Live Commenting: France - Free Practice 1
It’s Friday morning, and Formula One returns to the middle of nowhere for more racing action. Round 8 of the F1 Calandar and the destination is Nevers, France.
Depending on who you feel like believing, Sunday will either bring bright sunshine or thunderstorms, but either way, there’s no arguing today’s forecast - it’s fine and dry.
Sébastien Bourdais is driving on home soil for the first time in F1 this morning, and based on previous outings from STR’s newly updated machinery, he’s going to need all the time available and more. We saw BMW changing their approach to Friday Practice last time out in Canada, hitting the pace almost immediately, and boy did that work out for them. Watching their weekend strategy unfold will certainly be compelling stuff, while no doubt Ferrari’s confidence at this place will see them sit out large parts of the day.
Free Practice 1 is a 90 minute session, and earlier this week we we’re led to believe that times from FP1 will be used to calculate the target for this afternoon’s safety car test. As yet though this hasn’t officially been confirmed, but we’ll keep one eye on how this unfolds.
It’s a 9am start for anyone following in the UK, or 10am in France. The two of us will be watching ITV’s live stream and following the geeky stats online. Details of alternate resources to follow the action are listed on our Formula 1 on the Internet page.
Remember to keep the Allianz track guide close and don’t forget you can find this and other useful resources in our Drop.io box.
Shout us if you’re about, especially if you’re supposed to be working.
June 20th, 2008 at 8:49 amScott Woodwiss said:
morning race fans!
ah, nothing like some formula 1 to start the day!
I am going to try watching the speed tv feed, and I’ll also have the itv live feed going as well, so when it goes to a break, i’ll still be able to watch the action.
June 20th, 2008 at 8:51 amme said:
howdy scott
i have a mac, so no speed tv for me, but please do keep us informed. sounds like a brilliant plan to me.
June 20th, 2008 at 8:52 amme said:
drop.io link if you spot anything cool:
June 20th, 2008 at 8:53 amChristine said:
Morning all. I just saw a man drinking beer. Bit early for that kind of thing.
June 20th, 2008 at 8:53 amAlianora La Canta said:
Hello everyone!
I’ve got my usual ITV/F1 Timing/Sidepodcast/roving web page set-up. Scott, please keep us informed about what the Speed crew think of things.
June 20th, 2008 at 8:53 amScott Woodwiss said:
yep
never watched speed tv’s coverage, so hearing a different set of commentators will be a nice change from the usual.
apparently rain is supposed to be forecast over this weekend as well.
June 20th, 2008 at 8:55 amAlianora La Canta said:
Momentary gobbledygook immediately preceded the live timing screen setting itself ready.
June 20th, 2008 at 8:56 amConnor said:
Hello all,
I’m here, but I might fall asleep.
1:00am here.
June 20th, 2008 at 8:56 amAlianora La Canta said:
I heard it was going to be dry. It’ll be interesting…
June 20th, 2008 at 8:56 amme said:
good morning alianora.
June 20th, 2008 at 8:57 amAlianora La Canta said:
Conner, I take it you’re in America for it to be that late in the night.
June 20th, 2008 at 8:57 amme said:
blimey connor! we’ll try to keep you awake. you have tv / radio coverage at all?
June 20th, 2008 at 8:58 amConnor said:
Yes, California.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:00 amAlianora La Canta said:
Oh come on, ITV! It still isn’t showing anything…
June 20th, 2008 at 9:00 amConnor said:
“blimey connor! we’ll try to keep you awake. you have tv / radio coverage at all?”
Yes, I’m using the Ra1kkonen feed.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:00 amAlianora La Canta said:
Fisi’s out of the pitlane.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:00 amScott Woodwiss said:
i’m all set:
top left - itv feed
bottom left - speed tv feed
top right - sidepodcast
bottom right - f1 live timing
June 20th, 2008 at 9:02 amAlianora La Canta said:
I’m going over to TVU - the ITV player doesn’t seem to be working for me today
June 20th, 2008 at 9:02 amme said:
and he’s the first back in
itv woke up for me on refresh.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:03 amScott Woodwiss said:
OK, so speed are deciding to show something else. guess its the itv feed only for me then.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:03 amme said:
fivelive is also broadcasting on sportsextra this week.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:03 amConnor said:
I’m glad the BMW nose horns are back!
June 20th, 2008 at 9:04 amChristine said:
I’m stuck with just the live timing for now.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:04 amScott Woodwiss said:
sorry to disappoint, but speed are showing some car program, not F1.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:05 amAlianora La Canta said:
So that means I have no visual feed at all (since ITV won’t work).
June 20th, 2008 at 9:05 amScott Woodwiss said:
the itv feed is working for me, if a little choppy
June 20th, 2008 at 9:06 amChristine said:
What exactly is the point of an installation lap? They can’t get that much information from just a single lap, can they?
June 20th, 2008 at 9:06 amme said:
all good for me.
currently showing pitlane action, mario looks on as his cars are pushed into the garages.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:06 amScott Woodwiss said:
time for another sidepodcast shout-out today, me thinks
June 20th, 2008 at 9:07 amAlianora La Canta said:
Track condition looks good to Nelson Piquet Jr. So he’ll be happy.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:07 amme said:
they’re making sure the engine and geraboxes have been installed correctly.
piece of mind for the engineers.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:07 amScott Woodwiss said:
Nelson in his car saying everything’s OK with his renault
June 20th, 2008 at 9:08 amAlianora La Canta said:
Apparently Five Live are worried that if they do a farewell show for Magny-Couers, they will end up doing more farewell shows than Status Quo…
June 20th, 2008 at 9:08 amme said:
we have that exact same problem
June 20th, 2008 at 9:09 amScott Woodwiss said:
even i knew that.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:09 amAlianora La Canta said:
Five Live’s cut out on me - apparently the server has timed out
June 20th, 2008 at 9:09 amme said:
alonso quietly sitting in the PR seats in his garage. not looking like he’s going out for a while.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:09 amSidepodcastFan said:
Hi guys
you me both..
