2005 Chinese Grand Prix

[Flibster]

FIA's New Theories on Reducing Downforce, Creating Easier Passing

F1's governing body will reveal in Shanghai this weekend a plan about how to increase overtaking.

In a Q&A with the British 'Guardian' newspaper, Max Mosley - the FIA president - admitted that making the racing better is more complex than simply reducing downforce and increasing tyre grip.

He said: "Simulations have shown that the reduction in downforce would have to be so great that the cars would be slower than GP2 or formula three.

"But we think we now have the answer to this problem."

There is considerable speculation as to what the FIA plan to do about the question of aerodynamics, downforce and enhanced racing, particularly as - Suzuka aside - the 2005 changes appear to have made it more difficult for a car to follow and overtake its rival.

The FIA's earlier '90 per cent' downforce reduction plan is now believed to be on the scrapheap, the latest idea being to create downforce parity by imposing 'limits'.

Mosley believes a 'x newton' limit per car would force teams to focus on limiting drag rather than producing downforce.

 

[Flibster]

Flibster - quick message to you - Messenger not working - do you have the Jap GP - my lovely PC has decided it doesnt like that file and wiped it somehow!!!

Hopefully they can get to the level of close racing and overtaking that we now see on the A1GP tracks.

I think so - I haven't checked it yet though.

Does Sato have a contract with Honda or something, why do they keep giving him drives and not a big kick up his rear end with a nice size 12's

He's Honda's poster boy - take a look at his racing history - always with Honda.



Other news - BAR have changed their paint scheme for China again - Still white - but with large bits of Blue with 555 on them.

Button has also been ill with a high temperature - but he's in the car.

 

[Flibster]

Button unwell at 100th race

It is perhaps fitting that Jenson Button is not feeling at all well for his hundredth grand prix. Speculation in the Shanghai paddock on Friday suggested that Anthony Davidson, earlier 'on standby' for Takuma Sato, has been told to be ready for a last minute Chinese dash after 25-year-old JB recorded a high temperature. Jenson, 25, has had to fend off the press' enquiries so far this weekend about what it feels like to be notching up race number 100 without an accompanying grand prix victory. ''It just means I have experienced a lot, more than most,'' the visibly irked English driver told the ranks. To his rivals, though, naked statistics tell little of the story about a driver's talent. Ralf Schumacher, JB's first ever F1 teammate, reckons that with the right car, Button 'can win a championship'. ''Michael (Schumacher) was called the best ever driver but he's not able to win a race with an average car,'' he added. Button's next teammate will be Rubens Barrichello, who was similarly asked to rate the BAR star in the Chinese paddock. ''It's quite difficult,'' said the Brazilian, ''because it depends on a lot of things, but I don't think he is lacking anything against Raikkonen and Alonso. I think he is very, very talented.''

 

[Flibster]

Final Grand Prix to be Dry

According to local Chinese weather reports, a sunny and probably dry grand prix awaits at the Shanghai circuit.

Although a bit of low cloud and a small chance of rain will exist for all three days of track action, it should stay dry and in the low-20s, they say.

"Although September is the month when Shanghai moves out of its rainy season," read Jordan's Chinese preview, "some showers can still be expected."

 

[Flibster]

Fiat Co-owner Recovering Following Reported Drug Overdose

Ferrari co-owner Fiat is engulfed in a scandal this week following the drug overdose of 28-year-old brand manager and Gianni Agnelli family member Lapo Elkann.

According to reports, the Italian - although now recovering - was in a coma after overdosing on cocaine, heroin and opium in a 53-year-old transvestite's house.

Elkann will recover, reports say.

His uncle, Edoardo, committed suicide in 2000, while his brother, John, is Fiat vice president.

Ferrari and Fiat president Luca di Montezemolo played down the impact the latest Agnelli scandal would have on Fiat.

"I think it's time to drop the curtain of morbid curiosity," the Italian, referring to Lapo Elkann, told the 'AGI' agency, "on what is a strictly personal event."

And I thought my Grand Prix parties were wild...

53yr old transvestite???

Nice to see Fiat and Ferrari are in reliable hands...

 

[Flibster]

Peter Sauber Says Goodbye Amongst Formula One Friends

With preparations well underway the Formula One fraternity is gearing up for the final race of the 2005 season in China. It was during these preparations that Credit Suisse hosted one of Sauber Petronas’ final events as a team under the leadership of Peter Sauber.

Following a long and successful partnership with Peter Sauber’s Formula One team, the Swiss banking group took the opportunity to say farewell to a man who has dedicated so many years to motorsport.

The event, themed ‘Moments in Time’, celebrated Peter Sauber’s 36-year career in motorsport and his 13 years in Formula One. Some of Formula One’s most famous personalities including Formula One Supremo Bernie Ecclestone and Max Mosley, President of the Fédération Internationale de L’Automobile, were there to pay their respects to Peter Sauber and his achievements.

Commenting on the event Mr Ecclestone said: “The evening has been superb, a very special evening to celebrate the career of one of Formula One’s most dedicated and best loved characters.”

During dinner, images spanning Peter Sauber’s career in Formula One were displayed around the exclusive venue in Shanghai, including pictures of him with his many former drivers. Ferrari Team Principal Jean Todt gave a speech honoring the man who gave Switzerland its Formula One Team.

