Australia: Qualifying
One more thread for today then. Finally the time for the real action is upon us. We’re in Australia for the first qualifying of 2008.
No need for any Red Bull this evening, we’re pumped full of natural adrenalin. It’s been a cold and crazy winter, and today it all comes to a head as every team show their true hands for the first time.
The practice session earlier today was hectic and the results erratic but there’s little to suggest that the form guide is about to be thrown out of the window.
The temperature has been steadily increasing during the break, it’s hot, it’s sticky and the track’s beginning to come good.
Let’s have your predictions as we while away the minutes to the start of Q1.
March 15th, 2008 at 2:26 amChristine said:
I’m not.
March 15th, 2008 at 2:27 amMichael Roberts said:
I’m thinking something like this:
1. Kimi
2. Felipe
3. Lewis
Not that I wouldn’t like to see Kubica on pole but I just don’t see it, pre-season testing can’t possibly be wrong can it?
March 15th, 2008 at 2:30 amlou said:
lol me neither!
I am watching the itv build up program, i can’t believe they used the same interview with hamilton they used in their preview program! - WHY! I am so excited! wow its actually here, i have survived the unreasonable amount of days!
March 15th, 2008 at 2:32 amChristine said:
It looks like they might have spent a buck or two on that interview, so getting their money’s worth at least.
March 15th, 2008 at 2:35 amlou said:
Thats interesting, did not know Honda had the the most experienced driver line up! ooo Has Jenson cut his beard?!
March 15th, 2008 at 2:35 amIan Lockwood said:
ITV webcast is a couple of seconds in front of my TV!
March 15th, 2008 at 2:35 amme said:
please also let us know where and how you’re watching.
country / channel / commentators etc.
we have ITV coverage in the UK. james allen and martin brundle in the box.
March 15th, 2008 at 2:36 amMichael Roberts said:
It probably improves the aero performance of the car!
March 15th, 2008 at 2:37 amChristine said:
That’s mostly Barrichello, though, isn’t it?
March 15th, 2008 at 2:37 amlou said:
Same - UK, ITV am also checking out the simulcast thing too.
March 15th, 2008 at 2:37 amme said:
oooh, good spot. are you watching on freeview? there’s a tiny encoding delay related to digital conversion i think.
March 15th, 2008 at 2:38 amMichael Roberts said:
That ECU is much bigger than I realised, or maybe Ted is really small…
March 15th, 2008 at 2:38 amlou said:
yes probably, still something i never really thought about. I knew about Barrichello but never thought of the team as a whole.
March 15th, 2008 at 2:40 amJonathan Goodbun said:
Much better paint job for Honda, lighter colours and go faster stripes up the top of the nose, lets hope it makes the car faster for Jenson!
March 15th, 2008 at 2:40 amIan Lockwood said:
I’m on cable (Virgin Media), so I guess that causes another delay.
March 15th, 2008 at 2:44 amSteven Roy said:
The webcast is about 3 corners behind terestrial analogue
March 15th, 2008 at 2:45 amJonathan Goodbun said:
same with sky but only 10th of a second against anolog signal
March 15th, 2008 at 2:45 amlou said:
I am crossing all my fingures for Honda this weekend! I so badly want them to do better! As im sure most people do!
March 15th, 2008 at 2:47 amme said:
nice that they thought to simulcast the adverts
March 15th, 2008 at 2:47 amlou said:
Yeah my webcast is about an advert behind. which is strange cause it started off being ahead and has somehow got behind.
March 15th, 2008 at 2:49 amlou said:
and again a repeat of an interview/feature on the preview program!
March 15th, 2008 at 2:49 amIan Lockwood said:
yes - web now about 15 seconds behind.
March 15th, 2008 at 2:50 amme said:
ITV… formula 1 for the casual fan.
March 15th, 2008 at 2:50 amSteven Roy said:
You just know they are going to repeat it all again before the race
March 15th, 2008 at 2:51 amMichael Roberts said:
So who is more annoying Louise Goodman or Tamara Ecclestone? Personally I think Louise is just ahead on most irritating voice…
March 15th, 2008 at 2:51 amJonathan Goodbun said:
its asking too much to have a seperate stream being broadcast than wants going out on the actuall channel
March 15th, 2008 at 2:52 amme said:
brawn humiliated by those lovely green pants!
