Live Commenting: Italy - Free Practice 2
Well, I certainly wasn’t expecting that! A bit of rain, I said, and what do we get? Thunder, lightning and a torrential downpour. Still, it certainly livened things up for the short while cars were out on track.
Then the session was red-flagged and that was it, Sutil was on top.
So, is there any point in making predictions or introducing Free Practice 2 in the same way? In the Live Comments, Scott pointed out that from here on in, it looks like rain, rain and what else? Oh yea, a bit of rain.
It was dark as anything, as Stuart’s pictures from the circuit show, and the pit garages were flooding. If it’s still raining, they might all be underwater by now. I pity the poor spectators, sitting in that downpour.
We didn’t learn that much in FP1, except that Nakajima had the biggest off on the damp track. He headed straight back to the garage, and shamefully faced Sam Michael. He needn’t have worried though, plenty of drivers were taking a closer look at the gravel traps.
If there’s anything to watch, we’ll be doing so on the ITV stream, and keeping up with Bernie’s numbers (they were dodgy to start with but seemed to be more stable towards the end of the session). There’s plenty of pictures and links to look at in drop.io, and we’ll be Live Commenting as always.
September 12th, 2008 at 12:09 pmChristine said:
From A/sport Live:
The GP2 practice session is finally underway at a soggy Monza circuit. Practice has been shortened to 25 minutes, to allow enough time following the session to make sure the track is ready for the second Formula One practice session, later this afternoon.
September 12th, 2008 at 12:11 pmBluray said:
Has anyone read Kimi’s latest interview on f1.com?
It has his view of the current championship situation, helping Massa and a lovely last answer!!
September 12th, 2008 at 12:12 pmBluray said:
Sorry that was totally off-topic.
September 12th, 2008 at 12:12 pmKathi said:
the last minutes of free practice part1 and part2 online. Or at least they will be online once they’ve finished processing.
September 12th, 2008 at 12:13 pmChristine said:
I don’t think there is such a thing as off topic on here anymore
September 12th, 2008 at 12:14 pmChristine said:
I like this bit:
“Q: What about you and Felipe? Is there a rivalry?
KR: It is like at any other race. I try to win, he tries to win. This is normal procedure in a top team. “
September 12th, 2008 at 12:17 pmStuart C said:
I see blue sky. We have light.
September 12th, 2008 at 12:17 pmBluray said:
He does have a very simple way of looking at things.
September 12th, 2008 at 12:20 pmScott Woodwiss said:
but then he always gives the impression that he’s a simple guy
September 12th, 2008 at 12:20 pmKathi said:
me! moderate me!
September 12th, 2008 at 12:21 pmChristine said:
Done, thanks Kathi.
Don’t know where he’s disappeared off to. Probably still mulling over his FR choices.
September 12th, 2008 at 12:27 pmme said:
sorry. working on inside track. it’s all running a bit late this week, apologies.
appreciate the vids kathy.
September 12th, 2008 at 12:28 pmChristine said:
Stoopid back to back races.
September 12th, 2008 at 12:30 pmFlibster said:
*twiddles thumbs*
Hope the F1 is on time. So bored at work today
September 12th, 2008 at 12:33 pmChristine said:
Sutil was over 7 seconds faster than Massa in that first session. He’ll never be able to say that again in his life!
September 12th, 2008 at 12:39 pmScott Woodwiss said:
well if it keeps raining then my “rainy bunch” should be looking good
September 12th, 2008 at 12:42 pmChristine said:
Is Vettel good in the wet? I forget.
September 12th, 2008 at 12:45 pmChristine said:
“The second practice session is likely to escape further showers, as it stands currently, unless another sudden storm develops in the clear space that lies between the two active areas of rain.”
September 12th, 2008 at 12:48 pmme said:
or to put it another way. don’t ask us
September 12th, 2008 at 12:49 pmStuart C said:
Newsflash: Ferrari have just announced that Kimi has signed up until the end of 2010.
September 12th, 2008 at 12:49 pmChristine said:
Hehe.
September 12th, 2008 at 12:49 pmChristine said:
Oooh. That narrows the market slightly!
September 12th, 2008 at 12:51 pmBluray said:
Any link available?
September 12th, 2008 at 12:51 pmLe BOL said:
Oh, no! I’m having a double shocker today! First torrential rain and now this! What’s with Alonso then? BMW, Honda or good old RF1?
By the way, I see Kubica changed his helmet design - personality crisis?
September 12th, 2008 at 12:52 pmDirty Scarab said:
Hey guys. Does anyone know if there’s an online stream that works in the States? http://stream.ra1kkonen.com used to work fine, but they’ve taken it down…
Cheers!
September 12th, 2008 at 12:52 pmme said:
so much for being demotivated. cheers for the headsup.
September 12th, 2008 at 12:52 pmSteven Roy said:
Greetings Earthlings
That will stop Ferrari backing Massa as early as they would have liked to and Alonso to BMW makes a lot more sense now. Hopefully we will see no more of the nonsense about Kimi’s problems being due to lack of enthusiasm.
September 12th, 2008 at 12:53 pmme said:
soon as the streams start, will let ya know.
September 12th, 2008 at 12:53 pmChristine said:
ITV feed is up and running, things look brighter.
September 12th, 2008 at 12:53 pmAlianora La Canta said:
That sounds eminently sensible of Ferrari. And good to see the weather is no longer attempting to drown the paddock.
September 12th, 2008 at 12:53 pmStuart C said:
Wait a few mins and the news sites will have it.
I’m off out to risk another dousing.
September 12th, 2008 at 12:53 pmDirty Scarab said:
Thanks!
I’m at work and I can’t miss this one!
September 12th, 2008 at 12:55 pmme said:
news just in…
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/70498
September 12th, 2008 at 12:55 pmKathi said:
and another video. this one you can download and shows my poor video(editing)skills
September 12th, 2008 at 12:56 pmme said:
hehe. you might find bernie takes your youtube links down pretty swiftly.
he’s mean like that.
September 12th, 2008 at 12:58 pmme said:
live timing reset. this afternoon we have:
track temp: 23deg
air temp: 21deg
dry
wind: 1.9mps
humidity: 80%
September 12th, 2008 at 12:59 pmAlianora La Canta said:
My stream works, but has no sound. Good thing I will soon have Five Live (once they’ve finished with the adverts…)
September 12th, 2008 at 12:59 pmme said:
no rain expected in the first 20mins.
