[DinanM3_S2]

A few interesting storylines from qualifying...

1) Felipe Massa-Ferrari
2) Lewis Hamilton-McLaren
3) Kimi Raikkonen-Ferrari
4) Fernando Alonso-McLaren
5) Nick Heidfeld-BMW Sauber
6) Robert Kubica-BMW Sauber
7) Giancarlo Fisichella-Renault
8) Mark Webber-Red Bull
9) Jarno Trulli-Toyota
10) Nico Rosberg-Williams
11) Alex Wurz-Williams
12) Heikki Kovalainen-Renault
13) Anthony Davidson-Super Aguri
14) Ralf Schumacher-Toyota
15) Rubens Barrichello-Honda
16) Jenson Button-Honda
17) Takuma Sato-Super Aguri
18) Vitantonio Liuzzi-Toro Rosso
19) Scott Speed-Toro Rosso
20) Adrian Sutil-Spyker
21) David Coulthard-Red Bull
22) Christijan Albers-Spyker

The front two rows are no suprise, with the exception of the odd BMW or reliability issue, I expect Ferrari and McLaren to be at the front most of the year. Interesting to see both of the younger drivers in front of their more experienced team mates. Massa stood out as the star of qualifying again. He was almost .4 faster then the next guy in Q2 on light fuel loads and almost .3 faster then Hamilton in Q3. Massa has definitely shown that he is the fastest over one lap, but he needs to pull it all together in the race tomorrow. Hamilton, Kimi, and Alonso were all very close in Q3.

Good performance from the BMWs as well. I really hope both cars are reliable tomorrow, Kubica needs a good race. BMW seems to be stuck in the middle of Ferrari and McLaren at the front and the middle ground behind them. It will be interesting to see what they can do tomorrow. Heidfeld seems to be very competitive with Kubica around.

The middle group is very fascinating to me. 7-10 are all different cars, giving a good idea of the difference in driver's performance. Only .1 second between 7th, 8th, and 9th, meaning there could be some great racing in the middle of the pack. Fisi did as well as he could have hoped to, and Webber looked pretty good as well. Webber seems to be a great qualifying racer for RBR. Williams seems to be offering assurance that they really are on their way back. Heikki is still struggling a bit... poor Flavio. Davidson had an outstanding performance, far out-performing his car, beating both factory Hondas and Ralf's Toyota. Lets wish him reliability as well. Ralfy isn't doing very well, placing 5 spots behind his teammate. I wouldn't be suprised if this was his last year.

Honda seem to be leading the back group. Two great drivers, two terrible cars. The sooner they replace that car the better. Coulthard had gearbox problems, so his 21st place performance should be discarded. Spyker is almost too slow to be in F1. They are a whole second off of the Toro Rossos and 3 off of the Ferraris up front.

My biggest concern for the race is that Hamilton will try too hard to pass Massa at the start and cause some sort of McLaren/Ferrari crash in the 1st corner. I think he is due for a rookie mistake or two. As I mentioned before, reliability from Williams, Aguri, and BMW will be important as well.

Prediction Top 8-
1) Felipe Massa- will pull away at the start and never look back.
2) Kimi Raikkonen- passes Hamilton early, but won't get close enough to Massa to pass.
3) Fernando Alonso- will do everything in his power to beat his teammate.
4) Lewis Hamilton- great rookie, but a mere mortal
5) Heidfeld- faster then Kubica, not as fast as the McLarens
6) Kubica- will live in no-man's land between Heidfeld and Fisichella
7) Fisichella- not as fast as Kubica
8) Jarno Trulli- faster car then Webber, I think he qualified on heavy fuel.