Before the 2019 Chinese Grand Prix weekend began, I posted five prediction polls on the Lights Out twitter account. How many of the questions did you get right? Find out below!
1. WILL KIMI RAIKKONEN SCORE THIS WEEKEND?
1. Kimi Raikkonen has scored points in both races this season so far. Will the Finn score again at the #ChineseGP this weekend? #LightsOutPredictions #Race1000 #F1
— Lights Out ●●●●● (@LightsOutF1Blog) April 11, 2019
YOUR PREDICTION: YES
CORRECT ANSWER: YES
On Saturday, Kimi Raikkonen missed out on reaching Q3 for the first time since the 2016 Hungarian Grand Prix. Starting from thirteenth, the Finn was able to gain four places in the race to finish ninth, and score points for the third consecutive Grand Prix. Alfa Romeo remain ‘best of the rest’ in the Constructors’ Championship, though only Raikkonen has scored points for the team so far in 2019.
2. WHICH TEAM WILL SET THE FASTEST LAP?
2. A driver from which team will secure the Fastest Lap of the #ChineseGP? #LightsOutPredictions #Race1000 #F1
— Lights Out ●●●●● (@LightsOutF1Blog) April 11, 2019
YOUR PREDICTION: FERRARI
CORRECT ANSWER: RED BULL
Sebastian Vettel held the Fastest Lap for most of the race, but Pierre Gasly pitted with just a few laps of the race remaining. Fitted with Soft tyres, the Frenchman set a faster lap than the Ferrari driver to claim the first Fastest Lap of his Formula 1 career. He becomes the 133rd driver to set a Fastest Lap in his career.
3. WILL RICCIARDO, SAINZ OR GROSJEAN RETIRE?
3. Daniel Ricciardo, Carlos Sainz and Romain Grosjean have retired from both of 2019's races so far. Will any of those three drivers retire again this weekend? #LightsOutPredictions #Race1000 #ChineseGP #F1
— Lights Out ●●●●● (@LightsOutF1Blog) April 11, 2019
YOUR PREDICTION: YES – ONE OF THEM
CORRECT ANSWER: NO
All three drivers who had retired in both Australia and Bahrain reached the end of the race, with Daniel Ricciardo securing his first points of the season. There were three retirements from the Chinese Grand Prix – Lando Norris, Daniil Kvyat and Nico Hulkenberg. Hulkenberg has now retired twice this season.
4. WILL THERE BE ANY RAIN?
4. Will any of this weekend's sessions (Practice, Qualifying or the Grand Prix) be affected by rain? #LightsOutPredictions #Race1000 #ChineseGP #F1
— Lights Out ●●●●● (@LightsOutF1Blog) April 11, 2019
YOUR PREDICTION: NO
CORRECT ANSWER: NO
There was some rain in the forecast, but it stayed away for all of the on-track action this weekend. There’s yet to be a rain-affected session in 2019.
5. WILL LANDO NORRIS REACH Q3?
5. Will @LandoNorris reach Q3 for a third consecutive time this weekend? #LightsOutPredictions #Race1000 #ChineseGP #F1
— Lights Out ●●●●● (@LightsOutF1Blog) April 11, 2019
YOUR PREDICTION: YES
CORRECT ANSWER: NO
Lando Norris failed to reach the final part of qualifying for the first time in his career at the Chinese Grand Prix. Norris was eliminated in Q2, qualifying in fifteenth place and being beaten by his team-mate by 0.444 seconds. It was a weekend to forget for the Brit; an early race collision with Daniil Kvyat caused damage to his car, and he eventually retired just a few laps before the chequered flag.
Let us know how you got on with this race’s predictions! There’ll be more at the next race, follow us on twitter to take part: @LightsOutF1Blog!