French GP

4 days and counting to the French GP. I don't really have much idea about who will win, I just hope that it is a good, entertaining, non-controversial race, something IMO F1 needs right now...

July is going to be a very busy month for F1 with four races in five weeks before the August break. I guess the decision of how this weekend runs lies with the FIA. If they choose to punish the teams for the USGP then all hell may break loose. Hopefully not, especially with Michelin's very generous offer to refund the tickets price of all the USGP attendees.

Could be a very competitive race if allowed to run free of controversy. McLaren and Renault will be strong as always. Plus the abrasive nature of the circuit and Ferrari's controversial "blanket in a box" tyre warming solution should mean they and Bridgestone are strong too.

Well the FIA have handed down their ruling. Well kinda. :rolleyes: Teams found guilty on two of five charges, but any punishment suspended until September. Of course it is all complete bullshit, from the contradictory nature of the rulings and charges to the convenient delayed punishment. All topped off by the very undiplomatic manner in which Mosley continues to conduct himself. The future of F1 is not in good hands.

Well the FIA have handed down their ruling. Well kinda. :rolleyes: Teams found guilty on two of five charges, but any punishment suspended until September. Of course it is all complete bullshit, from the contradictory nature of the rulings and charges to the convenient delayed punishment. All topped off by the very undiplomatic manner in which Mosley continues to conduct himself. The future of F1 is not in good hands.

Found it interesting the way Mosley stated they can't do anything to Michelin as there is no contractual agreement between Michelin and the FIA.

I used to think Max was an idiot, but no longer think that word can describe the contept I feel for the man. He is no longer managing F1 but rather carrying out a series of vendettas. Is Balestre still alive, can we have him back?

Bugger. Kimi's engine crumped in practice yesterday incurring a ten grid position penalty.

Qualifying times on Saturday panned out as follows:

Pos Driver Team Time
1. (10) Alonso Renault (M) 1:14.412
2. (14) Trulli Toyota (M) 1:14.521 + 0.109
3. (13) Raikkonen McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:14.559 + 0.147
4. (20) M.Schumacher Ferrari (B) 1:14.572 + 0.160
5. (9) Sato BAR-Honda (M) 1:14.655 + 0.243
6. (19) Barrichello Ferrari (B) 1:14.832 + 0.420
7. (11) Fisichella Renault (M) 1:14.887 + 0.475
8. (12) Button BAR-Honda (M) 1:15.051 + 0.639
9. (6) Montoya McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:15.406 + 0.994
10. (7) Massa Sauber-Petronas (M) 1:15.566 + 1.154
11. (5) Villeneuve Sauber-Petronas (M) 1:15.699 + 1.287
12. (1) R.Schumacher Toyota (M) 1:15.771 + 1.359
13. (8) Webber Williams-BMW (M) 1:15.885 + 1.473
14. (3) Heidfeld Williams-BMW (M) 1:16.207 + 1.795
15. (2) Coulthard Red Bull-Cosworth (M) 1:16.434 + 2.022
16. (4) Klien Red Bull-Cosworth (M) 1:16.547 + 2.135
17. (17) Karthikeyan Jordan-Toyota (B) 1:17.857 + 3.445
18. (15) Friesacher Minardi-Cosworth (B) 1:17.960 + 3.548
19. (18) Monteiro Jordan-Toyota (B) 1:18.047 + 3.635
20. (16) Albers Minardi-Cosworth (B) 1:18.335 + 3.923

Of course Kimi will drop to 13th after his development engine failed on Friday. He has reverted back to an older spec, less powerful but more reliable Merc. Interesting to see the Ferraris doing quite well, aided no doubt by their later run courtesy of the Indianapolis results. I'd also guess thay are quite light with Kimi (and maybe Montoya?) amongst the heaviest.

Everyone is on the grid. Looks like we'll actually have a race this time. :)

Weather is quite hot apparently. Traditionaly good for Michelin, but is that still the case with Bridgestone development?

