Plenty bursting out onto the circuit early doors - 14 cars to be exact with Nico Rosberg, Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel among them.

It's a hazy blue sky above the Shanghai circuit as the green light flicks on and 90 minutes of first practice gets under way.

Image source, Daniel Ricciardo

Also, what's going on with Nico Hulkenberg's shirt!?

Let's be honest we've all been there. I'm afraid to say I'm with Nico (if it was indeed him who said the bill should be split between everyone). 

What can I say? I'm from Yorkshire.

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer

The drivers met up for a dinner on Wednesday night in China and it has led to some fascinating little insights. Lewis Hamilton, for example, told a great story about how they ended up splitting the bill. 

“It was a little bit silly,” he said. “Everyone’s like, ‘How are we going to do the bill?’ And someone said: “Why don’t we share it?’ 17 drivers sharing the frigging bill. It probably wasn't even that expensive. I did say, ‘Why don’t I get it now - or two of us - and then the next time someone else get it?’ And there was like: ‘No, no, no, I want to pay individually.’” 

Who said that, he was asked? “I’m pretty sure it was Nico.” Which got a big laugh from the media. "We all got a receipt. 17 receipts, 17 credit cards, the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever seen.”

Hamilton and Rosberg sat at the end of the table with Jenson Button, Nico Hulkenberg and Daniel Ricciardo. The Australian said: “Bit of banter between Lewis and Nico. It was all harmless but you know they’re taking a little shot here and there. I enjoyed it.”

Image source, gpda

This is great to see. Almost all the drivers out in a restaurant enjoying a meal together. Who says some of them don't get on? Although, that final slice of pizza may have resulted in quite a few arguments...

Hang on a minute, where's Kimi? Could it be that the great man is dipping into his pocket to foot the bill...?

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer

You might think Lewis Hamilton would be fed up about his grid penalty, but he was a pretty chipper mood on Thursday. He did admit it made for an “easier” weekend for team-mate Nico Rosberg but at the same time he added: “But it doesn't mean I can't give him a good run for his money from wherever I start. I'll be pushing as hard as I can... It doesn't mean I can't win the race still, which is my thought process, rather than damage limitation.” 

Rosberg, too, said that he still considered Hamilton a major threat because the ease of overtaking in China and myriad strategy possibilities meant everything was still open. “I have taken notice of that but it hasn’t really changed my approach,” the German said. 

"Hamilton starting sixth is still going to challenge for the win. I am still fully focused and not taking anything for granted. And it is not only him, Ferrari have not shown at all what they can do yet because they have had such a messy two races. It couldn't have gone any worse for them really."

Tom Clarkson
BBC Radio 5 live commentator

"After the warm conditions of yesterday, it's cooler in Shanghai today. 20C, with a chance of rain later on. Unusually in this smoggy city, there is blue sky, but a cold wind

"Rosberg and Hamilton were both remarkably relaxed during their media sessions yesterday. Hamilton almost seemed to be relishing his gearbox misfortune, looking forward to doing some overtaking in the race, Rosberb refusing to accept that he has the rub of the green at the moment."

Only twice in the 12 previous races in China has it been won from lower than third on the grid. Here's hoping Hamilton is feeling racey...

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer

It has not been the greatest of starts to 2016 for Lewis Hamilton and it got a little bit worse on Thursday in China before he had even taken to the track. 

Having watched Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg win the first two races, as a result of two poor starts for himself, Hamilton knows the best position from which he can start Sunday’s race in Shanghai is sixth. 

Already it is clear that if Hamilton is going to win a third straight world title, he is going to have to do it the hard way - from behind.

Image source, Getty Images

Spare a thought for Lewis Hamilton.

He may be mega rich, he may travel to some of the most awesome places in the world and get invited to THE best parties but, as far as what really matters for the Briton most weekends, things are not going as he would have hoped.

The defending world champion has been beaten to victory by Nico Rosberg in both races so far this season and he'd barely set foot in China before he was hit with a five-place grid penalty for this Sunday's race.

A 17-point gap in the drivers' championship looks in real danger of getting bigger.

Still, at least he has a nice pair of big red boots.

BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Right then, on with today's show. We are, of course, in China for the the third race of the season and first practice is getting under way in around 20 minutes.

Following in Europe and can't sleep? Then supplement my musings with the 5 live F1 preview show, which is on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra right now, followed by commentary on 90 minutes of first practice. 

You can listen by clicking the play icon above.

Image source, Getty Images

These are, according to the Sheffield University study, the top three greatest drivers based on their own ability.

Who would be in your top three? And what do you think makes a great driver? Let us know via #bbcf1,, external text in on 81111 (UK only) or post your top three on the BBC Sport Facebook page.

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer

Academics at Sheffield University have waded into the hoary old debate about who is the greatest F1 driver in history by coming up with a statistical model that attempts to take the team/car influence out of the equation. Led by Dr Andrew Bell, it comes up with an interesting top 10. 

There’s no major surprise to see Juan Manuel Fangio at number one, but after that it’s less conventional - with Fernando Alonso is at number three, Michael Schumacher at nine and Alain Prost at second ahead of Ayrton Senna at fifth. 

The full study is very comprehensive - there are even tables separating out rankings on different types of circuits and in wet and dry weather. It can be read here., external