British GP Qualifying **Spoiler**

Good morning. Looks like Kimi took his car for a nice "spin" also. Seems like the wind is wreaking havoc with everyone, but that said having MS almost a full second faster than the Renaults seems promising...however we'll see how things go in the qualifying sessions.

I still expected times to be below 1:20, but maybe the horsepower loss does actually show in the track times this weekend. But 1-2 secs off?

 

These 4:30a starts never get tiring...actually they are a little too early. Yesterday's 6a start was much more accommodating.

I expect times to drop during that second qualifying session. A lot of sandbagging this weekend. They must be simply limiting the revs so that they don't show their hands. We'll see shortly.

 

We actually have a delay on the West Coast. I'm about 10 min. behind what you are seeing.

Alonso's first Q time seemed a little suspect...the second seemed a little desperate. We'll see how times are in this next session.

BTW, was Button protesting MS last race? Honda/BAR have been known to look for the edge against the competition and seems like they are searching again with today.

 

i've always wondered about the delay in the tv signal...

the second session just finished...

 

That second session usually tells a lot about qualifying order, although MS did make a mistake on his lap.

BTW, the second session isn't even over yet out here.

 

Are MS and FA on light fuel loads? Only guys in the 1:20 range.

 

I now remember how much I miss speed coverage

 

Alonso gets pole...again. KR second, MS third, FA fourth. Good move up from fourth and fifth, but not going to get it done for the champioship.

BTW, Barrichello is embarrasing Button. P6 vs P19?? At Button's home race? Has he just given up this season?

 

hehe.. jenson is way back at 19th while rubens is up in 6th...

 

I think KR is running more fuel than MS and FA...he could actually win tomorrow (in McLaren's home g.p.) if his car doesn't give out on him.

I'll be interested to hear the drivers' comments. If this is a Michelin track (as it's proposed to be) a loss against Alonso virutally kills Schumaker's chances at the drivers' championship. I know we're only at the halfway point, but that Renault is bulletproof, and that's what it takes to win. It will eventually fail Alonso, but unless it's at this race it won't really matter.

 

Enjoy your 100-degree day. We have "June gloom" in Southern California, so temps will eventually get to the 70's after the marine layer burns away.

Here's hoping Ferrari can take a row 2 start to a row 1 finish tomorrow.

 

Does anyone know if Kimi will be penalized if the team adds that right wing back to the airbox?

 

I think the question would be would he get penalized for NOT having that right wing (weight). I can't imagine it will be any issue though. They'd have to prove the car was designed to shed weight, but losing an air channeler would probably be more of a disadvantage.

I think we can all stop calling Alonso lucky now. His car is holding up fine AND he's out-qualifying his main chanllengers. He can't control what happens to them during the races.

 

Another one sees the light. Good.

Qualifying promises a good race.

Villeneuve looked hot and Button should hang it up.

 

F1 qualifying is a mixed bag. Having the pole is not always significant to actual race performance. Certainly Alonso is very good, but the Renault is excellent. I have no doubt that with an MS or KR behind the wheel, it would go even faster.

Additionally, when you account for fuel loads and race pit strategy, its hard to tell until mid-race who is actually faster that weekend. If today MS had more fuel on board than FA, then it really is the Ferrari and MS that is faster, and pole is meaningless.

 

I don't think so. Alonso made that Renault to suit him just like MS made the Ferrari for himself.

 

I'm interested to know how the british press reacts to Button's performance....

Button P19 : Barrichello P6

Can't recall that big of a mismatch between teammates without a mechanical failure / shunt invloved....

 

For one race you may be right, although I'm not convinced this is the case for this race. However, after one and a half seasons, we need to start giving Alonso his due. Fisi gives us a good idea of what the car can do, the rest is Alonso. I do agree that MS and KR would be as successful in the Renault, but my point is that Alonso is as good as either of them.