September 12th, 2008 at 12:59 pmme said:
track has been declared wet.
September 12th, 2008 at 1:00 pmAlianora La Canta said:
Kovalainen’s the first one out on track.
September 12th, 2008 at 1:00 pmRich said:
To celebrate where he got his first podium!
September 12th, 2008 at 1:00 pmDirty Scarab said:
If that’s an FIA graphic, you can take it with a pinch of salt
September 12th, 2008 at 1:01 pmSteven Roy said:
I am sure I read somewhere that he had a different helmet at Monza last year too
September 12th, 2008 at 1:01 pmme said:
http://www.justin.tv/kubicatv
September 12th, 2008 at 1:01 pmKathi said:
Meanie!
September 12th, 2008 at 1:02 pmme said:
says it on live timing screen, so yeah
September 12th, 2008 at 1:02 pmAlianora La Canta said:
Maurice Hamilton is suggesting that Ian Phillips frame the printout of the Free Practise 1
And today was supposed to be the best of the three days for the weather!
September 12th, 2008 at 1:03 pmme said:
hehe. also pointing out that the recent test wasn’t a heap of use.
September 12th, 2008 at 1:04 pmSteven Roy said:
Live timing froze already. A new orld record
September 12th, 2008 at 1:04 pmAlianora La Canta said:
Very true…
September 12th, 2008 at 1:04 pmneil said:
hey do you guys listen to an audio stream for commentary for FP?
September 12th, 2008 at 1:05 pmme said:
mine’s ok.
someone please txt 5live about anything other than spa, please. i would if i could, honest.
September 12th, 2008 at 1:05 pmSteven Roy said:
Looks like Heikki found the oil at Ascari
September 12th, 2008 at 1:05 pmme said:
radio 5 live. where are you watching neil?
September 12th, 2008 at 1:05 pmneil said:
ITV simulcastplayer (no commentary)
September 12th, 2008 at 1:06 pmSteven Roy said:
I reloaded and its fine for now
September 12th, 2008 at 1:06 pmLe BOL said:
Could be.
September 12th, 2008 at 1:06 pmChristine said:
Did they talk about Kimi yet?
September 12th, 2008 at 1:07 pmme said:
in the uk? only 5live is geolocked (unless you can fudge the proxy).
September 12th, 2008 at 1:07 pmneil said:
Does 5 live have geo blocking for users outside the UK?
September 12th, 2008 at 1:07 pmme said:
about re-signing. yeah, now they are.
September 12th, 2008 at 1:07 pmneil said:
ah, there’s me answer.
Can’t be bothered with a proxy
September 12th, 2008 at 1:07 pmChristine said:
Okay, not that then. What else can we ask them?
September 12th, 2008 at 1:07 pmneil said:
Natural audio beats JA any day.
September 12th, 2008 at 1:08 pmme said:
tbh, unless you fancy talking about the battle of the bus stop, you’re not missing a lot today.
September 12th, 2008 at 1:08 pmneil said:
fair enough
September 12th, 2008 at 1:08 pmLe BOL said:
Looks like decent FP session to a certain degree.
September 12th, 2008 at 1:08 pmSteven Roy said:
Looks like Honda have found a way to cut their lap times
September 12th, 2008 at 1:09 pmme said:
i’d like to know what ian thinks about the ferrari engine performance. have they got the latest model and or the same as STR?
September 12th, 2008 at 1:09 pmme said:
pretty busy already. i guess it depends on the rain.
September 12th, 2008 at 1:09 pmChristine said:
What’s the number?
September 12th, 2008 at 1:09 pmAlianora La Canta said:
We may not see much of Force India this part of the session, because of the wet tyre limit.
September 12th, 2008 at 1:10 pmpmtate said:
no wet tyres left for Force India
September 12th, 2008 at 1:10 pmme said:
7 sets of wet tyres for the whole weekend. fif1 are limited (as presumably are other teams).
September 12th, 2008 at 1:10 pmLadySnowcat said:
That’s made my weekend whatever the position!!! Hurrah…. Kimi for two more years….
September 12th, 2008 at 1:10 pmneil said:
Me, did you check out Martin brundles comments on ask the team re engin ‘ugrades’ and renaults reason for being upset?
September 12th, 2008 at 1:10 pmme said:
str did more running this morning, they must be in the same boat.
September 12th, 2008 at 1:11 pmDirty Scarab said:
Is kovy on a new engine or is it the second race on it? I wonder if Mclaren are concerned a bit about Lewis’ engine lasting the weekend…
September 12th, 2008 at 1:12 pmme said:
think it’s race 2 isn’t it alia?
September 12th, 2008 at 1:12 pmneil said:
It’s like “yeah there’s an engine freeze (if you don’t count all those changes the teams allow each other to do)”
September 12th, 2008 at 1:12 pmme said:
mine too.
September 12th, 2008 at 1:12 pmAlianora La Canta said:
Drivers get four sets of wet tyres per weekend. Sets used on Friday are not replaced.
September 12th, 2008 at 1:13 pmme said:
four? oh, sorry, i thought they just said 7?
September 12th, 2008 at 1:13 pmDirty Scarab said:
Seems that they might be using kovy as a bit of a guinea pig this session and saving Lewis’ engine…
September 12th, 2008 at 1:13 pmJeremy said:
http://live.autosport.com/commentary.php/id/45
can anyone get to this?
it has an info box on the right that tells all about who’s on what engine and gearbox
September 12th, 2008 at 1:13 pmSteven Roy said:
I didn’t realise there was a limit on wets. 4 sets. That is insane
September 12th, 2008 at 1:13 pmChristine said:
Anyone got 5live’s number?
September 12th, 2008 at 1:14 pmSteven Roy said:
They get 7 sets of dry tyres
September 12th, 2008 at 1:14 pmJeremy said:
The live autosport thingy also tells you about tyres
September 12th, 2008 at 1:15 pmme said:
84040
September 12th, 2008 at 1:16 pmSteven Roy said:
Looks like most of the drivers prefer the original single left turn at Ascari
September 12th, 2008 at 1:16 pmme said:
confirmed engine 2 for kovi.
September 12th, 2008 at 1:17 pmNathan said:
Good morning from California everyone! (5am) Whats with the STRs, how did they get so fast?
September 12th, 2008 at 1:17 pmme said:
hehe.
