that 1:10.xxx that schumi put up right after alonso went up by 1.3 seconds was just amazing... beating alonso's by another 1.3 seconds
Amazing drive by MS! Huge time split between him and P2 in the other quali sessions, too! It was funny seeing MS wave at Alonso as he passed early in Q3. Looks to be an easy victory for Michael tomorrow if he keeps up this pace.
Dominating weekend so far...just go 1-2 in the race tomorrow. I thought it was all about the tires, but they're using the same set-up as last week (as is Renault)
Great news for the tifosi! Let's keep this thread "at the top" so the other (SPOILER) thread isn't visible from the FChat main page...
i can't believe i missed the whole quali session. i only managed to watch that last minute or so....damn my cable TV for ' bluffing ' the time by 1 hour...
Yay!!! Won't be able to watch the race as I have an autox to attend, but you betcha I'll be sporting my Ferrari shirt.
How about a 1-2 tomorrow. The other teams might as well head for home like last year. Ferrari is totally awsome!!
And yet more reasons to like Michael. He's not perfect, but he still shows more enthusiasm than any other driver on the grid, and he also recognizes the big picture; he gets it. Immediately after running over to hug his engineer, he faced the crowd and acknowledged their cheering and support. How many other drivers merely stepped out of their cars and slithered into the protective depths of their garages? I haven't seen the post-Q interviews, but I'm curious to hear what he said.
Whoohoo!!! Good to see Schumi on the pole again. Doesn't this one put him on top for the all time record poles, or was that the last one? I know Monaco doesn't count.
Ya think maybe Michelin was given the stone tablet Berniegram that their tires *WILL* run in '06, even if they have to use truck tires? Bridgestone has the chance to push the envelope. (Michelin was really excited when they ran that set of Bstones over for inspection, weren't they?) So will the Bstones need a three stop strategy, or can Schumi get 25 laps out of 'em? I kept hearing the Speed annoucers talking about Michael's potential "sixth win" -- but remember 2002? Technically, Rubins got the top step (a botched formation finish). So isn't it really only four so far? (Not counting tomorrow)
He tied with Senna at the season opener and broke the record in San Marino. Obviously, I'm looking forward to tomorrow. Also, don't forget about the US Grand Prix Special on Speed TV tonight at 8PM...
What do you think Ferrari's strategy is going to be? I'm thinking that Massa will be a "road block" and let Schumi get ahead. Hopefully atleast!
They're over a second/lap faster than the next competitor (Fisi) in practice and session 2 times. I think Ferrari will go for the 1-2 finish and not worry about who's behind them. Also, I don't think Ferrari is going to a 3-stop strategy...I'm not even convinced they're lighter than Alonso/Fisi. They probably are lighter than Kimi.
In the paddock stands, I didn't quite catch what was happening. I saw them wheel the F248 over to scrutineering, then wheel it back with another set of tires in tow. What was the deal? I'm going to get a radio or something tonight, because there's so much action that is missed while sitting in the stands. (On the other hand, there's plenty of "action" in the stands... wow wow wow wow... what a day!) -Daniel
Bump over other thread. No way MS and FM are on a 3 stopper. Two stopper for them, they got the car right for the track unlike the rest. McMerc also on a 2 stopper, but with a long first stint. It shows that JPM isn't too far off pace with Kimi. Both pretty much finished 10th (Kimi) and 11th, but 9th for Kimi since Nick had problems.
Fisi should blow past Massa and MS may have to chop fisi for the first corner. That's if Fisi doesn't shoot himself in the foot again
I didn't see that one on Speed Channel. I was talking about when they rushed a set of tires from one of the other Bstone teams (Trulli's car, I think) over to the Bridgestone van and "everyone was gathering over there" according to the commentators. On the two/three stop question: Ferrari/Bridgestone could be pretty sure that Michelin would have conservative tires at Indy this year, and Bridgestone could play the lighter/thinner compound this year -- the US is a significant market for Ferrari, so this is a race you'd think they really want. If they're running a light/soft tire, it might not run 25 laps, forcing a three stop. That extra second had to come from somewhere. But then, Ferrari has been quick on the straights, and Indy has the longest full throttle run in F1, so maybe the difference is just the "super speedway" aspect.
I'm thinking the same thing. Fischi will probably pull Massa off the start and hold him up so Alonso can try to catch up a bit. It would be so nice to see a 1-2 finish tomorrow though I'll keep my fingers crossed.
Qualifying was great today! Everybody was chearing when Schumi passed Alonso in the 3rd qual. session. It was even better when it was official that we would have an all-Ferrari front row for the race. Schumi got a pretty good reception after that. I finally found a place where I could get some good shots without having to shoot through the fence. I don't have a USB cord here, but I will get all the pics up as soon as I can when I get home. P.S. I stood outside the Conrad downtown while Flavio came in and out. He was really nice everyone, actually. I got just a few pics of that. I also saw Ralf at the mall, but I didn't want to make a scene by whipping out my camera and snapping a few pictures of him.
Ferrari has the same tires that they had in Canada (as do the Michelin runners, according to Alonso & Fisi). I think it's a little more than just the super speedway, as MS had fastest time in all three sectors. I think the 90+ degree weather helped alot. They were expecting it in Canada, but it didn't come in time.
no. if i'm not wrong, they had the same setup in canada, not the same tires. anyways, i just hope massa don;t screw things up and can do a decent job by holding up GF and the rest. but MS should be more defencive, taking into account of those rocket starts those renaults have. i won't be surprised fisi gets the jump on massa. OTOH, it's good rubens is there to hold up FA. wasted good 'ol train driver wasn;t there at 3rd spot
Rubens often isn't the quickest off the line. So does Fisi move over for Alonso, or go gunning for Massa?