Speaking at the event, Peter Sauber commented: “Saying goodbye to something fantastic is very difficult. However in the past ten years I have faced many difficult situations so I am confident that I will handle this one too. In recent weeks people have asked me if I will miss F1 – the answer is yes of course.”

“Of course I’m sad and there are many people I will miss after spending so many years with them, but I feel very good about handing Sauber Petronas over to BMW. I feel honored and moved that so many people have shared this evening with me. Special thanks must go to Oswald Grübel, CEO of Credit Suisse for organizing such a fantastic evening and sharing such a fantastic partnership.”

Despite the Chinese Grand Prix marking the final race for the Sauber Petronas Formula One Team, Credit Suisse is pleased to continue its relationship with Formula One. As of January 1, 2006, it will support BMW, who announced last June that it will acquire the majority stakes of the Sauber team. The bank has signed a contract with the new team as an official partner from 2006 to 2008, and will benefit from the support of Peter Sauber who will take on a new role as a consultant.

 

[Flibster]

Rubens to try 3-seat Ferrari

Rubens Barrichello says he will share his last blast in a scarlet F1 car with his family. The Brazilian, to drive his last race for Ferrari in China on Sunday, will travel to Fiorano (Italy) next week to try Ferrari's new 3-seater car. ''That's going to be the bye-bye to Ferrari,'' the 33-year-old said in China. ''I've wanted to do it for so long -- show them what I mean by 'go fast'!'' Barrichello's grandfather, father, mother and sister will all get a ride in the car - with Rubens at the wheel - which is based on the F2002 single seater but with a passenger located on each sidepod.

 

[Flibster]

Schumacher urges rules caution

At a time when the powers that be are considering a number of rule changes, ahead of the 2006 season, seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher has called for caution.

In addition to the re-introduction of tyre stops, the qualifying format is also scheduled to be totally revamped, with the current single 'hot lap' format being dropped in favour of a new system which would involve a 'knock-out' process.

Speaking in Shanghai, ahead of this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix, Schumacher said: "The fact is we changed qualifying for the first time five years ago. There is no optimum version that will please everybody. It is an opinion."

Since the previous 12-lap free-for-all was dropped, various computations of a single lap format have been tried, none of them proving popular with drivers, TV broadcasters or fans.

"We changed qualifying for the first time five years ago," the German continued. "There will now have been seven different changes and none of them pleases everyone. Whatever we decide on, we should stick with. As soon as people don't understand the sport, they will lose interest and then they will stop following it. To me, this is a fact that should be considered before people chop and change for the sake of changing."

F1 supremo, Bernie Ecclestone, has long complained of the folly of asystem which sees the fastest cars at the front of the grid, and therefore disappearing into the distance when the lights go green on Sunday afternoon.

In Japan, last week, following freak weather conditions that affected qualifying, most of the fast cars started from the back of the grid, consequently drivers were forced to overtake, thus producing one of the best races of the season. However, Ferrari boss, Jean Todt, warned that artificially 'reversing' the grid would turn F1 into "a circus".

 

[Flibster]

Friday Free Practice 1.

[b]Pos	No	Driver			Team			Time[/b]
1	35	Pedro de la Rosa	McLaren-Mercedes	1:33.463
2	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari			1:35.303
3	38	Ricardo Zonta		Toyota			1:35.373
4	9	Kimi Räikkönen		McLaren-Mercedes	1:35.481
5	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari			1:35.494
6	10	Juan Pablo Montoya	McLaren-Mercedes	1:35.521
7	5	Fernando Alonso		Renault			1:35.605
8	7	Mark Webber		Williams-BMW		1:35.945
9	14	David Coulthard		Red Bull Racing		1:36.089
10	3	Jenson Button		BAR-Honda		1:36.096
11	8	Antonio Pizzonia	Williams-BMW		1:36.208
12	4	Takuma Sato		BAR-Honda		1:36.829
13	17	Ralf Schumacher		Toyota			1:36.866
14	37	Vitantonio Liuzzi	Red Bull Racing		1:37.119
15	12	Felipe Massa		Sauber-Petronas		1:37.123
16	6	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault			1:37.143
17	15	Christian Klien		Red Bull Racing		1:37.490
18	11	Jacques Villeneuve	Sauber-Petronas		1:37.688
19	16	Jarno Trulli		Toyota			1:37.764
20	19	Narain Karthikeyan	Jordan-Toyota		1:38.308
21	18	Tiago Monteiro		Jordan-Toyota		1:39.088
22	39	Nicolas Kiesa		Jordan-Toyota		1:39.687
23	20	Robert Doornbos		Minardi-Cosworth	1:40.724
24	21	Christijan Albers	Minardi-Cosworth	1:40.787

Sector Times - Free Practice 1

[b]Sector 1[/b]
[b]Pos	No	Driver			Time[/b]
1	35	Pedro de la Rosa	25.023 
2	7	Mark Webber		25.135 
3	2	Rubens Barrichello	25.253 
4	9	Kimi Räikkönen		25.282 
5	38	Ricardo Zonta		25.284 
6	1	Michael Schumacher	25.299 
7	10	Juan Pablo Montoya	25.388 
8	5	Fernando Alonso		25.450 
9	3	Jenson Button		25.459 
10	4	Takuma Sato		25.609 
11	17	Ralf Schumacher		25.610 
12	14	David Coulthard		25.620 
13	37	Vitantonio Liuzzi	25.636 
14	8	Antonio Pizzonia	25.718 
15	12	Felipe Massa		25.764 
16	15	Christian Klien		25.816 
17	16	Jarno Trulli		25.937 
18	39	Nicolas Kiesa		26.059 
19	19	Narain Karthikeyan	26.084 
20	18	Tiago Monteiro		26.106 
21	6	Giancarlo Fisichella	26.114 
22	11	Jacques Villeneuve	26.160 
23	20	Robert Doornbos		26.523 
24	21	Christijan Albers	26.539