September 12th, 2008 at 1:18 pmSteven Roy said:
Have Honda used the rear wing with the V in the middle before?
September 12th, 2008 at 1:18 pmme said:
morning nathan. it’s an engine circuit and they have a pretty good motor.
although, theoretically force india should be similarly quick.
September 12th, 2008 at 1:19 pmFlibster said:
All running inters?
September 12th, 2008 at 1:19 pmneil said:
Martin Brundle on Engine upgrades
“It appears that Renault may not have been as pro-active as other engine manufacturers to increase their power during the windows of opportunity and I understand that a recent request by them for ‘reliability’ upgrades was vetoed by another team.”
Possibly a reason for renaults recent public bitterness about engine power.
September 12th, 2008 at 1:20 pmme said:
don’t think so. v.soon though.
September 12th, 2008 at 1:20 pmAlianora La Canta said:
Mosley’s turned up
September 12th, 2008 at 1:21 pmAlianora La Canta said:
Everyone in the pits bar Bourdais.
September 12th, 2008 at 1:23 pmneil said:
What do you think Paul stoddart would have said 10 years ago if you told him the minnows would have a ferrari power plant in the back
September 12th, 2008 at 1:24 pmme said:
for what it’s worth, fastest time in fp2 ‘07 was:
1:22.3
current best:
1:32.2
September 12th, 2008 at 1:25 pmDirty Scarab said:
Bourdais on the hard drys…
September 12th, 2008 at 1:25 pmme said:
good spot, but he’s not quick is he?
September 12th, 2008 at 1:25 pmAlianora La Canta said:
Expect some people to try dries soon.
September 12th, 2008 at 1:26 pmDirty Scarab said:
nope. not time for a change over yet…about a second off the pace
September 12th, 2008 at 1:27 pmAlianora La Canta said:
It’s worth considering that Toro Rosso aren’t the fastest team anyway, but it indicates that the time for dries is still coming.
September 12th, 2008 at 1:28 pmme said:
appeal date has been set:
September 22
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/70499
September 12th, 2008 at 1:28 pmJeremy said:
But Vettel is currently second…
September 12th, 2008 at 1:28 pmSteven Roy said:
Le Seb purple S1
September 12th, 2008 at 1:28 pmAlianora La Canta said:
Alan Donnelly’s apparently there to hurry the stewards up. Has there been any evidence of decisions being made quicker as a result of his presence?
September 12th, 2008 at 1:28 pmJeremy said:
Here come the dries!
September 12th, 2008 at 1:29 pmme said:
certainly not to my knowledge. but there was a hell of a delay in brazil, which may be partly why he was appointed.
September 12th, 2008 at 1:31 pmAlianora La Canta said:
But that was because they were trying to find an excuse not to exclude three cars from the race due to an FIA mess-up elsewhere in the system…
September 12th, 2008 at 1:31 pmLe BOL said:
They used to have Ferrari power like in the late 1980s or early 1990s and started to show good results, that’s when Ferrari chose to halt the deal. Not sure Paul was running Minardi 10 years ago, I think it was that Rumi guy and Minardi himself.
I wonder how Honda or Toyota feel about this new incarnation of Minardi outperforming them?
September 12th, 2008 at 1:31 pmSteven Roy said:
Bourdais is struggling with S3 otherwise he would be well in front
September 12th, 2008 at 1:32 pmme said:
true, but you have to say last sunday’s decisions was quicker.
September 12th, 2008 at 1:32 pmDirty Scarab said:
I really can’t see the FIA going back on a decision. Especially since all the drivers in the press conference yesterday said they agreed with the penalty…
I wonder if they were told to say that
September 12th, 2008 at 1:32 pmneil said:
yeah, odd he’s losing nearly 1.5 seconds in paraboplica or the straight before it
September 12th, 2008 at 1:32 pmme said:
barrichello in no hurry to jump into his car. just picking up his plugs now.
September 12th, 2008 at 1:33 pmJeremy said:
But now he is fastest!
September 12th, 2008 at 1:33 pmNathan said:
i’d be in no hurry to jump into that car either
September 12th, 2008 at 1:33 pmlou said:
Hey everyone
Can’t believe i missed all the action this morning… but apart from the weather did i miss much (i will catch up with everything once this session ends)
September 12th, 2008 at 1:34 pmSteven Roy said:
Hi Lou
September 12th, 2008 at 1:34 pmme said:
some spectacular pictures, but not much else.
September 12th, 2008 at 1:35 pmneil said:
Go Piquet! That kid can almost drive!
September 12th, 2008 at 1:36 pmAlianora La Canta said:
I sense a little sarcasm in the Five Live team’s recollections of Buenos Aires…
September 12th, 2008 at 1:36 pmlou said:
woo i have live timings this week
Am just setting up my laptop to be on the schools network… it’s taking longer than expected so i’m on a school computer..
September 12th, 2008 at 1:36 pmme said:
has anyone shown a clear advantage yet? both str’s are going well, anyone else?
September 12th, 2008 at 1:36 pmAlianora La Canta said:
lou, you missed Rubens Barrichello splitting the Force Indias at the top of the timesheets.
September 12th, 2008 at 1:36 pmSteven Roy said:
The only important things you missed were Ferrari saying Kimi has signed until the end of 2010 like Massa and the McLaren appeal is on 22nd September if the FIA decide on the same day that they are allowed to appeal
September 12th, 2008 at 1:37 pmme said:
webber finds some pace, and puts in a purple s2. the times they are a tumbling.
September 12th, 2008 at 1:37 pmJeremy said:
Lucky they haven’t blocked it!
September 12th, 2008 at 1:37 pmlou said:
September 12th, 2008 at 1:37 pmSteven Roy said:
‘me’s’ gone all Bob Dylan on us
September 12th, 2008 at 1:38 pmlou said:
i’m doing better than i did last week…. have to install the school’s antivirus system on my laptop though
September 12th, 2008 at 1:38 pmNathan said:
uh, how long after Spa was the penalty handed out?
September 12th, 2008 at 1:38 pmChristine said:
It’s in drop.io
September 12th, 2008 at 1:38 pmneil said:
4 hours
September 12th, 2008 at 1:39 pmAlianora La Canta said:
I did, and will put a screenshot up in drop.io after the session.
September 12th, 2008 at 1:39 pmSteven Roy said:
Le Seb saying the entry to Ascari is still slippy and there is a stripe of water at the entry to Parabolica. Does he not know he is supposed to use numbers not names?