June 20th, 2008 at 9:10 amAlianora La Canta said:
I think everyone’s got the will they/won’t they problem, me. I just liked the way the Five Live crew put it.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:10 amme said:
track temp had dropped, but now climbing again.
wind speed falling.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:11 amme said:
hey sidepodcastfan.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:12 amme said:
trulli is the last (non-ferrari) driver to take to the track.
tv showing kimi’s at least in the garages
June 20th, 2008 at 9:12 amAlianora La Canta said:
Jarno makes a move as ITV suddenly starts working on my computer again. 12 minutes into the session… …it must have been on a go-slow today.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:13 amScott Woodwiss said:
Ferrari don’t look bothered as usual.
looks like they managed to sneak a small black etihad sticker onto the barge board
June 20th, 2008 at 9:13 amChristine said:
No harm in asking, though.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:14 amme said:
button talking to shov at the back of the garages.
engineers on the pitwall are all looking relaxed.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:14 amAlianora La Canta said:
Apparently Max Mosley has agreed to have a meeting with the drivers over the licence controversy. Wonder if it will help solve the impasse or deepen it?
June 20th, 2008 at 9:14 amme said:
any idea if this is new scott:
http://www.drop.io/sidepodcast/asset/xpb-0qvf1c0032hqm901u0mm9-2
not sure i’ve seen it before?
June 20th, 2008 at 9:15 amAlianora La Canta said:
I’m sure Etihad will be pleased with Ferrari’s sponsor awareness.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:15 amme said:
have the drivers agreed to meet with him though?
June 20th, 2008 at 9:15 amAlianora La Canta said:
That’s not Kimi in the car! Hope that engineer swaps his ear defenders for a helmet before he heads out onto the circuit…
June 20th, 2008 at 9:16 amScott Woodwiss said:
kimi suited and helmeted already?
by the way that engineer’s sitting in the ferrari and how everyone’s looking at him, you’d think he’s the one driving the car
June 20th, 2008 at 9:16 amAlianora La Canta said:
me, as yet the drivers have not responded to the meeting request.
Meanwhile, a Force India engineer finishes sticking something onto a nosecone.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:17 amSidepodcastFan said:
Hello Me, Christine
good to see you guys….sorry bout all them links, will be no more…@ least not those F1 not related.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:17 amScott Woodwiss said:
hmm neither have i. I’ll have a look later.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:18 amme said:
do you think they will?
they’re in a tough situation now. no-one wants to meet the man, at least publicly. but they can’t sort anything without him.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:18 amAlianora La Canta said:
Colin Kolles sounded happy with something after talking to the Ferrari engineer for some reason. Ron Dennis looks serious as usual.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:19 amScott Woodwiss said:
ross brawn talking with ferrari? what’s going on here, then?
June 20th, 2008 at 9:19 amme said:
the links we read out on the show? they were good, much appreciated.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:20 amChristine said:
Webber said they should talk to Bernie instead.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:20 amme said:
it’s a busy day in france, lots of fans in the grandstands today.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:20 amSidepodcastFan said:
likewise sir, thanks again.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:21 amme said:
possibly they can, but no idea if he has any sway over the situation though.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:21 amScott Woodwiss said:
now comes the usual “45 minutes of nothingness”. i wonder how long it will be before a rule is introduced against this kind of thing. would at least mean we get someone on track.
hi timo, yes, we can see you.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:21 amAlianora La Canta said:
Don’t know. Ferrari can’t possibly be supplying Honda with engines in the near future, and it’s an odd moment for a social visit.
Meanwhile, Timo Glock waves at the camera - he’s obviously really bored!
June 20th, 2008 at 9:22 amAlianora La Canta said:
Heidfeld and Trulli are joking with their respective engineers - at least they’re enjoying this!
June 20th, 2008 at 9:23 amme said:
rosberg joins the track
June 20th, 2008 at 9:24 amAlianora La Canta said:
Looks like Heidfeld and some other bloke are showing off their support for Germany - how can you tell they’re through to the quarter-finals?
Meanwhile Rosberg is on the track - sounds like he’s got a long testing programme ahead. Of which we are very glad!
June 20th, 2008 at 9:24 amScott Woodwiss said:
ooh a car - rosberg and bourdais. at last, we get some action!
June 20th, 2008 at 9:25 amme said:
le seb’s up for some asphalt action too.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:25 amScott Woodwiss said:
you mean semi-finals, they beat portugal last night 3-2
June 20th, 2008 at 9:26 amme said:
last year’s FP1 fastest lap: 1:15.382
June 20th, 2008 at 9:26 amAlianora La Canta said:
The live timing is 52 seconds ahead of the ITV feed, at least on my computer.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:27 amAlianora La Canta said:
Piquet Jr’s joined in.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:28 amConnor said:
semifinals, but regardless, the team is doing well. Hopefully BMW can have another good weekend. Though, I wouldn’t mind Kimi winning.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:28 amScott Woodwiss said:
i don’t think it’ll be long before someone has to call the chiropractor, let alone the physio. those last chicane kerbs are LETHAL!
