lot to do if we want to have a good qualifying.”
Published in The Express Tribune, April 14th, 2012.
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