March 15th, 2008 at 2:52 amIan Lockwood said:
Tamara is “Fantasic” and “Excellent” - oh wait - thats just her favourite words.
March 15th, 2008 at 2:53 amlou said:
erm irritating voice goes to Louise - but irritating presenter goes to Tamara every single time!
March 15th, 2008 at 2:53 amSteven Roy said:
Just reloaded the live video and it is now running at exactly the same time as TV
March 15th, 2008 at 2:56 amJonathan Goodbun said:
Louise is allright its Ecclestone daughter whos annoying!!!
Is this Michael Roberts from Falkirk?
March 15th, 2008 at 2:56 amlou said:
haha yes. im still waiting to see what the overalls look like :s
They already broadcast live itv on the internet, so what is the difference to wat they normally do on their homepage. Not sure if they broadcast f1 on it last year though.
March 15th, 2008 at 2:57 amSteven Roy said:
Humidity has gone up to 10172%. That seems as though it may be a bit wet.
March 15th, 2008 at 2:57 amlou said:
i just did that and its now gone back to being ahead!
March 15th, 2008 at 2:58 amme said:
Q1 coming up. 20 minute session, then 15 mins for Q2, before a final 10 minute dash for pole.
March 15th, 2008 at 2:59 amAlenyaa said:
Watching qualy live as well. In French though, but thats’s quite ok.
Can’t wait to see how things turn out!
Will check in again after Q3!
March 15th, 2008 at 2:59 amMichael Roberts said:
Sadly I’m not from Falkirk. I have to make do in Winchester.
March 15th, 2008 at 2:59 amme said:
7 eliminated in Q1, 5 eliminated in Q2, 10 remain to fight for pole.
March 15th, 2008 at 3:00 amme said:
and we’re off!
March 15th, 2008 at 3:01 amlou said:
One comment so far about the coverage - and its a complement -
its nice to see them standing around the honda team rather than the Mecca team
March 15th, 2008 at 3:01 amMichael Roberts said:
How long till someone is in the wall?
March 15th, 2008 at 3:03 amme said:
oooh, prediction?
14minutes and it’ll be trulli.
March 15th, 2008 at 3:03 amJonathan Goodbun said:
cheers Michael, thought you might have been my uncle who has the same name, enjoy qualifying!
March 15th, 2008 at 3:04 amSteevintheUK said:
Hi
Watching/listening to Quail via the ITV.com simulcast on one computer, have formula1.com live timing on another, and now commenting here on this computer. For the race I will watch the ITV.com simulcast but listening to the Radio 5 Live commentary if its on.
PS, I don’t remember seeing an F1 simulcast on ITV.Com last year.
March 15th, 2008 at 3:05 amme said:
gearbox change for glock? yikes, that didn’t take long.
March 15th, 2008 at 3:05 amJonathan Goodbun said:
first gear box Timo lol
March 15th, 2008 at 3:05 amlou said:
oh dear 1st gear box change :s
March 15th, 2008 at 3:06 amChristine said:
The replay guys are gonna be sooooo busy.
March 15th, 2008 at 3:07 amMichael Roberts said:
I love those new flashy replay intro screens. Must have cost them a few quid.
March 15th, 2008 at 3:07 amopenwheel said:
seven roy –where are you getting your feed???
March 15th, 2008 at 3:08 amSteven Roy said:
http://itv-95.vo.llnwd.net/d1/broadband/itvf1/default.html
March 15th, 2008 at 3:08 amme said:
useful, was confusing last year.
March 15th, 2008 at 3:10 amFelipe Leite said:
Off-topic (kind of)
I’m seeing a lot of disbelief about Nelson Piquet around here. As a brazilian, and a huge fan of his father, I’ve been following his carreer for a long time already. Yes, he is very talented and I believe he can be a world champion in 3 or 4 years time, but he has two major problems that always have been around him:
1 - He needs a lot of time to learn and get used to new tracks. Take a look at his first season in British F3, GP2 or mainly A1GP. In A1GP, he was absolutely dominant at the first race, in Brands Hatch (a track he was competing for 2 years at that time). But in the next races his results were just ok, or simply bad. I think he will suffer a lot during these first few races, until he reaches the european races.
2 - He is such a bad starter. His race starts are just rubbish! He gets nervous, he missteps the clutch, and all. He will definitely need to improve in this area.
