Hi Gullimont, yeah Im hopeing the Ferraris and Mclarens can take points away from Alonso and Renault. What should be good is that Alonso may not settle for a cruise to 2nd here as he desperatley wants to win his home GP. That could atleast show us a fight to the end.

Hey Kimi or Madgez as you are on KJ.

It's an all Renault front row for tomorrow but i'm holding out hope that it won't be a Alonso walkover. Hopefully Fisi can have a good start and Schum actually posted a faster lap then alonso in quali so he won't be left either, and of course that nut Massa should make the first corner intersting. WTF is with the Mclarens though. There just going backwards. I guess Newey leaving has had a bad effect. Hope for an entertaining race tomorrow not a normal Barcelona Borefest.

Barcelona is usually a snoozefest - i dont expect this too be much different

However, I do think Schumacher will beat atleast one of the Renaults. Id hope Alonso will finally have a DNF as that would spice up the championship atleast. Though I do have good money on the Renault's doing a 1-2 so i wouldnt mind that just this once

The Mclarens are nowhere. Barcelona is THE circuit that uncovers the true competitiveness of a car and that is certainly bad news for Mclaren. No Kimi WDC this year. Mclaren is suffering on many fronts - loss of key technical staff (Newey and others) leading to development slowing down, the loss of the 3rd car on fridays and most importantly - the return of tyre changes. Last year Mclaren was kindest to its tyres, hence they were in the best shape by the end of the race. They are still kind to their tyres, but now the disadvantage the othe teams had is gone due to tyre changes - which seem to have returned us to the snoozefest sprint races of 04. What are your thoughts on tyre changes?

Where do you think Kimi will go next year? Or rather where do you think he should go? He has 3 options - Mclaren, Renault or Ferrari.

Im rather torn at this stage. I want him to be in the best car - but I also want him to battle MS or FA. Im not keen on Ferrari - but would only want him there if he gets a chance to battle Michael before he retires. Otherwise it would be good to see him go head to head with Alonso at Mclaren, though im concerned they wont be as competitive. That leaves Renault which would be fantastic too. I guess we just dont know which team will be best next year. Ferrari will be strong due to their history with Bridgestone which the others dont have.

The only real effect of the tyre changes has been the return to form of the Bridgestones and the Bridgestone teams. It was pretty clear last year that the Bridgestone's had no lasting power for a race long stint so you ended up with type compounds that had to be harder then Michelins to simply take the distance but compromising the cars speed. I won't miss the tyre war when its gone since the only season it really contributed to the excitement for me was 1997 and the Stewart/Prost/Arrows cars mixing up the order on occasion.

As for Kimi i'd say Ferrari is his best bet. Lewis Hamilton looks like getting the 2nd Mclaren seat beside Alonso which he has a good case for on the back of his decimation of the GP2 field so far. Renault run too tight a ship to pay the money Kimi would be asking and Im not sure if him and Flavio could get on. I'd love to see him in a Ferrari against Schumacher. It would be a very closely fought battle.

Totally agree about the tyre war - 1997 was the only season a tyre war spiced things up. Overall 1997 is probably still my favourite season of recent years.

I agree that Kimi will go to Ferrari especially after the Macs poor showing in Spain. Barcelona is a track that uncovers deficiancies in a car and the Mac was shown up. However, Renault have stated that they are now willing to spend any sum of money to get a top driver - and we all know that there are 3 that stand out among the rest. I just hope he makes the right decision.

The race again was rather lacklustre. The tyre changing coupled with silly engine rules and the points system has made things rather dull. Though Im hoping Monaco will be as good as it has been the last few years!

BTW - Red Bull will be having a Superman Returns sponsorship deal at Monaco. Much like they have done in recent years with Star Wars ROTS, T3 and Oceans 12!

I wonder if the pit crew will be going around in capes. Could be dangerous.

As long as they dont wear there underwear on the outside!!

Monaco is up next. The last fre have been pretty good - Im hoping this one will spring up a surprise. I think Honda, Williams, Toyota and Mclaren have a chance of mixing with the Renaults and Ferrari's here. Scuderia Torro Rosso also has a good chance of points with the V10's torque. Should be interesting!

Monaco is the best chance button has of sneaking a win i think. his BAR is slippery enough in quali to go for pole while his awful race pace won't matter since it's impossible to overtake there (witness Mansell Senna 1992). Should be interesting whatever happens.

Yes - im actually putting money on Button. He came close to winning in 04 and he has the best average qualifying position of the year so far - so as you said the Honda's dreadful race pace wont hurt it so much here.

It also seems Honda have done alot with the car since the last race - so it should be interesting.

monaco is just a hard track to predict on ... that track has so many factors outside of the car.

Exactly. Its a track that allows driver skill to come to the for - you need 100% concentration. Any car or engine deficiencies can be overcome at Monaco. Its also a track that rewards mecanical grip over aero. I went for a drive on the track last year and its amazing at how they can possibly go through the tunnel as fast as they do!!

BTW - who are those two in your avatar?

i have no idea who they are.

heh

i think monaco is just ..... a monaco dependant circuit. the car and the driver matter but really, its usually the track itself that decides who will win and who will lose. i'm not sure if that makes any sense but the problem with monaco is that no one factor will win you the race. if you concentrate on the road, the probabilty that your car will break down is much higher in monaco than anywhere else. if for whatever reason you're slow off the start, you're screwed again. drivers get entangled through no fault of their own with others. you run into a back marker and you can't do anything about it.

there are a few current drivers that are Monaco specialists, Coulthard and Fisichella are the main ones that come to mine for me and i remember when Jean Alesi used to fight some pretty evil cars around the streets there. The best race there that i've seen was the one back in 1997 with the rain hammering down and Schumacher waltzing away from the field.

