*SPOILER -- Japanese Grand Prix Practice #2 -- SPOILER*

Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:18.734 38
2. Alonso McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:18.948 + 0.214 34
3. Massa Ferrari (B) 1:19.483 + 0.749 36
4. Trulli Toyota (B) 1:19.711 + 0.977 35
5. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) 1:19.714 + 0.980 29
6. Kovalainen Renault (B) 1:19.789 + 1.055 40
7. Fisichella Renault (B) 1:19.926 + 1.192 39
8. Coulthard Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:19.949 + 1.215 33
9. R.Schumacher Toyota (B) 1:19.969 + 1.235 40
10. Kubica BMW Sauber (B) 1:20.069 + 1.335 45
11. Webber Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:20.069 + 1.335 35
12. Wurz Williams-Toyota (B) 1:20.233 + 1.499 37
13. Rosberg Williams-Toyota (B) 1:20.270 + 1.536 43
14. Button Honda (B) 1:20.336 + 1.602 44
15. Heidfeld BMW Sauber (B) 1:20.462 + 1.728 36
16. Sutil Spyker-Ferrari (B) 1:20.736 + 2.002 37
17. Barrichello Honda (B) 1:20.889 + 2.155 33
18. Liuzzi Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:20.985 + 2.251 44
19. Vettel Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:20.997 + 2.263 38
20. Davidson Super Aguri-Honda (B) 1:21.007 + 2.273 34
21. Yamamoto Spyker-Ferrari (B) 1:21.305 + 2.571 38
22. Sato Super Aguri-Honda (B) 1:21.352 + 2.618 34

 

Darn.

 

Don't worry, according to Ferrari they were testing long runs in the second session. They were quite happy with Friday.

 

Ferrari was still faster when i fell asleep....good for my sleep...but what a downer for my morning. Oh well, qualifying is the important part.

 

don't worry...Ferrari will do ok

 

Though a little more exaggerated then Spa, this was a similar situation in practice. Ferrari fastest in 1st practice, Mclaren in 2nd practice, Ferrari in 3rd and the race. Go Kimi, (and Massa).

 

...damn I hate to be behind them...

 

thought the Toyotas looked some what decent

 

This is Toyota's track. Of course the cars will shine in practice.

 

Trulli? TRULLI ???!!!

How did he get up there?

I was just reading this F1 article this week, where Trulli was expressing his opinion that the McLaren drivers should be kicked out. The article talked about how he was the "shining light" or something like that.

And now he's in 4th place in Friday practice? Ahead of Kimi's 5th place??!!

I don't expect him to be in the top 3 during Sat Qual or on the podium after the Sun race, but I am impressed by his results.

I can see why he would want McLaren out.. he could've been in 2nd place right behind Massa, and then won the Japanese GP for Toyota!

~shahedc.

 

This is Toyota's track. He'll be midfield to backmarker in the race again.

 

Agreed. I'm betting that he'll be midfield to backmarker in this track on Race Day.

~shahedc
.

 

Last night when I was watching Practice 2 I noticed that Kimi's Ferrari seemed really nervous around the section between Dunlop Corner and Panasonic Corner and that it was bouncing off the kerbs pretty hard unlike the McLarens and a few other cars. Of course the entire course has been rebuilt by Toyota and most of the improvements are pretty new but are the kerbs really that high or was it just my imagination?

 

...I was worried about it too, it seems THOSE KERBS are high enough to upset our suspension...and give the low mech grip we have...we aint THAT bad...let´s keep the faith for now...

FORZA FERRARI

 

I know this has nothing to do with the practice times, but I just has express my feelings about Fuji. The track sucks a%$. Bring back Suzuka. I feel asleep 20 min into practice, very boring circuit. No place to overtake, to tight and short.

 

Not gonna happen: Fuji has a multi year contract with Bernie.

 

I thought one of the commentators said that they would alternate between Suzuka and Fuji. Maybe I am wrong.

 

So what does everyone think about the track?

My thoughts:
+ Lots of elevation changes
+ Variable weather
+/- Shades of Bahrain in the mid section and Sepang in turn 1
- No exciting corners
- Last chicane a joke
- No sense of rhythm
- Too short

 

No, you're 100% correct.

 

Personally I think the track is ****. I've always thought that, ever since the track showed up on Gran Turismo 4 back in 04. It's just so awkward and uninspiring.

 

+1 Its no Spa that's for sure..

 

+100

 

very true. in GT4, i always struggle in the last section of the circuit. i've preferred the Fuji back in the 80s and 90s. the 1st section of the track, it's really hard to find the setup, easy to understeer off the corners, then at the hairpin, it's easy to lockup under braking.

but the drivers seem to think otherwise tho. most of them seem to like it.

 

They are wrong. There are currently no plans/contracts to bring back F1 in Suzuka.

 

i thought thats true? from what i read, it;ll be the 'Pacific GP' at Suzuka