September 12th, 2008 at 1:39 pmlou said:
will have to see it at home
the school has blocked drop.io 
September 12th, 2008 at 1:39 pmJeremy said:
Oh No! What do they use?
Not on a Mac then?
September 12th, 2008 at 1:40 pmneil said:
speaking of which, rosberg had 2 or more moments on entering ascari!
September 12th, 2008 at 1:40 pmSteven Roy said:
That Honda rear wing looks like Brawn’s dog has taken a bite out of it
September 12th, 2008 at 1:40 pmNathan said:
ah, Mclaren will not be allowed to appeal because it was over thirty mins after the race, just like brazil last year (i think it was brazil)
September 12th, 2008 at 1:40 pmJeremy said:
Go Jensen!
September 12th, 2008 at 1:40 pmAlianora La Canta said:
Steven, Monza is an old enough circuit that everyone knows what Seb’s talking about anyway. It’s only new places like Valencia where corner names don’t mean anything…
September 12th, 2008 at 1:41 pmChristine said:
Wow, Button in second.
September 12th, 2008 at 1:41 pmAlex Andronov said:
So what does the new contract say about Kimi’s motivation?
September 12th, 2008 at 1:41 pmneil said:
I think they should put it to a vote. Take a few months, fly a few hundred fat rich guys over to france, let them ahve a secret ballot. That ought to sort things out.
September 12th, 2008 at 1:41 pmme said:
rumours of his demise were greatly exaggerated.
September 12th, 2008 at 1:42 pmneil said:
Do you think he was sand-bagging, waiting for a deal?
September 12th, 2008 at 1:42 pmme said:
September 12th, 2008 at 1:42 pmAlex Andronov said:
It’s difficult to tell with Kimi. I think the car hasn’t really helped him this year.
September 12th, 2008 at 1:42 pmAlianora La Canta said:
Nobody will be surprised to hear that Five Live moved booths after the little flooding incident last session…
September 12th, 2008 at 1:42 pmSteven Roy said:
McLaren have to prepare an appeal and have some of their people go to Paris ready to conduct the appeal but the FIA can say 10 minutes before they go in that they are no allowed to appeal. What a system?
September 12th, 2008 at 1:42 pmJeremy said:
First Dylan, now Twain!
Nano Chromatic!
September 12th, 2008 at 1:43 pmAlex Andronov said:
And what does Kimi’s contract say about the chances of Alonso to BMW vs. Ferrari?
September 12th, 2008 at 1:43 pmme said:
hehe, shhh, no-one noticed
September 12th, 2008 at 1:44 pmSteven Roy said:
Kimi’s problem is the car. It understeers like a pig until its tyres are good and hot and Kimi can’t drive understeer.
September 12th, 2008 at 1:44 pmme said:
i still think he should go to honda. don’t think the vibe at bmw will suit him.
September 12th, 2008 at 1:44 pmJeremy said:
Here comes Lewis!
September 12th, 2008 at 1:44 pmAlianora La Canta said:
Lewis is about to dethrone Vettel.
September 12th, 2008 at 1:45 pmme said:
by a whole second??
September 12th, 2008 at 1:45 pmneil said:
I know it;s great innit
I’m not a ham fan, but I think it was amarginal call. BUt if there had been no penalty, I think there could be as much uproar - just wouldn’t be in the Uk.
I can think of at least one legal win the stewards should have taken but didn’t have the balls to (Silverstone ‘98)
September 12th, 2008 at 1:45 pmSteven Roy said:
Massa’s signed to end 2010 so Alonso is not going to BMW. Bet Kubica is not happy after fighting to get a one year contact so he would be available when Kimi retired next season.
September 12th, 2008 at 1:45 pmAlex Andronov said:
I think that’s true.
I think I can see him and Ross getting on well.
September 12th, 2008 at 1:46 pmneil said:
Why do you reckon that? Best chance of a ferrari seat is now a two year deal, isn’t that easier to get from a team than one year?
September 12th, 2008 at 1:46 pmme said:
jeez, lewis into the 1:25’s.
September 12th, 2008 at 1:47 pmJeremy said:
over a second faster than Massa
September 12th, 2008 at 1:47 pmSteven Roy said:
How did Lewis out accelerate the BMW when he was on the wet line
September 12th, 2008 at 1:47 pmme said:
incredible pace. how’d he do that?
September 12th, 2008 at 1:47 pmChristine said:
What’s up with Heidfeld? He’s last.
September 12th, 2008 at 1:48 pmJeremy said:
Kubica!
September 12th, 2008 at 1:48 pmNathan said:
Bobby K in the 1. 26s!
September 12th, 2008 at 1:48 pmSteven Roy said:
Not for much longer
September 12th, 2008 at 1:49 pmneil said:
Watchin on board out of chicane 1, ham is so much more confident on power than een the ferraris
September 12th, 2008 at 1:49 pmBluray said:
Look at Sutil……Look at Sutil…..Look at Sutil
September 12th, 2008 at 1:49 pmAlex Andronov said:
He was probably using some kind of “advantage”
September 12th, 2008 at 1:50 pmChristine said:
Well, improved to 13th. Not a patch on Kub in 4th.
September 12th, 2008 at 1:50 pmJeremy said:
It makes sense to work on putting the power down with no traction control.
Similar to Renault in 05 and 06, getting the power down out of the corners is a big advantage
September 12th, 2008 at 1:50 pmSteven Roy said:
Track temp and air temp rising and humidity falling so I guess the rest of the session will be dry
September 12th, 2008 at 1:51 pmneil said:
That was all about front grip without front ballast. Funny the maclaren J damper wasn’t banned, but the renault one was….
September 12th, 2008 at 1:51 pmme said:
kimi now finding something worth shouting about. massa jumps him!
September 12th, 2008 at 1:51 pmAlianora La Canta said:
Bluray, I am very much looking at Sutil
September 12th, 2008 at 1:51 pmJeremy said:
and Kimi comes back…
September 12th, 2008 at 1:52 pmgr said:
@Steven Roy: the rest of the weekend, however, will be wet:
http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=monza,%20italy&wuSelect=WEATHER
September 12th, 2008 at 1:52 pmSteven Roy said:
Kubica purple S1
September 12th, 2008 at 1:52 pmme said:
trading laps. there’s a proper close fight up front. all gonna come down to the weather.
