Image source, Observer

The Observer believes the apparent "serenity" of Mercedes is about to be disturbed as "there is a red sandstorm beginning to blow up as the threat from Ferrari grows by the day".

They say Merc believe they will be troubles by the Italian team "soon rather than later".

Birthday boy Romain Grosjean (30 today) speaks to BBC Radio 5 live's Tom Clarkson on the grid and accepts Tom's compliments on how good he's looking by saying "I am trying to take care of myself".

The Haas driver finished in the points in the first two races of the season and says: "We should try to aim for points again but it's been a tricky weekend with all the red flags."

Will he be adopting an aggressive approach again?

"Could be."

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer

"Williams split the Ferraris on the grid in China last year, so it is a measure of their regression this season that what Valtteri Bottas called a “mega lap” put him only fifth, which presumably would have been sixth but for Lewis Hamilton’s problems. 

"The Finn said he was “surprised” to see that he was 0.3secs off Daniel Ricciardo’s flying Red Bull, which sits on the front row alongside Mercedes’ Nico Rosberg. The improvement Renault has made in its engine along with a typically superb Red Bull chassis has knocked Williams down a peg in the order. 

"Bottas added: 'It’s nice to see we’re a bit closer to Ferrari and Mercedes than normally' and said he felt hanging on to his place in the top five was 'realistic'."

1) Rosberg 2) Ricciardo 3) Raikkonen 4) Vettel 5) Bottas 6) Kvyat 7) Perez 8) Sainz 9) Verstappen 10) Massa 

11) Alonso 12) Button 13) Hulkenberg 14) Grosjean 15) Ericsson 16) Nasr 17) Magnussen 18) Gutierrez 19) Palmer 20) Haryanto 21) Wehrlein 22) Hamilton

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer

"Mercedes’ decision to make it through second qualifying on the soft tyre sets up an intriguing battle with the Ferraris. Nico Rosberg said he 'knew' that starting on the soft 'will be a small advantage'.

"But Sebastian Vettel, back in fourth and on the super-soft, scents an opportunity. 'It's difficult to predict,' he said. 'It will be interesting to see how much of a difference it makes. We had races in the past where this sort of strategy can work, but then again it doesn't work. He's probably one of the only ones who can afford to do so in Q2. Nevertheless, I think we can have a very strong race. I think tyre degradation could come towards our direction.'

"Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff admitted it was a close call. 'The super-soft didn’t last much more than five or six laps,' he said, 'although it lasted better on the Ferrari. so starting on the softs gives you more options but you need to get off the start and gave a decent first lap and work for this options.'

"For what it’s worth, Pirelli’s calculations show that the two three-stop strategies - super-soft/soft/soft/soft or soft/soft/soft/super-soft - are identical in overall race time."

Image source, Getty Images

Nico Rosberg is currently level with Sir Stirling Moss on having the most race wins without winning a title (16). That means a win today will put him out in front with that unwanted record. 

The majority of you voted to say you expect Lewis Hamilton to climb from 22nd to third, but not everyone is convinced... 

Jack Nicholls
Radio 5 live Formula 1 commentator

"We've just had a bit of a moment in the pits, Lewis Hamilton driving through and two Red Bull mechanics did not see the coming traffic and Hamilton had to swerve to avoid them."

Lights out is getting closer as the engines fire up and the cars head out to the grid.

BBC Radio 5 Live

Tune into BBC Radio 5 live right, on t'radio or online, to hear Jack Nicholls and company as they build up to the Chinese Grand Prix. They'll then have full commentary on the race itself.

The Sunday Times say that Nico Rosberg is enjoying "a charmed run" as he aims for a sixth consecutive race victory while team-mate Lewis Hamilton is forced to start the Chinese Grand Prix from the back.

They add: "For all his protestations that it's too early to be talking of runs of luck, three Rosberg wins from three in 2016 would make Hamilton's task over the season very tough. No driver making such a flying start has failed to subsequently clinch the title". 

Image source, Sunday Times

So you've spoken and 25% of you think that Lewis will finish third, so maybe all the fans will be taking photos of you on the podium later Lewis?! Well if he does it, it will certainly be a great recovery!

Image source, EPA

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer

"Fernando Alonso’s frustration spoke volumes. 

"Told in second qualifying that he did not have time to run his new tyres, after his lap on them was interrupted before it started by a red flag, he let out groans of disbelief and annoyance over the radio. 

"'Massively frustrating,' he said afterwards.

"Alonso and team-mate Jenson Button both felt a place in the top 10 shoot-out was up for grabs and slowly but surely we can see that McLaren-Honda are getting there. Rivals say the Honda engine now looks like a sensible proposition - if not yet a threat for the best of Mercedes and Ferrari - and while the car needs work on rear end grip they are edging closer. 'Points are the target in the race,' said Alonso. 

When he scents an opportunity, he rarely misses it.    

Fernando Alonso had his chance of getting through to Q3 scuppered by a red flag after Nico Hulkenberg lost his wheel and his radio message when informed of the red flag was certainly entertaining. Imagine a frustrated Chewbacca and you pretty much have it. 

Alonso lines up 11th today.

Will it be a happy birthday for Romain Grosjean?

The Haas driver, who turns 30 today, starts from 14th on the grid and is looking to complete a hat-trick of points-scoring finishes.

Lewis Hamilton has Pascal Wehrlein for company at the back of the grid, with the Manor driver lining up 21st on the grid.

Wehrlein's tactic for the race? "I will try to stay in his slipstream until the chequered flag."

Sneaky!  

Image source, Getty Images

If you haven't already, cast your vote to say where you think Lewis Hamilton, who starts at the back of the grid, will finish today's race. Our man in China, Tom Clarkson, fancies the world champion's chances of finishing fourth.

You've got eight minutes until the vote closes.