2006 San Marino Grand Prix - Race 4/18

[Flibster]

San Marino: Qualifying notes - Michelin

Jenson Button has qualified on the front row of the grid for the third consecutive Formula One race after posting a 1m 22.988s lap during qualifying for tomorrow's San Marino Grand Prix. The Englishman, who is the only driver to have lined up in the top three for all four world championship races this season, will start second, alongside Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher.

Several Michelin drivers are well placed ahead of tomorrow's race. Button's team-mate Rubens Barrichello will start third ahead of world championship leader Fernando Alonso, Juan Pablo Montoya, seventh) and Kimi Räikkönen.

Nick Shorrock, Michelin Formula One director: "This year, Michelin's main technical objective for Imola was to make tyres that performed more consistently over long runs than they did in 2005 and our engineers have clearly done a very good job. Obviously the race stints are shorter this season, but our tyres are generating strong first-lap pace while remaining very clean and consistent for 20 laps or more at a time.

"We knew we'd have to fight hard to repeat last season's San Marino Grand Prix victory and that will clearly be the case. It seems likely, though, that teams at the front of the grid have adopted a variety of strategies and we will have to see how things evolve tomorrow afternoon.

"Between them, our six partners have chosen to use three different Michelin specifications and we are confident that all will deliver sustained speed and consistency in racing conditions."

Nick Fry, CEO, Honda Racing F1 Team: "Michelin tyres are good both on qualifying and race distance” "Second and third positions on the grid are clearly great for us. The performance of our Michelin tyres has been exceptional all weekend and we've been very confident – not only for qualifying but also for the race tomorrow. We appear to have a tyre that is not only very strong over one lap, but also good throughout a race stint. We don't have any concerns at all, so thank you very much to Michelin."

 

[Flibster]

The Hondas are loving that sector 3 and I'm really glad Barrichello has done well in qualifying

Same here...

My fantasy F1 team is Alonso, Barrichello, Renault Chassis and Honda Engine.

So far Barrichello has been draggin me back *although I still lead the works pool. *

Simon/~Flibster

 

[Flibster]

Schu's pole on a whiff of petrol

Ferrari's 'Tifosi' is rejoicing the red team's return to form, but paddock cynics still suggest that Michael Schumacher achieved his Imola pace on the mere whiff of petrol.

'I guess we are going to have to wait,' said Toro Rosso co-owner Gerhard Berger, who on Friday also accused Ferrari of running low fuel.

Schumacher, 37, achieved his 66th career pole - an outright record - on Saturday, despite failing to win any of the three grands prix in 2006.

At Imola, fuel strategy - basically the choice between two or three stops - plays a crucial role, with overtaking near-impossible. On paper, two stops is best, but getting early track position is also smart.

Cynics aside, there is a feeling that Schumacher's pace is genuine, but he is perhaps running a slightly shorter first stint and - almost certainly - the softer tyre. Williams and Toyota plumped for a harder Bridgestone spec.

BMW-Sauber's Nick Heidfeld noted: '(Michael) was also very quick in the first and second phases of qualifying, where everyone goes with a light car.'

Fuel or no fuel, a lucky ace up Ferrari's sleeve is that Fernando Alonso is way down in fifth. Surely, Honda's Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello are light.

Renault's Flavio Briatore reckons Schumacher is, too, but added: 'If Ferrari win, it is good for F1.'

 

[Flibster]

Klien cops whopping speed fine

Red Bull's Christian Klien endured an expensive qualifying session at Imola, after he was clocked at more than 100 kph in the pit lane.

The Austrian, logged by the FIA who regulate the 80kph limit, will need to cough up a whopping $5250 - $250 (US) for each errant kph.

He later blamed a malfunctioning speed limiter button as the cause of his shocking performance in qualifying (17th).

'(The limiter) came on during my out lap,' said Klien, embarrassingly knocked out in the first qualifying session, 'so when it switched back off I could not heat up my tyres for my lap.'

Ouch....

 

[Flibster]

Dennis doubts Ferrari are title contenders

McLaren boss Ron Dennis still has doubts that Ferrari are back in the hunt for world championship glory - despite their return to form in the San Marino Grand Prix.

Michael Schumacher has made the most of improvements to his Ferrari 248 F1 and a more suitable Bridgestone tyre to claim pole position for this afternoon's race at Imola.

But Dennis thinks that Ferrari's pace is not necessarily an indication of their potential for the rest of the season, and he believes that the title will still be a battle between his team and Renault.

"If you look at the Bridgestone runners, they have done a better job here," he explained. "We have had the better tyre at the previous three races, and you have to look at the difference between Michael Schumacher and the next Bridgestone runner.