September 12th, 2008 at 1:53 pmBluray said:
Guess it’s just us then!!
September 12th, 2008 at 1:53 pmJeremy said:
This is great!
I think we will see the usual suspects at the top when this is all over, but it’s fun right now.
September 12th, 2008 at 1:53 pmAlianora La Canta said:
Five Live forgot that Kimi is the defending world champion…
September 12th, 2008 at 1:54 pmneil said:
wowo massa moment in lesmo 1!
September 12th, 2008 at 1:54 pmSteven Roy said:
I looked at a couple of forecasts yesterday and they were predicting 50-70% chance of rain. Any team making too many set up changes to suit a drying track could struggle when it gets wet tomorrow
September 12th, 2008 at 1:55 pmme said:
me no fan of kubica’s latest helmet design. keep thinking it’s liuzzi.
September 12th, 2008 at 1:56 pmRich said:
Can you really imagine anyone telling Mark Webber what to say! That would be a brave person. This is the same as the aftermath of Japan where most of the drivers criticized Hamilton’s driving behind the safety car.
Webber’s Quote…
Here are some extremely carefully worded quotes from David Coulthard…
September 12th, 2008 at 1:56 pmSteven Roy said:
OOPS
September 12th, 2008 at 1:57 pmAlianora La Canta said:
Kubica has spun at the first chicane. Not great.
September 12th, 2008 at 1:57 pmme said:
kubica get’s it all wrong on a drying track and ends up facing the wrong direction.
September 12th, 2008 at 1:58 pmme said:
vettel pops up into 2nd. lewis back on track.
September 12th, 2008 at 1:59 pmLadySnowcat said:
Have any of the current drivers come out with a pro Lewis comment…
September 12th, 2008 at 2:00 pmme said:
erm…
September 12th, 2008 at 2:00 pmneil said:
Do any of them like him?
September 12th, 2008 at 2:00 pmAlex Andronov said:
Just Lewis I think
September 12th, 2008 at 2:00 pmme said:
sutil is best friends. not sure about anyone else.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:00 pmAlex Andronov said:
Kubica and him have always seemed quite close.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:01 pmpmtate said:
56,620 signatures on http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?belgp08 for Lewis!
September 12th, 2008 at 2:01 pmneil said:
fair enough
Can you tell that I don’t? ;P
I can admit the guy has talent though.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:01 pmSteven Roy said:
He gets on really well with Roberg
September 12th, 2008 at 2:01 pmAlianora La Canta said:
Adrian’s splitting the McLarens
September 12th, 2008 at 2:02 pmLadySnowcat said:
Where is the petition the other way?….
September 12th, 2008 at 2:02 pmChristine said:
Surely you can’t petition something that has actually happened.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:02 pmme said:
renault are having a pretty anonymous fp2.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:02 pmNathan said:
ya, i’ll sign that, where is it?
September 12th, 2008 at 2:02 pmJeremy said:
At FIA headquarters?
September 12th, 2008 at 2:02 pmme said:
September 12th, 2008 at 2:03 pmLadySnowcat said:
I certainly didn’t agree with the specific wording…
September 12th, 2008 at 2:03 pmJeremy said:
Or Maranello?
September 12th, 2008 at 2:03 pmAlex Andronov said:
hahaha
September 12th, 2008 at 2:03 pmpmtate said:
http://www.petitiononline.com/spa08/petition.html with 40 signatures
September 12th, 2008 at 2:03 pmme said:
of the petition?
September 12th, 2008 at 2:03 pmme said:
haha!
September 12th, 2008 at 2:04 pmJeremy said:
Wow! Kubica!
September 12th, 2008 at 2:05 pmLadySnowcat said:
Actually at least 19 other signatures on the alternative petition…
Sorry 18…
Kimi wouldn’t bother to sign…
September 12th, 2008 at 2:05 pmChristine said:
Did you say FP2 times were about 1:22’s? Will we see that today?
September 12th, 2008 at 2:05 pmSteven Roy said:
I love the new petition. Clearly the person behind that has not the slightest idea what the rules say. It looks like someone wrote it at kindergarten
September 12th, 2008 at 2:05 pmLadySnowcat said:
If it is as certain to be wet as they say… this practice could all be in vain!…
September 12th, 2008 at 2:06 pmAlianora La Canta said:
Well, the wording of the petition ignores the regulations, which say nothing about advantage. Maybe they were privy to the Charlie Whiting clarification that the teams know nothing about…
September 12th, 2008 at 2:06 pmneil said:
Petition wording:
Assuming the rules actually state that the advantage gained has to be handed back, not necessarily the position, that’s the problem I see
Petitions don’t do much. There iwas 160,000 on a petition to make Maclaren stop sabotaging Alonso last year. Didn’t help, and didn’t even prove that they were guilty of sabotaging him.
I’m with Crazy D; all very different if there was a wall and no tarmac there.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:06 pmSteven Roy said:
Sutil drops it
September 12th, 2008 at 2:07 pmSteven Roy said:
Was that at Lesmo 2
September 12th, 2008 at 2:07 pmme said:
fair point. it’ll be forgotten by sunday anyhow.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:07 pmAlex Andronov said:
While playing the what if game. Imagine the other car wasn’t red…
September 12th, 2008 at 2:08 pmme said:
ahh, mr. piquet. you’ve ballsed it up again
September 12th, 2008 at 2:08 pmneil said:
yeah, that’s what’s sad. So much history there, everybody is used to assuming the worst.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:08 pmSteven Roy said:
I don’t think if I was a marshall I would want to be standing there
September 12th, 2008 at 2:08 pmme said:
the tractor picks up piquet’s car. bit of a worrying position, given the way people were driving earlier.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:08 pmAlex Andronov said:
ahh, mr. piquet, with this balls ups you are spoiling us.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:08 pmAlianora La Canta said:
Piquet Jr’s made it sound like Renaults get “beached on kerbs” every day of the week.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:08 pmDirty Scarab said:
What happened to poor old Nelson this time?
September 12th, 2008 at 2:08 pmLadySnowcat said:
I may not agree with the actual penalty… but no way do I agree with the petition wording….
September 12th, 2008 at 2:09 pmAlex Andronov said:
these not this… grr…
September 12th, 2008 at 2:09 pmLadySnowcat said:
Piquet stuck on a policeman….
