Spanish Grand Prix thread.

[Valve Bounce]

OK, I'll start the ball rolling. Those who have been complaining about the bodgy diffusers now have to bite the bullet and go the same route. Or maybe a bridge further with a tripple decker. Some may have to alter their suspension while others just do a bolt on kit remedy.

So! who will be the leaders this weekend? will there be a change of fortunes at the front?

Will Red Bull have even more wings? Will Fonzo take over the pointy end of the grid? or will Jarno rule?

Who will you pick for your pickems? :confused:

Open for business here!!

[Sleeper]

I'm expecting another win for Button.

[tintop]

BMW will prove again that they should stick to saloons with their "we couldn't get it done again" Barcelona aero package. The mythical ghost of Senna resonates.... big time.

[winer]

New aero parts for some teams, KERS for some teams, not for others, I can hardly wait. It is going to be so interesting to see what happens.

[leopard]

Will Red Bull have even more wings? Will Fonzo take over the pointy end of the grid? or will Jarno rule?

Who will you pick for your pickems? :confused:


Fernando is likely to set good qualifying, start the race from front row, but he is likely too entering pitlane first. :)

[F1boat]

I agree with all predictions here. I think that Brawn GP will extend their lead over Red Bull with the new updates, I think (maybe wishfully) that Ferrari will be pretty quick with the new car in Spain, while BMW will still suck. McLaren will be so-so in Spain.

[Valve Bounce]

I think that much of today's races depend on the strategy of the team, and the ringmeister is Brawn. I honestly believed that some of the races that SchM won were due, in no small part, to the strategy of Brawn which allowed SchM to use his superior speed over short distances when it mattered most.

And Brawn is there for the bunsen.

[ShiftingGears]

My bet is that the racing won't be any better than it was before that stupid chicane was put in.

[wedge]

No new diffuser for BMW but new aero package.

Ned Flanders admits to making a mistake with the development programme


http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/75065

"The main reason we turned down the chance of updates during the first races was the testing restriction," said Theissen. "The other reason was the interference with the aero package on the car.

"This approach looks to be wrong at the moment, but let's wait and see after a couple more races.

"Our performance in Melbourne was fine and it even worked in Sepang, but then the other teams passed us. That was based on a strategy: we always planned not to bring updates in the fly-away races.

"Our first target for an update was always Barcelona and this will happen."

[Donney]

I suspect it will be a boring race as it tends to happen in Barcelona.

Button will win and hopefully the other teams will improve their performance.

[tintop]

No new diffuser for BMW but new aero package.

Ned Flanders admits to making a mistake with the development programme :laugh:

Got to believe that it's getting near closing time as group leader.

[tintop]

I think that much of today's races depend on the strategy of the team, and the ringmeister is Brawn. I honestly believed that some of the races that SchM won were due, in no small part, to the strategy of Brawn which allowed SchM to use his superior speed over short distances when it mattered most.

And Brawn is there for the bunsen.

Agreed - brilliant strategist, we saw that with MS countless times.

[woody2goody]

I reckon it'll be between the two Brawns and Trulli this weekend. Jarno has done well there before, and Jenson and Rubens have also shown excellent pace.

The KERS cars may get the advantage in the midfield as there's no way regular cars will pass them.

McLaren and Ferrari probably won't be anywhere but Ferrari will get the better of that particular battle. I can't see BMW or Renault doing really well but if anyone can haul one of those cars up the grid it's Alonso.

Here's who I picked anyway:

1. Barrichello
2. Button
3. Trulli
4. Webber
5. Vettel
6. Rosberg
7. Glock
8. Alonso

I'm going to predict a couple of people who I think are going to spring a surprise - Giancarlo Fisichella and Mark Webber.

Fisi has had a history of doing well in Spain (he set the fastest lap there in 1997 among other good performances), and Mark Webber did really well there last year, plus he's due to beat Vettel and fight hard at the front.

I think the Australian will finish in the top 5, maybe on the podium, and the Italian will hopefully have a run at the top 10. Look for him to mix it with McLaren and Toro Rosso.

[driveace]

Well they all promised revised packages for Barcelona,but i think some teams are well in front already.For me it will be :

Vettel
Button
Hamilton
Alonso
Glock
Barrichello
Trulli
Raikkonen

[Sonic]

I'm gonna predict a Ferrari fight back. Kimi for the win.

[Sonic]

Sorry just couldn't keep a straight face :p ;)

Real prediction now.
Toyota for a podium, maybe a win.

[mstillhere]

Kimi and Massa 1 and 2

[tintop]

Vettel wins a non-rain race

[555-04Q2]

Fernando Alonso will win by 4.3 seconds from Button after an eventful race.

[Donney]

That has to be eventful... :D

[DexDexter]

Fernando Alonso will win by 4.3 seconds from Button after an eventful race.

Dry weather, familiar circuit, I don't think so. A procession ahead.

[Valve Bounce]

That has to be eventful... :D

.............and very exacting. :p :

[ozrevhead]

Well Im probally as nervous as I have ever been going into a race

The next few races I feel are make or break time for Mark...TBH im starting to worry a tad

[555-04Q2]

Dry weather, familiar circuit, I don't think so. A procession ahead.

I can see the future :p :

[Sleeper]

No new diffuser for BMW but new aero package.

Ned Flanders admits to making a mistake with the development programme
Pathetic excuse to be honest, Brawn had a shortage of spares let alone development parts and they still win 3 of the 4 races.

[wedge]

Pathetic excuse to be honest, Brawn had a shortage of spares let alone development parts and they still win 3 of the 4 races.

Obviously Ferrari and BMW were so dead set against the diffusers that they assumed it would be ruled in their favour to the point they didn't bother putting in the man power and alter their development programme.

[Dave B]

My predictions, feel free to revisit this and mock their startling inaccuracy post-race:

Rosberg fastest in practice, with the Toyotas and McLarens up there too.

Alonso easily on pole, but when the car weights are revealed people will suspect that he's fabricated from helium.

