F1 Digest - Italy Qualifying
- Length: 10:52
- Size: 10.0 MB
- File: digest55.mp3
- Transcript: digest55.pdf
- Torrent: digest55.torrent
The wet weather continued into Day 2 at Monza, so that Free Practice 3 was a washout, but Qualifying was something to behold. Fisichella and Vettel both making history on the same day.
Free Practice 3
It certainly wasn’t an easy start to the day, with only time for limited wet weather running before the rain really kicked in. A few brave drivers attempted some laps towards the end of the session, but it wasn’t the most action packed session we’ve seen.
Qualifying
You couldn’t make predictions for qualifying at all today. You wouldn’t have guessed that Hamilton and Raikkonen would be stuck in Q2, you wouldn’t have thought Fisichella would be the one getting out of Q1, and our pole-sitter Vettel? What were the odds?
Conclusions
Although there is a lot of disappointment in the paddock today, I think most drivers are fully aware of what a lottery the session really was. It was all about strategy, timing and tyres, and in the end, Toro Rosso made the most of it, while Ferrari and Hamilton seemed to have the wrong idea.
September 13th, 2008 at 9:22 pmKris said:
What a Qualifying!
This was the first qualifying of the season where I’ve been on the edge of my seat from start to finish. I’m listening as we speak, so I might be a bit back and forth.
I’m delighted that the force india made it into Q2, I wonder whether their next target is to repeat the feat on pure performance, without a helping hand from mother nature.
Vettel getting pole had me grinning from ear to ear, largely due to the fact that I picked him for it on a poll at Keith’s site after Q2
Lets not forget that Bourdais did particularly well also, so torro rosso should be the happiest bunnies in all of bunnyville!
I’m looking forward to an equally enthralling race tomorrow, and am more than hoping that both torro rosso cars keep towards the front end and score a good haul of points, anyone care to speculate where STR will finish in the constructors’ championship this season?
September 13th, 2008 at 9:30 pmme said:
it was blink and you’ll miss it stuff.
in terms of setting up tomorrows race, the weather could not have been more accommodating.
i so wish bourdais could’ve made it to the press conference too. he’s not hurting his future f1 prospects though.
September 13th, 2008 at 9:33 pmRich said:
I was joking on this forum that I would like to see DeSeb win Monza. Well pole is a start. Least not forget good performances from Kovy, Mark and LeSeb. Toyota and STR only teams to get both drivers into Q3.
Honda had the longest time to prepare their quotes as neither car made it beyond Q1 - the only team not to.
September 13th, 2008 at 9:37 pmme said:
he’s becoming a bit of a star isn’t he? if only he were in the main team, he might manage to save horner’s job too.
wild, wild speculation, but could tomorrow be dc’s last race? he’s totally out of it as the sole rb4 driver not inside the top ten.
September 13th, 2008 at 9:40 pmR.G (The Nurburgring/Sato/BMW Fan) said:
Intresting, Vettel goes to RBR for Singapour and Sato to TR to replace him!
September 13th, 2008 at 9:45 pmme said:
could happen. dc is being shown up race after race after race. and they are having that historical photo thing for him this weekend.
September 13th, 2008 at 9:55 pmRich said:
It might just be better to keep DeSeb at STR. If I was Red Bull I would draft in their test driver Sebastien Buemi for the last four races. We know Sato would be better than DC but test new talent.
September 13th, 2008 at 10:01 pmme said:
problem is they’re locked in a fierce battle with renault. a rookie is too risky, a vettel isn’t.
what was webber saying about having two point scoring drivers in their team earlier in the year?
September 13th, 2008 at 10:05 pmLadySnowcat said:
Love it…
Bunnyville…
(Any relation to Smallville?… if so is Seb Vettel a reincarnation of Clark?…but less good looking…)
September 13th, 2008 at 10:05 pmRich said:
Good point - I was only looking at it from the driver’s side - still would use Sebastien Buemi though!
This is Renault’s problem stick with PK or try new talent….there will be some head scratching in the team.
September 13th, 2008 at 10:09 pmRich said:
Hopefully he will remain the gentleman that Jim Clark was - truely great in every sense of the world but still not the second highest scoring driver in terms of Race Victories to starts in F1 history - I don’t think the right answer has come through.
September 13th, 2008 at 10:23 pmme said:
you may have to tell us.
and we may have to sign you up for the impending quiz!
September 13th, 2008 at 10:30 pmR.G (The Nurburgring/Sato/BMW Fan) said:
Some pointless trivia I have managed to work out, Nick Heidfeld is the only driver (including both Super Aguri’s) to have finished every race, posistions varying between 2nd and 14th.
I know my trivia.
September 13th, 2008 at 10:45 pmSteven Roy said:
If he is Clark I realy wish Paul di Resta could get a decent budget together. Never heard of him? He was Vettel’s team mate in the F3 Euroseries which is the main feeder championship to GP2. diResta beat Vettel to the championship as his team mate with equal experience and equipment. He has never been able to raise a GP2 budget so is racing in the DTM. What a waste of a talented driver.