Kimi needs to have a good start if he is to reach his aim of a podium finish.

Ferrari are off to a great start, though Alonso is getting away a bit too easy.

Barrichello and the two McLarens picked up positions on the first lap.

And Kimi takes Villeneuve to move up another. Currently in 10th with Alonso clearly faster that Trulli at the front.

Alonso is going quicker and quicker. Three stopping or just Trulli holding everybody up?

Raikkonen can't find a way past Massa like he did Villeneuve in the second Sauber. But at least he isn't losing too much time thanks to the bottleneck of Tulli.

Somewhere unnoticed in there Klein stopped to post the first retirement.

Looks like everything has settled down untill the first round of stops. Nobody is making any moves, just waiting to see how their "strategy" will pan out. Don't you just love modern F1...

Kimi watch: Even though he is now 25 seconds behind the leader, such is Alonso's speed differential that Kimi is only 10 seconds behind Trulli in second.

So who is going to be the first to stop? Difficult to say as any three stoppers behind Trulli are unable to show their true pace.

3 stoppers are slowly filtering in.

Question answered, it's Friesacher in the Minardi. That'll shake things up. :p

Quickly followed by Sato, Massa and Ralf. No sign of the front runners yet.

and Barichello.

Alonso has over 20 seconds on Trulli now. Nearly enough to pit and retain the lead. First Ferrari coming in... its Woobens.

Schumi and Trulli as well.

Trulli and Schumacher pit together. :eek:

Ms underfuelled to get ahead of Trulli

The Renault pit crew is getting ready.

Did Schumi short fuel to get past Trulli? Maybe he had fuel to spare anyway?

Only the Macs and Alonso remain out. Shows Alonso's early pace was real.

Alonso and Fisi are in as well as Button.

Alonso in, will he hold the lead from the McLarens?

Indeed he does. Everybody three stopping except for McLaren?

I don't think DC is 3 stopping.

McLarens are easily the fastest cars out there at the moment, but how much longer can they stay out?

I don't think DC is 3 stopping.
I think you might be right.

McLarens are pitting now.

Kimi is flyinng! Although he'll need to keep it up for a few laps yet if he is to keep ahead of Michael Schumacher when he pits.

Is JPM out in front of MS?

Monty pits, Kimi next lap?

Montoya beat Schumacher out. :) Now can Kimi as well?

Kimi still hasn't pitted. Makes his qually lap look totaly awesome.

Here comes Kimi to the pits

Here he comes...

14th to P2. Kimi!!!!! :D

On behalf of McLaren fans I'd like to say a big thank you to Toyota and Trulli at this point. Now how can the Mac break down this time...

tis time for the sexcond round for the 3-stoppers. Friesacher pitted just before, so the others should follow.

MS is pitting, having underfuelled in the last stop.

What lap did Alonso pit on, 20 or so? Is he two or three stopping? Hopefully the latter, will be quite a showdown with the McLarens. Probably the former though.

And there goes Minardi........ Yellow flag.

What lap did Alonso pit on, 20 or so? Is he two or three stopping? Hopefully the latter, will be quite a showdown with the McLarens. Probably the former though.
He just went in.

Alonso in on Lap 41, answers that question.

What happened to Massa, anyone know?

Montoya's very sluggish, also at a loss for words for that.


Your cynicism jinxed the McLarens, Phil :p

Dunno, he pitted a few times, then stayed in. Something technical, no doubt.

How about them Bridgestones? I suppose Max will be having a word with them...

Well one of the Macs has to fail. Hopefully just the one...

Interesting actually, seems Minardi-specific, MS's tyres look very healthy, haven't seen Barichellos or the Jordans tyres.

Or has Max already had a word with Bridgestone? That'll show that pesky Stoddart! :eek:

Just think about it, if Kimi fails JV has a shot at the podium. Come ooooooooon Kimi!


EDIT: Or not, it was JV's pit strategy that had him in 4th.

Juan Pablo succumbs to the inevetable and retires... :(