More good qualifying from Toyota and Red Bull; surprisingly good positions for both Ferraris which will be with a genuinrealistic amount of race fuel. The Brawns will once again fail to take qualifying by storm, but both in the top 10.

For the race, obviously expect Alonso to pit first, bringing about an exodus of fans from the circuit. Brawns will run slightly longer than their immediate rivals so for much of the race expect Toyota or Red Bull to be leading.

Any overtaking will come either as a result of pitstops or towards the end of the race as tyres go off. Other than that it will be a fairly boring typical Barcalona race.

Winners? I'd be a mug to say anybody other than Brawn or Red Bull, but I expect Toyota and Ferrari to be strong.

BMW will just embarrass themselves further.

[Roamy]

Button get new packages - drives off in the sun!!

Nelson Piquet fastest in practice and qualifying. But then it all goes tits up when he has to hand the car over to his son.

[woody2goody]

Nelson Piquet fastest in practice and qualifying. But then it all goes tits up when he has to hand the car over to his son.

LMAO :D

[Valve Bounce]

Well Im probally as nervous as I have ever been going into a race

The next few races I feel are make or break time for Mark...TBH im starting to worry a tadPLease Oz, my dear friend, on bended knees I beg you : don't even mention Mark. :( Try not to even breath :eek: when others mention him.

[ozrevhead]

PLease Oz, my dear friend, on bended knees I beg you : don't even mention Mark. :( Try not to even breath :eek: when others mention him.
its getting like that isnt it? :( im soooooooo nervous :s

[Valve Bounce]

Massa second fastest in P1. Maybe something is happening with the red cars. :up:

[Knock-on]

Massa second fastest in P1. Maybe something is happening with the red cars. :up:

The Ferrari is not a bad car. It's just the team and drivers haven't managed to get the best out of it this year.

I can't understand with some of the times it's put in, why so many people have written it off :confused:

[I am evil Homer]

Nelson Piquet fastest in practice and qualifying. But then it all goes tits up when he has to hand the car over to his son.

Post of the year :D

[Valve Bounce]

The Ferrari is not a bad car. It's just the team and drivers haven't managed to get the best out of it this year.

I can't understand with some of the times it's put in, why so many people have written it off :confused:

Possibly because some of the other teams might have faster cars?

[Knock-on]

Possibly because some of the other teams might have faster cars?

Nobody is saying that they are the fastest cars but facts suggest that they are regularly showing as just about the fastest non diffuser car out there.

On fastest race laps, a Ferrari has scored the 7th fastest lap at Aus, Malaysia and Bahrain. They were poor in China but to be knocking out the 7th fastest race laps, they can't be as shabby as some here would want us to believe.

Now they have the diffuser package on, they should be pretty much up there.

[Valve Bounce]

Nobody is saying that they are the fastest cars but facts suggest that they are regularly showing as just about the fastest non diffuser car out there.

On fastest race laps, a Ferrari has scored the 7th fastest lap at Aus, Malaysia and Bahrain. They were poor in China but to be knocking out the 7th fastest race laps, they can't be as shabby as some here would want us to believe.

Now they have the diffuser package on, they should be pretty much up there.

............with BMW, Red Bull, Brawn, Toyota and Williams. Won't be long before they find themselves back in forum members' pickems again.

[jas123f1]

Nobody is saying that they are the fastest cars but facts suggest that they are regularly showing as just about the fastest non diffuser car out there.

On fastest race laps, a Ferrari has scored the 7th fastest lap at Aus, Malaysia and Bahrain. They were poor in China but to be knocking out the 7th fastest race laps, they can't be as shabby as some here would want us to believe.

Now they have the diffuser package on, they should be pretty much up there.

Probably Ferrari is better now – how much better it remains to be seen.
It was really the first training and also the first time the car was tested on the track and times doesn’t tell that much .. However you can see that Heidfeld’s time in the 4:th position was only app. 0,2 quicker than Massa and Kimi – so we have to wait and see..

:)

[pino]

Practice 1 :

Pos Driver Team Time Laps

1. Button Brawn-Mercedes (B) 1:21.799 21
2. Trulli Toyota (B) 1:22.154 + 0.355 30
3. Kubica BMW-Sauber (B) 1:22.221 + 0.422 24
4. Heidfeld BMW-Sauber (B) 1:22.658 + 0.859 14
5. Nakajima Williams-Toyota (B) 1:22.659 + 0.860 24
6. Rosberg Williams-Toyota (B) 1:22.667 + 0.868 26
7. Piquet Renault (B) 1:22.753 + 0.954 24
8. Glock Toyota (B) 1:22.828 + 1.029 29
9. Massa Ferrari (B) 1:22.855 + 1.056 15
10. Barrichello Brawn-Mercedes (B) 1:22.859 + 1.060 24
11. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) 1:22.873 + 1.074 20
12. Webber Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:22.934 + 1.135 25
13. Vettel Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:22.959 + 1.160 24
14. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:23.077 + 1.278 21
15. Bourdais Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:23.088 + 1.289 30
16. Fisichella Force India-Mercedes (B) 1:23.089 + 1.290 25
17. Alonso Renault (B) 1:23.157 + 1.358 18
18. Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:23.185 + 1.386 31
19. Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:23.522 + 1.723 17
20. Sutil Force India-Mercedes (B) 1:23.536 + 1.737 19

source : autosport.com

[Dave B]

My predictions, feel free to revisit this and mock their startling inaccuracy post-race:

Rosberg fastest in practice, with the Toyotas and McLarens up there too.
Hmm, the first part was accurate enough! :erm:

[wedge]

Not much change. Kimi looks like he has the car to fight with Lewis for best of the rest. Not sure what to make of BMW.

[555-04Q2]

Not sure what to make of BMW.

I dont think BMW know what to make of themselves either. I feel for poor Kubica. In with a chance of the WDC last year before they stupendously started concentrating on this years flop instead :crazy: Well done guys, well done.