Although looking at them this year, they’re not as bad.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:28 amme said:
nakajima joins his teammate.
we have x2 str’s and both williams’ along with piquet on track.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:28 amAlianora La Canta said:
These times are really slow - presumably a product of the track’s greenness.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:29 amme said:
fivelive agreeing that alonso would be a good fit at honda. more i think about it the more i like the idea.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:29 amAlianora La Canta said:
Connor, how can you tell I don’t track football any further than I absolutely have to?
June 20th, 2008 at 9:29 amChristine said:
Oooh, I got ITV working for me.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:30 amAlianora La Canta said:
Alonso would be OK at Honda, but I can’t help feeling he’d be better off trying to get the Renault team to work for him properly.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:31 amScott Woodwiss said:
kaz getting sideways over those “kerbs of death!”
June 20th, 2008 at 9:31 amAlianora La Canta said:
Christine, ITV is slow to warm up today, isn’t it?
June 20th, 2008 at 9:31 amAlianora La Canta said:
Vettel seems to have figured out Magny-Couers a lot quicker than his team-mate.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:32 amKathi said:
Morning
June 20th, 2008 at 9:32 amScott Woodwiss said:
glock has joined in the fun
June 20th, 2008 at 9:33 amme said:
yeah, i’ve no idea how they’ve managed to produce two terrible cars in a row. the mass damper ban killed them stone dead.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:33 amAlianora La Canta said:
Rosberg’s returned to the pits. Meanwhile, Piquet Jr’s up to second - that’ll help his confidence!
June 20th, 2008 at 9:33 amme said:
good morning kathi
June 20th, 2008 at 9:33 amAlianora La Canta said:
Well… he was 2nd until Trulli got going!
June 20th, 2008 at 9:34 amAlianora La Canta said:
Good morning Kathi. It’s unusual to see Vettel topping a timesheet.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:35 amScott Woodwiss said:
trulli holds the fastest S3, as DC pops into 2nd
June 20th, 2008 at 9:36 amme said:
mmm, the only man into the 16’s so far. toyota not looking very fast at the moment are they?
June 20th, 2008 at 9:36 amAlianora La Canta said:
DC in 2nd. That position is proving quite popular.
Meanwhile, Hamilton puts on his HANS, so he’ll probably be out in the next 10 minutes.
And the correct driver of car number 1 (i.e. Raikkonen) is occupying its cockpit.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:36 amScott Woodwiss said:
lewis is all suited and booted. as is kimi, who looks like he’s going out
button and barrichello on track
June 20th, 2008 at 9:36 amme said:
heikki first of the front runners to go for a time and he’s purple in p1 with a 22.2.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:38 amScott Woodwiss said:
just beat that S1 time by a tenth
June 20th, 2008 at 9:38 amAlianora La Canta said:
Kovalainen’s done a purple sector 1.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:38 amme said:
kovi goes 4th. yikes.
he puts in two purples this time out tho.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:38 amScott Woodwiss said:
both ferrari’s are on track and have started laps
June 20th, 2008 at 9:39 amAlianora La Canta said:
Kovalainen has a purple sector 2 as well - expect to see him in P1 any moment…
…about 10 seconds ago.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:39 amme said:
did ferrari do any installation laps, or get straight on the pace? wasn’t watching sorry.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:39 amScott Woodwiss said:
massa goes top with a 1′16.5, purple s3
June 20th, 2008 at 9:40 amSidepodcastFan said:
how in the world did Kovi get those tires to operating temps?
impressive so far..
June 20th, 2008 at 9:40 amScott Woodwiss said:
kimi flying on two purple sectors, and goes 3rd
hamilton on track as well.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:41 amAlianora La Canta said:
No wonder Sutil’s sector 2 was so slow… …he was lucky not to hit a wall there!
June 20th, 2008 at 9:43 amme said:
at the back of the field sits x2 bmw’s and alonso.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:43 amPeter Mills said:
It’s about time Kovi got into the winners club isn’t it? Does he have what it takes in normal race conditions?
June 20th, 2008 at 9:44 amAlianora La Canta said:
What broke on DC’s car?
June 20th, 2008 at 9:45 amScott Woodwiss said:
just had to sort my mate out at the door, did i miss anything?
June 20th, 2008 at 9:45 amme said:
hey peter. once he’d figured out last year’s renault, he was on it and i guess it’s the same this year in the mclaren.
however, even if he figures it out soon, he’ll be having problems with next years regulations before long.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:49 amme said:
not for the first time we see a big gap between alonso in 5th and piquet in 11th.
1:16.4 vs 1:17.6
June 20th, 2008 at 9:49 amAlianora La Canta said:
Hamilton’s in P1 at the moment, Sutil nearly crashed, Nakajima bounced over some kerbs and every sector has a different driver leading it.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:49 amAlianora La Canta said:
Grr! That’s the second time this week my bank has attempted to lob a credit card I don’t want at me - luckily I don’t appear to have missed much…
June 20th, 2008 at 9:50 amScott Woodwiss said:
webber complaining of lack of front grip through turns 2 and 3, especially the latter. he does also mention a cross wind
June 20th, 2008 at 9:51 amAlianora La Canta said:
Webber’s complaining of low grip at Turn 3 - which explains why he’s got such a slow Sector 1 time, but not why the sound stopped for several seconds after the radio transmission finished…
June 20th, 2008 at 9:52 amme said:
two-by-two up front, although the sequence is broken by nick who only manages 8th.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:53 amAlianora La Canta said:
Piquet Jr takes a strange line into the corner Sutil nearly crashed at, but makes a better fist of returning to the track, possibly because he lost it later in the turn.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:54 amScott Woodwiss said:
alonso’s also getting understeer in turn 3 and also oversteer in turn 11. everything ok apart from that.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:55 amSidepodcastFan said:
NH had to be running the heavy fuel load this session.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:55 amAlianora La Canta said:
Alonso’s got oversteer at Turn 11.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:55 amScott Woodwiss said:
front suspension cam!