[b]Sector 2 [/b]
[b]Pos	No	Driver			Time[/b]
1	35	Pedro de la Rosa	27.790 
2	7	Mark Webber		28.123 
3	10	Juan Pablo Montoya	28.419 
4	2	Rubens Barrichello	28.512 
5	9	Kimi Räikkönen		28.515 
6	8	Antonio Pizzonia	28.542 
7	1	Michael Schumacher	28.613 
8	38	Ricardo Zonta		28.621 
9	5	Fernando Alonso		28.689 
10	14	David Coulthard		28.746 
11	3	Jenson Button		28.809 
12	17	Ralf Schumacher		28.827 
13	4	Takuma Sato		29.029 
14	37	Vitantonio Liuzzi	29.052 
15	15	Christian Klien		29.095 
16	12	Felipe Massa		29.095 
17	6	Giancarlo Fisichella	29.108 
18	16	Jarno Trulli		29.260 
19	11	Jacques Villeneuve	29.329 
20	19	Narain Karthikeyan	29.627 
21	18	Tiago Monteiro		29.735 
22	21	Christijan Albers	30.274 
23	39	Nicolas Kiesa		30.319 
24	20	Robert Doornbos		30.406

[b]Sector 3 [/b]
[b]Pos	No	Driver			Time[/b]
1	35	Pedro de la Rosa	40.617 
2	38	Ricardo Zonta		41.311 
3	5	Fernando Alonso		41.429 
4	7	Mark Webber		41.497 
5	9	Kimi Räikkönen		41.501 
6	8	Antonio Pizzonia	41.526 
7	2	Rubens Barrichello	41.538 
8	10	Juan Pablo Montoya	41.554 
9	1	Michael Schumacher	41.582 
10	3	Jenson Button		41.632 
11	14	David Coulthard		41.635 
12	6	Giancarlo Fisichella	41.921 
13	4	Takuma Sato		41.929 
14	11	Jacques Villeneuve	41.930 
15	17	Ralf Schumacher		42.220 
16	12	Felipe Massa		42.260 
17	37	Vitantonio Liuzzi	42.323 
18	15	Christian Klien		42.333 
19	16	Jarno Trulli		42.343 
20	19	Narain Karthikeyan	42.597 
21	18	Tiago Monteiro		42.838 
22	39	Nicolas Kiesa		43.049 
23	20	Robert Doornbos		43.368 
24	21	Christijan Albers	43.687

Speed Trap

[b]Pos	No	Driver			Time		Speed[/b]
1	5	Fernando Alonso		11:44:01	334.8 
2	6	Giancarlo Fisichella	11:43:30	334.4 
3	38	Ricardo Zonta		11:59:46	331.8 
4	35	Pedro de la Rosa	11:33:24	331.6 
5	10	Juan Pablo Montoya	12:00:53	331.2 
6	4	Takuma Sato		11:56:13	330.9 
7	3	Jenson Button		11:57:55	329.6 
8	37	Vitantonio Liuzzi	12:01:12	329.3 
9	19	Narain Karthikeyan	11:30:53	328.3 
10	15	Christian Klien		11:59:42	328.0 
11	11	Jacques Villeneuve	12:00:20	326.8 
12	12	Felipe Massa		12:00:31	325.4 
13	8	Antonio Pizzonia	11:58:07	324.8 
14	21	Christijan Albers	11:59:50	324.8 
15	17	Ralf Schumacher		11:56:12	324.6 
16	2	Rubens Barrichello	11:51:14	324.3 
17	9	Kimi Räikkönen		11:58:56	324.2 
18	1	Michael Schumacher	11:58:42	323.3 
19	20	Robert Doornbos		11:57:09	322.4 
20	18	Tiago Monteiro		11:26:02	322.2 
21	39	Nicolas Kiesa		11:38:23	321.7 
22	7	Mark Webber		11:26:08	319.8 
23	14	David Coulthard		11:42:13	318.9 
24	16	Jarno Trulli		11:59:14	317.2

 

[Flibster]

Friday Free Practice 2.

[b]Pos	No	Driver			Team			Time[/b]
1	35	Pedro de la Rosa	McLaren-Mercedes	1:32.834
2	38	Ricardo Zonta		Toyota			1:32.977
3	9	Kimi Räikkönen		McLaren-Mercedes	1:34.092
4	5	Fernando Alonso		Renault			1:34.226
5	10	Juan Pablo Montoya	McLaren-Mercedes	1:34.541
6	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari			1:34.618
7	6	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault			1:34.932
8	7	Mark Webber		Williams-BMW		1:35.035
9	3	Jenson Button		BAR-Honda		1:35.072
10	12	Felipe Massa		Sauber-Petronas		1:35.196
11	14	David Coulthard		Red Bull Racing		1:35.201
12	37	Vitantonio Liuzzi	Red Bull Racing		1:35.306
13	4	Takuma Sato		BAR-Honda		1:35.397
14	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari			1:35.567
15	15	Christian Klien		Red Bull Racing		1:35.613
16	8	Antonio Pizzonia	Williams-BMW		1:35.709
17	11	Jacques Villeneuve	Sauber-Petronas		1:35.894
18	17	Ralf Schumacher		Toyota			1:36.051
19	16	Jarno Trulli		Toyota			1:36.079
20	39	Nicolas Kiesa		Jordan-Toyota		1:36.644
21	20	Robert Doornbos		Minardi-Cosworth	1:36.993
22	21	Christijan Albers	Minardi-Cosworth	1:37.173
23	18	Tiago Monteiro		Jordan-Toyota		1:37.435
24	19	Narain Karthikeyan	Jordan-Toyota		1:37.467