[Knock-on]

I dont think BMW know what to make of themselves either. I feel for poor Kubica. In with a chance of the WDC last year before they stupendously started concentrating on this years flop instead :crazy: Well done guys, well done.

Imagine if they hadn't concentrated on this years car :rolleyes:

Williams must be quite happy :)

[555-04Q2]

Imagine if they hadn't concentrated on this years car :rolleyes:

I can only imagine.

[AndyL]

No laps for Sutil in FP2, anyone know what happened to him?

[Tazio]

These sessions seemed much more like testing, and very little like Practice
Especially Toyota, and probably everyone else!

[555-04Q2]

Well essentially Fridays have become testing days for all teams due to the new testing regs limitations.

[Dave B]

No laps for Sutil in FP2, anyone know what happened to him?
They had to change a part on his car (and I was only half listening so not sure exactly what) which necessated the removal of the fuel tank, a 6-hour job all told.

[555-04Q2]

Ferrari not looking good again :(

[Knock-on]

They had to change a part on his car (and I was only half listening so not sure exactly what) which necessated the removal of the fuel tank, a 6-hour job all told.

6 hours!!!!

They should get me working for them. I can have the fuel tank disconnected and replaced on my 7 in about 3 to 4 mins :D

[wedge]

Well essentially Fridays have become testing days for all teams due to the new testing regs limitations.

Historically the teams do sod all in free practice in Barcelona because the bulk of winter testing is done there. Depending on car updates, you're just fine tuning the car to the ambient enviroment.

[christophulus]

Williams must be quite happy :)

Me too! Hopefully some decent points might be on offer..

BMW looked OK in practice 1 but what happened in the second one? They'd best hope they're heavy on fuel. And Red Bull seem to have slipped back a bit too :confused:

[pino]

Practice 2 :

Pos Driver Team Time Laps

1. Rosberg Williams-Toyota (B) 1:21.588 43
2. Nakajima Williams-Toyota (B) 1:21.740 + 0.152 40
3. Alonso Renault (B) 1:21.781 + 0.193 36
4. Barrichello Brawn-Mercedes (B) 1:21.843 + 0.255 39
5. Webber Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:22.027 + 0.439 37
6. Button Brawn-Mercedes (B) 1:22.052 + 0.464 35
7. Vettel Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:22.082 + 0.494 45
8. Piquet Renault (B) 1:22.349 + 0.761 26
9. Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:22.571 + 0.983 17
10. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) 1:22.599 + 1.011 40
11. Bourdais Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:22.615 + 1.027 30
12. Fisichella Force India-Mercedes (B) 1:22.670 + 1.082 32
13. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:22.809 + 1.221 31
14. Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:22.876 + 1.288 29
15. Massa Ferrari (B) 1:22.878 + 1.290 35
16. Kubica BMW-Sauber (B) 1:22.948 + 1.360 40
17. Heidfeld BMW-Sauber (B) 1:23.173 + 1.585 39
18. Glock Toyota (B) 1:23.360 + 1.772 46
19. Trulli Toyota (B) 1:23.623 + 2.035 47
20. Sutil Force India-Mercedes (B)

source :autosport.com

[jens]

Haven't really managed to deepen into it, but how do tyre compounds function on this circuit? It will surely have an effect on race results and how competitive anyone is.

For instance taking the Toyota example (easiest one for me :D ), then they'd shine if the softer tyre wears out really quickly (like in Oz) as TF109 is really tyre-conserving and they could afford running longer on them and set competitive times. On the other hand, due to the same car characteristic Toyota struggles more on really hard tyres, like we saw in Bahrain, as they couldn't heat it up well enough - at least this is what Glock was complaining about after the race.

On the flip-side, Red Bull liked the Bahrain tyres more, since the soft tyres were quite durable, while RB5 is quite hard on tyres. Hence I think the tyre-factor could be quite important in the battle between Red Bull and Toyota, for example. At Sakhir I was waiting for the whole second stint, when will Vettel start dropping further behind Jarno due to his 'blistered' soft tyres, but never happened. So how well do the softer tyres last at Barcelona?

[Tazio]

According to the commentators the softs are the tyre of choice for this track.
It appeared that most teams were holding back from running them, especially considering how many laps were run.
It should be interesting come quali

[Brown, Jon Brow]

The BMW looks even more ugly now. Surely that fat, raised nose gives the front of of the car a high center of gravity?

[Dave B]

Surely that fat, raised nose gives the front of of the car a high center of gravity?
Possibly. But enough about Kubica, what do you think of the car? :p

[Tazio]

Ferrari not looking good again :(

Do not despair my man!!.

"We have definitely made a step forward in performance terms on the car,” affirmed 2007 F1 World Champion Raikkonen. “You can feel a greater level of aerodynamic downforce, and that’s what we needed. Sure, it’s Friday and it’s always difficult to draw conclusions, but the feeling is that we have closed the gap to the top cars.

“Here, just as at the last race, the harder tyre is a bit difficult, while on the softer one we’re reasonably good. Tomorrow morning, we’ll work on qualifying, given that today we concentrated on race preparation. All-in-all, I am happy with how things went today.”

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/08052009/23/raikkonen-confident-ferrari-closed-gap-top-cars.html

[Bagwan]

Possibly. But enough about Kubica, what do you think of the car? :p


Ba dum , tsssh .
Davey , you are on today .

That nose( the car's) looks set to chisel something , perhaps other noses .
It looks and may actually be offensive .

It needs to be sharper if they really want to scare everyone .

[ozrevhead]

Possibly. But enough about Kubica, what do you think of the car? :p
Mee oww :D

Note to self - be extra nice to Dave!

