I think Renault is looking to send a message to Ferrari. Both drivers were at the top of the time sheets in the first qualifying session. We'll see how this goes.
That had to be the fastest qualifying session I've ever seen...2 drivers under the pole record and everyone significantly quicker than they've shown all weekend. There was a TON of sandbagging going on during the practices. It'll be interesting to see who ends up on top. After that 1:14.6, I though MS was a shoe-in. After Fisi turned that 1:14.7, I think it's all wide open. Great session...
Remember when he was going to wipe everybody out in F1 when he first came on the scene? I've said it before, I'll say it again; McLaren without Adrian Newey is in big trouble. Montoya will never be a WC. Final Qualifying about to start.....
I don't think we'll see a faster time in the final session due to "race fuel load" unless they burn fuel off the entire session with the fuel mixture fat as hell and then go for a last ditch effort before the buzzer.
Renault was laying in the weeds all weekend, and now they have control of this race. Can Fisi hold off Schu and let Alonso get away? Or will he crash out on lap 1 due to the pressure?
I think the Renaults are lighter then the Ferrari's. Problem will probably be Fisichella. He can destroy the party for Ferrari!
MS just missed P2; damn!!!!! Should be a good one tomorrow although I see Fisi driving a "wide car" keeping MS at bay to let FA run off with it.....
I have a feeling they are just realllly light and wanted to put on a show. Look at what Ferrari have done all weekend, then what MSC did in session 2. WAY quicker. Either way Alonso is on race two for his engine, the ferraris aren't. And they have great strategy whereas Renault doesn't quite seem to have that. Plus Alonso has buckled under pressure here before. Going to be one interestin race.
I don't know that they're lighter. Their times came down about as much as Ferrari. Micheal was close to his flat-out time in session 2. Of course, if they are lighter it's because Alonso needed to have the pole here. We'll see...
Renault running light on fuel? They've been this quick for over a year now. Give credit where credit is due, they have a good car, period. Tomorrow should make a great race with the top 4 qualifers in the first few laps.
We shall see tomorrow. I'll be on Live Timing tomorrow as I refuse to watch CBS' coverage of F1; would rather watch water boil...... What MS/Ferrari really need is a FA/Renault retirement.....
Based on the press conference comments, I think they are light on fuel. Renault seemed very wary of Ferrari's strength and said nothing about their own strategy again. Michael seemed very confident in Ferrari's race strategy, but he's gotta get by Fisi. Fortunately there are a couple of passing areas at Catalunya. Fisi must be running on vapors for him to be that far up the grid under pressure circumstances.
Plus count in the look on Alonsos face when MS started talking his "strategy" it was priceless. Alonso lost all expression. MS was saying their strategy probably cost them so you can figure they are running on a heavier load. Alonso and Fisi said no such thing about strategy, then looked worried when Michael acted as if he knew that he would be in the psition he's in due to load.
Hope you'll excuse me while I get a little personal rant in here: All this qualifying with fuel on board is what made me quit watching quali a couple of years ago. Maybe it's just me but it drives me absolutely mad to have to watch and not know what the times mean. "He's quick, but we don't know what fuel load he's carrying!" AAAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH! That's not racing, it's a circus for the unwashed masses. Give 'em some gladiators to watch and leave the damn racing to racing fans already!!! We apologise for the interruption, you will now be returned to your regularly scheduled circus.
I thought MS looked a bit discouraged, and seemed as if he was trying to put the best face possible on it... I think when he said the final set of tires weren't quite as good (paraphrasing), that that's what cost him. I'm not betting that the F-Boys have more fuel. Hope so though! I still think that the Fcar is faster, so should be a great race! Now if I can figure out a way to get a voice feed from europe over the computer, so I can mute the TV we're in business. Anyone now of a radio broadcast in english which will be on the PC live?