But after all, we can’t forget that he gave Hamilton a good run for his money in ’06s GP2 season. Unfortunately (for him), he will need some time to deliver results. I hope that he can do it!
March 15th, 2008 at 3:10 amlou said:
Im looking at the the live timings and the session time remaining is less than is shown on tv…
March 15th, 2008 at 3:10 amopenwheel said:
itv is blocked in the us
March 15th, 2008 at 3:12 amSteven Roy said:
Anyone else having trouble with the timing screen. Mine has frozen twice and had to be reloaded
March 15th, 2008 at 3:13 amme said:
lewis lost a bundle of downforce behind that bmw. his grip fell away.
March 15th, 2008 at 3:13 amlou said:
Vettel fastest in Section 1…
March 15th, 2008 at 3:14 amme said:
flaky earlier, good at moment.
March 15th, 2008 at 3:14 amopenwheel said:
timo off love to see these cars go sideways. looks like they are all on the learning curve
March 15th, 2008 at 3:14 amlou said:
erm so far for quali its been ok, but over the last 2 days its been doing the same to me
March 15th, 2008 at 3:16 amme said:
sorry, just an uncanny similarity to kovi last year.
March 15th, 2008 at 3:18 amlou said:
first glimpse of honda overalls…:s
March 15th, 2008 at 3:18 amSteven Roy said:
Piquet is under pressure now. He has one chance of getting another lap in now and he is 20th
March 15th, 2008 at 3:19 amMichael Roberts said:
Kimi! He really needs one of those bullet proof McLaren’s.
March 15th, 2008 at 3:19 amme said:
noooo. shoot.
March 15th, 2008 at 3:20 amSteven Roy said:
Sutil the first spinner.
He must be knackered hanging on to that dog
March 15th, 2008 at 3:20 amme said:
embarrassing for sutil. spinning like that.
March 15th, 2008 at 3:21 amSteevintheUK said:
So why didn’t Raikkonen pull over to the grass?
March 15th, 2008 at 3:22 amlou said:
Piquet slower than an aguri? wow not a good day for him then.
March 15th, 2008 at 3:22 amChristine said:
Was Alonso not bothered? He only did 5 laps and was in 14th.
March 15th, 2008 at 3:23 amopenwheel said:
hami slides vettel 3
March 15th, 2008 at 3:23 amSteven Roy said:
Sutil did two green sectors on the lap he spun. He obviously hasn’t figured out that practise is over and qualifying has started
March 15th, 2008 at 3:24 amme said:
6 people out, apologies for saying it 7 earlier, was referencing this post:
http://formula1.about.com/od/formula1101/a/qualifying.htm
doh!
anyhow, davidson, piquet, sato, sutil, seb b and fissi are the first to fall.
March 15th, 2008 at 3:25 amlou said:
Big suprise - Barricello! OMG Honda! 7th and 12th They have improved much more than i was expecting! GO HONDA!
March 15th, 2008 at 3:25 amSteven Roy said:
Shouldn’t ITV be trying to find out what Raikkonen’s problem is rather than discussing traction control?
March 15th, 2008 at 3:28 amSteevintheUK said:
Raikkonen is out due to needing to be pushed, so said ITV
March 15th, 2008 at 3:28 amme said:
kimi could still get a penalty for blocking. may start from pitlane.
March 15th, 2008 at 3:29 amopenwheel said:
something about if the mechanics cross the line?
March 15th, 2008 at 3:29 amlou said:
At least they can choose their fuel strategy now. He is still in a fast car, pionts are not out of the question. but stil
poor kimi!! How many people did you have ring in and say they think that kimi would win?
March 15th, 2008 at 3:30 amLadySnowcat said:
I am going back to sleep…..
March 15th, 2008 at 3:30 amme said:
ummm, all of em!? pretty much.
March 15th, 2008 at 3:30 amSteven Roy said:
How many of us blew a chunk of our Fantasy Racer budget on him?
March 15th, 2008 at 3:30 amme said:
awwww.
March 15th, 2008 at 3:30 amopenwheel said:
nelson out
March 15th, 2008 at 3:31 amChristine said:
And how many people have him on the Fantasy Racers league?
March 15th, 2008 at 3:32 amme said:
impressed with vettel, given he’s in last year’s car n’all.