[Tazio]

Looks Like Ferrari are back! gap field by .5 in sat practice

http://www.formula1.com/results/season/2009/808/6625/

Pos No Driver Team Time/Retired Gap Laps
1 3 Felipe Massa Ferrari 1:20.553 18
2 4 Kimi Räikkönen Ferrari 1:20.635 0.082 22
3 22 Jenson Button Brawn-Mercedes 1:21.050 0.497 19
4 23 Rubens Barrichello Brawn-Mercedes 1:21.163 0.610 17
5 5 Robert Kubica BMW Sauber 1:21.239 0.686 21
6 9 Jarno Trulli Toyota 1:21.256 0.703 23
7 1 Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1:21.346 0.793 16
8 10 Timo Glock Toyota 1:21.377 0.824 26
9 12 Sebastien Buemi STR-Ferrari 1:21.424 0.871 19
10 7 Fernando Alonso Renault 1:21.499 0.946 17
11 2 Heikki Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes 1:21.519 0.966 15
12 16 Nico Rosberg Williams-Toyota 1:21.594 1.041 20
13 14 Mark Webber RBR-Renault 1:21.629 1.076 19
14 11 Sebastien Bourdais STR-Ferrari 1:21.649 1.096 19
15 8 Nelsinho Piquet Renault 1:21.685 1.132 18
16 15 Sebastian Vettel RBR-Renault 1:21.689 1.136 18
17 21 Giancarlo Fisichella Force India-Mercedes 1:21.909 1.356 19
18 17 Kazuki Nakajima Williams-Toyota 1:22.043 1.490 19
19 20 Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1:22.232 1.679 19
20 6 Nick Heidfeld BMW Sauber 1:23.457 2.904 8

[F1boat]

I hope they are. In Oz I was one of the brave few who predicted a Brawn GP 1-2 and for Spain I predicted that Ferrari will challenge them, I hope that I'm right!

[christophulus]

..or they've done what Williams tend to do and done a super-low fuel lap. They weren't that high yesterday with fuel onboard. Still an improvement though

[F1boat]

Their advantage is big, however, even if they are light. I think that Top 5 qualifying for one Ferrari is possible :)

[pettersolberg29]

Oh well done Nick...

[Tazio]

..or they've done what Williams tend to do and done a super-low fuel lap. They weren't that high yesterday with fuel onboard. Still an improvement though

Maybe!
I got suspicious that they were sandbagging yesterday when I watched the re-air of FP2 on SpeedTv.
During a radio transmission an engineer told Kimi not to use his kers as he was in his race package.
David Hobbs went out of his way to mention that Ferrari don't usually let these things out of the bag!
I guess we will soon see if this is a big step!

[Daniel]

Ferrari....... Wtf?

[jas123f1]

It's unbelievebull. unbelievebull unbelievebull - again same mistake of Ferrari ..

[gloomyDAY]

God damn it Button....

I hope Vettel gets a big jump tomorrow.

[Daniel]

God damn it Button....

I hope Vettel gets a big jump tomorrow.
Amazing lap from Button. he really is showing his class is Jenson.

[VkmSpouge]

Great lap by Jenson Button to snatch pole right at the death. He couldn't have left it much later to start his final lap either. I wonder about the fuel loads of course as Rubens Barrichello looked on top throughout the session. Vettel on the front row also doing very well. Brawn v. Red Bull tomorrow and perhaps for the rest of the season.

Felipe Massa showing an improved Ferrari. Kimi Raikkonen...oh dear, how can Ferrari make the same huge mistake twice?

[gloomyDAY]

John Button forgot his pink shirt and Jenson still gets pole!

I want to see the fuel levels.

[Daika]

Arrogance Idiots Ferrari. Ferrari Idiots Arrogance (FIA). What was Kimi and Ferrari thinking that they could win without actually racing?

[Dave B]

Kimi knew he'd done a poor lap and yet was still happy to sit in the garage while his qualifying session went tits up. I hate to agree with Eddie Jordan but somebody needs to give him a proper talking to. When he's good he is very very good but boy does he need a kick up the backside. It may have been a team decision but Kimi should be at the heart of that decision making process.

Props to Brawn, especially Button, and to the ever-brilliant Vettel. The fuel loads will make for interesting reading - I honestly predicted Alonso would go light but it seems not.

[ozrevhead]

my take on quali

could of been better could of been worse

[Daika]

my take on quali

could of been better could of been worse

Yeah and tomorow it is sunday and the day after monday.

[veeten]

and come Monday, Ferrari will still have 3 points. Trust me... ;) :p :

[gloomyDAY]

I'm really disappointed that Red Bull didn't get on pole. Vettel must feel annoyed, but surely he'll make the best out of tomorrow. Kudos to Jenson because that was one hell of a lap!

Surprisingly, Alonso isn't on pole. I thought he would be running on fumes just to please the audience. Piquet still did poorly and I'm hoping he will be gone after Monaco.

Massa seems to be a bit overlooked. Glad he's more towards the sharp-end of the grid for this part of qualifying.


Yeah and tomorow it is sunday and the day after monday.LOL!

[Dave B]

my take on quali

could of been better could of been worse

Finns can only get better. :dozey:

[veeten]

Meanwhile, the man they should've paid big sums to keep will have his driver, J. Button, probably post yet another win and more WCC points, Ross Brawn.

[gloomyDAY]

Meanwhile, the man they should've paid big sums to keep will have his driver, J. Button, probably post yet another win and more WCC points, Ross Brawn.I just got a headache trying to read that statement. Sorry. :(

[DexDexter]

Kimi knew he'd done a poor lap and yet was still happy to sit in the garage while his qualifying session went tits up. I hate to agree with Eddie Jordan but somebody needs to give him a proper talking to. When he's good he is very very good but boy does he need a kick up the backside. It may have been a team decision but Kimi should be at the heart of that decision making process.


It was Kimi's own mistake, he admitted it. What on earth was he thinking? He and his engineer don't seem to get along that well,maybe that's one factor.

On Friday:
"You don't need to tell me......"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ra0AtFu9D2Q

[Tazio]

Judging from the dispairity in times between Q2, and Q3
RB, and FM should be a few laps heavier than the boys on the front row!
Fuel loads should be interesting!

[Tazio]

ra0AtFu9D2Q
Dexter I just inbeded it. I hope you don't mind. Kimi is a bit curt here!
Sort of like I'm expecting his engineer to say; "Relax Kimi Baby" :laugh:

[wedge]

Button's lap was immense. Very impressive as he came from no where.