"With fuel corrected data, that will give you the benefit of how much Ferrari have improved over the next Bridgestone runner. Clearly they have improved their car, and they have done a great job.

"But our target is the Renault. We were strong in the first two practices, and a more perfect lap from Kimi [Raikkonen] would show how close we were. Our first target is the first lap, then to finish, and then to finish well.

"I still feel that the world championship is going to be fought between two teams - but I might be wrong, and Ferrari could maintain the fight with Bridgestone."

 

[Flibster]

Honda change tune on Australia retirement

Honda have backtracked on claims that they deliberately told Jenson Button to stop before the finish line at the Australian Grand Prix to avoid an engine penalty for this weekend's race at Imola.

Although the team said immediately after the Melbourne event that they ordered Button not to cross the finish line after his engine blew-up coming out of the last corner, Honda are now claiming that he was required to stop for safety reasons.

Had Button taken the chequered flag in Australia he would have scored three points but would also have been forced to take a 10-place grid penalty for needing an engine change prior to the San Marino Grand Prix.

Speaking after Melbourne - both on live TV and to journalists after the race - team boss Nick Fry said there was a clear decision to avoid crossing the finish line.

"It was a quick call by the race engineer and we need to see if it was right later," Fry said back then, later adding: "Clearly what we will do, as we will do with everything, is have an evaluation of the situation. But at the moment we feel it was the right decision.

"We lost points here, but we can go to Imola with a clean sheet of paper, a new engine and improvements to the car. Hopefully we can turn it into a good race position next time around."

However, when asked at Imola if the decision in Australia was fully justified - with Button taking a front-row slot for the San Marino Grand Prix - Fry provided a different version of what happened in Australia.

"It wasn't a matter of stopping him before the line," he stated. "Although on television it looked like he was quite close to the line, the actual measured distance was actually the best part of half a kilometre. So it really wasn't a question of stopping him before the line.

"And with the amount of oil that was flying around, the best thing to do for the safety of him, (Giancarlo) Fisichella and others was to get him off the track. It really wasn't a debate of should we or shouldn't we."

*sniff sniff*

I love the smell of bull**** in the morning...

 

[Flibster]

Todt has decided about future

Jean Todt says he has now made a decision about whether to stick around in Formula One beyond 2006.

But the 60-year-old team principal, who joined Ferrari in 1993 but is again out of contract at the end of the year, is not yet willing to give the game away.

'I have made my decision,' Todt - who is thought likely to hang around if Michael Schumacher also does - told Germany's 'Bild am Sonntag' newspaper on Sunday.

He said: 'I am keeping it to myself.

'Up to now I have had an incredible time with Ferrari. Now, we would like to return to the top.'

 

[Flibster]

Ferrari praise for racy Rosberg

Luca di Montezemolo spent Saturday showering Kimi Räikkönen with glory, but - a day later - Ferrari's Jean Todt has also put on his praise hat.

The red team's French principal, however, did not enthuse about the cool Finn who may slide into a red cockpit in 2007.

Todt, 60, went wild for Williams' rookie Nico Rosberg.

'He is a great young driver,' Todt told Germany's Bild am Sonntag newspaper, 'with a huge amount of talent.'

Rosberg, the 20-year-old countryman of Ferrari incumbent Michael Schumacher, also has another advantage, according to Todt - his champion dad.

'Since Nico was born,' the Ferrari boss mused, 'he breathed the air of this world of racing. Technically he is very good, he is professional - add it all together and he should have a big career.'

McLaren's name has already been mentioned as a possible future home for Rosberg Jr - so is Ferrari a player too?

Todt said: 'Williams is a super team for him. He has a fast car to drive, and even if it stays the same next year, Germany will have plenty to cheer about.'

Raikkonen as No1 and Rosberg as No2 line up at Ferrari in 07?

 

[Flibster]

Families expanding in F1 paddock

Juan Pablo Montoya and wife Connie are preparing to welcome a second child into the Formula One paddock.

1-year-old Sebastian is now a regular face behind the pits, but his dad - McLaren's Colombian driver - and Mum are already expecting baby number two.

Sebastian's brother or sister is due in September.

'Sebastian travels with us,' 30-year-old Montoya told Britain's Times newspaper, 'and the next one will as well.'

Seven time world champion Michael Schumacher and his wife Corinna may also be planning to extend their family, while brother Ralf's wife Cora told Welt am Sonntag: 'I would happily have a daughter.'