June 20th, 2008 at 9:56 amAlianora La Canta said:
Just discovered F1 Fanatic are running live blogs today. Thought you’d like to know.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:57 amAlianora La Canta said:
I’ve ended up with a comment in the moderation queue. How odd.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:58 amAlianora La Canta said:
Sutil’s 2.4 seconds off Hamilton already - this isn’t going to improve his time any!
June 20th, 2008 at 9:59 amScott Woodwiss said:
I’ve had that happen to me a number of times here this week. rather frustrating.
June 20th, 2008 at 9:59 amme said:
i’ve criticised mark hughes for being dull on 5live before, but he’s talking a bit of sense today. banter between him and croftie is quite fun this morning.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:00 amme said:
really? sorry, i’ll check. one second.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:01 amSidepodcastFan said:
Massa answers back!
June 20th, 2008 at 10:01 amAlianora La Canta said:
Massa in P1!
June 20th, 2008 at 10:02 amme said:
for whatever reason, spam is up massively the past 7 days. no specific reason as far as i can tell, but i’m spending more and more time cleaning up junk. apologies, we’ll keep working on it.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:02 amme said:
didn’t catch what BMW we’re saying on the radio then. anyone hear it?
June 20th, 2008 at 10:02 amAlianora La Canta said:
Kubica’s getting graining more or less from the outset of running the tyres. Meanwhile, Hamilton locks up a wheel in an aesthetically-pleasing manner.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:04 amme said:
cheers alianora. fivelive don’t appear to be playing the radio this week so i have itv audio on, but it keeps crushing the commentary.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:05 amAlianora La Canta said:
Sometimes the ambient crushes the radio… …but it is really annoying when one commentary channel drowns out another, me. Hence why I stick to one.
Meanwhile, Kovalainen takes the extremely wide path round the turn.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:06 amChristine said:
It’s early days, of course, but does it look like another Hamilton/Massa battle, rather than Raikkonen?
June 20th, 2008 at 10:07 amScott Woodwiss said:
i’m playing music in the background while watching the coverage. it actually works very well!
June 20th, 2008 at 10:08 amAlianora La Canta said:
At least Kovalainen only locked his tyres round that turn this time around…
June 20th, 2008 at 10:08 amme said:
bourdais struggling against his teammate thus far. he’s really not happy with this new car is he?
June 20th, 2008 at 10:08 amScott Woodwiss said:
Kimi’s normally the quiet one in practice, i’ve noticed. seems like ferrari are happy for massa to go swap laptimes with hamilton all day.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:09 amScott Woodwiss said:
mclaren tell hamilton “use 7th into turn 3, avoid the limiter”
June 20th, 2008 at 10:09 amAlianora La Canta said:
“Use 7 into Turn 3 and avoid the limiter”. What does that refer to - engine mapping, gear or Trulliometer setting?
June 20th, 2008 at 10:10 amChristine said:
Piquet isn’t doing so badly against Alonso now, just a few cars between them. Perhaps the hurry up is taking effect.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:11 amme said:
bit of damage to the front left tyre of lewis’ car. kovi seems to have a similar problem, only less so.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:11 amScott Woodwiss said:
i’m pretty sure he said “7th”, so he means 7th gear.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:12 amme said:
hehe, could be engine mixture. running a bit rich maybe, so he can conserve fuel in that corner.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:12 amAlianora La Canta said:
I don’t think Sutil’s planning on leaving that pit wall for a while…
June 20th, 2008 at 10:12 amme said:
ahh, ok. that makes sense, long right-hander.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:13 amScott Woodwiss said:
has anyone else noticed when the mclaren changes down the gears in an exterior camera shot, it sounds like a cat mewing. HAHA!
June 20th, 2008 at 10:14 amme said:
no screenshots today then.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:14 amAlianora La Canta said:
Apparently DC’s new wing is 2-3 tenths slower than the old one. Oh dear…
Speaking of “oh dear”, Vettel’s car has eaten a little gravel.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:15 amScott Woodwiss said:
Probably worried an errant ferrari will hit the back of his car
June 20th, 2008 at 10:16 amAlianora La Canta said:
Fisi is 8-tenths off Massa in Sector 1 and that’s the best his car has gone so far this session. It’s going to be a long weekend for Force India at this rate of knots…
June 20th, 2008 at 10:16 amChristine said:
Button is way down the timesheets - is he having a problem, a bad day, or is it just cos he’s in a Honda?
June 20th, 2008 at 10:17 amAlianora La Canta said:
Vettel’s still having problems with that same corner he and the McLarens have struggled with all morning. He went pretty wide just then.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:17 amScott Woodwiss said:
Is it just me or are those dumbo-ears on the Honda getting worse every time i see them?
June 20th, 2008 at 10:18 amme said:
i suppose if honda have given up development for this years car, the dumbo ears are here to stay.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:18 amSidepodcastFan said:
early silly season but ……does anyone see Nicolas Hülkenberg
as a full time driver come next season? I can’t see Willi Webber
having a short term f1 goal for Nico. He certainly knows management.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:19 amAlianora La Canta said:
If Honda have stopped development, Button will not be pleased - I’m sure he’s not overly keen on being stuck on the penultimate row for the rest of the season.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:21 amRoderic said:
Hi guys. First time commenter. No vision here in Australia, just got the live timing on and now…Live commenting on Sidepodcast! So, what’s the weather look like, I heard rain? Thanks.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:21 amScott Woodwiss said:
i’m thinking we’ll see him one of those Williams race seats
Actually, here’s a thought - who would you rather want - Hulkenberg and Rosberg or Hulkenberg and Nakajima?