Sector Times - Free Practice 2

[b]Sector 1[/b]
[b]Pos	No	Driver			Time[/b]
1	38	Ricardo Zonta		24.553 
2	35	Pedro de la Rosa	24.723 
3	5	Fernando Alonso		24.830 
4	9	Kimi Räikkönen		25.013 
5	10	Juan Pablo Montoya	25.022 
6	2	Rubens Barrichello	25.030 
7	37	Vitantonio Liuzzi	25.126 
8	14	David Coulthard		25.162 
9	6	Giancarlo Fisichella	25.162 
10	3	Jenson Button		25.256 
11	12	Felipe Massa		25.257 
12	15	Christian Klien		25.279 
13	7	Mark Webber		25.283 
14	4	Takuma Sato		25.307 
15	1	Michael Schumacher	25.309 
16	8	Antonio Pizzonia	25.341 
17	16	Jarno Trulli		25.343 
18	17	Ralf Schumacher		25.369 
19	21	Christijan Albers	25.429 
20	39	Nicolas Kiesa		25.512 
21	11	Jacques Villeneuve	25.521 
22	20	Robert Doornbos		25.544 
23	18	Tiago Monteiro		25.728 
24	19	Narain Karthikeyan	25.953

[b]Sector 2 [/b]
[b]Pos	No	Driver			Time[/b]
1	35	Pedro de la Rosa	27.547 
2	38	Ricardo Zonta		27.558 
3	9	Kimi Räikkönen		28.106 
4	10	Juan Pablo Montoya	28.155 
5	7	Mark Webber		28.271 
6	12	Felipe Massa		28.328 
7	5	Fernando Alonso		28.345 
8	2	Rubens Barrichello	28.381 
9	3	Jenson Button		28.395 
10	1	Michael Schumacher	28.437 
11	37	Vitantonio Liuzzi	28.486 
12	14	David Coulthard		28.491 
13	8	Antonio Pizzonia	28.529 
14	4	Takuma Sato		28.547 
15	15	Christian Klien		28.564 
16	6	Giancarlo Fisichella	28.590 
17	11	Jacques Villeneuve	28.614 
18	17	Ralf Schumacher		28.649 
19	16	Jarno Trulli		28.804 
20	39	Nicolas Kiesa		29.053 
21	21	Christijan Albers	29.140 
22	19	Narain Karthikeyan	29.157 
23	20	Robert Doornbos		29.206 
24	18	Tiago Monteiro		29.311

[b]Sector 3 [/b]
[b]Pos	No	Driver			Time[/b]
1	35	Pedro de la Rosa	40.413 
2	5	Fernando Alonso		40.793 
3	38	Ricardo Zonta		40.866 
4	9	Kimi Räikkönen		40.973 
5	10	Juan Pablo Montoya	41.062 
6	6	Giancarlo Fisichella	41.141 
7	2	Rubens Barrichello	41.207 
8	3	Jenson Button		41.359 
9	7	Mark Webber		41.453 
10	4	Takuma Sato		41.461 
11	14	David Coulthard		41.510 
12	1	Michael Schumacher	41.543 
13	12	Felipe Massa		41.545 
14	11	Jacques Villeneuve	41.567 
15	37	Vitantonio Liuzzi	41.628 
16	15	Christian Klien		41.733 
17	16	Jarno Trulli		41.809 
18	8	Antonio Pizzonia	41.839 
19	17	Ralf Schumacher		41.956 
20	20	Robert Doornbos		42.021 
21	39	Nicolas Kiesa		42.079 
22	19	Narain Karthikeyan	42.117 
23	18	Tiago Monteiro		42.239 
24	21	Christijan Albers	42.604

Speed Trap

[b]Pos	No	Driver			Time		Speed[/b]
1	6	Giancarlo Fisichella	14:59:21	342.4 
2	5	Fernando Alonso		14:32:41	339.6 
3	1	Michael Schumacher	14:51:44	332.4 
4	38	Ricardo Zonta		14:09:40	331.7 
5	35	Pedro de la Rosa	14:45:50	331.7 
6	10	Juan Pablo Montoya	15:01:02	331.3 
7	9	Kimi Räikkönen		14:12:31	331.1 
8	2	Rubens Barrichello	14:39:14	329.7 
9	11	Jacques Villeneuve	14:36:07	329.6 
10	20	Robert Doornbos		14:39:04	329.5 
11	12	Felipe Massa		14:59:07	329.1 
12	14	David Coulthard		15:00:20	327.7 
13	39	Nicolas Kiesa		14:57:28	325.0 
14	37	Vitantonio Liuzzi	14:10:01	324.6 
15	17	Ralf Schumacher		14:47:34	324.2 
16	15	Christian Klien		14:39:10	323.6 
17	16	Jarno Trulli		14:31:07	323.0 
18	3	Jenson Button		14:59:03	322.8 
19	4	Takuma Sato		14:33:31	322.5 
20	21	Christijan Albers	14:29:01	322.2 
21	8	Antonio Pizzonia	14:57:31	321.9 
22	7	Mark Webber		14:15:19	321.8 
23	19	Narain Karthikeyan	14:05:36	321.5 
24	18	Tiago Monteiro		14:24:39	320.4

 

[Flibster]

They won't be able to get close enough in the corners to be able to overtake though...