September 12th, 2008 at 2:09 pmme said:
hehe. that was a rubbish recovery from nelson.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:10 pmme said:
he lost it, then drove over a kerb slowly and beached it!
September 12th, 2008 at 2:10 pmRich said:
None - but Ralf Schumacher has supported Lewis!
I think Adrian is Lewis’ best F1 mate. Robert has made some past sharp comments on Lewis but I think is on reasonable terms as is Rosberg (not sure after he came out so strongly pro-penalty post Belgium). Lewis seems to have a good relationship with Kovy - although the latter agreed that Lewis was at fault at France with his chicane cutting.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:11 pmme said:
wtf? who asked him?
September 12th, 2008 at 2:11 pmDirty Scarab said:
hehe.
So he’s balancing on his plank? Bless ‘im.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:11 pmAlianora La Canta said:
Ian Phillips has just expressed the hope that none of the drivers have plans for tonight, because he thinks it’ll be a long driver’s briefing. I think he’s right!
September 12th, 2008 at 2:11 pmLadySnowcat said:
Sooo….
Not one of the current drivers has supported Lewis ….
Interesting…
September 12th, 2008 at 2:11 pmFlibster said:
The plank was in the car…
September 12th, 2008 at 2:12 pmSteven Roy said:
I read an interview with him during the week somewhere where he said the FIA have always favoured Ferrari.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:12 pmneil said:
My favrouite driver quote
September 12th, 2008 at 2:12 pmLadySnowcat said:
Ralf and Niki…
New best friends…
September 12th, 2008 at 2:12 pmJeremy said:
They’re all just jealous :p
September 12th, 2008 at 2:12 pmAlex Andronov said:
hahaha
September 12th, 2008 at 2:12 pmme said:
i think it’ll be short. they’ll slam lewis and then he’ll bitch about them having rifles for him.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:13 pmme said:
i guess he needs the headlines too
September 12th, 2008 at 2:13 pmRich said:
The regulations do not say this - drivers have agreed this to be the case in pre-race meetings. Hamilton’s offense was because he left the track. PERIOD.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:13 pmneil said:
is it because ‘e is black?
September 12th, 2008 at 2:13 pmSteven Roy said:
Heidfeld P2. How did that happen?
September 12th, 2008 at 2:14 pmme said:
a bmw lockout?
just going back to nelson. i think he and alonso were doing back to back comparison’s. he stuffed that now.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:15 pmNathan said:
no, he just happens to be driving a mclaren
September 12th, 2008 at 2:15 pmJeremy said:
Anyone have the current top speeds?
September 12th, 2008 at 2:15 pmDirty Scarab said:
But the uproar is that so many other people left the track as well and were not penalized. Personally I’m sick of the whole issue anyhow.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:15 pmLadySnowcat said:
Interesting that Ron hasn’t twisted Heikki’s arm to back Lewis…
They are talking about how the tyre thing helps Macca and pretty much no-one else….
September 12th, 2008 at 2:15 pmSteven Roy said:
If Alonso had been two or 3 seconds closer to him he would have stuffed both of them
September 12th, 2008 at 2:15 pmme said:
ian phillips confirming suspicions that bridgestone are paranoid about lewis killing their tyres and are going super cautious this weekend.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:15 pmChristine said:
No slow shenanigans from the Renaults today?
September 12th, 2008 at 2:16 pmJeremy said:
D’oh - it’s on live timing!
September 12th, 2008 at 2:16 pmAlianora La Canta said:
me, this was in the context of Ian also commenting that the sleeping policemen at the first chicane may need to be shrunk a little.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:16 pmme said:
ham: 346
kub: 344
hei: 343
September 12th, 2008 at 2:16 pmDirty Scarab said:
1. HAM
2. KUB
3. HEI
4. KOV
September 12th, 2008 at 2:17 pmneil said:
I’m waiting for the ‘Bridgestone made me choose a less than optimal strategy” soundbite
September 12th, 2008 at 2:17 pmAlex Andronov said:
I think they don’t want to get told off by you again Christine
September 12th, 2008 at 2:17 pmme said:
i think they’ve wisely killed that idea.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:17 pmLadySnowcat said:
Errr…
Like Fuji last year then…
September 12th, 2008 at 2:17 pmme said:
eh? am recording it. i’ll check and post on drop.io later.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:18 pmChristine said:
Well, I am quite scary!
September 12th, 2008 at 2:18 pmme said:
tell me about it.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:19 pmJeremy said:
Family show guys!
September 12th, 2008 at 2:19 pmDirty Scarab said:
Just wanna say that I’m impressed with Sutil today. So Monaco wasn’t a fluke. He is good on a dodgy track…
September 12th, 2008 at 2:19 pmNathan said:
that should be the podium right there, not a mclaren in sight
September 12th, 2008 at 2:20 pmme said:
not at all impressed with renault thus far. and what’s up with trulli?
September 12th, 2008 at 2:20 pmChristine said:
The Toyotas seem to be at the wrong end of the timesheets, are they struggling / slow / problematic? Do we know / care?
September 12th, 2008 at 2:21 pmJeremy said:
I would like to see Heidfeld win one
September 12th, 2008 at 2:21 pmRich said:
Yeap including Kimi, but the FIA do have the right to examine all the cases identified and to make a decision.
At some point all drivers will fall foul of a regulation e.g.Heidfeld at Spain had to pit under the safety car and get a stop and go - he was in the lead at the time (but corrected position would have been about fifth) - this wrecked his race. Kovy has had the same bad luck.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:21 pmme said:
trulli’s in my fantasyracers team. so yeah. hmm.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:21 pmneil said:
Heavy Fuelled? using last years Monza Kit? who knows
September 12th, 2008 at 2:21 pmChristine said:
Quick! Swap him now before you nap!
September 12th, 2008 at 2:22 pmme said:
was hoping massa’s engine would be dodgy and nick promoted to spa winner. alas no
September 12th, 2008 at 2:22 pmAlianora La Canta said:
Oops. Sutil is stuck in the pit lane.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:22 pmRich said:
Even in the dry the Toyotas would probably struggle as they do not like having to ride the kerbs!
September 12th, 2008 at 2:22 pmAlex Andronov said:
So it’s a fast track. So you take all the downforce off… right? Engine power more important than aero efficiency? Is that it for Toyota?
Or have I got the wrong end of the stick?