September 13th, 2008 at 10:52 pmme said:
that the guy who last year raced a year old chassis and beat mika in his brand new buggy?
September 13th, 2008 at 11:00 pmSteven Roy said:
I don’t know the details of his DTM car but he certainly rattled a few of the old hands. DTM is supposed to be really difficult for a newcomer but he seemed to find it easy. I have read quite a few of the journalists who follow the junior formulae say that he is the one driver outside F1 that they would like to see in it.
He is Dario Franchitti’s cousin so should be well connected but the guy just can get a GP2 budget.
September 13th, 2008 at 11:15 pmRich said:
I have reminded people of this - hence if BMW Sauber do not renew his contract surely Renault will jump at the chance. Even when he was in a Jordan he managed to score points. Personally my vote for the most under-rated driver on the grid - sure not always the fastest, he is very professional in his conduct. No driver on the grid deserves a win who has not already won - this year alone he has four seconds, the driver with the most number of points never to have won a GP, the driver with the most number of seconds never to have won a GP. There is hope yet the Yeti turns into Cinderella at the ball!
September 13th, 2008 at 11:18 pmRich said:
Will do so!
September 13th, 2008 at 11:30 pmSteven Roy said:
Just realised that Moto GP are running on the modified Indy track this weekend. There is a chance therace won’t happen because of severe bad weather but if it does it will be worth watching to get a look at the new layout in case F1 goes back there next season
September 14th, 2008 at 12:04 amDom said:
He wont be racing in GP2 after this weekend either, although that wouldn’t have stood in his way.
I cant imagine there’s any chance Red Bull will drop DC before he retires and, although it would make sense, I wouldn’t want to see it. He’s made the decision to retire at the right time, and it’s not fair that his final few races should be taken away. Besides, Vettel is probably better off staying at STR for the rest of the season so he won’t be bothered.
September 14th, 2008 at 12:06 amFlibster said:
Just watched Qualifying…
What a complete and total hash Raikkonen and Hamilton made of that.
Well done to STR and RBR 3 out of top 4 places is damn good.
September 14th, 2008 at 12:51 amJordan Allen said:
That was an ultra-weasally question.
Lee Wallard entered the Indy 500 four times from 1948 - 1951.
He wins the Indy 500 in 1951 and retires shortly thereafter.
Now if you are think that there are better F1 drivers with a higher than 25% hit rate (Like Stewart or Clark) you are missing the “technically” part. The Indy 500 did not count as a F1 World Championship race because there was not a World Championship until 1950!
So Lee Wallard has a hit rate of 50% or winning 1 out of two Indy 500’s that where part of the World Championship at the time.
September 14th, 2008 at 12:53 amJordan Allen said:
Here’s a trivia question.
Who are the only two people to have won a World Championship race on their first attempt?
September 14th, 2008 at 1:34 amSteven Roy said:
On the off chance that I am not around for the Parade Lap show in the morning I have dropped you a voice mail with a Mark Hughes moment. My intention is to watch the show and discuss it live but I wanted to be sure to get the point in before the race as I think there is a good chance that the new rule could be clarified out of existence after the race.
September 14th, 2008 at 1:51 amLe BOL said:
Action-packed Monza package.
Still, I’m a bit disappointed because Massa didn’t crash and HAM wasted his opportunity, then Button was not on the button and I want to see him fighting for at least top 10 positions again.
Bad sign for Webber - whenever he qualifies well he loses it on the opening lap like Silverstone this year or Malaysia 2004. He’ll lose 5 positions at the start and then fall to last, he’s the best of Flav’s young eagles but not very lucky.
Oh, imagine Hamilton crashing into Raikkonen “schu/dc spa 98″ style?
I’m betting on 5 cars finishing the race if it rains.
Ominous signs for PK, Monza 2004 was the last race for Trulli, will JV make another shock F1 return or they will send DC to Renault to help them score some points? No, wait! Piquet will win tomorrow, I’m betting 1 euro on him!
Too lazy to join Live Commenting, I get so excited these days that… well, it’s kinda embarrassing but F1 gives me winds so I can’t concentrate on creative commenting. Better luck next time! In my thoughts I’ll be here, there and everywhere.
September 14th, 2008 at 2:00 amLe BOL said:
But what about Mad Max not ruling out FIA leadership role for another 20 or 30 years? He was like in Peru when Spa scandal broke out so he can’t offer his solution since he didn’t even bother to watch the race, what was he even doing there anyway? I mean I don’t want to insult elderly people but after a certain age a person loses his/her ability to ratiocinate.
God! Help the aged, to quote the song!
September 14th, 2008 at 7:59 amStuart C said:
I was banned from using that word by the former chief sub of F1R…
Awful grey day here. It rained again overnight. The media car park is one big puddle. Track/air temp is currently 14C. FBMWs are out at the moment.
The McLaren boys blew us out last night – Adam was on his second lap by the time we started and Phil was walking the track with their new chief designer.
I’ve got a mountain of transcribing to do, so I’m off. Enjoy the day…
September 14th, 2008 at 8:16 amScott in Italy said:
Ditch him.
Also, as an australian, I am a Webber fan. As the post above says,
I agree. If he can get through the first couple of laps in P3 (or even top 6 or 7), he could be on track for a podium, depending on safety cars and the like. I’ll be very nervous for him, and everyone if the weather is as bad as I think it is. Stuart C certainly describes it well (above). I am in a different part of Italy, but it rained hard overnight.
September 14th, 2008 at 8:27 amScott in Italy said:
weather forecast…
storms at 11am local time (just under 2 hours) and then by race time, showers for the afternoon. another website forecasts no showers but clouds. either way, tyres could be interesting - max temp in Monza will be around 16 degrees Celsius. I’m about 3 hours away to the east and it doesn’t look great for sunshine today, but not sure about the rain. I listen to the Renault f1 team podcast this week and they said the weather service (Meteo France) they subscribes stopped working for 15 minutes and when it came back on, the radar was very ugly to say the least. needless to say the team was very unhappy and one of them said that when it came back on, there was a fair bit of swearing. i can only imagine…
September 14th, 2008 at 8:28 amAlex Andronov said:
Wasn’t LadySnowcats’ Clarke reference to Smallville hinting at Clarke Kent (aka Superman) rather than Jim Clarke.
Although maybe Vettel is a bit of both!
September 14th, 2008 at 9:01 amAlex Andronov said:
Not that I’m a gambler despite the appearance to the contrary yesterday with those bet donations. But I was curious to know what the view of the bookies is on today’s race. Looks pretty sensible. Maybe I should use it as my prediction?
(This is from Betfair, which use decimal odds which include the stake apparently. If any of this means anything to you then you’re doing better than me. I was only interested in the order really).
Driver Odds
Heikki Kovalainen 2.9
Felipe Massa 4.2
Lewis Hamilton 11
Sebastien Vettel 13
Kimi Raikkonen 15.5
Mark Webber 32
Nick Heidfeld 34
Robert Kubica 36
Fernando Alonso 36
Sebastien Bourdais 46
Jarno Trulli 60
Nico Rosberg 65
Timo Glock 70
Giancarlo Fisichella 400
Nelsinho Piquet 450
Rubens Barrichello 450
David Coulthard 450
Jenson Button 450
Adrian Sutil 510
Kazuki Nakajima 760
Any Other Driver 1000
September 14th, 2008 at 9:48 amScott in Italy said:
I’d be putting Sutil ahead of the Hondas
I’m predicting Massa. I think Hamilton will play conservative and go for points, and not the win. Vettel is a good chance to win - more so than 13 quid i think. it will be interesting to see how a driver copes with being out the front. not every driver copes with the new pressure. if you get there slowly, you can get used to the pressure, but Vettel hasn’t been too used to being up there, not in F1 anyway. I wish him well. I would like to see a team like Toro Roso take this, but we shall see…
September 14th, 2008 at 10:02 amAlex Andronov said:
So will it be a Safety Car start?
September 14th, 2008 at 10:09 amStuart C said:
Not if it carries on as it is. Patchy light drizzle at the moment.
Everyone I’ve spoken to has heard a different weather forecast, though.
September 14th, 2008 at 10:14 amAlex Andronov said:
Thanks Stuart! Great info!
September 14th, 2008 at 10:17 amRich said:
Jordan you are absolutely right and the reference I used was absolutely wrong. Well done!!!
From 1950 to 1960 Indianapolis 500 was part of the Formula 1 which only started in 1950.
As correctly stated he entered 1950 and 1951 and won in 1951 and retired in 1952. This make his GP wins to starts 50% - higher than Fangio’s 47%.
My original answer that I gained from a website (that I will not mention now) was Bill Vukovich. His F1 record was 5 World Championship races (Indy races) where he started on the pole once, won 2 races, set 3 fastest lead laps (viz a 40% GP winning success).
His success at Indy has never been repeated…
Source: http://espn.go.com/classic/biography/s/Vukovich_Bill.html
September 14th, 2008 at 10:23 amRich said:
My answer would be…
Nino Farina in 1950 (First year of the Championship… hence first year of participation)
Jacques Villeneuve in 1996
September 14th, 2008 at 10:26 amStuart C said:
Jacques lost to Damon Hill in his first race, Rich…
Baghetti won his first race, if memory serves. ‘61?
September 14th, 2008 at 10:35 amRich said:
Although it would make my day for Vettel or Bordais to win!
My prediction is Kovy - ultimately the Macca is a superior car over the race length.
Paradoxically I think Massa may simply go for points and Hamilton will go wild and either score really well or bin or spin it away.
Another person to watch is Mark - surely he will not bin it on the first lap.
I do not think the BMW Saubers will figure strongly - both drivers complaining about grip falling off after a few laps.
Now we come to Kimi - personally I think Lewis is going to make a much bigger impression - again superior car but equally important - he is super confident (yesterday was a strategic mistake).
My predictions
1 Kovy
2 DeSeb
3 Alonso
4 Webber
5 LeSeb
6 Lewis
7 Felipe
8 Jarno