2007 British GP - Race 9/17

Duke · 9 Jul 2007 at 17:58

Testing resumes tomorrow -

Less than 48 hours after the British Grand Prix, all 11 teams are expected back on track on Tuesday for the start of a three-day test at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium.

In line with this year’s testing restrictions, teams will be limited to one car per day, with a mixture of race and test drivers conducting the development work. Most squads will focus on preparations for the next round of the championship, the European Grand Prix, which will be held at Germany’s Nurburgring circuit in a fortnight’s time.

After Kimi Raikkonen’s dominant victory at Silverstone on Sunday, Ferrari will be keen to maximise any advantage they hold during their three-day schedule, while championship-leaders McLaren will be working very hard to try to improve the performance of the MP4-22 ahead of the European event.

Robert Kubica will be in the hot seat for all three days for BMW Sauber, as the German-Swiss team attempt to build on their impressive form so far this year, while current title-holders Renault will be out in force as they continue to try and remedy their drop in pace this season.

With the remainder of the field also expected to attend, it is set to be a busy week at the Belgian circuit, so check back for daily updates on the teams’ progress. Note that all schedules are provisional and subject to change.

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2007/7/6444.html (new F1 site looks great by the way)

McLaren really need to find some more speed..

knip · 9 Jul 2007 at 18:08

I might just write Bernie a letter telling him what a bloody brilliant weekend I had.
And for a first timer, I wouldnt say the facilities were inadequate, or not up to scratch.

georges · 9 Jul 2007 at 18:27

dannyjo22 said:
Anytime I have been to a gp anywhere in the world the worst race of the weekend is usually the F1 race. One of my mates uses the f1 race as the time to catch up on his sleep after a weekend away on the drink.

Yeah, one of my mates was out till after the race after a couple of laps.

dannyjo22 · 9 Jul 2007 at 19:28

rpstewart said:
Silverstone where you always get good racing in favour on sterlie, featurless Tilke-dromes just because they're able to pay the ransom to get a race.

I agree with everything you said apart from this. Austria was a purpose built modern F1 track and it was the most exciting race providing the most overtaking on the calendar. They dropped it.

Feature less? So is barcelona and Silverstone yet that hasn't stopped them holding races.

The new tracks just dont have history yet, but they are every bit as good as silverstone for racing. I'm more upset by suzuka going than I am silverstone which is a rip off fest.

I can go to Spain for a week to watch the Spanish gp, best grandstand seat, flight and hotel for the cost of the British gp.

rpstewart · 10 Jul 2007 at 11:24

Early news for the German GP - there will be a new face on the grid.

Albers has been dropped with immediate effect by Spyker. The official reason being that his performances haven't been great but the fact that one of his main sponsors hasn't paid up along with his minor faux pas in France won't have been overlooked. Spyker have yet to name a replacement but it's fair to say whoever does the Spa test this week will more than likely be the race driver. Marc Gene, Narain Karthikeyan and Christian Klien have all been mentioned as possible replacements. Gene is the obvious choice with his Ferrari links but if money is an issue then Karthikayan probably has a better chance.

Creature · 10 Jul 2007 at 12:05

Well that's a bit of a shock.

Stonedofmoo · 10 Jul 2007 at 12:30

I can go to Spain for a week to watch the Spanish gp, best grandstand seat, flight and hotel for the cost of the British gp.

Really? Do tell, that sounds a nice break!

rpstewart · 10 Jul 2007 at 13:14

There are some firm facts on Stepneygate starting to emerge following this morning's adjourned court case in London.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60690

It sounds more and more like a complete farce every day. Who in their right minds takes a document emblazoned with "Ferrari" and "confidential" to a photocopying shop in the UK???? I was wondering where the "not from F1" source was though since that bit broke.

Duke · 10 Jul 2007 at 13:54

rpstewart said:
Early news for the German GP - there will be a new face on the grid.

Albers has been dropped with immediate effect by Spyker. The official reason being that his performances haven't been great but the fact that one of his main sponsors hasn't paid up along with his minor faux pas in France won't have been overlooked. Spyker have yet to name a replacement but it's fair to say whoever does the Spa test this week will more than likely be the race driver. Marc Gene, Narain Karthikeyan and Christian Klien have all been mentioned as possible replacements. Gene is the obvious choice with his Ferrari links but if money is an issue then Karthikayan probably has a better chance.