September 12th, 2008 at 2:22 pmme said:
righto, he’s outta there then.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:23 pmChristine said:
Please don’t put Alonso back in.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:23 pmme said:
in theory, but, rosberg’s in 4th with the same engine at the moment, though.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:23 pmJeremy said:
@me - are you and Christine in the same room?
You seem to have ESPN if you’re not (what Zoe and I call our ESP bond)
September 12th, 2008 at 2:23 pmRich said:
I secretly held the same wish!
September 12th, 2008 at 2:24 pmAlex Andronov said:
I do think it’s great. Christine off at work - SLAVING AWAY… while Me has a gentle nap.
Sounds great Me
September 12th, 2008 at 2:24 pmRocket said:
I just got back. What happened to Piquet?
September 12th, 2008 at 2:24 pmme said:
nope. she’s at work (as should i be, but i can’t miss free practice).
September 12th, 2008 at 2:24 pmAlex Andronov said:
That’s very true.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:24 pmneil said:
Usually the teams develop a new set of high efficiency low downforce kit for Monza; it’s the last real super fast race of the year.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:24 pmme said:
or multitask
September 12th, 2008 at 2:25 pmSteven Roy said:
Alex,
Engine power is more important than downforce but aero efficiency (drag) is important. Because most of the corners are short duration mechanical grip is more important than aero grip and you need to be able to deal with kerbs. I think that sorts out the priorities
September 12th, 2008 at 2:25 pmneil said:
alonso wringing it’s neck through lesmos
he’s given up now..
September 12th, 2008 at 2:25 pmRich said:
All the teams run a different aero pack for Monza
September 12th, 2008 at 2:25 pmAlex Andronov said:
Thanks Stephen and Neil.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:26 pmme said:
alonso shakes his fists… at himself or at the car?
September 12th, 2008 at 2:26 pmAlianora La Canta said:
I hadn’t noticed how rubbish Fernando was doing until Five Live pointed it out.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:26 pmChristine said:
Everyone on track, ‘cept NP, of course.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:26 pmme said:
trulliometer down this weekend apparently.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:27 pmneil said:
he’s been in top 6 most of the session, no?
September 12th, 2008 at 2:27 pmme said:
personal bests down the field.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:27 pmneil said:
alonso that is
September 12th, 2008 at 2:27 pmAlianora La Canta said:
Renault have a wider chassis than other teams? Interesting…
September 12th, 2008 at 2:27 pmme said:
alonso’s in 19th.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:27 pmRocket said:
What happened to NP Christine?
September 12th, 2008 at 2:27 pmFlibster said:
The Toymotas and the Renaults are dreadful here.
Alonso is struggling so much with the car.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:28 pmneil said:
ahar, k
he was up there at one point.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:28 pmSteven Roy said:
I thought I read it was a rock bottom at Spa?
September 12th, 2008 at 2:28 pmAlianora La Canta said:
Ian Phillips is not a fan of KERS…
September 12th, 2008 at 2:28 pmChristine said:
Spun it, and then got beached on the kerb trying to recover.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:29 pmAlianora La Canta said:
Steven, evidently Trulli has started digging.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:29 pmneil said:
you guys heard about this electonically adjustable front flap for 2009?
September 12th, 2008 at 2:29 pmRich said:
Only partly true - this is a Macca circuit - not actually sure that the Mercedes engibe is the most powerful. This circuit should suit BMW Sauber though. Honda should be less disadvantaged than at other circuits.
This might well be one circuit that Force India do get the better of another team!
September 12th, 2008 at 2:29 pmJeremy said:
Kimi for Pole
September 12th, 2008 at 2:29 pmneil said:
2 changes of up to 6 degrees allowed per lap.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:29 pmme said:
safety car test coming up then.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:29 pmAlex Andronov said:
Getting ready for the next season start in Australia?
September 12th, 2008 at 2:29 pmRich said:
YES sound interesing
September 12th, 2008 at 2:29 pmChristine said:
Haven’t seen a purple sector for ages.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:30 pmme said:
really? has been having a bad run of late.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:30 pmJeremy said:
Just a feeling. Doing well now too.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:30 pmSteven Roy said:
If things get any worse he will be mining
September 12th, 2008 at 2:30 pmlou said:
argh!! i got kicked out of the school computer room… my laptop doesn’t work on the school network and the computer i am using now only really loads a handful of sites… it’s not been the best afternoon so far :s so…. anything exciting happen is fp2?……..
September 12th, 2008 at 2:30 pmneil said:
I’m not sure I like something so arbitrary; the drivers will just use it at the same time. What I want is a random number of permitted changes, say 3-7 per lap, that changes each lap.
If you’ve got someone on your bum you’d better be sharp!
September 12th, 2008 at 2:31 pmme said:
so, where’d the pace go?
September 12th, 2008 at 2:31 pmSteven Roy said:
Another incredibly stupid rule. It can move between two positions 6 degrees apart and the driver can only use it twice a lap. Looks to me like a protest and penalty generator
September 12th, 2008 at 2:31 pmNathan said:
yes but its the “lets wake up the real kimi” part of the season
September 12th, 2008 at 2:32 pmRocket said:
I take it BMW like the low downforce tracks?
September 12th, 2008 at 2:32 pmFlibster said:
yellow flags?
September 12th, 2008 at 2:32 pmSteven Roy said:
McLaren’s advantage in recent seasons has been the ability to deal with kerbs and to be quick at Monza you have to attack the kerbs.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:33 pmFlibster said:
Oh yeah, they are testing the new safety car rules.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:33 pmJeremy said:
well of last years times
September 12th, 2008 at 2:33 pmme said:
SC test.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:33 pmJeremy said:
agreed
September 12th, 2008 at 2:33 pmneil said:
time delta on wheel?
September 12th, 2008 at 2:33 pmBluray said:
Why is Massa below Rosberg? He’s not known for sandbagging is he?
September 12th, 2008 at 2:34 pmRich said:
They have a good engine so aero is less important, should be similar for Honda and Force India!
September 12th, 2008 at 2:34 pmme said:
re: safety car…
September 12th, 2008 at 2:34 pmNathan said:
alright everyone, Im going back to sleep, see you guys tomorow
September 12th, 2008 at 2:35 pmSteven Roy said:
Sutil missed the pits
September 12th, 2008 at 2:35 pmRich said:
Not normally a Sandbagger - but he could do the Alonso trick and drive for points rather than victories!
September 12th, 2008 at 2:35 pmme said:
huh? sutil forgot to pit?