March 15th, 2008 at 3:32 amopenwheel said:
not me, no ferrari in my team
March 15th, 2008 at 3:33 amlou said:
Not me
- i have Fernando, Heikki, Jenson (of course), and Seb Vettel.
OH NO WEBBER :’(
March 15th, 2008 at 3:33 amme said:
oh jeez, webber flies of the road.
had to happen didn’t it?
March 15th, 2008 at 3:33 amDoug E. said:
I’m watching from the US on the Speed channel. Bob Varshal, David Hobbs and Steve Matchett are the commentators.
I bought a six pack of Fosters and I’m ready for the Australian GP and the 08 season.
I agree with Michael Roberts’s projections.
March 15th, 2008 at 3:33 amme said:
session red flagged.
March 15th, 2008 at 3:34 amMichael Roberts said:
Wow. Didn’t see Webber crashing out. This is a going to be a good race.
March 15th, 2008 at 3:34 amlou said:
So red bull have the reliability issuses sorted then
March 15th, 2008 at 3:35 amopenwheel said:
bmw 2 and 4 now that is progress
March 15th, 2008 at 3:35 amme said:
i need beer.
March 15th, 2008 at 3:35 amDan Brunell said:
I am so glad I change him for Webber last night.
March 15th, 2008 at 3:35 amSteven Roy said:
That is an odd failure. I think RBR should check the whole batch of discs
March 15th, 2008 at 3:36 amlou said:
really?
March 15th, 2008 at 3:37 amDoug E. said:
Really? I guess I must be watching on a time delay.
March 15th, 2008 at 3:37 amme said:
session restarted.
March 15th, 2008 at 3:38 amme said:
ahh shoot. what are you seeing.
March 15th, 2008 at 3:39 amme said:
ever seen that happen before?
March 15th, 2008 at 3:40 amlou said:
Nope never, not that i can remember anyways. Poor Webber, he really is cursed.
March 15th, 2008 at 3:41 amSteven Roy said:
It has happened before but not very often. I could understand it near the end of a race especially somewhere like Montreal but that disc has no mileage on it
March 15th, 2008 at 3:41 amDoug E. said:
Q2 14:30, Kimi parked in the garage–as well as everyone else.
March 15th, 2008 at 3:42 amDan Brunell said:
I saw one look of the Renault in Practice and ran to my computer.
Of course to fit him in I had some extra cash to upgrade from Heikki Kovalainen to Kimi… oh… no…
March 15th, 2008 at 3:43 amSteven Roy said:
That McLaren looks fabulous.
March 15th, 2008 at 3:44 amme said:
hi steve, sorry comments went into spam filter.
am watching it now, will catch if it happens again.
March 15th, 2008 at 3:45 amopenwheel said:
no covwrage on the disct thing what happened steven
March 15th, 2008 at 3:45 amDan Brunell said:
BTW: I am watching the qualifying TVU and they just started the second round here. Is my delay that great?
March 15th, 2008 at 3:46 amSteven Roy said:
Looked like the disc exploded
There was a big puff of black ’smoke’ from the front right wheel in a braking zone
March 15th, 2008 at 3:46 amopenwheel said:
i jsut saw the disc failure with wbber I must be behind in timing red flag for me know
March 15th, 2008 at 3:47 amSteven Roy said:
TVU started their programme 5 minutes after the session started
March 15th, 2008 at 3:47 amopenwheel said:
speed in the usa must be about two minutes behind all of you
March 15th, 2008 at 3:48 amDan Brunell said:
Webber off… Kimi not getting out of Q2… things are looking bad for Team Lotus-Cosworth…SOB…
March 15th, 2008 at 3:49 amSteven Roy said:
0.35s from DC in 8th to Nakajima in 14th. That’s like a Formula Ford grid
March 15th, 2008 at 3:49 amlou said:
wow that was exciting, disapionting for team lets go racing!
2 out of 4 drivers out!
March 15th, 2008 at 3:50 amSteevintheUK said:
Thanks me, sorry I ended up in spam
Didn’t someones brake disc explode sometime last year near the end of a race? Very rare for them to break this early on. Guess someone must of had knocked it or dropped it at some point.
DC is in the top TEN, how did that happen?
March 15th, 2008 at 3:50 amme said:
i have nothing to say. and christine’s going to be impossible to live with at this rate.
