Chinese GP: Red Bull Friday practice report

STRANGE FACTS ABOUT THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA - It is a fallacy that the wall was built to keep out the invading hordes of Mongols and Manchu. It was actually built because Beijing citizens complained constantly about the freezing winds blowing down ...

STRANGE FACTS ABOUT THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA

- It is a fallacy that the wall was built to keep out the invading hordes of Mongols and Manchu. It was actually built because Beijing citizens complained constantly about the freezing winds blowing down from the north

- The Contract Cleaners who look after the wall have the longest known carpet cleaner cable in the world, as there is only one electrical socket at the East end

- Soldiers stationed on the wall in the 17th century would pass their time playing Ten Pin Bowling along the top of the wall. Games could last months, as a bowling ball could take up to a week to reach the pins at the other end. The Manchus finally broke through the wall, as guards were distracted watching Captain Tien Pien make an incredible 2-8 split

- It is not true that the Giant Panda is an endangered species, as thousands of them live happily in tunnels under the wall, only coming out at night to steal their favourite bamboo from a local garden centre

Car 10 MARK WEBBER, 1st Practice P11, 2nd Practice P5

"We did quite a few laps today, it was a good day of running. The track's in reasonable shape already, as I think the GP2 cars did some running here last week, so we could start straight away with checking the car's balance. The car ran faultlessly all day, so I'm looking forward to tomorrow."

Car 9 DAVID COULTHARD, 1st Practice P142nd Practice P14

"Generally, it feels like the balance itself isn't so extreme, but that rear traction stability is the main issue, I think that's got a lot to do with the nature of the track here though. Regarding overall load, we just don't seem to be generating a lot of grip."

STATISTICS

MARK WEBBER
First Practice Session
Position: 11, Best Time: 1:37.491, Laps: 26, Chassis No.5
Second Practice Session
Position: 5, Best Time 1:35.375, Laps: 38, Chassis No.5

DAVID COULTHARD
First Practice Session
Position: 14, Best Time: 1:37.638, Laps: 22, Chassis No.3
Second Practice Session
Position: 14, Best Time: 1:36.808, Laps: 36, Chassis No.3