2005 Chinese Grand Prix Review – Renault Beat Mc Laren to the Line

Alonso drove an immaculate race to crown the Renault F1 team the 2005 Constructors Champs in the Chinese Grand Prix. His unbelieveable pace at the start of the race catapulted the Spaniard to his 7th victory of the season. Kimi came in 2nd followed by Ralf who crossed the line fractions of seconds before Gincarlo Fisichella. The Italian was given a drive through penalty towards the end of the race costing him a podium position.

The race started without much commotion as the 2 Mc Larens gobbeled up the BAR of Button. Takuma Sato was given a drive through penalty for his jumpstart and that took away all chances of the Japenese driver’s chances in the race. The only notable thing in the start was the spectacular pace of Alonso, going over 1 second a lap faster than Fisi in second. The race was shaping up the way the Spaniard won the French GP.

Every one expected the Renaults to be lightly fuled but the blue cars just kept flying without any sign of a pitstop. Montoya’s Mc Laren hit a drain cover and this caused him to pit to change the tyre. Montoya pitted again this time for fule proving he was light on fule to get that 3rd row starting position. The Safety car was called out after debries remained on the track and there was a huge rush to the pit lane.

Renault’s stratergy came out open and it was flawless. Alonso pitted and came out ahead of Fisi and Kimi. Kimi took a longer pitstop than Fisi, a move that helped him jump frog the Italian to the finish line.

The restart was good as Alonso again stepped up the pace. He was flying again and extended a huge lead within a few laps. Narain’s Jordan crashed out throwing debry all over the track. Safety car was called back on again and Everyone pitted again. This time the pitstops were to fule to the finish.

The long pitstop earlier meant that Kimi found a way to get ahead of Fisi. This gain stuck till the end of the race. Fisi had blocked the pit enterance the same way as Kimi had done in Spa but this time there was punishment. Fisi was handed a drive thru penalty ending his podium chances. Ralf drove a calm and collected race choosing not to pit during the second Safety car period. This decision was perfect and helped him to the podium position.

The cheers and celebration followed when the Blue and Yellow car crossed the finish line. Congrats to the Renault F1 Team the Constructor World Champs 2005.