[veeten]

watching a team, with such an historic past as Ferrari, melting down like this is sort of sad. And yet, at the same time you have teams like Brawn GP & Red Bull, reaching for the top and making it happen.

Such is Formula 1...

[ozrevhead]

Finns can only get better. :dozey:
well Finns cant get any worse!

[AndyL]

Massa seems to be a bit overlooked. Glad he's more towards the sharp-end of the grid for this part of qualifying.

With KERS from the second row he must be in with half a chance tomorrow. If he has some sort of reasonable fuel load, anyway.

[aryan]

my take on quali

could of been better could of been worse

Could of what? Could of Been? Perhaps that's could of bean? :dozey:

Is English that hard? I learnt it when I was 8, and it took me two years. I am assuming you had the head start of being born in an English speaking country :rolleyes:

[markabilly]

I need to be ferrari team manger--I may not know anything about the really heavey tech stuff, but at least I know NOT to take chances with that Q1 time (along with a number of other really dumb choices made by ferrari over the last few years)

But what I can I say?
my IQ is above 70 and have some common sense, so maybe I would be over qualified for the job.....plus I dont speak no italian........

[markabilly]

Could of what? Could of Been? Perhaps that's could of bean? :dozey:

Is English that hard? I learnt it when I was 8, and it took me two years. I am assuming you had the head start of being born in an English speaking country :rolleyes:

he is from Australia and speaks australian...he don't speak no english

Sort of like me, i speak amarican, not that archaic langauge called "english"

[jens]

Button had been pretty much nowhere all qualifying until that last megalap - wow. Shame really. :p : I hoped the championship battle would tighten up a bit, but seems JB is not going to allow it. Massa's P4 means best ever quali result for a KERS-car! Can he take the lead after the start and then start holding everyone up? Hope so, would make things interesting. By the way, back in 2004 at Barcelona Trulli did exactly the same trick by flying into the lead from P4 on the grid - Felipe has to repeat that. ;)

Jarno was lucky that Ferrari made a cock-up in Q1, so he could be the last one to make it through into Q2. :D But anyway, Toyota was disappointing. They have dropped behind Brawn and Red Bull and now even Ferrari seems to start getting ahead... :\ But generally based on the upgrades for the Spanish GP it can be said that competition has become even tighter. Even Toro Rosso and Nakajima were impressing during qualifying. Naka seemed like a lock into Q3 for a long time only to miss out at the very end. BMW seems to have made a tiny step forward. McLaren was expected to struggle on a circuit with a lot of high-speed corners, but they'll be back at Monaco.

[jas123f1]

It was Kimi's own mistake, he admitted it. What on earth was he thinking? He and his engineer don't seem to get along that well,maybe that's one factor.

On Friday:
"You don't need to tell me......"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ra0AtFu9D2Q

Nice job of Massa but it how can Ferrari make same mistake again – they MUST send drivers out – if Kimi don't take it seriously they have to say to him – “ut and drive”. :(

[christophulus]

Fuel loads

Number Car Driver Weight [kg]
01 McLaren Mercedes Lewis Hamilton 683.0*
02 McLaren Mercedes Heikki Kovalainen 657.0*
03 Ferrari Felipe Massa 655.0
04 Ferrari Kimi Räikkönen 673.0*
05 BMW Sauber Robert Kubica 660.0
06 BMW Sauber Nick Heidfeld 676.3*
07 Renault Fernando Alonso 645.0
08 Renault Nelson Piquet 677.4*
09 Toyota Jarno Trulli 655.5
10 Toyota Timo Glock 646.5
11 STR Ferrari Sébastien Bourdais 669.0*
12 STR Ferrari Sébastien Buemi 678.0*
14 RBR Renault Mark Webber 651.5
15 RBR Renault Sebastian Vettel 651.5
16 Williams Toyota Nico Rosberg 668.0
17 Williams Toyota Kazuki Nakajima 676.6*
20 Force India Mercedes Adrian Sutil 675.0*
21 Force India Mercedes Giancarlo Fisichella 656.0*
22 Brawn Mercedes Jenson Button 646.0
23 Brawn Mercedes Rubens Barrichello 649.5

[christophulus]

So in order..

Alonso 645
Button 646
Glock 646.5
Barrichello 649.5
Webber 651.5
Vettel 651.5
Massa 655
Trulli 655.5
Fisichella 656
Kovalainen 657
Kubica 660
Rosberg 668
Bourdais 669
Raikkonen 673
Sutil 675
Heidfeld 676.3
Nakajima 676.6
Piquet 677.4
Buemi 678
Hamilton 683

[jens]

Quite interesting that with race fuel-loads (Q3) Trulli, Vettel and Button have been more impressive this year in qualifying than their team-mates, while in Q1/Q2 it has been often closer or other way around.

Funny that Alonso is lightest of all, yet only managed P8 in qualifying. This time showboating didn't work out at all. :D

[ozrevhead]

Fuel loads

Number Car Driver Weight [kg]
01 McLaren Mercedes Lewis Hamilton 683.0*
02 McLaren Mercedes Heikki Kovalainen 657.0*
03 Ferrari Felipe Massa 655.0
04 Ferrari Kimi Räikkönen 673.0*
05 BMW Sauber Robert Kubica 660.0
06 BMW Sauber Nick Heidfeld 676.3*
07 Renault Fernando Alonso 645.0
08 Renault Nelson Piquet 677.4*
09 Toyota Jarno Trulli 655.5
10 Toyota Timo Glock 646.5
11 STR Ferrari Sébastien Bourdais 669.0*
12 STR Ferrari Sébastien Buemi 678.0*
14 RBR Renault Mark Webber 651.5
15 RBR Renault Sebastian Vettel 651.5
16 Williams Toyota Nico Rosberg 668.0
17 Williams Toyota Kazuki Nakajima 676.6*
20 Force India Mercedes Adrian Sutil 675.0*
21 Force India Mercedes Giancarlo Fisichella 656.0*
22 Brawn Mercedes Jenson Button 646.0
23 Brawn Mercedes Rubens Barrichello 649.5

The same :eek: Oh fudge :(

[EuroTroll]

The same :eek: Oh fudge :(

Yeah, I wonder about that too... :s

[Brown, Jon Brow]

Massa looking good for a podium. Especially with KERS at the start.