I'd like to see Karthikayan in there

Wicksta · 10 Jul 2007 at 16:26

dannyjo22 said:
I can go to Spain for a week to watch the Spanish gp, best grandstand seat, flight and hotel for the cost of the British gp.

Really?

georges · 10 Jul 2007 at 16:44

Just got sent pictures from dad from his pit walk (spectator marshalls got offered this..)

Here's a couple.

Was on saturday evening I think, with cars wheeling off for scrutineering.

Stormrider · 10 Jul 2007 at 16:56

rpstewart said:
There are some firm facts on Stepneygate starting to emerge following this morning's adjourned court case in London.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/60690

It sounds more and more like a complete farce every day. Who in their right minds takes a document emblazoned with "Ferrari" and "confidential" to a photocopying shop in the UK???? I was wondering where the "not from F1" source was though since that bit broke.

I'd heard the rumour before, but dismissed it as being too far-fetched.

Ferrari's action is being taken against Coughlan and his wife Trudy Coughlan, who is now alleged to have taken the 780-page Ferrari document at the centre of the controversy to a photocopying shop near Woking to be reproduced.

It was a staff member from the photocopying shop who tipped off Ferrari about the matter when they saw that the documents were confidential and belonged to the Maranello team.

hmm wonder which copy shop it was.

edit: lol, top hit while googling for Woking photocopy shop is the F1 story

dannyjo22 · 10 Jul 2007 at 18:07

Wicksta said:
Really?

Yes honestly. I normally get the advance booking discount for a 3 day grandstand ticket in what is the best stands. The ones down the end 2/3rds of the start finish straight. You can see most of one half of the track. Around £100 for 3 days.

Sometimes the 3 day ticket lets you have a walk round the pits when setting up on the thursday.

Easyjet ticket from luton, normally on the wednesday before the race. Peanuts. Sometimes we have paid pennies and then tax for a return flight. £20 ish.

We stay outside of Barcelona in a place called caella. First few weeks in may the hotels are empty and they open for the season may 1st. Literally we have paid £30 for a week in a very good hotel, because they just want to start getting bodies in the hotels. We dont book anywhere we drive around and find the best hotel for the pound. We had one hotel about 3/4 years ago offer us an evening meal for a quid each to stay in the hotel drinking.

Hire car between 4-8 of us normally works out about £30 for the week each.

It was better pre-alonso because the place was empty, if you had a grandstand seat they would let you sit in any stand that didnt have seats taken. Remember its cheaper to do all that stuff if you stay for a week rather than 4 days.

Its great a week in the sun, watch the races. I have some great pictures of the place pre and post alonso

Duke · 10 Jul 2007 at 19:07

Spa Testing Day 1

Code:

Testing times from Spa (July 10)

1.  HAMILTON       McLaren      1m46.617s
2.  KUBICA         BMW          1m47.059s
3.  MASSA          Ferrari      1m47.469s
4.  SCHUMACHER     Toyota       1m47.787s
5.  PIQUET         Renault      1m47.996s
6.  COULTHARD      Red Bull     1m48.243s
7.  ROSBERG        Williams     1m48.287s
8.  LIUZZI         Toro Rosso   1m49.179s
9.  ROSSITER       Super Aguri  1m49.228s
10. KLIEN          Honda        1m49.419s
11. VAN DER GARDE  Spyker       1m49.712s

Stormrider · 11 Jul 2007 at 12:23

Ferrari, Coughlans reach agreement

By Biranit Goren Wednesday, July 11th 2007, 10:04 GMT

The court hearing scheduled for this morning in the matter of Ferrari versus Mike Coughlan has been cancelled after the Italian team and the McLaren chief designer reached an agreement late last night.

Autosport.com understands Coughlan and his wife Trudy have agreed to submit a sworn affidavit to Ferrari outlining all they know in the espionage affair and continue to cooperate with Ferrari's investigation.

In return, Ferrari have agreed to withdraw their request to the High Court to make the information and material collected - including the affidavit - in their application against Coughlan, available to the Modena district attorney in Italy.

Coughlan did not provide his affidavit yesterday as it was unclear if it could be self-incriminating and used against him in criminal proceedings in Italy.

The Modena district attorney opened criminal investigation against Ferrari stalwart Nigel Stepney, after the Italian outfit filed a formal complaint against the Briton.

It remains to be seen whether any further court hearings will be scheduled in London over this affair.

JRS · 11 Jul 2007 at 16:23

Once again, the F1 Rejects review has hit the nail squarely on the head with regards to the race. It also summed up my position on him much better than I apparently can....