March 15th, 2008 at 3:52 amSteveintheUK said:
I should really learn how to spell my name, its Steve not steev, I keep spelling it wrong lately.
March 15th, 2008 at 3:53 amChristine said:
I picked Vettel
March 15th, 2008 at 3:54 amme said:
lord only knows!
March 15th, 2008 at 3:54 amSteven Roy said:
Vettel has done 16 laps already. At this rate he won’t have any new tyres for the race. Rosberg isn’t far behind on 14
March 15th, 2008 at 3:55 amLadySnowcat said:
New award…
Sandbagger of the close season….
BMW….
March 15th, 2008 at 3:56 amlou said:
Me too! Go Vettel!
Barrichello apears to have set up his car better than Jenson today
March 15th, 2008 at 3:56 amme said:
ab.so.freakin.lutely
March 15th, 2008 at 3:58 amSteven Roy said:
I thought there would be a queue for the start of this session. I can see someone losing a second run waiting to be weighed
March 15th, 2008 at 3:58 amMichael Roberts said:
If James Allen says Jarno Trulli is a legend it must be true!
March 15th, 2008 at 3:58 amme said:
fast and furious 10 minutes coming up then.
March 15th, 2008 at 3:59 amme said:
ooh, i guess they’re all feeling lucky
March 15th, 2008 at 4:00 amSteveintheUK said:
Have any cars been weighted during the first two sessions?
Hope they don#t start weighting them now
March 15th, 2008 at 4:01 amDoug E. said:
Wait, did Alonso just get shut out of the last knock out session? Wow, it is a new season.
March 15th, 2008 at 4:02 amme said:
yup. no kidding.
March 15th, 2008 at 4:02 amSteveintheUK said:
I’m confused, if the final top ten have fueled up for this session but are not allowed to refuel before the race, what happens to the fuel load for those not in the final session? Do they have to run with what they had, or can they refuel?
March 15th, 2008 at 4:03 amme said:
glock didn’t go out and vettel went round in circles but didn’t set a time?
March 15th, 2008 at 4:04 amSteven Roy said:
Glock is out now
March 15th, 2008 at 4:04 amSteveintheUK said:
WOW, I was so surprised that DC got in to the top Ten that I hadn’t noticed Alonso didn’t
March 15th, 2008 at 4:05 amme said:
no refuelling after the start of Q3. 11th place and backwards can select what they want.
March 15th, 2008 at 4:07 amSteveintheUK said:
So how had Kubica to be that fast?
March 15th, 2008 at 4:07 amJonathan Goodbun said:
Go Lewis!
March 15th, 2008 at 4:08 amMichael Roberts said:
Kubica would have got pole if he didn’t have that excursion.
March 15th, 2008 at 4:08 amopenwheel said:
no refuelling after the start of Q3. 11th place and backwards can select what they want.
this gives cars 11-abiut13 have will have an advantage over 10-8
March 15th, 2008 at 4:08 amme said:
blinding lap. but front row for bmw? sheesh.
March 15th, 2008 at 4:09 amme said:
probably why vettel bailed early.
March 15th, 2008 at 4:09 amSteven Roy said:
How can Heidfeld be 3 and a half tenths slower than Kubica after the cross country trip
March 15th, 2008 at 4:10 amopenwheel said:
Kubica would have got pole if he didn’t have that excursion.
March 15th, 2008 at 4:11 amme said:
must be splitting the strategies. massively.
March 15th, 2008 at 4:12 amSteveintheUK said:
I think Kubica just proved that F1 drivers dont need traction control, great save.
March 15th, 2008 at 4:12 amChristine said:
Oh crikey, I didn’t realise the Honda overall stripes were green and blue, that’s not good.
And what is up with JB’s hat?
March 15th, 2008 at 4:14 amSteven Roy said:
Baldiseri looks like the pressure is getting to him already
March 15th, 2008 at 4:14 amlou said:
Wow did ITV just interview a driver that wasn’t Lewis, Fernando, or Kimi after quali! i can’t beleive my ears or eyes! It must be the lack of sleep.
March 15th, 2008 at 4:14 amJonathan Goodbun said:
night all happy blogging, Hamilton 1st, Kovalainen 2nd, Kubica 3rd
March 15th, 2008 at 4:15 amlou said:
What i want to know is who is designing the Honda uniform! Normally its fine, but this year!
