Set a lap record in Spain today... Michael Schumacher this afternoon broke the unofficial lap record at Circuit de Catalunya with a best lap of 1:13.471s in his Bridgestone-shod Ferrari, eclipsing the previous best set last month by Jenson Button (1:13.522s). With Luca Badoer destroying his 248 F1, it was certainly a mixed day for the Ferrari team as they prepare for the British Grand Prix. Heikki Kovalainen was second fastest for Renault, six-tenths off the ultimate pace while Ricardo Zonta was an encouraging third fastest for Toyota. Nico Rosberg was fourth fastest in his Williams Cosworth ahead of Giancarlo Fisichella and Jarno Trulli. Pedro de la Rosa shared a McLaren Mercedes with Juan Pablo Montoya and was seventh fastest ahead of Jacques Villeneuve, Jenson Button and Luca Badoer. Testing resumes at the circuit again tomorrow. Barcelona* - 01/06/2006 PM 1 . M. Schumacher - Ferrari 248 F1 - 1:13.471 (+ 0.000 ) - 82 laps 2 . H. Kovalainen - Renault R26 - 1:14.174 (+ 0.703 ) - 120 laps 3 . R. Zonta - Toyota TF106 - 1:14.696 (+ 1.225 ) - 106 laps 4 . N. Rosberg - Williams Cosworth FW28 - 1:14.731 (+ 1.260 ) - 87 laps 5 . G. Fisichella - Renault R26 - 1:14.854 (+ 1.383 ) - 112 laps 6 . J. Trulli - Toyota TF106B - 1:15.131 (+ 1.660 ) - 102 laps 7 . P. de la Rosa - McLaren Mercedes MP4-21 - 1:15.238 (+ 1.767 ) - 84 laps 8 . J. Villeneuve - BMW Sauber F1.06 - 1:15.526 (+ 2.055 ) - 111 laps 9 . J. Button - Honda RA106 - 1:15.637 (+ 2.166 ) - 109 laps 10 . L. Badoer - Ferrari 248 F1 - 1:15.637 (+ 2.166 ) - 27 laps 11 . J. P. Montoya - McLaren Mercedes MP4-21 - 1:15.652 (+ 2.181 ) - 61 laps 12 . N. Heidfeld - BMW Sauber F1.06 - 1:15.783 (+ 2.312 ) - 125 laps 13 . R. Barrichello - Honda RA106 - 1:15.826 (+ 2.355 ) - 96 laps 14 . C. Klien - Red Bull Ferrari RB2 - 1:15.871 (+ 2.400 ) - 65 laps 15 . R. Doornbos - Red Bull Ferrari RB2 - 1:17.018 (+ 3.547 ) - 115 laps 16 . A. Wurz - Williams Cosworth FW28 - 1:17.188 (+ 3.717 ) - 83 laps 17 . N. Jani - Toro Rosso Cosworth STR1 - 1:17.224 (+ 3.753 ) - 92 laps. * Times courtesy of Circuit de Catalunya
Hi - looks like you and I are the only ones so far commenting on the fact that YES Michael broke the unofficial record of the Barcelona circuit on the second day of testing of the week at the Spanish track. The German's lap of 1:13.471 beat Jenson Button's record of 1:13.552, the Briton's time set early in 2005. Despite Schumacher's impressive time, the day was one of mixed fortunes for Ferrari following a heavy accident by test driver Luca Badoer. The Italian driver lost control of his 248 F1 at the fast third turn, going off and crashing heavily against the tyre barriers. The accident forced the session to be stopped. Badoer was uninjured, but the damaged the car sustained on the right side was enough to make sure he was unable to return to action. He managed just 27 laps and finished as 10th fastest. A total of 17 drivers took to the track today, with only the Midland and Super Aguri teams absent from the Circuit de Catalunya. Renault's Heikki Kovalainen was second fastest, keeping the French squad near the top of the times. The Finn, however, was over seven tenths of a second behind Schumacher. Both Kovalainen and teammate Giancarlo Fisichella continued working on narrowing down the tyre selection for the British Grand Prix. "We had a solid day of testing today in Barcelona," said Renault's chief test engineer Christian Silk. "The cars ran reliably, and we collected plenty of useful data for the next races. "Tomorrow, we will be putting finishing touches to our preparations for the forthcoming race in Silverstone, where we expect the R26 to maintain its recent competitive form." Ricard Zonta was third quickest for the Toyota team, the Brazilian returning to the old TF106 car after working with the B version yesterday. Teammate Jarno Trulli took over at the wheel of the new car, posting the sixth quickest time of the day after 102 laps. Williams' Nico Rosberg began his team's preparations for British Grand Prix, working alongside test driver Alex Wurz. Rosberg worked on an engine programme in the morning and did tyre testing in the afternoon. Wurz focussed on aerodynamic work, but the Austrian's day ended early after crashing at the ninth corner late in the afternoon. Apart from the incidents from Badoer and Wurz, there were a further four red flags today. Red Bull's Christian Klien stopped on track around noon, then Honda's Rubens Barrichello followed suit on the first corner, his car dropping oil from the back. In the afternoon, McLaren's Pedro de la Rosa stopped on the sixth corner and Trulli caused another red flag when his car also stopped late in the afternoon. Glad that Badoer wasn't injured, the photo of the car was not a pretty sight! Carol
I wonder how he lost it. Turn 3 is a very very long corner. In fact it's the toughest on the tyres of all corners of any F1 circuit in the calendar, including the Indy banking. Perhaps he ran wide onto the marbles, or the TC setting was a bit optimistic.
