Hamilton leads the way in Free Practice - Lewis shows some pace on Friday in Shanghai
Published by Christine
Welcome to F1Minute for the 17th October 2008.
Lewis Hamilton got his weekend off to a good start by leading both Free Practice 1 and 2 at the Shanghai International Circuit. There were very few incidents of note, although Bourdais did get stuck in the gravel at Turn 1 during the second session, and Piquet imitated Hamilton’s gravel trap pit entrance incident, although managed to make it out safely.
Aside from that, the McLaren’s and Ferrari’s look as though they will be dominating the weekend, although Alonso did score the second fastest time in Free Practice 2, with Piquet just behind him.
Elsewhere today, the FIA have opened the tender process for a standard engine in F1 for the 2010 season and beyond. The statement from the governing body said the chosen third party would supply either a ready manufactured engine or the standard designs for teams to build their own. This doesn’t appear to be a popular decision already, but Bernie Ecclestone says he doesn’t think the manufacturers will stage a mass walkout because they’re simply trying to reduce costs.
That’s it for today, I’ll be back tomorrow for another F1Minute.
