European GP

[Blake]

European GP this weekend. Go Kimi

Yeah, that's all this time.

Blake

 

[[FPV]Rusty]

haha, quick and easy, leave a detailed synopsis down to someone else hey. NOT ME

Predictions-
1.M.Schumacher -this time will come out in qualifying later than Monaco so should qualify better, and showed the car does have genuine pace after trading fastest laps with Raikkonen about 3/4 of the way through the race. Bridgestone seemed to have lifted their game too
2.K.Raikkonen -what more to say. Will Qualify strong, start strong, will be overcome by a rampant Schumacher as he pulls out a magical performance on home soil
3.F.Alonso -Will want to get back into the game after a dwindling performance at Monaco. Will be more competitive on the Nurburgring's mix of turns that requires everything from the car than Monaco.
4.JP.Montoya -Definately underperformed this season so far and he knows it all to well, considering Raikkonens performacne as of late, he'll want to show he can get results too.
5.N.Heidfield -Might not qualify as well as his team mate, but he has consistant race pace from start to finish, just keeps on keeping on. But I have this feeling both the Williams drivers will succumb to the Nurburgring, their car is just not up to the level of their main competition and Nurburgring will show it, unlike Monaco where personally i think a skilled driver can overcome a deficit in car speed
6.M.Webber -Will qualify well, get beaten off the line, and lose spots slowly but surely, same old story really, Monaco being the exception of course

 

[Blake]

Yeah, well ... yeah

1. Kimi Raikkonen - Will get pole and walk away with it
2. Fernando Alonso - Assuming Renault don't try some pipe dream fuel strategy and he looks after his tyres he should have the pace, but he'll have trouble keeping up with Raikkonen
3. Jarno Trulli - The Toyota will be able to depend on it's aero a bit more at this course and that will help them to a podium
4. Juan Pablo Montoya - Has the car for it, but he'll get outperformed by his team mate, he could get on the podium with a bit of luck though
5. Michael Schumacher - He'll get screwed over in qualifying again and he'll have trouble working his way up during the race
6. Ralf Schumacher - Contesting for the low points paying positions as usual
7. Mark Webber - He'll qualify well but as usual he won't be able to keep the pace for the distance and he'll fall behind during pit stops, again being trapped behind a wing with "Panasonic" written on it
8. David Coulthard - will avenge himself this race, sort of, by getting in the points

Blake

 

[Blake]

Wurz topped both practice sessions

And Williams appeared to have pace in Practice 2

Blake

 

[DQuaN]

No times for us Blake?

 

[[FPV]Rusty]

well first prctice was topped by Wurz, think Schumi was 2nd, Raikkonen about 5th, but only ran 7 laps, Heidfield and Webber were 6 & 7th I think (or 7th and 8th) despite only running 8 laps

Both the Williams drivers were 1-2 for most the second session before Webber stopped on circuit, dont know why but it was enough for him not to finish the lap, soon after Heidfield had an off and bought it into the pits didnt come back out. Raikkonon & Montoya set fast laps putting Webber back to 4th, but couldnt beat Heidfield time, then Wurz and Zonta put in a blinder each near the end of the session to go 1 and 2, both more than a second ahead of Heidfield.

Dont know what happened to the Williams hope its not too bad

 

[Jacks]

