Speaking of Fernando Alonso, a bit of fun on the drivers' parade as, following an on-air confrontation between the pair in Bahrain, the Spaniard and interviewer Johnny Herbert share a warm, manly hug.

While Williams' Felipe Massa tries to stir things with references to Herbert not winning the world championship, the smiling Spaniard, who starts 12th, says that McLaren are in good shape for the race.

"We have a free choice of tyres - let's see what's positive," he says.

"The car has been good all weekend. I've had a little bit of pain over the bumps on the start-finish straight. 

"Points should be the target for us - both of us, me and Jenson. How high depends on race pace."

Image source, Getty Images

That haircut though...

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer

"For two races in a row now, Daniel Ricciardo has pulled out something really special in qualifying - and in China it left him second on the grid after both Ferrari drivers messed up their laps. 

"The Red Bull is out of position, yes, but not by that much, and Ricciardo is optimistic of taking the fight to the red cars in the race. 'We’re normally a bit better off in the race,' he said. 'I think Nico (Rosberg), starting on the softs, should be in good shape but let’s see. I hope to have a race with the Ferraris and if we can battle for the podium that will be awesome.' He said a lot would depend on how his car reacted to the track in the race. 'What the track temp does, and if it wears out the front tyres or the rears will probably dictate where we end up in the race,' he said. 'I think that’s going to be a determining factor. Hopefully we’re on the good end of that. I think we should be. Looking forward to it.'"

Image source, Get

Driver of the day in qualifying yesterday? I'd say Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo as he came out of nowhere to put the Red Bull second on the grid.

He is unsurprisingly very upbeat during the drivers' parade, saying: "It's nice to start the race at the front - it's been a little while. 

"The heat will hopefully help us with the tyre wear. I think it's probably a three-stop for everyone today. If we can hang on with them, it will put us in good shape." 

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer

Image source, EPA

"Is there a sense building around Ferrari of a team over-reaching for something that is not quite within its grasp? 

"An ill-considered strategy choice probably lost them them Australian Grand Prix and in China this weekend a desire to save a set of new super-softs for the race cost Sebastian Vettel, when he messed up his only lap in Q3 and will start fourth, when second at least was his realistic position. 

"Ferrari feel this weekend offers them their best chance of beating Mercedes so far - on pure pace, at least. But who has made the right strategy choice? Ferrari in electing to start on super-softs and presumably focus their race on them? 

"Or Mercedes in starting Rosberg on the softs and one imagines focusing on that tyre? It could be fascinating."

Image source, Getty Images

The lowest position any driver has started and gone on to win in China is sixth. 

The driver who holds that record is Michael Schumacher, having climbed from the third row to beat polesitter Fernando Alonso by 3.1 seconds.  

Image source, Rex Features

So, starting from the back, what is achievable for Lewis Hamilton today? Speaking during the drivers' parade, he says it's simply finishing in the points.

"It's kind of fun: it's reminiscent of when I was younger in go-karts - me and my dad would arrive at the track in a shabby old trailer and start at the back," he adds.

"I am definitely going to give it everything I've got. You are never happy with anything but first normally but considering I'm starting at the back it's really points. The main thing is to get as high as possible." 

Image source, Rex Features

Lewis Hamilton winning from the back of the grid would be one of the great comeback drives in F1, reminiscent of John Watson winning at Long Beach in 1983, having started from 22nd on the grid.

What's your most memorable comeback drives in F1?

Let us know via #bbcf1,, external text in on 81111 (UK only) or post a comment on the BBC Sport Facebook page.

It's sunnypublished at 05:48 British Summer Time 17 April 2016

05:48 BST 17 April 2016

Sunshine on Friday, rain on Saturday and we are back to sunshine again today. Not a cloud in the sky as everyone goes about their business at the Shanghai International Circuit. 

Just the one percent chance of rain for during the race as well. Safe to say we won't be spending 20 minutes watching puddles dry like we did in qualifying yesterday...

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer

"This season has started with two pretty good races, despite the off-track politics, and there is every reason to believe there will be another one third time around in China. 

"Pole-sitter Nico Rosberg is on a different strategy from the two Ferraris. Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo is unexpectedly in the mix between them. 

"McLaren drivers Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button are optimistic of making progress from 11th and 12th on the grid. And Lewis Hamilton will be fighting his way through from the back after a very difficult weekend. Tasty."

Sophie Barker: The action will have to be good to keep me awake! Let's get this show on the road!  

Image source, _

Lewis Hamilton starting last means the the grid is sandwiched between two Mercedes as Nico Rosberg starts on pole. He's had a cracking start to the season, winning both races to lead Hamilton in the drivers' championship by 17 points.

If he makes a good start, then it will be tough to see past Rosberg continuing his 100% start to the season.

No world title so far in his career, but could this be his year?

Fancy having a guess at where Lewis Hamilton will finish today's race? Then we've got a vote running on this page asking that very question. You've got until 06:30 BST to cast your vote.

Plenty of the locals are hoping to witness something special from Lewis Hamilton today. Great support as the drivers' parade gets under way.

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer

"Lewis Hamilton already knew he was facing an uphill battle in Shanghai even before the weekend started, with a five-place grid penalty for a gearbox change. That became academic when his energy recovery system failed in qualifying and he could not even set a time. That has meant a new engine and a start from the back. 

"Hamilton could have chosen to start from the pits, but decided against it. 'If you start from the pit lane you end up eight seconds behind the last car,' he said, 'and I already have enough ground to make up so didn’t want to give myself an eight-second penalty.

"Pit lane is the safer way but you have to catch up the eight seconds. if you start from the grid, you have too try and stay out of trouble but that’s the existing part and I like go the exciting route.' Hamilton likes a battle and he added: 'There’s never been a race I’ve started at the back and not enjoyed, as long as you go the distance.'"

Image source, EPA

Two races down, no wins so far and starting at the back of the grid for today's Chinese Grand Prix, it's fair to say that things haven't gone to plan for Lewis Hamilton.

The Briton, though, has either been practising meditation, or is feeling pretty chilled about his predicament, because his response to power problems that wrecked his qualifying yesterday was very calm and very measured.

He lines up at the back of the grid for today's race. Could we be set for one of the great comebacks?