June 20th, 2008 at 10:21 amAlianora La Canta said:
I’m not sure Toyota will allow Nico to have a seat next year. Instead I think they’ll put in one of their development drivers while “promoting” Kazuki to Toyota in Glock’s place.
Meanwhile Glock’s team-mate, Trulli, spins. Looks like something I’d do on GP3…
June 20th, 2008 at 10:21 amChristine said:
I like that Trulli corrected that spin so casually, just kept on going, almost as if he meant to do it
June 20th, 2008 at 10:21 amme said:
ahh, trulli swapping ends again. normality returns to f1
June 20th, 2008 at 10:22 amme said:
must be on an upswing this week!
June 20th, 2008 at 10:23 amAlianora La Canta said:
I’d prefer Hulkenburg and Rosberg - but I don’t think Rosberg is the one likely to move from Williams.
It’s currently sunny, with a lot of fluffy white clouds above - and a wheel-locking Hamilton below.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:23 amSidepodcastFan said:
Hulkenberg and Rosberg!
June 20th, 2008 at 10:24 amScott Woodwiss said:
Trulli has become Captain No Sense of Direction. He never has any idea where he’s going and always drops it.
Hamilton really using those last chicane “kerbs of death!”. He might need to go see the chiropractor instead of the physio if he keeps doing that! :S
June 20th, 2008 at 10:24 amme said:
hamilton still locking up the front left impressively.
he’s fast at the moment, but he’ll struggle to make a set last a whole stint unless he fixes that.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:24 amChristine said:
That’d be a Nico team, then. It is the ‘in’ thing to have everyone in your team with the same name.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:24 amme said:
nico & nico? damn, what are the chances.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:25 amAlianora La Canta said:
Maybe Hamilton’s radio earlier was a Trulliometer setting, for 3 is pretty average.
Meanwhile, nearly everyone is on track.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:25 amChristine said:
You know Heidfeld has been struggling with his tyres in qualifying - over short stints - so would that also affect his performance in Free Practice? Kinda always assumed he was running heavy, but maybe he’s just struggling.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:26 amScott Woodwiss said:
Hey, if Toro Rosso can get away with it…
June 20th, 2008 at 10:26 amme said:
all but four drivers out for the final 5 minutes.
rubens, le seb, and button sitting it out while sutil has no choice.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:27 amScott Woodwiss said:
only sutil now not joining in the fun.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:27 amme said:
i would’ve thought he’d be using this time to work on it some more. if he is, then it’s not helping is it?
June 20th, 2008 at 10:27 amScott Woodwiss said:
how come?
June 20th, 2008 at 10:27 amme said:
alonso smokin’
June 20th, 2008 at 10:28 amChristine said:
Piquet has done the most laps, 30 so far. Aside from Sutil (who I’m assuming has a problem) Kubica has done the least on 16.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:28 amme said:
mechanical problems earlier i think.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:28 amSidepodcastFan said:
OR
if i may who would it be tho…?
June 20th, 2008 at 10:28 amScott Woodwiss said:
oh dear, for once it’s alonso having all the problems this weekend. that renault engine is toast.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:29 amAlianora La Canta said:
Alonso’s engine has exploded. He’ll miss out on the Safety Car testing.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:29 amChristine said:
I thought for a minute you meant fast, but no, you meant literally.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:30 amme said:
that’s fp2 isn’t it? or did i miss something?
June 20th, 2008 at 10:30 amAlianora La Canta said:
Kovalainen nearly met a wall.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:30 amScott in Italy said:
kovi survives a near brush with the wall
June 20th, 2008 at 10:31 amme said:
big moment there from kovi, losing it and heading off onto the gravel. a close shave with a nearby wall, but he gets away with it.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:31 amChristine said:
That’s some serious control… or luck… for Heikki!
June 20th, 2008 at 10:31 amScott Woodwiss said:
kovi almost binned it and then vettel locks up right in front of him. what’s going on?!
June 20th, 2008 at 10:31 amAlianora La Canta said:
The Safety Car test, from what I gathered, is for both Friday practise sessions. There’ll be another chance in the afternoon, but I’m sure he’d have been happier if he’d been able to do both practises.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:32 amme said:
23 laps, and the engine gives up already? not good at all.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:32 amScott in Italy said:
It’s always nice when i just arrive for the end of a session.
Nice to be back again though. not sure if I’ll be around for the race but see you regulars around…probably in 2? hours
June 20th, 2008 at 10:32 amScott Woodwiss said:
yeah i think it’s at the end of fp2 and 3
June 20th, 2008 at 10:33 amme said:
oh, i thought it was for fp2 / fp3. in case it’s raining during one of them.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:33 amme said:
aww, you around for fp2 later scott?
June 20th, 2008 at 10:33 amScott Woodwiss said:
is that engine on its first or second race weekend?