March 15th, 2008 at 4:17 amme said:
that was hell of a lot of fun.
thanks all for your comments, we’ll be around for a bit longer, just y’know thinking…
March 15th, 2008 at 4:17 amJonathan Goodbun said:
just love the Moby theme they’ve used again on ITV for this season
March 15th, 2008 at 4:18 amDoug E. said:
Wow, BMW 2 & 3, it looks like this may be the year for BMW to win one.
March 15th, 2008 at 4:18 amopenwheel said:
wow that was great now lets go racing. kub would have had it . congrat LH I just like the McLaren BMW front row
March 15th, 2008 at 4:19 amme said:
we’ll be doing the same again for the race tomorrow. probably about 40 minutes before the races kicks off.
March 15th, 2008 at 4:21 amFelipe Leite said:
gosh! Who could imagine a quali like this? Kimi in 16th place, a Honda in 11th, the best Ferrari in 4th and a BMW in freakin between the Mclarens in 2nd spot!
I must have got too much beer tonight. This is the only plausible explanation….
March 15th, 2008 at 4:21 amopenwheel said:
istill have time to hop out for a beer its only 12:20 here
March 15th, 2008 at 4:22 amme said:
yeah, you know that form book…
…they hurled it straight off the 30th floor.
March 15th, 2008 at 4:24 amopenwheel said:
162 comments well done everyone see you all in the morning
March 15th, 2008 at 4:24 amlou said:
March 15th, 2008 at 4:24 amSteven Roy said:
I have a picture in my head of Alonso starting 12th thinking it can’t get any worse just as Raikkonen goes past one side and Webber goes past the other.
I guess Alonso’s position will divert attention from Piquet. I am amazed he was nearly a second and a half away from Alonso in Q1.
March 15th, 2008 at 4:25 amFelipe Leite said:
BTW, in fantasy racers I’ve dropped Vettel in favour of (are in ready?) Fisichella after yesterday’s practice… OK, I’ll have 10 minutes of self pinishment now :p
March 15th, 2008 at 4:27 amme said:
my best placed grid sitter is heidfeld, then glock.
it gets a whole lot worse after that!
March 15th, 2008 at 4:30 amme said:
how did ferrari manage to grab defeat from the jaws of victory in such a spectacular way?
March 15th, 2008 at 4:30 amAlenyaa said:
Alrighty, that was an hour well spent!
Some things I noticed and my thoughts on qualy:
- Cars are a lot jumpier than they were before. So glad TC is gone!
- Force India copied it’s nose from BMW. From the cockpit up to the front wing!
- Why was almost everyone on hard tyres in Q1? Even the backrunners? Didn’t they get a good enough feel of how both tyre types raceted during practice?
Vettel on soft tyres all the way through.
- I can’t believe how little sponsors Ferrari have on their car. Comentators said there are rumours of them negotiating a deal with an aviation company from (I beleieve) the United Arabian Emirates.
- Webber’s spin: although one of the braking discs seemd to explode, he only spun after he had touched the apex of the corner… Are you guys sure it was the disc of the front right tyre and not the rear one, which may have caused the wheel to lock down?
- Kubica’s enormous apex speed at turns 11 and 12, 6 km/h faster than #2
- Renault has simular wings on its nose as BMW, but at another position
- Why does Vettel have the yellow camera pod???
- Race strategies:
I expect Heidfeld’s position to be more representative than Kubica’s, BMW probably running 2 different strategies, as are Mclaren.
McLaren probably relatively light compared to Massa, but heavier than BMW.
Can’t wait for tomorrow’s race!
Off to bed now! Cheers!
March 15th, 2008 at 4:33 amDan Brunell said:
I cannot remember… but does anyone remember a race where Kimi really moved up the field from this far back? My memory is failing me.
March 15th, 2008 at 4:36 amme said:
bourdais has the higher car number
March 15th, 2008 at 4:37 amSteveintheUK said:
F1 tires work best after they have had a full temp heat cycle put on them, so using a set of hard in Q1 means they will be ready for using during the race without taking a lap or two to rub the mould releasing agent off. Plus it saves the soft tires for the final two sessions of quail.
March 15th, 2008 at 4:40 amme said:
from the shots we saw it looked like the front disc. couldn’t be certain though.