 

[Flibster]

I am too old for all this says emotional Ferrari President

Another pole and another record were the high points of qualifying day at the "Enzo e Dino Ferrari" circuit, as Michael Schumacher set the quickest time in the final section of the session, with Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro team-mate Felipe Massa, lining up on the second row in fourth place.

Michael drove a fantastic lap to take pole, even though the time he set on light fuel in the second part of the session was naturally quicker. Schumacher has literally re-written the Grand Prix record book, leading the table for points, wins, fastest laps and so forth. But one record had still to fall; that set by the late Ayrton Senna for the most number of pole positions.

At Bahrain's Sakhir circuit at the opening round of the season, Schumacher equalled the Brazilian's record and today he beat it. Later, Michael admitted that the significance of what he had done had not really sunk in yet. Making a rare visit to a race track was Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo and as the pole lap was completed, the team in the garage dedicated it to their leader, who was genuinely moved and overcome with emotion.

"I am too old for all this," he joked afterwards.

Schumacher shares the front row with the Honda of Jenson Button, who has been consistently quick this year. The Englishman's team-mate, Rubens Barrichello on the other hand, had suffered so far this season in his new home, but today, Rubinho, still popular with the Imola crowd after his long career at Ferrari, found his form again, setting third quickest time.

This means two Brazilians share the second row as Felipe is alongside. "Our" Brazilian never really got a clean lap in the final runs and was a bit disappointed with not breaking into the top three.

 

[Flibster]

Williams Still Waiting on Future Engine Decision

Frank Williams admits that he is not fully in control of the timing of a decision on an engine supply for 2007 and beyond.

Williams now has a one year contract with Cosworth, but has been linked with Toyota for many months. However, it remains to be seen whether the Japanese company, which currently has a deal with Midland, will ultimately be willing to come to an arrangement with a much stronger rival. The team may well have other irons in the fire as well.

Williams refused to be drawn on the specifics of which suppliers he’s talking to, but says that he hopes that a decision will come before the end of June.

"From our point of view we’re already under pressure from the engineers to get the decision – in which they are totally involved – sooner rather than later, because you need to build your car earlier and earlier these days, or start developing it earlier. It’s a rolling situation, it won’t be beyond half-year, no question. Correction – we are not totally in control of our own destiny, so it could go beyond that.

"The engine choice is both technical and commercial. We’ll make the best choice for Williams."

He stressed that in the end the priority was to have the fastest package, rather take than a subsidized but less competitive engine, in order to ensure that the team remained attractive to sponsors.

"You can have a great budget and a crap car. I promise you something, unless you’re a true miracle worker you won’t have a great budget the following year."

 

[Flibster]

Montoya unsure about 2007 employer

Juan Pablo Montoya says he is still unsure about where in F1's pitlane he will be found next year.

The Colombian, already linked with a switch to Red Bull or Renault for 2007, received a dampening response when he asked McLaren what it had planned for the future.

'Ron (Dennis) said he's not going to make a decision on drivers yet,' 30-year-old Montoya revealed to The Times.

The Latin driver also confirmed that he had been told by the silver-clad principal that his personal performance for the balance of his contract would be the 'deciding factor'.

Ultimately, though, the decision probably belongs to Kimi Räikkönen. If the Finn does not set off to Ferrari, Montoya will surely be the one to go.

'JPM' has also been linked with BMW-Sauber. ''That was the first rumour,' Juan Pablo told the British newspaper, 'then it went quiet.'

 

[Flibster]

FIA too focused from on cost saving, says Williams

Frank Williams says that Max Mosley's focus on cutting the costs of F1 could be harmful to the sport, because of the potential damage to its reputation as the ultimate form of competition.

Williams says that, if F1 appears to be cheapened in any way, it could take a long time to rebuild its image.

"Like any business, it takes years, decades, to make that reputation," he said, "And, if you destroy it overnight, it takes years and years again.

"So what I am saying? F1 is a bit too expensive, no question, by a fair amount. But its reputation out there is as the best and most advanced form of racing, the best drivers, the most fantastic cars. We don't want to talk about saving money.

"It's not that that we're awash with money, but we don't want to talk too much about chucking everything off the car. The whole world revolves around technology. You can't go backwards. I hope Max will come to a fairly sensible 'fair-to-everybody' solution, that saves very useful money, but still maintains the fabric of F1 and what it stands for in the eyes of the public."

Williams added that, by reducing the level of technology, the FIA could, in fact, harm the chances of the less well-funded teams, because there will be fewer areas which can be exploited by clever designers. He says that it could come down to a spending contest on retainers for the best drivers.

