Shanghai !

Shanghai proved much more exciting than expected, thanks mainly to the varying track conditions and varying tyre performance.

The debate post-Shanghai seems largely to center on what Michael's win was down to. People argue it was the much-touted wet skills of Schumi, and some others say it was Renault's mistake.

Well, as always, I think the answer lies midway between all of them, a combination of all. Schumacher did well to master the conditions, when most other drivers were spinning like a Muralitharan offspinner [:D]. He did not make a single mistake, unlike Alonso (who it may be remembered, went off track while in lead of over 15 seconds over Kimi and over 22 seconds over Michael). Renault made a mistake with their tyre choice at the first pitstop, made a more critical error at the second, which gave Alonso no chance to even catch up to the leader.

It was disappointing to see Fisi finish nearly 40 seconds behind, after leading the race until the second pitstops. And he claims to be happy because Renault are in the constructors championship lead, and he is third in WDC. I just think he throws away race wins like they were growing in his garden. He doesnt seem to value winning as much as Michael or Alonso or Kimi.

But, the most impressive driver for me, for a second race in a row, had to be Kubica. He was unfortunate to be bumped out on lap 1 by Doornbos, but had climbed up to 13th again in a matter of 5 laps (contrast that with Massa, who was 16th starting 20th at the same time). He was simply outstanding in those initial wet conditions, and considering Heidfeld's strong running, he was surely in contention for 4th or 5th spot, until he made that risky choice of dry tyres.

And finally, that last lap mayhem. Sato and Albers must be punished for causing that. Heidfeld was understandably disappointed, losing his 4th place, and calling it "the worst race of my life, not just F1, my entire life" !!