It was a timely wake-up call for the legion of fans all caught by what one of our readers calls 'Lewisteria'. Undoubtedly, Hamilton deserves enormous praise and credit for what he has done so far this year - drive one of the fastest cars exceptionally well, generally make no mistakes, consistently pick up podiums, and fluster a hitherto unchallenged team-mate. But it's easier when you've faced very little adversity all season and, as a rookie, you've earned so many brownie points there's much reduced pressure.

At Silverstone, his three title rivals all did in one race what Hamilton has yet to do (or had to do) all season. Lewis is yet to leapfrog anyone in a pit stop sequence, like Alonso and Raikkonen did to him here - although, to be fair, he was denied the opportunity to do so at Monaco. Apart from his pass on Kubica in France and at the first corner, he has made no other passing move, let alone perform a clinical charge like Massa did here. He is yet to be truly tested in a situation where the cards are really stacked against him.

Numerous supposedly-wise but nonetheless-fawning talking heads have worked Hamilton up to this messianic status, already declaring him to have the potential to be one of the greatest racing drivers ever. The frenzied British press have latched onto this and created the Lewisteria that is really quite out of proportion to what Hamilton has proven of himself. If anything, it threatens to devalue his actual achievements because so many are viewing his performances with this warped lack of real perspective.

Lewisteria in 2007 was comparable to Mansell-mania in the late-1980s and early-1990s. Now, we are no great fans of Nigel Mansell here on this site, but if any man proved his worth in the face of adversity, it was Mansell. He had to wait nearly six seasons (not six races) for his first win, and victories like his British GP triumph in 1987, and his Hungarian GP win in 1989 when he came from 12th on the grid on a track where you supposedly cannot pass, showed his true racer's mettle when the chips were down.

This is not in any way to say that Hamilton is not worthy of admiration or support, or that fresh, charming new stars don't deserve adulation, but it all has to be kept in perspective, and Hamilton's achievements need to be weighed as objectively as possible. There seems to be an unfortunate lack of that perspective at the moment. To bring things back to earth, we award 'Lewisteria' the 'Reject of the Race' award for the British GP, in probably our most abstract choice of ROTR recipient ever!

F1 Rejects is pretty much the only site I go to for F1 commentary these days. I don't always agree with them, but I usually do. And I certainly do agree with the above choice for 'ROTR'!

Duke · 11 Jul 2007 at 17:48

^ Interesting read that, and very true.

Testing Day 2 Times below

Code:

1.  MASSA          Ferrari      1m46.698s
2.  ALONSO         McLaren      1m47.012s
3.  KOVALAINEN     Renault      1m47.754s
4.  SCHUMACHER     Toyota       1m48.534s
5.  SUTIL          Spyker       1m48.873s
6.  COULTHARD      Red Bull     1m48.915s
7.  BUTTON         Honda        1m49.526s
8.  BOURDAIS       Toro Rosso   1m49.732s
9.  ROSBERG        Williams     1m50.295s
10. DAVIDSON       Super Aguri  1m52.438s
11. KUBICA         BMW          1m55.155s

Klien will be testing for Spyker tomorrow.

JRS · 11 Jul 2007 at 19:54

Duke said:
^ Interesting read that, and very true.

Jolly good. Now if I could just get the rather more rabid Hamilton fans among you lot to stop e-mailing me with long and pointless rants about how I 'detest' Lewis and 'want him to fail' and why do I think that and why can't I celebrate a British success in F1....it's damned annoying to have to go through and delete them.

Names not mentioned, to save your embarrassment (y'all know who you are

) and because I'm not really that bothered. If I was bothered by it, those of you involved would certainly know about it by now!

Duke · 11 Jul 2007 at 19:59

Oh dear, people emailing you as well? Didn't we have that problem last year with the other chap (sorry forgotten his username)?

Creature · 11 Jul 2007 at 20:01

JRS said:
Jolly good. Now if I could just get the rather more rabid Hamilton fans among you lot to stop e-mailing me with long and pointless rants about how I 'detest' Lewis and 'want him to fail' and why do I think that and why can't I celebrate a British success in F1....it's damned annoying to have to go through and delete them.

Names not mentioned, to save your embarrassment (y'all know who you are ) and because I'm not really that bothered. If I was bothered by it, those of you involved would certainly know about it by now!

Appears you're now getting the same treatment Flibster got when he attacked Schumacher, which of course, stopped him doing the F1 threads.