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James - thanks for posting the photos - it's really amazing that the drivers can just walk away from shunts like this. I love the way the British journalists write: "Badoer was uninjured, but the damaged the car sustained on the right side was enough to make sure he was unable to return to action." One low mileage, slightly used Ferrari. Carol
certainly not a pretty sight in those pics. gald he's ok. well MS being fastest...? it's a good thing the monaco incident happened. it just turned the whole championship around by re-igniting MS's fire...hahaha
Looking at the pic of the track, it seems he spun right at the apex. Perhaps he put the inside rear on the rumble strip or grass.
I hope the Monaco incident truly did reignite MS's fire because I really don't want to see Renault to walk away with both championships again. Good to hear Luca's ok after that hard off like that...modern car's safety is amazing. I can't wait for Silverstone and Ferrari's 1-2!!! Mark
He was already ignited. He was on prov pole b4 the incident, he wasnt running at the back. He came from deadlast to5th at Monaco!!! A feat in itsself!! He has won already this season. He hasnt reignited anything, he is just doing the same he has been doing since the start of the season. The Problem with the current pts system wont help much if Alonso keeps coming 2nd, Massa really needs to be up there as well. Massa is the one that needs to be refocused not Schumie.
I agree. I don't think MS lacks any kind of focus at this stage. Not to take away from his lap record, but Massa set best time a day ago. Obviously test times are not very meaningful, but it is an indication that the 248 is darn fast and that's exactly what the doctor ordered for Silverstone.
i agree, but what i'm saying is, for example, at monaco, kimi's engine and webber's engine blew...that kinda luck...
I'm starting to wonder how much of that has to do with plain luck and how much has to do with pushing the car too hard. In the old days I would have said they overrevved, but I guess that's hard to do with paddle shift gear boxes. Still, it happens a lot to Kimi. Another way of looking at it is, that Mercedes and Ford knowingly take a risk by pushing the engine. If it holds, their drivers look like heroes, if not, not much lost. That's why I don't make much out of Kimi or Webber being close to the Renault. They're in a different kind of game. Michael chasing Alonso (or the other way round), that's the only comparison that holds because they got equal interests in carrying that engine through two entire races.
thats my point actually andreas. right now, FA has luck and reliability at his side. something kimi don;t have. i guess thats up to the scuderia and ms to answer...
I wasn't meaning to say he wasn't really pushing before, but that Monaco could have lit something really special in him. For instance, when I compete I always give my all no matter what, but there are times when something happens that makes me reach down and give just a little more. Either way I'm now even more eager for the next round to see MS wax FA's tail. Mark
They used a brand new airbox that had not been tested....it caught fire because of heat buildup during a caution...i.e, McLaren was trying to keep even with others and put on a part which 'failed'. Re MS being reignited....there's entirely too much benefit attributed to the driver, on any team. This is an organization of approx. 1000 people and $400,000,000/yr.......lotsa people involved in Michael's success at Barcelona
I think that he's probably feeling like it's him-vs-the world after all of the negative press in Monaco. Something like that can serve as the catalyst for him turning up the effort a notch that other drivers may not have. Not saying that Schumaker has been sandbagging, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him taking more chances at passing on the track instead of the pits. He can still win without Massa, but Massa having success against FA would give MS some margin for error. Right now, he has absolutely zero.
I hope it works!! I want to see MS show one more time why he has been champion more than anyone else. I think it would be graceful to retire if got WDC #8 this year, what better way to cap a stunning career? For any fools (and there have been many) saying that MS was over last year or this year, and is too old to compete, he has proven them wrong in the last several races. I hope his competitive drive inspires him to summon the speed he needs to smack Flabio and the Elf Alonoso. It would be very dull if Alonoso simply walked away with every race while Kimi DNF'd, etc. I don't want to see ANYONE walk away with the title, that would make for a dull season. I think it is going to be a battle for Alonoso, which is good for the sport and is apparently the type of thing that drives MS.
schumi will give FA a run for his money. knowing schumi, he never gives up. monaco was perfect example. brace yourselves for a backlash