Anyways im going to put up my top 8

1. Button (i really have a hunch about this one)
2. Schumacher M
3. Alonso (guys a machine no chance of him going out)
4. Fisichella
5. Raikkonen
6. Coulthard (he'll stick the average red bull up there)
7. Trulli
8. Villeneuve

From PlanetF1.com



Well this is a pity. i'd love to have seen Rossi in Formula 1 but i guess it's not to be. Alonso's reaction is no surprise since he's been a bit of an arrogent twit about the whole thing.

I remember that 1997 race, Williams chose the wrong tyres and crashed out, Michael dominated and then went off but luckily had such a gap he still won and Barrichello did no stop in the Stewart to claim a podium!! I cant believe it still hasnt rained on race day since that day.

I also enjoyed 2004 - Trulli Vs Button and last year - but thats because Kimi dominated

I think you can add Trulli on that list of Monaco experts. Interestingly Michael hasnt one since 01.

Ok - here are my top 8:

1. Button (i totally agree)
2. Alonso (yeah when will he be off the podium)
3. Raikkonen
4. Schumacher M
5. Trulli
6. Montoya
7. Coulthard
8. Speed (Liuzzi will be quicker but will prob crash)

Good top 8 Gez lets hope our feeling on Jenson is right. personally i've put €10 on im at 16/1 and hope im right. Your top 8 is solid but ill be surprised if Speed keeps it between the walls for the full race.

One thing its good for is engine life - Monaco puts minimal stress on engines. However expect a few drivers to hit the walls. They are all concerned about qualifying and the potential mess that could cause!!

Yes, ive got money on him too. Speed - hmm - its a big outsider for me. Liuzzi should be quicker but he does tend to make more mistakes. Its just a hunch based on the V10s qualities. Actually - didnt realise first practice is on in a few hours!!

Regarding Alonso - I dont like Alonso's snotty attitude at times - all the more reason it makes it harder to swallow the fact that he will be WDC again this year

we can only hope oherwise. still i have very little repect for alonso since he has nveer fought for a victory like Schumi (Euro grand prix 95) or Kimi (Japanese GP 2005 where he hunted down Fisi).

have you ever listened to a grand prix review by clive james he's the best. so fucking funing i watch his videos for 84 to 86 ' over and over.

I agree! Last year he benefited from Mclaren's unreliability and silly engine/grid penalty rules (though all credit to Renault) and looks like this year he will romp it home unless Michael can do something about it. Or better still - Kimi!!

I love Clive James' humour. I used to watch all his "Postcard from..." series and "Fame in the 20th Century" but havnt seen any of his F1 stuff unfortunatley. I have read some of his comments on F1 though in one of his books. And he has been to the Adelaide and Melbourne GP's over the years. I need to get more of those 80s reviews!

track down his F1 Season reviews theres priceless. one eample of james humour "Rosburg was reminded of the fuel regulations by his wheels cheasing to turn, the hollow noise from the fuel tank and his wheels ceasing to turn had failed to covay the themessage". briilliant dry humour.

Thats exactly something he would say

Will try track a few down. Actually Im sure a few friends would have them!

Thursday Practice

1. Wurz Williams-Cosworth (B) 1:15.907 27
2. Davidson Honda (M) 1:16.075 + 0.168 15
3. Montoya McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:16.138 + 0.231 24
4. Alonso Renault (M) 1:16.221 + 0.314 18
5. Doornbos Red Bull-Ferrari (M) 1:16.292 + 0.385 36
6. Raikkonen McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:16.707 + 0.800 18
7. Fisichella Renault (M) 1:16.721 + 0.814 23
8. Coulthard Red Bull-Ferrari (M) 1:16.870 + 0.963 19
9. Button Honda (M) 1:16.903 + 0.996 20
10. Massa Ferrari (B) 1:17.251 + 1.344 25
11. Trulli Toyota (B) 1:17.325 + 1.418 25
12. Monteiro MF1-Toyota (B) 1:17.439 + 1.532 30
13. Barrichello Honda (M) 1:17.456 + 1.549 24
14. Mondini MF1-Toyota (B) 1:17.497 + 1.590 30
15. M.Schumacher Ferrari (B) 1:17.603 + 1.696 25
16. Liuzzi Toro Rosso-Cosworth (M) 1:17.638 + 1.731 31
17. Webber Williams-Cosworth (B) 1:17.744 + 1.837 19
18. R.Schumacher Toyota (B) 1:17.793 + 1.886 26
19. Rosberg Williams-Cosworth (B) 1:17.845 + 1.938 15
20. Villeneuve BMW-Sauber (M) 1:17.874 + 1.967 13
21. Klien Red Bull-Ferrari (M) 1:18.123 + 2.216 22
22. Heidfeld BMW-Sauber (M) 1:18.257 + 2.350 10
23. Speed Toro Rosso-Cosworth (M) 1:18.420 + 2.513 29
24. Albers MF1-Toyota (B) 1:18.430 + 2.523 24
25. Montagny Super Aguri-Honda (B) 1:18.731 + 2.824 19
26. Kubica BMW-Sauber (M) 1:19.273 + 3.366 12
27. Jani Toro Rosso-Cosworth (M) 1:19.445 + 3.538 27
28. Sato Super Aguri-Honda (B) 1:19.803 + 3.896 31

from http://www.autopsport.com

The Mclarens are looking good. It will be the Mclarens vs Alonso. Fisi is quite mediocre these days. Shame Kimi had a fire on his car in the 1st session. He actually asked the marshalls for help and when they didnt come he grabbed an extingusiher and put the fire out himself. Thankfully no engine change is required or a penalty would mean the end of his race at this track.

davidson really is the king of practice!