June 20th, 2008 at 10:33 amAlianora La Canta said:
Scott, that engine may have done some previous running - for example, it might already have completed an engine cycle. Engines on Friday can be any engine you want, since the engine cycle begins on Saturday.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:34 amAlianora La Canta said:
Alonso’s race engine is on its first race weekend, since he was entitled to a free engine change after his DNF in Canada.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:34 amScott Woodwiss said:
look at how massa and hamilton jump those kerbs. that chiropractor might be needed sooner rather than later if they’re not careful
June 20th, 2008 at 10:35 amme said:
nice one guys and gals. we’ll be back as ever with a new thread for fp2 at 12:30pm uk time (1:30pm in france).
i say “back”, but we’re not really going anywhere in the meantime, so keep all post practice and f1 thoughts coming.
thanx.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:36 amAlianora La Canta said:
According to Autosport, it was brake trouble that stopped Sutil in his tracks this morning.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:37 amme said:
ahh okay. but is that no fixable? why’d he sit out the rest of the session?
June 20th, 2008 at 10:37 amScott Woodwiss said:
i’m playing music along with the fp1 highlights. Really cool!
June 20th, 2008 at 10:39 amScott Woodwiss said:
two weekends in a row that sutil’s brakes have had problems. that’s worrying…
June 20th, 2008 at 10:40 amScott in Italy said:
Hmm. well i am at work with heaps to do before I possibly take a few days off, so sure…why not?! (or as they say here in Italy: Perche no? I am learning italian…slowly…
June 20th, 2008 at 10:40 amAlianora La Canta said:
Brake trouble should be fixable, but judging by the fact that Autosport only narrowed it down that far four minutes after the session finished implies that the problem may have been a difficult one to diagnose for some reason.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:41 amAlianora La Canta said:
Canada’s a big one for brake problems in general - but I don’t like the idea that Sutil’s still getting them here, at a circuit not noted for its braking demands.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:41 amme said:
hehe, nice one
don’t get yourself into trouble, though eh?
June 20th, 2008 at 10:42 amme said:
agreed. i guess they could’ve been saving money by reusing ones from last race (he sorta finished that one early).
June 20th, 2008 at 10:44 amme said:
some fp1 practice pics from SC are up. i likes this one:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sc_pix/2595142572/
June 20th, 2008 at 10:44 amAlianora La Canta said:
That worries me. Second-hand brakes do not belong on a 200mph conveyance of any description.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:45 amScott Woodwiss said:
i think now’s a good time to go over our fantasy racers teams
for me this weekend, i’m going for the most efficient drivers i can afford, so my team consists of:
Massa
Trulli
Webber
Kubica
4 of the 5 most efficient drivers according to the spreadsheet. nick i left out because he’s not really on form for me.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:46 amme said:
no, they probably aren’t doing that either. but after such few laps, something must be up.
i saw a force india mechanic taping up something earlier in the session. maybe he taped over the brake duct?
June 20th, 2008 at 10:47 amme said:
good call scott.
up front there appears to be little change. the battle of the midfield is going to win or lose for ya this weekend isn’t it?
June 20th, 2008 at 10:47 amScott in Italy said:
I have a bit of flexibility in my work hours so I can always just say “having a break”. I had the cricket on in the corner of the screen for a few months during the Australian summer.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:49 amAlianora La Canta said:
I keep forgetting to join the fantasy racers thing…
June 20th, 2008 at 10:49 amScott Woodwiss said:
well, i’ve nothing to win since i’m pretty sure i’m dead last.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:50 amme said:
aww, do you have time now? christine posted about it yesterday. you can still beat her if you join today
June 20th, 2008 at 10:50 amAlianora La Canta said:
me, the tape went on a nosecone, and in any case it was Fisi’s nosecone. Probably not the source of any mechanical problem on Sutil’s car.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:51 amme said:
fp1 times:
June 20th, 2008 at 10:53 amScott Woodwiss said:
ooh, that’s harsh…..but fair
June 20th, 2008 at 10:54 amme said:
ha! i was paying attention… honest.
June 20th, 2008 at 10:57 amAlianora La Canta said:
I’ve picked the following squad:
Raikkonen
Rosberg
Vettel
Fisichella
Sutil
Now I just need to figure out how to sign up to the Sidepodcast league…
June 20th, 2008 at 11:02 amme said:
no probs, details here:
http://www.sidepodcast.com/2008/02/25/its-only-make-believe/
in short:
yell if you need more info.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:03 amChristine said:
There should be an option to Join Private League.
The number is 118 for the Sidepodcast League and the password is franck.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:05 amAlianora La Canta said:
OK, I’m in. Thank you very much - I’m now in a well-deserved 144th place…
June 20th, 2008 at 11:05 amChristine said:
Okay, me got there first, so all I’ll say now is welcome aboard, it’ll only take you a couple of races to be as good as my team
June 20th, 2008 at 11:05 amScott Woodwiss said:
hey, i just remembered - did you know F1Fanatic does live commenting as well? I saw it on their site.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:08 amScott Woodwiss said:
damn, my comment’s in moderation again!
anyway, speaking of F1 Fanatic, here’s a post they did on the 4 circuits in the running for next year’s French GP
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2008/06/20/fo…re-7123
I vote Le Mans! MULSANNE FTW!
June 20th, 2008 at 11:09 amAlianora La Canta said:
I see Sidepodcast is a bit short of competition in the “Top Private Leagues” list…
June 20th, 2008 at 11:12 amScott Woodwiss said:
If our league wins outright, is there a prize?
By the way, my previous 2 comments are still in moderation… :/
June 20th, 2008 at 11:16 amme said:
hehe, dank was stirring up trouble with the autosport peeps, but they haven’t been able to respond as yet.
no but we’ll give something away to the winning of our league. must have a word with dan about what it should be.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:19 amme said:
oh, i’ll sort that in a second. you’ve fallen foul of my anti-keith rule which i put in place when he went around announcing my name to all and sundry (it wasn’t deliberate, but he’s still a muppet).