[jens]

Yeah, I wonder about that too... :s

Not much to wonder. In Malaysia Toyota drivers had identical fuel loads too. Probably team wants to make competition between team-mates as fair and 'equal' as possible and the one, who is behind of the two before the first stop, will be asked to stop one lap earlier. ;)

[gloomyDAY]

I have a sneaky feeling that Ferrari are going to screw up Massa's chances of a podium. I'm confident that Massa will finish in the points (especially since he's starting with a reasonable weight), but I'm worried about another brain fart on behalf of the team.

[DexDexter]

Massa looking good for a podium. Especially with KERS at the start.

I see trouble ahead at the first corner: Massa could well challenge for the lead with the help of KERS and the quys in front of him know that they must keep him behind. Front wings flying about?

[F1boat]

I see trouble ahead at the first corner: Massa could well challenge for the lead with the help of KERS and the quys in front of him know that they must keep him behind. Front wings flying about?

In my opinion Jenson will lead Felipe into turn one and use him as a buffer against Vettel, like he used Hamilton in Bahrain. But if there is a crash, I think that it will be between Rubens and Massa, as Rubens hates Ferrari immensely.

[ozrevhead]

Not much to wonder. In Malaysia Toyota drivers had identical fuel loads too. Probably team wants to make competition between team-mates as fair and 'equal' as possible and the one, who is behind of the two before the first stop, will be asked to stop one lap earlier. ;)

oh wonderfull :(

[PSfan]

Could of what? Could of Been? Perhaps that's could of bean? :dozey:

Is English that hard? I learnt it when I was 8, and it took me two years. I am assuming you had the head start of being born in an English speaking country :rolleyes:

I guess its safe to say aryan has never been beaned with a bag of green beans before :p :


Hey aryan, English isn't really that hard, though some words sound the same but are spelled different. I know the FIA has trouble with some words, like hole, and transition, so I won't go to hard on you for not knowing the difference between been and bean. but next time you think you wanna be the english police on the boards, read it up in a dictionary first...

now don't get me started on the people on ebay and online classifieds that don't know the difference between accept and except... :p :

[52Paddy]

Entertaining quali session. I was quite surprised Button pipped Vettel at the end. I know Vettel went wide at turn 12 on his provisional pole lap, but I really didn't think Jenson would be the man to rob it from him. Its not that Button was particularly slow, but he never appeared threatening. Great drive! :up: And a solid performance from Vettel too, of course, he'll be one to watch off the line. Personally, I was hoping to see Barrichello on pole. He certainly has considerable pace this weekend and is constantly proving that 'there's life in the old dog yet.'

For the race win, Massa and Webber are the only other guys worth considering. Although, being outside the top 3, they'll need pretty stellar races unless the guys ahead get mixed up in something. The Toyotas were off their usual form. Points in probably the most they can expect and the same can be said for Alonso. Rosberg was quick at times during what sessions we've had so far, but I can see the usual form materialising. And he won't carry that speed into the race, I'm presuming.

And whats the story with the BMWs? Even with their upgrades they're still woeful. Its going to be a very hard year for them. I have to admit that I was impressed with Nakajima during Q1 and Q2 (I really thought he'd get into the shootout.) He should beat Piquet and the Toro Rossos. And, I think he may have it in him to beat the BMWs too. Thats not taking away from Piquet's form. He put in some great final laps in Q2 as well, only to drop out of contention in the final seconds' blast.

Now to the bottom of the grid and both McLarens are in that region. A downright poor performance from both drivers' accounts. I expect Hamilton to push hard and wouldn't rule him out of a points finish. To make McLaren's session look that bit better though, I just have to give a final mention to Raikkonen. Just what on earth? Seriously... :mark:

Sorry, Force India and Toro Rosso. Just don't have it in me right now. :p :

[donKey jote]

he is from Australia and speaks australian...he don't speak no english

Sort of like me, i speak amarican, not that archaic langauge called "english"

and sort of like you, he is a she ;) :p : :laugh:

:dozey:

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/16/16_3_166.gif

[52Paddy]

Could of what? Could of Been? Perhaps that's could of bean? :dozey:

Is English that hard? I learnt it when I was 8, and it took me two years. I am assuming you had the head start of being born in an English speaking country :rolleyes:

It's "could HAVE been."

[Valve Bounce]

he is from Australia and speaks australian...he don't speak no english

Sort of like me, i speak amarican, not that archaic langauge called "english"

Oz is a girl, you dunderheads. And she is the best lead for you dum dums to watch the race on the net - so be nice to her. And she is my best pal here.

[Valve Bounce]

Fuel loads

Number Car Driver Weight [kg]
01 McLaren Mercedes Lewis Hamilton 683.0*
02 McLaren Mercedes Heikki Kovalainen 657.0*
03 Ferrari Felipe Massa 655.0
04 Ferrari Kimi Räikkönen 673.0*
05 BMW Sauber Robert Kubica 660.0
06 BMW Sauber Nick Heidfeld 676.3*
07 Renault Fernando Alonso 645.0
08 Renault Nelson Piquet 677.4*
09 Toyota Jarno Trulli 655.5
10 Toyota Timo Glock 646.5
11 STR Ferrari Sébastien Bourdais 669.0*
12 STR Ferrari Sébastien Buemi 678.0*
14 RBR Renault Mark Webber 651.5
15 RBR Renault Sebastian Vettel 651.5
16 Williams Toyota Nico Rosberg 668.0
17 Williams Toyota Kazuki Nakajima 676.6*
20 Force India Mercedes Adrian Sutil 675.0*
21 Force India Mercedes Giancarlo Fisichella 656.0*
22 Brawn Mercedes Jenson Button 646.0
23 Brawn Mercedes Rubens Barrichello 649.5

Is anyone here capable of translating this into laps? This will give us an idea of pit stop strategies.

