Soldato
Dutch Guy said:Not if they use big fat slicks and increase the mechanical grip.
aye that would be the answer.... can't belive the powers that be don't think the same.... I mean aint it obvious?? twonks
Dutch Guy said:Not if they use big fat slicks and increase the mechanical grip.
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.''
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."
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."
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.
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.
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 said: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.
[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
[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
[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
[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
[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
[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
wow those renaults as fast with their new engines
I think MS likes his car to have less downforce all the time, it's not the first time I noticed he wins in fast sections and lose in slow sections.rpstewart said:Strange performance from Ferrari, a lot quicker than usual in the first session but back to normal in the second. Looking at the speed trap though it looks like certainly MS might be looking for speed down the straight and then hold everyone up round the twisty bits. That's OK if you're on pole but he ain't going to get pole when he's 1.5 seconds off Kimi's time.
rpstewart said:I've only just noticed how much faster than anyone else they are, that's some serious grunt. It's interesting to cast an eye back to the beginning of the season when folk were crticising Renault's decision to go with a 72 degree V10 rather than the current trend of 90 degree units. It seems people have short memories - it wasn't all that long ago that a 72 degree (albeit 3.5l) Renault V10 was the engine to have.
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."
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."