Gp of Europe - Qualifying - **spoiler**

I think the problem with Kubica is that he had a concussion, and Indy's short runoff means that there is an increased likelihood of a driver hitting at high speed and getting a concussion. They didn't want to risk two concussions in short succession, so they help him back from racing. Hamilton didn't have a concussion, so the risk is not the same.

I believe Hamilton will do everything he can to race tomorrow.

 

I agree. Ron Dennis said that after the accident Fernando drove back to the pits slowly and that is when they discovered that his wheel nut was not on tight as well.

I think he's got a few more laps of fuel than most of the other front runners since he was in the pits longer after Lewis' accident as the team was checking out his car, and he came out later right at the end of qualifying. If he can lose that time on a bobble and still qualify 2nd, then he should be able to match Kimi's pace through the first stint and put on a couple of burner laps after Kimi pits to come out ahead after he pits. In any case, it should be a fun race to watch. Happy to see Lewis ok, but I think that is the first major shunt that he has had in his career; it might make him slow down a bit (but I seriously doubt it)

 

it does not necessarily have to be blaming the car or anyone...he's either going on about...traffic, or the weather, track conditions--which everyone has to deal with...his interviews are developing a pattern these past few races...

 

He'll race even if the doctors say no. McL will just "touch up" the xrays.

Actually. I hope he is OK and races.

Fantastic job by Kimi under huge pressure. the Ice Man cometh.

Massa needs to stop overthinking things and just race his heart out IMVHO.

Forza Ferrari

 

Well, that was a pretty interesting quali session. I'm glad to see Kimi get pole, and definitely glad to see Lewis OK. The thing that really surprised me was Alonso's final quali lap. He must have been driving like a madman to still get second after his mistake in the second sector. He's not my favorite driver, but that was seriously impressive. Props to him.

Now that Lewis is faced with having to pass a good amount of cars, I think we will see a great race tomorrow.


-John

 

+1. I don't know what the strategy would have been had he gotten pole, but I think second is suspect at best for him now (especially with Felipe's extra lap of fuel credit).

 

Actually, they held Alonso in the pits to try to get him a clear track. They wanted one shot at pole with him driving flat-out. Unfortunately, he was bitten by the oversteer he'd been dealing with all weekend.

That said, he did seem pretty relaxed in the interview session. Either he feels good about his chances in the race or that he will finish ahead of Hamilton for the first time in four races.

 

Umm...he finished better than Hamilton at the last GP(Silverstone).

 

Sucks for Hamilton, great job by Kimi. Unfortunately my DVR didn't record the last part of quali with the red flag making it go over the time slot Too bad Massa couldn't get it done and get us a Ferrari one two.

 

+1 Still KR 3/10s faster than FA....

 

IMO Alonso is very light on fuel, and Kimi is very heavy. From what we saw at Silverstone the F2007 is very kind to it's tires, so Ferrari must run heavy, especially during the first 2 stints. Massa got the two slow laps at the end of Q3, so it will be interesting to see how he does.

Let's hope we see another Ferrari 1-2.

 

+1 same for me with the DVR.

 

Excellent post as always.

 

here's what Lewis said :

Lewis Hamilton must wait until another medical check on Sunday morning before discovering if he can race in the European Grand Prix.

McLaren, however, has given him the all-clear after a precautionary CT-scan check at the nearby military hospital in Koblenz.

Championship leader Hamilton returned to the Nurburgring from hospital on Saturday afternoon, and in a McLaren statement said he was 'absolutely fine' and wants to race despite the 250kph qualifying crash.

Ron Dennis told reporters that there is no medical reason that will keep him out of the car.


But FIA medical delegate Gary Hartstein will have the final say, when he examines the British rookie at 9.30 on Sunday morning.

"I'm feeling fine," Hamilton told reporters in the paddock. "I'm very fortunate, very lucky I haven't got any bruises – although I'm sure tomorrow I'll wake up with some!"

 

Remember that you get fuel credit for laps completed during the Q3 session. I don't know if that will benifit or hurt Alonso, but I still think he is running very light.

 

Sorry, I meant qualified ahead of him (Hamilton) for the first time in five races.

 

Im not sure that he was in the pits that much longer than anyone else. Regardless, he did 10 laps just like everyone else.

 

It is confirmed that Lewis will start. http://www.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/070722103608.shtml

It sure is going to be a great race!