June 20th, 2008 at 11:27 amme said:
sorry, i don’t get it scott. which bit did you write??
i think bf1 covered a similar thing yesterday:
http://blogf1.co.uk/2008/06/19/magny…-the-french-grand-prix/
i voted for le mans there too
June 20th, 2008 at 11:31 amScott Woodwiss said:
erm….i didn’t write any of it. that’s not my post, it’s one keith did on the 4 possible venues for next year’s race. i thought it was relevant to put a link to it here since it’s the French GP this weekend and all that. my article hasn’t gone up yet.
Note i said THEY, not I.
Heh, we seem to be the only ones left over until FP2.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:32 amme said:
ahh, soz. i was waiting for you to tell us about your post. never mind, i’m confused. pls ignore me.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:34 amme said:
who’s “they” then, it’s just keith isn’t it? i assumed it was a post by multiple guest bloggers or something, hence why i thought you were part of it.
he was on the show a while back btw (i’ve no idea if you’ve been listening that long?):
http://www.sidepodcast.com/2007/09/23/episode...
June 20th, 2008 at 11:36 amScott Woodwiss said:
Actually, now that pretty much everyone’s gone, there was something I was meaning to ask you about. i was listening to that show you did last year when you interviewed keith. it made me wonder - any chance you might be doing any more of those in the future? I wouldn’t mind getting a grilling on current F1 issues
I just wondered is all, no pressure to do anything and all
June 20th, 2008 at 11:37 amlou said:
Ok i have just read through all the comments and one thing stands out to me
Jenson finished in 18th?
I suppose it’s better than last… but still! 18th?! I thought it was just Canada….the Honda appeared to be a bit better before Canada…. I just hope that the last updates coming at the silverstone test do some good!
sorry, Hey everyone
June 20th, 2008 at 11:37 amScott Woodwiss said:
no, it was just him. i was sure though that he does have other people post there regularly, but maybe not.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:38 amme said:
of course we can, would love to have you on. probably post goodwood if that’s ok?
also if you’re at silverstone testing or goodwood we can do an interview there.
we stopped doing live skype stuff because our internet connection is a bit flaky. but so long as you’re flexible and don’t mind recalls, then we’ll do that.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:39 amScott Woodwiss said:
hey lou, good to see you. shame you couldn’t make it, you missed alonso’s engine blow up and trulli’s toyota do a pirouette at adelaide hairpin!
June 20th, 2008 at 11:40 amme said:
i don’t really know the site intimately, last time i checked it was just him plus some guest bloggers. christine wrote one ages ago if i recall.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:42 amme said:
hey lou. what updates did they try at silverstone?
June 20th, 2008 at 11:43 amlou said:
Hey Scott
I was really annoyed that I had to go into school for a guitar rehearsal for a concert coming up :/ When i told my guitar teacher that i wanted to see FP1 he smiled and just said ‘you’re crazy’ lol so there was no getting out of it… actually pretty much everyone calls me ‘crazy’ for liking f1… ahaha 
June 20th, 2008 at 11:44 amScott Woodwiss said:
that sounds great. sure thing!
I’m afraid the chances of me attending either are very slim indeed. Silverstone testing, there might be a very slim chance my dad can get tickets, but i doubt it. Shame
But there’s always Autosport Show 2009… 
One question - is there any chance i could speak through the mic on my laptop to you guys? my voice is much clearer when i record my voice on it.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:45 amAlianora La Canta said:
Scott, according to the Fantasy Sports rules, if Sidepodcast wins the Top League prize, the league owner gets a trophy. Christine and me, I hope you’ve got some space left in the trophy cabinet/on the mantlepiece (delete as appropriate).
June 20th, 2008 at 11:45 amlou said:
Hey. The silverstone coming up i meant
sorry. According to the honda website/ Ross Brawn they have their last aero update coming for the silverstone test, and then thats it…. and they shift their main focas onto 2009…. 
June 20th, 2008 at 11:45 amme said:
of course. it’s a simple skype call, so whatever suits you.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:46 amAlianora La Canta said:
Lou, shame your guitar teacher doesn’t see the attraction of F1 (and hope the practise went well). My dad was really keen to see practising today, but work got in the way. So I’ve been given the task of updating him.
June 20th, 2008 at 11:47 amme said:
ahh, right y’are. sorry david croft said on 5live earlier that they’d given up all development, so i was assuming that the last test was the last one for updates. should’ve known you’d know more than DC
June 20th, 2008 at 11:48 amme said:
really? wow, although i don’t think we deserve one. all we’ve achieved is to come last, or thereabouts
June 20th, 2008 at 11:49 amlou said:
June 20th, 2008 at 11:52 amlou said:
ahaha It’s only cause I am constantly looking for a possiblity that Honda could improve this season
June 20th, 2008 at 11:53 amChristine said:
Won’t it be for Dan, though, because he actually set the league up?
I certainly don’t deserve a trophy. Unless it’s for putting the least amount of effort into my team choices
June 20th, 2008 at 11:54 amScott Woodwiss said:
ok, brilliant. hey i might even try using skype for my next voicemail! a nice clear one for the podcast
June 20th, 2008 at 12:06 pmme said:
i think it should be, yes.
June 20th, 2008 at 12:07 pmme said:
pls do.
try and keep ‘em a bit shorter though. we can’t play 17mins of voicemail during a single show (especially without taking the mickey along the way)!
June 20th, 2008 at 12:08 pmAlianora La Canta said:
really? wow, although i don’t think we deserve one. {me - 5 comments ago}
Yes - if you go to the “Prizes” section of Fantasy Racers, and then look beneath the list of prizes for individual race winners, it’s there in white-and-grey. And you do deserve a trophy for getting together so many people to play in the league.