Free practice 1

1. Alexander Wurz Austria McLaren-Mercedes 01:31.671

2. Michael Schumacher Germany Ferrari-Ferrari 01:32.578

3. Ricardo Zonta Brazil Toyota-Toyota 01:32.726

4. Juan Pablo Montoya Colombia McLaren-Mercedes 01:32.873

5. Rubens Barrichello Brazil Ferrari-Ferrari 01:32.984

6. Kimi Raikkonen Finland McLaren-Mercedes 01:32.988

7. Nick Heidfeld Germany Williams-BMW 01:33.142

8. Mark Webber Australia Williams-BMW 01:33.248

9. Christian Klien Austria Red Bull-Cosworth 01:33.304

10. Ralf Schumacher Germany Toyota-Toyota 01:34.018

11. Jarno Trulli Italy Toyota-Toyota 01:34.212

12. Felipe Massa Brazil Sauber-Petronas 01:35.142

13. David Coulthard Britain Red Bull-Cosworth 01:35.413

14. Jacques Villeneuve Canada Sauber-Petronas 01:35.716

15. Vitantonio Liuzzi Italy Red Bull-Cosworth 01:36.129

16. Tiago Monteiro Portugal Jordan-Toyota 01:37.021

17. Christijan Albers Holland Minardi-Cosworth 01:37.406

18. Narain Karthikeyan India Jordan-Toyota 01:37.474

19. Patrick Friesacher Austria Minardi-Cosworth 01:37.538

20. Franck Montagny France Jordan-Toyota 01:37.725

21. Takuma Sato Japan BAR-Honda no time

22. Jenson Button Britain BAR-Honda no time

23. Giancarlo Fisichella Italy Renault-Renault no time

24. Fernando Alonso Spain Renault-Renault no time

Free practice 2

1. Alexander Wurz Austria McLaren-Mercedes 01:30.623

2. Ricardo Zonta Brazil Toyota-Toyota 01:30.630

3. Nick Heidfeld Germany Williams-BMW 01:31.813

4. Juan Pablo Montoya Colombia McLaren-Mercedes 01:31.841

5. Kimi Raikkonen Finland McLaren-Mercedes 01:31.870

6. Mark Webber Australia Williams-BMW 01:32.088

7. Rubens Barrichello Brazil Ferrari-Ferrari 01:32.143

8. Fernando Alonso Spain Renault-Renault 01:32.335

9. Giancarlo Fisichella Italy Renault-Renault 01:32.842

10. Ralf Schumacher Germany Toyota-Toyota 01:33.098

11. Jarno Trulli Italy Toyota-Toyota 01:33.168

12. Christian Klien Austria Red Bull-Cosworth 01:33.174

13. Michael Schumacher Germany Ferrari-Ferrari 01:33.242

14. David Coulthard Britain Red Bull-Cosworth 01:33.430

15. Takuma Sato Japan BAR-Honda 01:33.514

16. Jenson Button Britain BAR-Honda 01:33.753

17. Franck Montagny France Jordan-Toyota 01:34.090

18. Felipe Massa Brazil Sauber-Petronas 01:34.274

19. Jacques Villeneuve Canada Sauber-Petronas 01:34.645

20. Tiago Monteiro Portugal Jordan-Toyota 01:34.702

21. Vitantonio Liuzzi Italy Red Bull-Cosworth 01:34.742

22. Christijan Albers Holland Minardi-Cosworth 01:35.311

23. Patrick Friesacher Austria Minardi-Cosworth 01:35.791

24. Narain Karthikeyan India Jordan-Toyota 01:36.702

👍

 

[Beelzebub]

i think the honda v10s will go kaboom.

 

[SouL]

i think the honda v10s will go kaboom.

Yup! Poof!

BAR is probably better off changing their engines and loading the cars up with fuel.

 

[Blake]

They sure are.

And I thought you could tell, I was feeling kinda lazy yesterday

Blake

 

[Ev0]

I really hope Renault gets their strategy together this weekend. Alonso can't afford to lose more points due to tire wear.

Also, does anyone know if it's going to be Klien or Liuzzi racing in the 2nd Red Bull? If Red Bull keeps Liuzzi, they are officially morons, unless of course his contract gives him this race.

 

[Solid Lifters]

The Toyotas looked good, and the Minardi's... Heh.

Wurz surprised me. I think this guy should be more recognized as a great F1 driver than he is.

 

[Solid Lifters]

I really hope Renault gets their strategy together this weekend. Alonso can't afford to lose more points due to tire wear.

Also, does anyone know if it's going to be Klien or Liuzzi racing in the 2nd Red Bull? If Red Bull keeps Liuzzi, they are officially morons, unless of course his contract gives him this race.

They're sticking with Liuzzi, for some stupid reason. But, it's Klien's turn to race. This switching drivers every three races is so very stupid. They should stick with Klien.

 

[Blake]

They're sticking with Luizzi for this race, Klien gets next race. Silly people. But Mike, remember almost everyone wanted Klien out and Luizzi in when Luizzi was 3rd driver

And I agree about Wurz, if he doesn't have a race drive next season his career is all but over.

Blake

 

[Ev0]

I saw no need for Liuzzi to take over for Klien; he was having strong, consistent performances. Liuzzi on the other hand has been nothing but a disappointment so far. Whoever made the decision to keep Liuzzi in for another race is an idiot.

 

[Blake]

I completely agree.