"If you think about 2008, in the worst case - and I think Max understands this - if we all have the same engines, same sort of horsepower, same tyres, same spec cars, standard everything, the only things the teams can have to differentiate themselves in the main are aero and drivers. If you're a very rich manufacturer, $50m dollars for Kimi, $50m for Alonso, are we going to compete with that?

"But, if we think our blokes are more clever, they're more inventive than the guys at Ferrari or McLaren, that's the name of the game - to prove your lot are better than their lot. And, hopefully, that's why it's fantastic racing.

"It's about proving I'm the best chief designer, I'm the best team principal, I'm the best sponsorship man, I'm the best aero guy. It's about sticking their chests out so' when your car goes out' you say to yourself 'watch this mate, I'm going to screw you'."

 

[Flibster]

Fisi: Maybe we made a mistake....

Giancarlo Fisichella admitted that he was depressed at being bounced out of the top ten in second qualifying at Imola, despite the perceived advantage of starting from eleventh place with a free fuel strategy.

The Italian admitted that the near miss was made worse by the fact that he been given a boost by an uprated engine spec for the weekend, which team-mate Fernando Alonso won't have until the next round of the championship at the Nurburgring.

Speaking to Crash.net, Fisi said: "To not be in the top ten is not great, we didn't expect that. Maybe we made a mistake, we went a little bit too early. I think, in the last five minutes, the track was much better, and that's the reason why we're not there. Losing the top ten for just one hundredth is very frustrating.

"But that's life, that's F1. I'm looking forward. I've got the possibility to do a great strategy, and I hope to get on the podium anyway. I'm in my home grand prix, and I'll do my best."

Team boss Flavio Briatore, meanwhile, played down the significance of Michael Schumacher's qualifying performance, insisting that those at the sharp end of the grid will be going for three stops rather than the two favoured by Renault.

"In our minds, we know what we have, we believe what everybody else has," he said, "I tell you, a few people in front of us will have three pit-stops.

"Ferrari was strong last year here, because the Bridgestone was fantastic here, and still we won the race because we were lucky. This circuit is like Monte Carlo or Budapest, very difficult to overtake. You overtake only in the strategy, in the pit-stops. Let's see tomorrow what it means. If Ferrari win the race, this is good for the team and for F1" it's just important they don't win so many!"

 

[Flibster]

Again, Flav bamboozles Schu rumour

Renault's Flavio Briatore has again muddied the waters amid speculation that he could sign Michael Schumacher for 2007.

After first indicating that the seven time title winner was too old to fill Fernando Alonso's seat, the Italian said at Imola that Schumacher was one of only 'three or four' candidates good enough to win grands prix for Renault.

In another about-face, however, 'AP' now quotes colourful Briatore as saying that - at 37 - the German driver is indeed too old.

'Schumi is an excellent driver,' said Flavio, who took Schumacher to his first two world titles at Benetton more than a decade ago.

'But (signing him) would be like divorcing your wife and then a few years later you get back together and discover she's older and not as attractive.'

Errrr.....

Riiiiiiigggghhhhtttt

 

[Flibster]

FIA Announces fuel allocation

Following qualifying, the FIA released the number of laps each driver completed in the final qualifying session, and consequently the amount of fuel each driver is allowed to add to his car's fuel tanks before the start of the race:

[b]Driver			Laps *		Fuel (kg)[/b]
Michael Schumacher	13 (14)		35.5
Jenson Button		13 (14)		35.5
Rubens Barrichello	13 (14)		35.5
Felipe Massa		13 (14)		35.5
Fernando Alonso		13 (15)		35.5
Ralf Schumacher		13 (14)		35.5
Juan Pablo Montoya	14 (15)		38.0
Kimi Raikkonen		15		40.5
Jarno Trulli		13 (14)		35.5
Mark Webber		14		38.0

* The FIA allows refueling only for laps made within 110% of the driver's fastest lap in the third segment of qualifying. The actual number of laps a driver ran in that segment appears in brackets.

 

[Flibster]

Morning everyone!

Got up a little late so I'm going to have to miss the pre-race build up. What a shame.

Let me guess - just dragged your arse out of bed?

Far too much of the fermented liquid last night?

Simon/~Flibster

 

[Flibster]

Just started...

Still think the intro is crap

 

[Flibster]

Yup.

Having the full 1994 race weekend *Friday, Saturday and Sunday* on video - you can see him at his best in that Williams - not the best car, not reliable but still consistantly sticking it on pole.

Although with the Ratzenberger accident he 'borrowed' a safety car and drove round the circuit to go see what was going on and talk to Sid and check what actually happened.



Simon/~Flibster

 

[Flibster]

Looks liek we're going to see the new Red Bull and BMW motor homes.