My guitar teacher kinda watches f1…the type of person that follows it cause Lewis is doing well {lou - 4 comments ago}
That explains everything. Maybe if you told him Hamilton came 2nd in FP1, he might be more willing to watch it next time? Hope the others improve soon, and good to hear you’re OK with the music.
Won’t it be for Dan, though, because he actually set the league up? {Christine - 2 posts ago}
Ah. I didn’t know Dan set it up. In which case, Dan will need to clear a space in the trophy cabinet or on the mantlepiece.
June 20th, 2008 at 12:09 pmAlianora La Canta said:
17 minutes of voicemail is a podcast in itself…
June 20th, 2008 at 12:13 pmlou said:
I like the longer podcasts
June 20th, 2008 at 12:13 pmme said:
we plan to take a sabbatical next year and just leave scott to it
scott is our secret weapon when it comes to creating longer shows. running a bit short? see what scott has to say on the matter
i’ll stop now before he accuses me of bullying.
June 20th, 2008 at 12:13 pmScott Woodwiss said:
i have skype now and have added your number to my contacts
June 20th, 2008 at 12:14 pmlou said:
are you going to do what Ross Brawn did? go fishing for a year realise you miss f1 too much and come back
June 20th, 2008 at 12:14 pmScott Woodwiss said:
yeah, sorry. i do tend to go on a bit sometimes, i’ll admit.
June 20th, 2008 at 12:15 pmme said:
haha, you could be onto something there. come back and work for a different site in 2010.
June 20th, 2008 at 12:17 pmlou said:
Your voicemails are the opposite to mine…my last and only voicemall was something like 30secs long…i think it’s cause i get very nervous….next time it will be longer
June 20th, 2008 at 12:19 pmlou said:
ahaha something like that…but I’m not sure anyone would forgive you though
June 20th, 2008 at 12:20 pmlou said:
Scott, I have just noticed your facebook status
hehe
June 20th, 2008 at 12:22 pmScott Woodwiss said:
June 20th, 2008 at 12:29 pmStuart Codling said:
Afternoon all,
Sutil’s problem seemed to be related to a slip-up in the pits. It happened under my nose: he spun up his tyres and set off from the marks, perhaps with a view to backing the car into the garage, but he shot forward too far and the marshals wouldn’t let the mechanics out into the pitlane to push him back. Queue lots of swearing. A pic will be up on Flickr in a few minutes…
I got some tips from Darren this morning. For this session I’m heading out onto the track with Lorenzo Bellanca. Rather stupidly I didn’t bring any earplugs, though.
June 20th, 2008 at 12:33 pmme said:
scott, you are a one-man marketing machine
did you text 5live today?
June 20th, 2008 at 12:34 pmAlianora La Canta said:
Not quite what Autosport had to say on the matter, but you got a good view of it and (if the length of time it took to report it is anything to go by) the Autosport brigade didn’t. Thanks for keeping us up to date and in line, Stuart, and hope someone’s got spare ear protection.
June 20th, 2008 at 12:35 pmScott Woodwiss said:
AHA! Speed TV’s showing FP2
Awesome!
June 20th, 2008 at 12:36 pmme said:
ahhhh, cheers for the scoop! please tell us you’re going to more than one race this year?
loving the background into all the photographers… and the pics
June 20th, 2008 at 12:39 pmlou said:
Just so you know, I am extremely jealous!
June 20th, 2008 at 12:39 pmScott Woodwiss said:
no i haven’t yet, but i will do so for FP2
What’s their text number?
June 20th, 2008 at 12:43 pmme said:
i don’t know to be honest. i’ll listen out. i think 85058 is the 5live number but maybe sports extra is 86068?
June 20th, 2008 at 12:46 pmStuart Codling said:
I’m doing about half the GPs: already been to Oz, Malaysia and Turkey, then after this one I’ll be at Hungary, Italy, Japan and China.
Right - the circuit beckons!
June 20th, 2008 at 12:48 pmAlianora La Canta said:
Enjoy it, Stuart!
June 20th, 2008 at 12:49 pmSteven Roy said:
Stuart,
When did they start upgrading Reims? The last feature I saw on it everything had been left untouched since it was last used.
A roundabout at Thillois? Sacrilege. That is like putting a roundabout at Eau Rouge or Mulsanne.
June 20th, 2008 at 12:50 pmlou said:
Your going to fugi?! take me with you! it’s on my birthday and everything
hehe
June 20th, 2008 at 12:52 pmSteven Roy said:
No point in being too subtle Lou
June 20th, 2008 at 12:55 pmScott Woodwiss said:
FP2 ITV feed has just started
June 20th, 2008 at 3:26 pmStuart Codling said:
I really don’t know, Steven. I think it’s quite recent – and, judging by some of the fresh paint on the more decrepid tribunes, an ongoing project.
Having researched it on the internet before setting off, I fully expected to have to go off-roading past concrete barriers. But it’s all open now.
There’s a roundabout at the end of the straight, too, but I think the circuit layout peeled off before getting to that point. Nothing left of that bit now, though.
June 20th, 2008 at 3:30 pmSteven Roy said:
Thanks Stuart.
June 20th, 2008 at 3:51 pmSteven Roy said:
It looks like the work is being done by Les Amis du cicuit de Gueux.
http://www.amis-du-circuit-de-gueux.fr/-Welcome-
There site is written a bit in Franglais but seems to be easily understandable. It looks like they became involved with the track in 2003 but the first actual work was two years later.
The seem to be running events at the circuit.