Simon/~Flibster

 

[Flibster]

Rosberg agrees deal with WilliamsF1 for 2006

Nico Rosberg has revealed that he has agreed a deal with WilliamsF1 for 2006, however, the German is unsure whether he will continue as 'third driver' or have a full race seat.

Talking to reporters in Shanghai, the German revealed that the deal was agreed earlier this week: "At the beginning of the week Frank Williams said I will be one of the three drivers for 2006. So at least I will be test driver next year and hopefully race driver. It will be decided in the next week or two."

With Mark Webber occupying one seat, and Nick Heidfeld heading to BMW, there has been much speculation over who would drive the second Cosworth powered car in 2006. Rosberg had been tipped as a likely contender, though his lack of F1 race experience has many believing that Antonio Pizzonia could slot in alongside the Australian.

Williams is playing it close to his chest, as ever, and says only that he will reveal his team's line-up in the next few weeks.

A Rosberg in a Williams would invoke memories of the 'glory days' of the early 80s, when Nico's father, Keke Rosberg, spent four seasons with the British team, winning the 1982 title.

"It would be Williams-Cosworth-Rosberg," said the German, referring to the package that his father drove to World Championship success. "That was a world championship-winning combination 24 years ago, so it would be very nice.

"I feel very much at home and want to be part of the team next year," he added. "Am I ready? Yes, definitely, 110% ready."

 

[Flibster]

Teams shun expansion plans

Formula One's top team bosses have voiced their displeasure at suggestions the season could be expanded.

The sport is coming to the end of the longest season in its history in China this weekend, when Shanghai hosts the 19th grand prix of 2005.

Formula One commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone forced through his expansion plan last year thanks to threats over the French and British Grands Prix.

Teams are only committed to a maximum of 17 races under the Concorde Agreement but special terms were agreed to keep Magny-Cours and Silverstone on the calendar as the 18th and 19th races.

Ecclestone will not be able to repeat that trick this time due to long-term contracts with those circuits, giving him a headache as he bids to keep all 19 races on the calendar - and potentially expand to 20 with another Japanese race.

Leading team bosses are unhappy with such a long schedule, with Ferrari's Jean Todt unusually siding with his rivals.

He said: "The calendar normally plans to have 17 grands prix with a possibility of 18. This year, for maintaining he British and French Grands Prix we agreed to make 19 grands prix but we would not normally."

McLaren chief Ron Dennis added: "Every time we go to a grand prix it costs us money, so if there is a motivation to have more races it probably means someone else is making money."

"Putting aside the fiscal elements, it really is changing the characteristic of the grand prix team. It is more difficult for the mechanics and engineers etc."

"Working hard is part of being in Formula One but when it starts to impact on your private life, when you have seen relationships with wives and girlfriends put under the strain they are, it is unfair."

 

[Flibster]

Goodbye Minardi, hello Squadra Toro Rosso

Austrian newspaper Salzburger Nachrichten reports that the Minardi F1 team, recently purchased by Red Bull, will be renamed Squadra Toro Rosso in 2006.

The newspapers also confirms recent speculation in the media that BMW's Franz Tost will be taking the helm, though this has yet to be officially confirmed by the Austrian company.

There is still no official news as to who will drive the Squadra Toro Rosso cars, though Scott Speed and Tonio Liuzzi remain the most likely.

This weekend, Minardi is one of several team names that will disappear from the F1 grid, having contested 340 Grands Prix (including this weekend's Chinese race) since it first entered F1 in 1985.

 

[Flibster]

is it Italian? if so, what does it mean?

Bablefish says....

Square Red Taurus

Suspect that it's Italian for Team Red Bull though.

Simon/~Flibster

 

[Flibster]

Saturday Free Practice 1.

[b]Pos	No	Driver			Team			Time[/b]
1	9	Kimi Räikkönen		McLaren-Mercedes	1:34.253		
2	10	Juan Pablo Montoya	McLaren-Mercedes	1:34.446		
3	6	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault			1:34.472		
4	5	Fernando Alonso		Renault			1:34.631		
5	7	Mark Webber		Williams-BMW		1:34.749		
6	3	Jenson Button		BAR-Honda		1:35.004		
7	14	David Coulthard		Red Bull Racing		1:35.296		
8	4	Takuma Sato		BAR-Honda		1:35.461		
9	12	Felipe Massa		Sauber-Petronas		1:35.532		
10	8	Antonio Pizzonia	Williams-BMW		1:35.675		
11	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari			1:35.981		
12	11	Jacques Villeneuve	Sauber-Petronas		1:35.982		
13	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari			1:35.994		
14	16	Jarno Trulli		Toyota			1:36.100		
15	17	Ralf Schumacher		Toyota			1:36.251		
16	18	Tiago Monteiro		Jordan-Toyota		1:37.555		
17	19	Narain Karthikeyan	Jordan-Toyota		1:37.563		
18	20	Robert Doornbos		Minardi-Cosworth	1:38.072		
19	21	Christijan Albers	Minardi-Cosworth	1:38.697		
20	15	Christian Klien		Red Bull Racing

Sector Times - Free Practice 3

[b]Sector 1[/b]
[b]Pos	No	Driver			Time[/b]
1	6	Giancarlo Fisichella	24.999 
2	9	Kimi Räikkönen		25.019 
3	8	Antonio Pizzonia	25.151 
4	5	Fernando Alonso		25.162 
5	10	Juan Pablo Montoya	25.190 
6	7	Mark Webber		25.202 
7	3	Jenson Button		25.213 
8	14	David Coulthard		25.252 
9	17	Ralf Schumacher		25.462 
10	12	Felipe Massa		25.467 
11	11	Jacques Villeneuve	25.468 
12	4	Takuma Sato		25.472 
13	16	Jarno Trulli		25.476 
14	1	Michael Schumacher	25.570 
15	2	Rubens Barrichello	25.574 
16	21	Christijan Albers	25.765 
17	18	Tiago Monteiro		25.795 
18	19	Narain Karthikeyan	25.884 
19	20	Robert Doornbos	25.941

[b]Sector 2 [/b]
[b]Pos	No	Driver			Time[/b]
1	9	Kimi Räikkönen		28.054 
2	10	Juan Pablo Montoya	28.112 
3	6	Giancarlo Fisichella	28.157 
4	7	Mark Webber		28.261 
5	8	Antonio Pizzonia	28.428 
6	14	David Coulthard		28.478 
7	3	Jenson Button		28.523 
8	4	Takuma Sato		28.574 
9	5	Fernando Alonso		28.607 
10	12	Felipe Massa		28.630 
11	11	Jacques Villeneuve	28.802 
12	1	Michael Schumacher	28.856 
13	17	Ralf Schumacher		28.872 
14	2	Rubens Barrichello	28.887 
15	16	Jarno Trulli		28.939 
16	19	Narain Karthikeyan	29.366 
17	18	Tiago Monteiro		29.442 
18	21	Christijan Albers	29.582 
19	20	Robert Doornbos		29.700

[b]Sector 3 [/b]
[b]Pos	No	Driver			Time[/b]
1	9	Kimi Räikkönen		40.797 
2	5	Fernando Alonso		40.819 
3	6	Giancarlo Fisichella	40.849 
4	10	Juan Pablo Montoya	41.084 
5	7	Mark Webber		41.117 
6	3	Jenson Button		41.250 
7	14	David Coulthard		41.267 
8	4	Takuma Sato		41.370 
9	8	Antonio Pizzonia	41.387 
10	12	Felipe Massa		41.413 
11	11	Jacques Villeneuve	41.444 
12	1	Michael Schumacher	41.482 
13	2	Rubens Barrichello	41.533 
14	16	Jarno Trulli		41.647 
15	17	Ralf Schumacher		41.869 
16	18	Tiago Monteiro		42.130 
17	20	Robert Doornbos		42.208 
18	19	Narain Karthikeyan	42.249 
19	21	Christijan Albers	42.454

Speed Trap

[b]Pos	No	Driver			Time		Speed[/b]
1	5	Fernando Alonso		9:41:31		334.9 
2	11	Jacques Villeneuve	9:44:27		333.7 
3	10	Juan Pablo Montoya	9:39:52		333.6 
4	9	Kimi Räikkönen		9:45:06		332.9 
5	14	David Coulthard		9:44:04		332.5 
6	12	Felipe Massa		9:47:11		331.7 
7	20	Robert Doornbos		9:42:13		331.0 
8	3	Jenson Button		9:40:11		330.9 
9	6	Giancarlo Fisichella	9:26:04		330.1 
10	4	Takuma Sato		9:44:19		330.1 
11	16	Jarno Trulli		9:39:50		330.0 
12	17	Ralf Schumacher		9:24:40		329.5 
13	7	Mark Webber		9:44:28		329.0 
14	1	Michael Schumacher	9:26:55		328.6 
15	19	Narain Karthikeyan	9:42:14		328.5 
16	18	Tiago Monteiro		9:34:26		328.4 
17	2	Rubens Barrichello	9:45:04		328.3 
18	8	Antonio Pizzonia	9:44:32		326.6 
19	21	Christijan Albers	9:39:47		326.2

 

[Flibster]

Saturday Free Practice 2.

[b]Pos	No	Driver			Team			Time[/b]
1	9	Kimi Räikkönen		McLaren-Mercedes	1:33.212		
2	10	Juan Pablo Montoya	McLaren-Mercedes	1:33.554
3	5	Fernando Alonso		Renault			1:33.793
4	6	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault			1:34.392
5	14	David Coulthard		Red Bull Racing		1:34.453
6	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari			1:34.535
7	3	Jenson Button		BAR-Honda		1:34.729
8	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari			1:34.807
9	8	Antonio Pizzonia	Williams-BMW		1:34.835
10	7	Mark Webber		Williams-BMW		1:35.004
11	16	Jarno Trulli		Toyota			1:35.107
12	15	Christian Klien		Red Bull Racing		1:35.179
13	4	Takuma Sato		BAR-Honda		1:35.280
14	19	Narain Karthikeyan	Jordan-Toyota		1:35.310
15	17	Ralf Schumacher		Toyota			1:35.371
16	18	Tiago Monteiro		Jordan-Toyota		1:35.488
17	12	Felipe Massa		Sauber-Petronas		1:35.693
18	21	Christijan Albers	Minardi-Cosworth	1:36.397
19	11	Jacques Villeneuve	Sauber-Petronas		1:36.417
20	20	Robert Doornbos		Minardi-Cosworth	1:36.558

Sector Times - Free Practice 4

[b]Sector 1[/b]
[b]Pos	No	Driver			Time[/b]
1	10	Juan Pablo Montoya	24.829 
2	5	Fernando Alonso		24.883 
3	9	Kimi Räikkönen		24.919 
4	6	Giancarlo Fisichella	24.971 
5	3	Jenson Button		24.980 
6	14	David Coulthard		25.064 
7	1	Michael Schumacher	25.169 
8	2	Rubens Barrichello	25.178 
9	7	Mark Webber		25.187 
10	15	Christian Klien		25.259 
11	18	Tiago Monteiro		25.259 
12	8	Antonio Pizzonia	25.285 
13	16	Jarno Trulli		25.311 
14	4	Takuma Sato		25.353 
15	17	Ralf Schumacher		25.370 
16	12	Felipe Massa		25.411 
17	19	Narain Karthikeyan	25.430 
18	11	Jacques Villeneuve	25.465 
19	20	Robert Doornbos		25.615 
20	21	Christijan Albers	25.627

[b]Sector 2 [/b]
[b]Pos	No	Driver			Time[/b]
1	9	Kimi Räikkönen		28.023 
2	10	Juan Pablo Montoya	28.114 
3	5	Fernando Alonso		28.329 
4	17	Ralf Schumacher		28.384 
5	3	Jenson Button		28.396 
6	15	Christian Klien		28.416 
7	8	Antonio Pizzonia	28.442 
8	16	Jarno Trulli		28.474 
9	7	Mark Webber		28.494 
10	2	Rubens Barrichello	28.495 
11	1	Michael Schumacher	28.507 
12	6	Giancarlo Fisichella	28.532 
13	19	Narain Karthikeyan	28.568 
14	14	David Coulthard		28.585 
15	12	Felipe Massa		28.661 
16	4	Takuma Sato		28.669 
17	18	Tiago Monteiro		28.800 
18	11	Jacques Villeneuve	28.979 
19	21	Christijan Albers	29.063 
20	20	Robert Doornbos		29.236

[b]Sector 3 [/b]
[b]Pos	No	Driver			Time[/b]
1	9	Kimi Räikkönen		28.023 
2	10	Juan Pablo Montoya	28.114 
3	5	Fernando Alonso		28.329 
4	17	Ralf Schumacher		28.384 
5	3	Jenson Button		28.396 
6	15	Christian Klien		28.416 
7	8	Antonio Pizzonia	28.442 
8	16	Jarno Trulli		28.474 
9	7	Mark Webber		28.494 
10	2	Rubens Barrichello	28.495 
11	1	Michael Schumacher	28.507 
12	6	Giancarlo Fisichella	28.532 
13	19	Narain Karthikeyan	28.568 
14	14	David Coulthard		28.585 
15	12	Felipe Massa		28.661 
16	4	Takuma Sato		28.669 
17	18	Tiago Monteiro		28.800 
18	11	Jacques Villeneuve	28.979 
19	21	Christijan Albers	29.063 
20	20	Robert Doornbos		29.236

Speed Trap

[b]Pos	No	Driver			Time		Speed[/b]
1	5	Fernando Alonso		10:57:49	341.0 
2	6	Giancarlo Fisichella	10:59:21	339.4 
3	10	Juan Pablo Montoya	10:59:53	335.8 
4	12	Felipe Massa		10:54:40	335.5 
5	1	Michael Schumacher	10:58:38	335.1 
6	9	Kimi Räikkönen		10:58:30	334.5 
7	2	Rubens Barrichello	10:59:32	334.1 
8	21	Christijan Albers	10:59:37	333.5 
9	4	Takuma Sato		10:58:55	333.0 
10	3	Jenson Button		10:45:52	332.6 
11	11	Jacques Villeneuve	10:27:14	332.2 
12	14	David Coulthard		10:57:13	332.2 
13	15	Christian Klien		10:59:28	332.2 
14	20	Robert Doornbos		11:00:19	331.0 
15	18	Tiago Monteiro		10:51:23	329.9 
16	7	Mark Webber		10:42:38	327.8 
17	8	Antonio Pizzonia	10:59:07	326.6 
18	19	Narain Karthikeyan	10:52:11	324.5 
19	17	Ralf Schumacher		10:59:14	324.4 
20	16	Jarno Trulli		10:39:32	323.2

 

[Flibster]

Qualifying.

[b]Pos	No	Driver			Team			Time[/b]
1	5	Fernando Alonso		Renault			1:34.080
2	6	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault			1:34.401
3	9	Kimi Räikkönen		McLaren-Mercedes	1:34.488
4	3	Jenson Button		BAR-Honda		1:34.801
5	10	Juan Pablo Montoya	McLaren-Mercedes	1:35.188
6	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari			1:35.301
7	14	David Coulthard		Red Bull Racing		1:35.428
8	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari			1:35.610
9	17	Ralf Schumacher		Toyota			1:35.723
10	7	Mark Webber		Williams-BMW		1:35.739	
11	12	Felipe Massa		Sauber-Petronas		1:35.898
12	16	Jarno Trulli		Toyota			1:36.044
13	8	Antonio Pizzoni		Williams-BMW		1:36.445
14	15	Christian Klien		Red Bull Racing		1:36.472
15	19	Narain Karthikey	Jordan-Toyota		1:36.707
16	11	Jacques Villeneuve	Sauber-Petronas		1:36.788
17	4	Takuma Sato		BAR-Honda		1:37.083
18	21	Christijan Albers	Minardi-Cosworth	1:39.105
19	18	Tiago Monteiro		Jordan-Toyota		1:39.233
20	20	Robert Doornbos		Minardi-Cosworth	1:39.460

Sector Times

[b]Sector 1[/b]
[b]Pos	No	Driver			Time[/b]
1	5	Fernando Alonso		24.873 
2	9	Kimi Räikkönen		25.052 
3	6	Giancarlo Fisichella	25.126 
4	3	Jenson Button		25.197 
5	7	Mark Webber		25.278 
6	10	Juan Pablo Montoya	25.301 
7	17	Ralf Schumacher		25.488 
8	1	Michael Schumacher	25.539 
9	12	Felipe Massa		25.561 
10	14	David Coulthard		25.588 
11	2	Rubens Barrichello	25.593 
12	8	Antonio Pizzonia	25.617 
13	16	Jarno Trulli		25.618 
14	19	Narain Karthikeyan	25.681 
15	11	Jacques Villeneuve	25.700 
16	4	Takuma Sato		25.785 
17	15	Christian Klien		25.787 
18	20	Robert Doornbos		26.008 
19	18	Tiago Monteiro		26.109 
20	21	Christijan Albers	26.484

[b]Sector 2 [/b]
[b]Pos	No	Driver			Time[/b]
1	6	Giancarlo Fisichella	28.487 
2	5	Fernando Alonso		28.488 
3	9	Kimi Räikkönen		28.528 
4	3	Jenson Button		28.565 
5	10	Juan Pablo Montoya	28.677 
6	17	Ralf Schumacher		28.699 
7	14	David Coulthard		28.716 
8	7	Mark Webber		28.737 
9	1	Michael Schumacher	28.782 
10	16	Jarno Trulli		28.813 
11	2	Rubens Barrichello	28.857 
12	12	Felipe Massa		28.915 
13	15	Christian Klien		29.026 
14	8	Antonio Pizzonia	29.153 
15	19	Narain Karthikeyan	29.215 
16	11	Jacques Villeneuve	29.482 
17	4	Takuma Sato		29.544 
18	20	Robert Doornbos		30.283 
19	21	Christijan Albers	30.295 
20	18	Tiago Monteiro		30.595

[b]Sector 3 [/b]
[b]Pos	No	Driver			Time[/b]
1	5	Fernando Alonso		40.719 
2	6	Giancarlo Fisichella	40.788 
3	9	Kimi Räikkönen		40.908 
4	1	Michael Schumacher	40.980 
5	3	Jenson Button		41.039 
6	14	David Coulthard		41.124 
7	2	Rubens Barrichello	41.160 
8	10	Juan Pablo Montoya	41.210 
9	12	Felipe Massa		41.422 
10	17	Ralf Schumacher		41.536 
11	11	Jacques Villeneuve	41.606 
12	16	Jarno Trulli		41.613 
13	15	Christian Klien		41.659 
14	8	Antonio Pizzonia	41.675 
15	7	Mark Webber		41.724 
16	4	Takuma Sato		41.754 
17	19	Narain Karthikeyan	41.778 
18	21	Christijan Albers	42.268 
19	18	Tiago Monteiro		42.469 
20	20	Robert Doornbos		43.169

Speed Trap

[b]Pos	No	Driver			Time		Speed[/b]
1	5	Fernando Alonso		13:47:03	338.9 
2	6	Giancarlo Fisichella	13:50:42	338.2 
3	1	Michael Schumacher	13:37:00	334.3 
4	21	Christijan Albers	13:11:54	334.1 
5	2	Rubens Barrichello	13:25:19	334.0 
6	11	Jacques Villeneuve	13:21:34	333.8 
7	10	Juan Pablo Montoya	13:05:34	332.6 
8	20	Robert Doornbos		13:19:07	332.2 
9	9	Kimi Räikkönen		13:52:40	332.2 
10	14	David Coulthard		13:38:56	330.8 
11	18	Tiago Monteiro		13:21:00	330.4 
12	12	Felipe Massa		13:30:56	330.3 
13	3	Jenson Button		13:44:33	329.9 
14	19	Narain Karthikeyan	13:17:13	329.0 
15	15	Christian Klien		13:32:46	329.0 
16	4	Takuma Sato		13:03:23	327.5 
17	17	Ralf Schumacher		13:34:47	323.8 
18	7	Mark Webber		13:46:39	322.2 
19	8	Antonio Pizzonia	13:09:53	322.1 
20	16	Jarno Trulli		13:07:36	320.8

 

[Flibster]

Good lap from Button considering he's losing 10 clicks down the straight to those ahead of him.

Again - they may have a 1000bhp engine - but the car is not fast in a straight line.

They've piled on the downforce I think - mistake.

 

[Flibster]

Also - looking at the gap between Alonso and Raikkonen - I think they could be on different fuel stratagies.

Expect Raikkonen to go longer before stopping.