March 15th, 2008 at 4:43 amDan Brunell said:
Alright it is 9:42 PM PDT here, I am going out.
Get some sleep me, Christine, and everyone.
Good Night/Day
March 15th, 2008 at 4:45 amme said:
he had a problem at this track when driving for mclaren, rear wheel failure or something.
March 15th, 2008 at 4:51 amme said:
also 2005 gp in suzuka. started 17th and passed fissi on the final lap to win it.
March 15th, 2008 at 5:02 amBhav said:
i thought he started 20th and won it! They got caught out in qually by the rain and then he had a engine penalty so he was dog-last?
March 15th, 2008 at 2:30 pmLadySnowcat said:
No he was 17th…
He came from last to 3rd in Bahrain in 2006 when the Macca was pretty bad though….
March 15th, 2008 at 2:52 pmbrendanstallard said:
Brawn can’t really be in charge of that team, if someone told me to wear green trousers, I would point one of my Heckler and Koch pistols at them.
http://tinyurl.com/2pfp9m
brendan
March 15th, 2008 at 3:45 pmChristine said:
Brendan, you’re scary.
I agree with everything you say and you’re always right.
We love you
March 15th, 2008 at 3:47 pmthe Blue Orange Lion said:
the Lion awoke after some sleep - amusing qualifying, was it not?
Cheers everyone, I couldn’t be bothered with typing in the middle of the night so here’s my bit of comment: let the roar be with you. adios.
March 15th, 2008 at 3:55 pmthe Blue Orange Lion said:
They (the Honda staff) look like elves!!!
Or maybe (they look) like Syd Barrett in the beginning of 1967, I saw a pic of him wearing green trousers, he must be recognized as the godfather of the modern-day ecologists (certainly Honda bosses must be totally crazy about “the piper at the gates of dawn”, to come up with such “unique” team uniform design one has to be on acid)!!!
March 15th, 2008 at 4:11 pmbrendanstallard said:
“I agree with everything you say and you’re always right.”
Madam Christine,
LOL, at last:)
brendan
March 15th, 2008 at 4:33 pmme said:
you say that to all the boys.
March 15th, 2008 at 4:40 pmClive said:
BMW were not sandbagging - they were making sure they got things right, rather than go for the headlines.
March 15th, 2008 at 4:43 pmme said:
throughout the whole of winter testing?
gimmie a break. none of the teams believed them and called them on it on several occasions.
March 15th, 2008 at 4:57 pmbrendanstallard said:
“gimmie a break”
Me,
Which leg?
Kubica looked pretty sharp to me: I reckon lewis might have quite a few problems with him this season.
brendan
March 15th, 2008 at 4:57 pmopenwheel said:
throughout the whole of winter testing?
gimmie a break. none of the teams believed them and called them on it on several occasions.
yes throughout the whole winter testing. I think they were testing all different combinations of fuel loads and tyres and the like. If they were told to hold back it would be at the cost of valueable data and that is just not like BMW to waste anything.
March 15th, 2008 at 5:16 pmClive said:
Methinks the good Doktor is wiser than you know, Sidey.
March 15th, 2008 at 7:24 pmme said:
methinks you’re completely missing my point. i’ll put it more verbosely.
- i think mario t is an incredibly smart man
- i think bmw have been sandbagging all winter
- i think mario probably planned the whole ruse
- i think bmw just beat ferrari at their own game
- i think ferrari should be very worried about that
- i think franck williams may be questioning his own judgment right now
- i think we’re in for a hell of a season
in short, i disagree with your earlier statement, but that doesn’t mean i underestimate dr. mt
March 15th, 2008 at 10:12 pmSteven Roy said:
It looks like Christine has brainwashed into spelling Franck the Montagny way. You never really stood a chance.
March 15th, 2008 at 10:23 pmme said:
oh.my.god
March 15th, 2008 at 11:04 pmClive said:
I think sandbagging is the least likely cause of BMW’s gradual improvement to the point we witnessed last night. It looks far more like a steady improvement without the need to show off with the occasional lap on light tanks and soft tyres. After the first day’s practice, Heidfeld advised the press to be patient - they would see how quick the car was on the morrow. He knew that the slow times were the result of preparing for the race, rather than qualifying. If the team were sandbagging, he’d have kept his mouth shut.
Otherwise, you’re completely right.