Blake

 

[Blake]

Saturday Practice 1:
1. Alonso
2. Montoya
3. Raikkonen
4. Fisichella
5. Barrichello
6. M. Schumacher
7. Webber
8. Heidfeld

Blake

 

[Solid Lifters]

The rest of the results for Practice 1 and Practice 2.

 

[Blake]

Woo, go Kimi, go McLaren!

Kimi stole the top spot from Montoya in the final minute

1 K. Räikkönen McLaren 1:29.680
2 JP. Montoya McLaren 1:29.789
3 F. Alonso Renault 1:29.987
4 G. Fisichella Renault 1:30.071
5 J. Trulli Toyota 1:30.552
6 N. Heidfeld Williams 1:30.559
7 T. Sato BAR 1:30.645
8 R. Schumacher Toyota 1:30.692
9 J. Button BAR 1:30.773
10 M. Schumacher Ferrari 1:31.026
11 R. Barrichello Ferrari 1:31.449
12 V. Liuzzi Red Bull 1:31.572
13 M. Webber Williams 1:32.054
14 D. Coulthard Red Bull 1:32.172
15 J. Villeneuve Sauber 1:33.140
16 F. Massa Sauber 1:33.708
17 C. Albers Minardi 1:33.977
18 T. Monteiro Jordan 1:34.527
19 N. Karthikeyan Jordan 1:34.640
20 P. Friesacher Minardi 1:35.087

Blake

 

[Jugend]

Just a reminder, the first qual started 10 mins ago.

 

[Ev0]

First and only qualifying. I wish they kept the 2 session qualifying, but it's not too big an issue to me.

 

[Jugend]

First and only qualifying. I wish they kept the 2 session qualifying, but it's not too big an issue to me.

They're changing format this weekend? Oh, thanks.

 

[Solid Lifters]

They're changing format this weekend? Oh, thanks.

Yep, gone is the aggregate system. I liked it better. But, what can I do?

When did Formula1.com make you sign up to use the live timing? I guess I'm out of luck. I get enough spam email.

 

[Blake]

That started this weekend, and you don't have to get "updates" from them.

And Nick got Pole, Webber 3rd, they must be hella light.

Go Kimi

Qualifying



Blake

 

[Solid Lifters]

BMW was running very light. You can tell when the cars slow down. The car bounces around to intensely. If it was full of fuel, it would bounce around a lot less than they did.

I'm surprised at Renault. They didn't place as high as I thought they would. But, they did well. I just hope the tires last on the this unusally hot weekend.

 

[livemusic]

Rubinho in front of MS, nice. Let´s see how that goes tomorrow.

 

[kensei]

COngrats to Nick Heidfeld. He has always been a very under-rated driver and has proven himself to be a hard working, drama and whine free driver who can qualify well AND race well. The same can't be said for his VERY over-rated teamate.

Eitherway Kimi and Trulli will swamp the two williams off the line. Webber can't make a good start to save his life and Heidfeld is adequate. Trulli and Kimi are 2 of the best off the line (Alonso being the third)...Williams is dead into the first corner. Even if they make it in the lead they will pit so early they will be out of it by the first stops.

I see it going down like this.

Kimi
Trulli
Alonso
JPM
MS
Heidfeld

I'm looking forward to the race in the morning and am happy to be going to bed knowing who is on pole

 

[Blake]

kensei, your Webber bashing isn't really warrented when he is beating Nick in the championship

I really don't see Williams placing anywhere significant, they will pit early and be doomed to follow cars for the rest of the race, or scrap with eachother

Blake

 

[[FPV]Rusty]

and its not even their fualt they are bad off the line anyway, its Williams traction control

 

[SouL]

and its not even their fualt they are bad off the line anyway, its Williams traction control

Even if it is... Webber has no excuse for his lack luster launch off the line. He should be able to match his team mates launch.

I think the Williams boys claimed their front row start because of low fuel loads. Their strategy isn't going to pay off if they can't get off the line quick and bang out those much needed quick laps early in the race.

I think it'll be Kimi, Trulli, Alonso and JPM fighting it for podium finishes.

Ferrari might get in there, too. They're probably loaded up with fuel. There's no point for them trying to compete for front row starts if they know their tires take the entire first stint to become competitive. They'll just get eaten alive by the others.
I see them coming to life during the second stint. MS should be very competitive around then.
Then again... it could all fall apart. We've seen how poorly the Bridgestons perform on hot race days (Bahrain, Malaysia, etc). If race day is as warm or warmer than Saturday... they'll fall towards the back of the grid.