It does appear to me that if either Massa or Vettel manages to follow bunsen closely in the first stint, they will be looking to leap frog him when he pits. Easier said than done as bunsen may be able to build up a big enough lead to stay ahead.

Also, I just wonder who was trying to save their soft tyres during quals.

There are so many variables that my head is spinning.

See you guys at pino's chat tonight. :up:

[Valve Bounce]

Can anyone come up with a theory as to why Nico is on such a heavy fuel load? Is he going to one stop and hope to win/get on podium/just get points?

[XR8]

he is from Australia and speaks australian...he don't speak no english

Sort of like me, i speak amarican, not that archaic langauge called "english"

Well if he "don't speak no english" he must "speak some english"

Not being american myself, did not know to spell AMARICAN?

[EuroTroll]

Is anyone here capable of translating this into laps? This will give us an idea of pit stop strategies.

From: http://allenonf1.wordpress.com/2009/05/09/how-the-race-will-play-out-spain/



1. Jenson Button Brawn Mercedes 646.0 – will pit lap 14
2. Sebastian Vettel RBR Renault 651.5 – Pit lap 16
3. Rubens Barrichello Brawn Mercedes 649.5 – pit lap 15
4. Felipe Massa Ferrari 655.0 – pit lap 18
5. Mark Webber RBR Renault 651.5 – Pit lap 16
6. Timo Glock Toyota 646.5 – pit lap 14
7. Jarno Trulli Toyota 655.5 – pit lap 18
8. Fernando Alonso Renault 645.0 – pit lap 14
9. Nico Rosberg Williams Toyota 668.0 – pit lap 23
10. Robert Kubica BMW Sauber 660.0 – pit lap 20

[DexDexter]

Can anyone come up with a theory as to why Nico is on such a heavy fuel load? Is he going to one stop and hope to win/get on podium/just get points?

I guess it's got something to do with not being quick enough in q3 and trying to take an advantage of a long first stint. It's not going to work.

[Greenman]

I guess it's got something to do with not being quick enough in q3 and trying to take an advantage of a long first stint. It's not going to work.

Rosberg had no new tyres left for Q3 so went for fuel instead

[christophulus]

I guess it's got something to do with not being quick enough in q3 and trying to take an advantage of a long first stint. It's not going to work.

Can't be any worse than the strategy for the last few races :rolleyes:

Vettel looking strong but the one to watch for me is Massa. Provided it goes the distance a podium is a strong possibility

[F1boat]

For me the Brawn cars look stronger than either Seb or Felipe, but we'll see.

[Garry Walker]

Ferrari is back in the game.

Felipe was amazing.

[markabilly]

and sort of like you, he is a she

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/16/16_3_166.gif

You mean shela, but alas, I arent neither
but atleast shela aint no http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/16/16_3_166.gif"ass" :D :s mokin:

[markabilly]

Hey Valve, I wuz only trying to defend the shela from this

my take on quali

could of been better could of been worse


Could of what? Could of Been? Perhaps that's could of bean? :dozey:

Is English that hard? I learnt it when I was 8, and it took me two years. I am assuming you had the head start of being born in an English speaking country :rolleyes:

Poor aryan, braying about someone else not knowing "english" when it is really

It's "could HAVE been."



Oz is a girl, you dunderheads. And she is the best lead for you dum dums to watch the race on the net - so be nice to her. And she is my best pal here.

"dunderhead"? I wish, then I would be quali to be the ferrari team manager after all!!
I drink to that, mate.

opps time to go see the first lap crashes and fight for the lead, then take a nap and watch the re-run of the race in fast forward

[Daniel]

Big coming together.....

[Daniel]

Looks like Trulli's fault. Lucky escape for Lewis.

[Daniel]

I take it back. It was a Williams that hit Trulli.

[markabilly]

I thought it was sutil...whoever it was passed many cars off the track and then just when back on after cutting ...He will have to apy a 25 second penalty for those illegal passes
well now that the frist lap crashes are over, time to go take a nap...

[EuroTroll]

So... Webber is back to his chopping ways. :s

[Daniel]

I'd have to agree......

[gloomyDAY]

Rubens got screwed over on strategy. Clear #1 in Brawn GP.

Also, Jenson's dad is wearing his pink shirt again.

[Daniel]

Rubens is on the better tyres now. Let's see what happens now

[Daniel]

Well he couldn't do it 2nd is the best he can hope for

[markabilly]

Webber very unsafe, should have penalized.
If there had been an accident he would have.
But that should not matter
Given all his talk about safety and he does that?
Soory for all you aussies, but a foul is a foul, and he is a hypocrite

Might not be so bad, if this were the only time, but it is far from that.

[HenryM]

ferrari did it again lol...

[gloomyDAY]

I have a sneaky feeling that Ferrari are going to screw up Massa's chances of a podium. I'm confident that Massa will finish in the points (especially since he's starting with a reasonable weight), but I'm worried about another brain fart on behalf of the team.Of course!

[Daniel]

Nice sweaty pits daddy Button :p

[Dave B]

Webber: "Felipe f---ed... <spots TV camera> ...sorry!"

[Triumph]

Well done Jenson. What a perfect drive. :-)

[VkmSpouge]

Well done to Brawn for another 1-2. Jenson Button drove flawlessly, switching Button to the two stop strategy seemed to work despite Brawn thinking it to be the slower strategy. Rubens Barrichello seemed to be slower from his third set of tyres onwards. Mark Webber drove very well and had a good strategy to leapfrog Massa and Vettel.

Lewis Hamilton really struggled with his car all day but I'm amazed he got through the first corner collision and the shower of carbon fibre without picking up a puncture.

Not exactly an exciting race but then on this circuit it rarely is. Most interesting bit of the race was whether Felipe Massa would make it to the end of the race. His last lap was a 1m38s and he just got to the line.

[F1boat]

Well done Jenson, Rubens and Brawn GP! Well done for Mark Webber, amazing, amazing drive! And boo for Ferrari, ruined the day for both drivers!

[EuroTroll]

As a guy with not much sympathy for Ferrari, I'd just like to say:

rX7wtNOkuHo&feature=related

:p :

[EuroTroll]

And well done to Brawn! :up: And Choppy Chopperson, too.

[N. Jones]

Who had the fastest lap of the day? I missed the race but thank the maker SpeedTV is showing a replay.

[jas123f1]

What's going on ?? at Ferrari???

Maybe it's time to get Jean Todt back .. and Schumi GO HOME... there are fare too many experts … The team needs to cool down and start from beginnig.. 6 points 5 races

[aryan]

What's going on ?? at Ferrari???

Maybe it's time to get Jean Todt back .. and Schumi GO HOME... there are fare too many experts … The team needs to cool down and start from beginnig.. 6 points 5 races

Well, it's still better than 0 points from 3 races, I tell you!

[AndyL]

Who had the fastest lap of the day? I missed the race but thank the maker SpeedTV is showing a replay.

Rubens.

[jas123f1]

Well, it's still better than 0 points from 3 races, I tell you!

No - it's worse - they had made more mistakes - The cars were updated with 20 million and what happens?? They forget to send drivers out on the track (what?? is it Qualification going on??) and they forget that the car needs fuel if you want to drive it. (What? fuel?? That much?? Is it sure?)

Sorry Felipe - we didn't know that you need SO much fuel - can you slow down a bit PLEASE

Grr :arrows:

[F1boat]

No - it's worse - they had made more mistakes - The cars were updated with 20 million and what happens?? They forget to send drivers out on the track (what?? is it Qualification going on??) and they forget that the car needs fuel if you want to drive it. (What? fuel?? That much?? Is it sure?)

Sorry Felipe - we didn't know that you need SO much fuel - can you slow down a bit PLEASE

Grr :arrows:

I agree. To me is heartbreaking to see the great Scuderia humiliated in such way. I am happy that Brawn GP carries the champions spirit of the true great Ferrari team!

[Tazio]

Rubens overheard saying after the race :mark: :




l0waNRaz6wU

:p :

[jas123f1]

I agree. To me is heartbreaking to see the great Scuderia humiliated in such way. I am happy that Brawn GP carries the champions spirit of the true great Ferrari team!

Yes, maybe Niki Lauda was right when he said that Ferrari only with an italian management doesn't work wery well - they need also some one like Ross Brawn or Jean Todt.. :hmph:

I think there are too many experts .. Monaco next ..

[jens]

Ferrari. :rotflmao: We should start new prediction competition - what will they screw up next time?

By the way, one thing is that "lack of fuel", but what I would like to highlight, is that Ferrari cocked up "damage-limitation" strategy in the end too. Massa had around about 18-second advantage over Alonso before he started slowing down. Felipe could have continued pushing and made a short 3-4 second stop a few laps before the end, opted for soft tyres and it's highly likely that he would have finished at least 5th even if he had dropped behind Alonso after his last short stop (KERS + soft tyres). But as it was, he lost the race clearly to Alonso and only narrowly edged Heidfeld.

So besides creating trouble Ferrari acts poorly even in dealing with the trouble.

[christophulus]

Didn't actually watch the race live, exams tomorrow so was revising. Just watched it back and clearly I didn't miss a lot. Another great strategic call from Brawn and a cock up from Ferrari. Processional otherwise :down:

[AndyL]

Ferrari. :rotflmao: We should start new prediction competition - what will they screw up next time?

Good idea :D putting the back tyres on the front maybe, or putting diesel in by mistake...


By the way, one thing is that "lack of fuel", but what I would like to highlight, is that Ferrari cocked up "damage-limitation" strategy in the end too. Massa had around about 18-second advantage over Alonso before he started slowing down. Felipe could have continued pushing and made a short 3-4 second stop a few laps before the end, opted for soft tyres and it's highly likely that he would have finished at least 5th even if he had dropped behind Alonso after his last short stop (KERS + soft tyres). But as it was, he lost the race clearly to Alonso and only narrowly edged Heidfeld.

Or, they could have let Vettel go many laps earlier, and not have had to slow down as much to save enough fuel. Probably could have stayed ahead of Alonso that way given the gap they had.

[woody2goody]

Ferrari. :rotflmao: We should start new prediction competition - what will they screw up next time?

By the way, one thing is that "lack of fuel", but what I would like to highlight, is that Ferrari cocked up "damage-limitation" strategy in the end too. Massa had around about 18-second advantage over Alonso before he started slowing down. Felipe could have continued pushing and made a short 3-4 second stop a few laps before the end, opted for soft tyres and it's highly likely that he would have finished at least 5th even if he had dropped behind Alonso after his last short stop (KERS + soft tyres). But as it was, he lost the race clearly to Alonso and only narrowly edged Heidfeld.

So besides creating trouble Ferrari acts poorly even in dealing with the trouble.

He lost nearly 30 seconds by slowing down, where he may have only lost around 20 with a splash and dash. I say 20 because he will have gained a few seconds on the soft tyres. Maybe he didn't have any softs left though.

[52Paddy]

I was gutted Rubens didn't win. I was gunning for him all weekend. Button drove superbly, though Rubens' soft-tyre stint was pretty amazing. He just kept pushing and pushing to try and save his lead, unfortunately failing. Massa drove well too until that fuel consumption cock-up. But I expected more from Vettel, particularly off the line (even without KERS.) When Massa got the jump on him, he was pretty much fickled!

At the other end of the spectrum, Kimi's disastrous year just keeps sinking to newer lows. And McLaren the same. Hamilton was second slowest on the track at one point of the race, only faster than Fisichella!

[N. Jones]

Rubens.

Thank You.

[ShiftingGears]

That race was much better than I expected from the Spanish Grand prix.