September 12th, 2008 at 2:35 pmneil said:
ahhh, woopsy Sutil!
September 12th, 2008 at 2:35 pmme said:
cheers nathan.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:36 pmFlibster said:
Sutil you complete and total bozo!
September 12th, 2008 at 2:36 pmme said:
that’s me favourite bit of the day!
September 12th, 2008 at 2:36 pmneil said:
“uhh guys..I passed the Pit!” lol
September 12th, 2008 at 2:36 pmSteven Roy said:
He was sticking to the rule about only driving on the track. Everyone else should get a penalty
September 12th, 2008 at 2:37 pmAlex Andronov said:
hahahaha
September 12th, 2008 at 2:37 pmneil said:
cya Fellas & Ladies
September 12th, 2008 at 2:38 pmme said:
fp2 was heaps better than fp1. thanks all for contributing today, gotta dash or the vid will never get completed.
don’t forget to keep practising your “champaaaaagne” calls. i know you’re gonna
September 12th, 2008 at 2:39 pmRich said:
Yea but his ninth place is not bad! Better than Vettel, Bourdais etc.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:40 pmRich said:
I think its going to be a long night tonight in the Renault Camp.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:41 pmFlibster said:
Long miserable night…
September 12th, 2008 at 2:42 pmJeremy said:
Good Morning, and in case I don’t see you, Good Afternoon, Good Evening and Goodnight!
September 12th, 2008 at 2:42 pmLadySnowcat said:
I was at Monza in 2006 when Kimi just took pole from Michael…
It shouldn’t have been possible in the Macca that year…
But then Kimi is a genius…
September 12th, 2008 at 2:44 pmAlianora La Canta said:
Steven, there’s also a rule that says you cannot start a new lap after the flag…
September 12th, 2008 at 2:45 pmAlianora La Canta said:
Especially miserable for Renault if it starts raining again on their long miserable night…
September 12th, 2008 at 2:47 pmSteven Roy said:
But he stopped before the finish line didn’t he? Of course he deliberately stopped on the track and that is against the rules too. It’s hard to see what to do to be right. I think FIF1 should call Charlie to clear things up.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:48 pmRich said:
Some of the time…
September 12th, 2008 at 2:52 pmRich said:
Not in humble Hamilton’s view who said…
September 12th, 2008 at 2:53 pmSteven Roy said:
Be fair he has had Kubica and BMW spending all their time and effort on arguing about contracts and then extends his own deal guaranteeing that they have to do the same next year when they may be a more serious threat. He has no doubt upset Alonso’s plans and affected any discussions he has had meaning he will need to go back and re-nogotiate given the new facts and the deal has been made public just when there was pressure being applied to get him to back Massa because he was going to leave at the end of the year and had no enthusiam. Pretty clever all round/
September 12th, 2008 at 2:53 pmme said:
make of this what you will:
http://drop.io/sidepodcast/asset/bridgestone-tyre-choice
to me it sound like ian’s suggesting bridgestone are super paranoid about one driver creating heap of bad press for them, and thus everybody else has to suffer. but feel free to disagree.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:57 pmAlianora La Canta said:
That’s my take on what Ian said too, me.
September 12th, 2008 at 2:59 pmLadySnowcat said:
No Rich…
I did say genius… not a robot…
And Kimi hadn’t criticised you Lulu…
How to lose friends…
Everyone knows that Lewis is lucky to be in the much grippier Macca…. he’d be nowhere in the Ferrari…
Lewis is such a plonker…
September 12th, 2008 at 3:00 pmAlianora La Canta said:
But he stopped before the finish line didn’t he? Of course he deliberately stopped on the track and that is against the rules too. It’s hard to see what to do to be right. I think FIF1 should call Charlie to clear things up. {Steven Roy - 6 comments ago}
Steven, it depends on where the finish line is compared to the last garage (where Force India live). If I remember correctly, the finish line precedes the final garage in Monza, but I could be wrong.
There is no rule to prevent deliberate stopping on the track unless it impedes a competitor. It’s reversing in the pit lane that causes the really big complaints. But with the FIA in the condition it is these days, the regulations don’t seem to mean a lot.
September 12th, 2008 at 3:00 pmme said:
did i misread ya then? apologies if i did.
the only thing i’d add is that while ian mentions bridgestone not wanting to get involved in the championship battle, my assumption was that they don’t want their tyres shredding on live tv.
not really the corporate image they were after, i’d imagine.
September 12th, 2008 at 3:01 pmLadySnowcat said:
I agree…
Talk about lucky Lewis…
No wonder none of the drivers are that impressed….
September 12th, 2008 at 3:01 pmSteven Roy said:
It just shows again that drivers should be allowed to run whatever tyres they like. Have one supplier by all means but make them take their full range to all circuits. Why should Ferrari suffer at one track because they have to run tyres that are too hard for them and McLaren suffer at another because they have to run tyres that are too soft for them. Let them and everyone else run the optimum tyres for them.
Apart from anything else we are being deprived of good racing because one or other team is handicapped at each circuit. Time for Bridgestone to go to Max and suggest this alternative. From their point of view it would generate much more publicity although they would have to find a way of doing other colours.
September 12th, 2008 at 3:03 pmRich said:
Kimi’s contract certainly has squashed Alonso’s aspirations to be in the red team. So what does Alonso do?
BMW Sauber are probably worthy of serious consideration. Since it is now at least two years before a red seat becomes available Alonso would probably not want a Honda deal for more than one year.
If I were Renault … I would do all I could to keep Alonso and then I would use the “assumed” uncertainty at BMW Sauber to lure Nick across. Renault would have TWO experienced drivers, one super fast and one super consistent!
September 12th, 2008 at 3:05 pmme said:
could be an issue
September 12th, 2008 at 3:06 pmSteven Roy said:
If I was Renault and had Alonso tied down for the next two seasons I would be looking at my young driver program to find somone who could learn from him and take over when he leaves. If he leaves.
September 12th, 2008 at 3:10 pmRich said:
There is afeeling that Kimi is all racer and little more. I do not think it is in his nature not to give it his all - the same as Lewis. I also do think Kimi is a smarter driver that is generally credited. Personally I think Lewis would really struggle with some of the other teams - Ferrari would be hell in the wet and BMW Sauber are, well lets be polite, a little strange with times of having grip and time with not having grip!
September 12th, 2008 at 3:15 pmRich said: