2006 San Marino Grand Prix - Race 4/18

Saturday Free Practice.
Code: 
[b]Pos	No	Driver			Team			Time[/b]
1	5	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari			1:23.787				
2	1	Fernando Alonso		Renault			1:24.068				
3	2	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault			1:24.377				
4	6	Felipe Massa		Ferrari			1:24.383				
5	3	Kimi Räikkönen		McLaren-Mercedes	1:24.626				
6	7	Ralf Schumacher		Toyota			1:24.667				
7	12	Jenson Button		Honda			1:24.850				
8	17	Jacques Villeneuve	Sauber-BMW		1:24.916				
9	15	Christian Klien		RBR-Ferrari		1:24.984				
10	20	Vitantonio Liuzzi	STR-Cosworth		1:24.994				
11	11	Rubens Barrichello	Honda			1:25.041				
12	9	Mark Webber		Williams-Cosworth	1:25.205				
13	14	David Coulthard		RBR-Ferrari		1:25.575				
14	21	Scott Speed		STR-Cosworth		1:25.662				
15	16	Nick Heidfeld		Sauber-BMW		1:25.701				
16	19	Christijan Albers	MF1-Toyota		1:25.803				
17	8	Jarno Trulli		Toyota			1:25.806				
18	18	Tiago Monteiro		MF1-Toyota		1:26.476				
19	10	Nico Rosberg		Williams-Cosworth	1:27.019				
20	22	Takuma Sato		Super Aguri-Honda	1:28.267				
21	23	Yuji Ide		Super Aguri-Honda	1:29.330				
22	4	Juan Pablo Montoya	McLaren-Mercedes

Sector Times - Free Practice 3

Code: 
[b]Sector 1[/b]
[b]Pos	No	Driver			Time[/b]
1	5	Michael Schumacher	23.607	
2	1	Fernando Alonso		23.666	
3	6	Felipe Massa		23.774	
4	7	Ralf Schumacher		23.848	
5	2	Giancarlo Fisichella	23.851	
6	17	Jacques Villeneuve	23.923	
7	12	Jenson Button		23.997	
8	3	Kimi Räikkönen		24.004	
9	16	Nick Heidfeld		24.015	
10	11	Rubens Barrichello	24.018	
11	15	Christian Klien		24.069	
12	14	David Coulthard		24.172	
13	20	Vitantonio Liuzzi	24.179	
14	9	Mark Webber		24.201	
15	8	Jarno Trulli		24.267	
16	21	Scott Speed		24.287	
17	19	Christijan Albers	24.538	
18	18	Tiago Monteiro		24.648	
19	10	Nico Rosberg		24.717	
20	22	Takuma Sato		24.916	
21	23	Yuji Ide		25.565

Code: 
[b]Sector 2 [/b]
[b]Pos	No	Driver			Time[/b]
1		5		Michael Schumacher		27.268	
2		1		Fernando Alonso		27.327	
3		6		Felipe Massa		27.424	
4		2		Giancarlo Fisichella		27.603	
5		3		Kimi Räikkönen		27.655	
6		17		Jacques Villeneuve		27.663	
7		7		Ralf Schumacher		27.719	
8		12		Jenson Button		27.740	
9		11		Rubens Barrichello		27.779	
10		20		Vitantonio Liuzzi		27.786	
11		16		Nick Heidfeld		27.820	
12		9		Mark Webber		27.831	
13		21		Scott Speed		27.833	
14		19		Christijan Albers		27.905	
15		15		Christian Klien		27.951	
16		14		David Coulthard		27.974	
17		8		Jarno Trulli		28.068	
18		18		Tiago Monteiro		28.108	
19		10		Nico Rosberg		28.332	
20		22		Takuma Sato		28.666	
21		23		Yuji Ide		29.033	
22		4		Juan Pablo Montoya		33.146

Code: 
[b]Sector 3 [/b]
[b]Pos	No	Driver			Time[/b]
1	5	Michael Schumacher	32.807	
2	1	Fernando Alonso		32.833	
3	3	Kimi Räikkönen		32.905	
4	2	Giancarlo Fisichella	32.923	
5	15	Christian Klien		32.928	
6	12	Jenson Button		33.011	
7	6	Felipe Massa		33.013	
8	20	Vitantonio Liuzzi	33.029	
9	7	Ralf Schumacher		33.080	
10	11	Rubens Barrichello	33.086	
11	9	Mark Webber		33.173	
12	14	David Coulthard		33.241	
13	8	Jarno Trulli		33.261	
14	17	Jacques Villeneuve	33.330	
15	19	Christijan Albers	33.360	
16	16	Nick Heidfeld		33.412	
17	21	Scott Speed		33.435	
18	18	Tiago Monteiro		33.545	
19	10	Nico Rosberg		33.675	
20	22	Takuma Sato		34.569	
21	23	Yuji Ide		34.732	
22	4	Juan Pablo Montoya	42.207

Speed Trap

Code: 
[b]Pos	No	Driver			Time		Speed[/b]
1	5	Michael Schumacher	11:27:31	293.7	
2	6	Felipe Massa		11:57:47	291.9	
3	22	Takuma Sato		11:57:29	288.9	
4	17	Jacques Villeneuve	11:56:43	288.5	
5	3	Kimi Räikkönen		11:46:13	288.0	
6	1	Fernando Alonso		11:55:36	287.5	
7	16	Nick Heidfeld		11:52:30	287.0	
8	8	Jarno Trulli		11:17:22	286.3	
9	23	Yuji Ide		11:46:23	286.2	
10	11	Rubens Barrichello	11:47:49	285.7	
11	21	Scott Speed		11:43:06	285.4	
12	7	Ralf Schumacher		11:28:10	284.7	
13	20	Vitantonio Liuzzi	11:52:55	284.7	
14	14	David Coulthard		11:56:24	284.2	
15	2	Giancarlo Fisichella	11:55:13	284.1	
16	12	Jenson Button		11:52:51	282.9	
17	15	Christian Klien		11:19:27	282.5	
18	9	Mark Webber		11:58:23	281.9	
19	18	Tiago Monteiro		11:46:18	280.9	
20	19	Christijan Albers	11:56:48	280.9	
21	10	Nico Rosberg		11:38:53	279.5	
22	4	Juan Pablo Montoya	11:13:32	251.5
 
Symonds critical of Honda's errors

Renault director of engineering Pat Symonds believes that he would have been out of a job if he made the kind of mistakes that rivals Honda have made at the start of the 2006 season.

Honda's struggles in the first races of the year have been compounded by tyre problems, with the Japanese manufacturer having gone against the advice of supplier Michelin in Bahrain and Australia, and choosing a different tyre to everyone else in Malaysia.

It is those decisions that have left the team with just one podium finish so far this season, despite having a car that has helped Jenson Button qualify in the top three at each event.

Symonds said he is surprised by Honda's approach and the fact that senior management have not take action to ensure there is no repeat of the team's errors.

"One of the reasons for our (Renault's) success is down to our procedures and discipline," said Symonds in an interview with the Daily Telegraph.

"Honda have a car-and-driver combination that is very quick in qualifying, but not quite so well-conditioned for the race. That is what we saw during the winter. Headline times were good but not quite so impressive on long runs.

"It is an indication of how differing operating procedures come into it. Honda have made three incorrect tyre decisions in the opening races. You can have the best car in the world but if you stick the wrong tyres on it, it is not going to win.

"If I had done the same, I would probably be looking for another job. There is no room for error on any front in F1.

"It is surprising, particularly as there is far more co-operation on tyre testing this year, much more visibility of others' test results. I don't know if it shows a certain arrogance or what?"

Symonds' confusion about Honda's form is increased by the fact that the Brackley-based team have the advantage of running a third car in Friday practice - which should give them an edge with set-up and tyre choice.

"What surprises me is that Honda have a distinct advantage with a third car," added Symonds. "I accept they have had some problems, but the advantage of that third car is enormous. I would trade most of our in-season testing for the ability to run a third car at races."
Click to expand...
 
Montoya yet to decide on future plans

Juan Pablo Montoya says that he has yet decide on his plans for 2007, despite suggestions earlier this season that his future would be sorted out after the first few races of the year.

The Colombian has recently been linked with a move to Red Bull Racing, but he has also previously hinted that long-term deals at Toyota or BMW-Sauber would be of interest.

Speaking at the San Marino Grand Prix, Montoya said that he still has plenty of options for next season and that he is in no rush to commit himself.

"There is no decision yet," he said. "I am looking at everything and seeing what happens. When the time has come to announce something, then we will announce it - and that is it.

"It is hard to say what is going to happen. There are way too many options, and you've got to make the right choice. I've got to make sure that I put myself in the best position for next year to try to keep winning."

Although Montoya is not expected to remain at McLaren next season, as the team continues to try and persuade Kimi Raikkonen to remain there alongside Fernando Alonso, the Colombian believes the door at the Woking team is still open for him.

"I think it is quite open here, and there are quite a few possibilities," he explained. "I don't think about it too much. When the time comes to make a decision, I will make it, and that is it."
Click to expand...
 
Ferrari: suspension benefit yet to come

Ferrari believe that the full advantage of the revised rear suspension they have introduced for this weekend's San Marino Grand Prix will only be felt in future races, when it allows them to run softer tyre compounds.

As well as aerodynamic and engine improvements introduced for Imola, the Maranello outfit have also revised their suspension to try and help the car be a bit easier on its rear tyres.

Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn believes that the move will allow the team to run softer tyre compounds at future events - which should lead to improved performance.

"We have developed the rear suspension to reduce tyre degradation," said Brawn. "It has a slightly different geometry, which our simulation shows doesn't make a lot of difference over a single lap but it does work the tyre less.

"At the time we conceived it, tyre degradation was a major factor for us, but the rear constructions we have from Bridgestone now are very consistent and very solid.

"What we have to do now is explore even softer compounds to take full advantage of it. There's a gain in consistency, but it's not a black and white difference."

As well as the possibility of increased pace from being able to run softer tyres, Ferrari are also pushing ahead with plans to introduce a seamless shift gearbox later this season.

Brawn said the team will only introduce the system when they are convinced it is fully reliable, although he does not believe the advantage of seamless shift is as great as some make out.

"There is a gain in a seamless shift gearbox, but it's not as huge as people think," he said. "We'll introduce it when we're happy with the reliability, and we're not happy with the reliability yet. We need to see the performance gain that we get from it.

"The new rear suspension has meant a completely different gearbox case, so we chose that as a priority over the new seamless shift gearbox."
Click to expand...
 
Button: tyre issues not fully resolved

Jenson Button believes that Honda have some way to go before they solve the tyre warm-up issues that marred their Australian Grand Prix, despite two weeks of testing to get on top of the problem.

The Briton took pole position in Melbourne but struggled for grip in the cold conditions of the race as he slumped down the field before his engine blew up at the final corner of the race.

After the event, Button urged his team to try and find a solution during tests at Vallelunga and Barcelona, but despite some progress on the matter he is not confident that the problems are completely behind them.

"We have solved a few of the issues, but not completely," the Briton said. "It is going to take a bit more time.

"Hopefully, it is going to be warm here and it is not going to be an issue anyway, but I am sure there will be a time during the season where we are going to have a cold race, so we need to solve this."

When asked how long he thinks it would take for Honda to fully resolve the issue, Button said: "Hopefully sooner rather than later, but it is difficult to say.

"We have solved a lot of the reasons, which is to do with traction control and a few other things, and they have improved. But we haven't been anywhere cold since Melbourne, so we don't know if we have completely solved the problem.

"Looking at the data, we have done a good job of improving our situation, but we don't know how much yet. Nurburgring will probably show us where we stand."

Button admitted that he was still feeling the disappointment of his Melbourne performance - although he was fully focused on making sure there was no repeat of the dramas in the future.

"At least I went out in spectacular fashion," he said of his last-lap engine failure. "It was a tough race, especially after being on pole position and getting the start we wanted. That was very disappointing.

"It is in the past now, and we have had two weeks testing, and we are positive we have solved a lot of the problems."
Click to expand...
 
Toyota not planning to replace Gascoyne

Toyota will not replace former technical director Mike Gascoyne in the immediate future and instead will be restructuring the team's management.

Gascoyne and the Cologne-based outfit parted company after disagreement over the future direction of the team, and Toyota's general manager of car design and development Pascal Vasselon had been tipped to replace the Briton.

However, Yoshiaki Kinoshita, the general manager of Toyota's motorsport division, has said they are actually going to restructure the managing of the team rather than simply replace Gascoyne.

"For the time being, the team will not have a technical director," he said. "We would like to change the way we work, so that we do not depend so much on one individual.

"Formula One is not exactly a project that can be executed on an individual basis. Just like it must be for the Space Shuttle programme, it cannot be just one person's work."

Toyota's plans to introduce their B-spec car at the Monaco Grand Prix will not be delayed by Gascoyne's departure, despite his significant role in the development of the revised car.
Click to expand...
 
Cool Running, Better Brakes for Barrichello, Toro Rosso's Opportunity?

As practice action got underway at Imola, the skies threw a spanner in the works -- warm sun.

Teams and - notably - tyre manufacturers had planned for chilly and possibly damp conditions for the Italian spring, meaning that cool-weather compounds may not be completely suitable for the race.

But Michelin's Nick Shorrock insisted on Friday: ''The weather hasn't had an adverse effect on our performance.''

More sun, although perhaps not as warm as Friday's, is tipped for the rest of the GP event.

Drivers also grappled with the slower and re-profiled 'Varianta Alta' chicane, whose newly-laid asphalt caused problems because it generated significantly less grip than the track's existing layout.

And McLaren's Juan Pablo Montoya said of Alta's tighter curves: ''I'm not too keen on it.''

Rubens Barrichello, however, quite enjoyed his day in the Bologna sun, with a lap time finally a near-match for Honda teammate Jenson Button. Super Aguri straggler Yuji Ide, too, found a bit more pace relative to his cohort, Takuma Sato.

Brazil's Barrichello said: ''So far so good. The brakes are working much better for me (here).''

Then again, Englishman Button isn't feeling 100 per cent at Imola, nor is BMW Sauber pilot Nick Heidfeld, who is suffering from an upset stomach. Red Bull's 'Friday' man, Robert Doornbos, has a bit of 'flu.

Scott Speed is, meanwhile, expecting a turn of speed, as he told reporters on Friday that Toro Rosso's torque advantage could propel him to the points at Imola.

The Californian explained that, unlike on quicker circuits that punish the V10's lower ultimate power, Imola - much like Monaco or Hungary - is twistier.

''(But) in the rest of the year,'' he warned, ''it's going to be difficult.''
Click to expand...
 
How Much Support Does Super Aguri Get From Honda ?

Honda's Otmar Szafnauer has answered coyly to whether the Japanese carmaker is still a '100 per cent' supporter of Super Aguri.

Keen to provide the ousted Takuma Sato with a 2006 home, Honda worked hard to help get Aguri Suzuki's squad up and running, but speculation hints that full support may now be waning.

Vice-president Szafnauer insisted at Imola that the company's support is still '100 per cent', but added that he was speaking from an 'engine perspective'.

''They receive the same engines as (Honda's works team) from Japan,'' he clarified. Szafnauer explained that Honda also helps out with gearbox and R&D.

He added: ''But (Super Aguri) are definitely split from Honda Racing F1 ... and our predominant support (to them) is (through) engines and partly gearboxes.''
Click to expand...
 
Current odds...

Code: 
F Alonso	2.50
M Schumacher	3.75
K Raikkonen	6.00
G Fisichella	7.50
J Button	13.00
J P Montoya	15.00
F Massa		21.00
R Schumacher	51.00
N Rosberg	51.00
M Webber	51.00
J Trulli	51.00
R Barrichello	67.00
N Heidfeld	81.00
J Villeneuve	101.00
D Coulthard	151.00
C Klien		151.00
V Liuzzi	201.00
S Speed		251.00
T Monteiro	301.00
C Albers	301.00
T Sato		401.00
Y Ide		501.00
 
As always Alonso and Raikkonen are looking good.

Ferrari is much improved - but I still have serious doubts about their reliability.

Schumacher has been ragged throughout the last couple of races - kind of how he looks when he's not having fun and stressed. Massa jsut isn't as good as he needs to be.

Alonso for the win I think, Schumacher for a podium along with Raikkonen.

First show to be put onto my new DVD/HDD recorder rather than the HTPC....
Lets hope it all works. :D
 
Ok...it's the 4th race of the year - if we don't know the qualifying by now then forget about wasting time telling us....

Simon/~Flibster
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom