***2006 Australian Grand Prix***

[Toronto]

Friday 31
11:00-12:00 Friday Practice 1
14:00-15:00 Friday Practice 2

Saturday 1
11:00-12:00 Saturday Practice
14:00 Qualifying

Sunday 2
14:00 Race

Race
Pos No Driver Team Laps Time/Retired Grid Points
1 1 Fernando Alonso Renault 57 1:34:27.870 3 10
2 3 Kimi Räikkönen McLaren-Mercedes 57 +1.8 secs 4 8
3 7 Ralf Schumacher Toyota 57 +24.8 secs 6 6
4 16 Nick Heidfeld Sauber-BMW 57 +31.0 secs 8 5
5 2 Giancarlo Fisichella Renault 57 +38.4 secs 2 4
6 17 Jacques Villeneuve Sauber-BMW 57 +49.5 secs 19 3
7 11 Rubens Barrichello Honda 57 +51.9 secs 16 2
8 21 Scott Speed STR-Cosworth 57 +53.8 secs 18 1
9 14 David Coulthard RBR-Ferrari 57 +53.9 secs 11
10 12 Jenson Button Honda 56 +1 Lap 1
11 19 Christijan Albers MF1-Toyota 56 +1 Lap 17
12 22 Takuma Sato Super Aguri-Honda 55 +2 Lap 21
13 23 Yuji Ide Super Aguri-Honda 54 +3 Lap 22
Ret 4 Juan Pablo Montoya McLaren-Mercedes 46 +11 Lap 5
Ret 18 Tiago Monteiro MF1-Toyota 39 +18 Lap 20
Ret 20 Vitantonio Liuzzi STR-Cosworth 37 Accident 12
Ret 5 Michael Schumacher Ferrari 32 Accident 10
Ret 9 Mark Webber Williams-Cosworth 22 Transmission 7
Ret 15 Christian Klien RBR-Ferrari 4 Accident 13
Ret 8 Jarno Trulli Toyota 0 + secs 9
Ret 10 Nico Rosberg Williams-Cosworth 0 Accident damage 14
Ret 6 Felipe Massa Ferrari 0 Accident 15
Fastest Lap: Kimi Räikkönen 1:26.045

Qual
Pos No Driver Team First Second Third

1 12 Jenson Button Honda 1:28.081 1:26.337 1:25.229
2 2 Giancarlo Fisichella Renault 1:27.765 1:26.196 1:25.635
3 1 Fernando Alonso Renault 1:28.569 1:25.729 1:25.778
4 3 Kimi Räikkönen McLaren-Mercedes 1:27.193 1:26.161 1:25.822
5 4 Juan Pablo Montoya McLaren-Mercedes 1:27.079 1:25.902 1:25.976
6 7 Ralf Schumacher Toyota 1:28.007 1:26.596 1:26.612
7 9 Mark Webber Williams-Cosworth 1:27.669 1:26.075 1:26.937
8 16 Nick Heidfeld Sauber-BMW 1:27.796 1:26.014 1:27.579
9 17 Jacques Villeneuve Sauber-BMW 1:28.460 1:26.714 1:29.239
10 8 Jarno Trulli Toyota 1:27.748 1:26.327
11 5 Michael Schumacher Ferrari 1:28.228 1:26.718
12 14 David Coulthard RBR-Ferrari 1:28.408 1:27.023
13 20 Vitantonio Liuzzi STR-Cosworth 1:28.999 1:27.219
14 15 Christian Klien RBR-Ferrari 1:28.757 1:27.591
15 10 Nico Rosberg Williams-Cosworth 1:28.351 1:29.422
16 6 Felipe Massa Ferrari 1:28.868
17 11 Rubens Barrichello Honda 1:29.943
18 19 Christijan Albers MF1-Toyota 1:30.226
19 21 Scott Speed STR-Cosworth 1:30.426
20 18 Tiago Monteiro MF1-Toyota 1:30.709
21 22 Takuma Sato Super Aguri-Honda 1:32.279
22 23 Yuji Ide Super Aguri-Honda 1:36.164


Albert Park
220 Albert Road
South Melbourne
Australia
Tel: (+61) 392587100
Fax: (+61) 396993727

Web: http://www.grandprix.com.au
When Formula One came to Australia in 1985 it set up home in Adelaide. However, ex-racer-turned-entrepreneur Bob Jane wanted a race in Melbourne. He created a huge "thunderdome" and invented the AUSCAR series, bringing NASCAR action to Australia.

The desire to have a race in Melbourne did not wane. Despite the popular end of season slot for the Adelaide race, pressure was growing from the Melbourne motor sport community, and in 1992 Jeff Kennett was elected the new premier of the State of Victoria. He immediately set about improving Melbourne's profile. First on his list was the Australian Grand Prix.

An agreement was reached with Formula One in 1993, but the contract with Adelaide did not expire until 1995, so Kennett had plenty of time to prepare. A track was developed in Melbourne's beautiful Albert Park, part of it using closed-off public roads, and in 1996 the city held the first round of the World Championship. Since then, the venue has become the home of Formula One's season opener. The race is very popular with drivers and fans alike, and the party atmosphere of Melbourne keeps them coming back year after year.
The circuit is in central Melbourne. Frequent free trams operate from various pick-up points, the trip takes no more than a few minutes. There is a regular bus service to the circuit from Spencer Street Station and Olympic Park.

There is no parking near the circuit. If you're based out of town and driving, the organisers advise you to park-and-ride. Train, tram and bus tickets into Melbourne must be pre-purchased.

Melbourne is served by Tullamarine Airport, which lies approximately 21 km north-west of the city. There is a regular shuttle bus service to and from the airport.

[SFDMALEX]

I'm loving this, for once I do not have to wake up at 7 am or stay up till 4 in the morning for the race :D


Practice on speed at 10pm today btw

[5vz-fe]

Comeon Schumi!!!! :D

[sameerrao]

Practice 1 times:
Pos No Driver Team Laps Time/Retired Grid Points
1 36 Anthony Davidson Honda 1:28.259
2 37 Robert Doornbos RBR-Ferrari 1:28.559
3 17 Jacques Villeneuve Sauber-BMW 1:28.595
4 3 Kimi Räikkönen McLaren-Mercedes 1:28.713
5 6 Felipe Massa Ferrari 1:29.025
6 5 Michael Schumacher Ferrari 1:29.041
7 7 Ralf Schumacher Toyota 1:29.411
8 35 Alexander Wurz Williams-Cosworth 1:29.461
9 38 Robert Kubica Sauber-BMW 1:29.576
10 15 Christian Klien RBR-Ferrari 1:29.601
11 14 David Coulthard RBR-Ferrari 1:29.676
12 21 Scott Speed STR-Cosworth 1:31.017
13 19 Christijan Albers MF1-Toyota 1:31.039
14 18 Tiago Monteiro MF1-Toyota 1:31.812
15 22 Takuma Sato Super Aguri-Honda 1:34.036
16 23 Yuji Ide Super Aguri-Honda 1:36.684
17 39 Markus Winkelhock MF1-Toyota 1:36.859
18 40 Neel Jani STR-Cosworth 1:40.818
19 1 Fernando Alonso Renault
20 2 Giancarlo Fisichella Renault
21 8 Jarno Trulli Toyota
22 4 Juan Pablo Montoya McLaren-Mercedes
23 16 Nick Heidfeld Sauber-BMW
24 11 Rubens Barrichello Honda
25 20 Vitantonio Liuzzi STR-Cosworth
26 9 Mark Webber Williams-Cosworth
27 10 Nico Rosberg Williams-Cosworth
28 12 Jenson Button Honda

Practice 2 times:
Pos No Driver Team Laps Time/Retired Grid Points
1 36 Anthony Davidson Honda 1:26.822
2 35 Alexander Wurz Williams-Cosworth 1:26.832
3 38 Robert Kubica Sauber-BMW 1:27.200
4 12 Jenson Button Honda 1:27.213
5 1 Fernando Alonso Renault 1:27.443
6 5 Michael Schumacher Ferrari 1:27.658
7 3 Kimi Räikkönen McLaren-Mercedes 1:27.773
8 11 Rubens Barrichello Honda 1:28.075
9 4 Juan Pablo Montoya McLaren-Mercedes 1:28.200
10 6 Felipe Massa Ferrari 1:28.227
11 2 Giancarlo Fisichella Renault 1:28.280
12 17 Jacques Villeneuve Sauber-BMW 1:28.440
13 14 David Coulthard RBR-Ferrari 1:28.531
14 9 Mark Webber Williams-Cosworth 1:28.860
15 16 Nick Heidfeld Sauber-BMW 1:29.053
16 8 Jarno Trulli Toyota 1:29.138
17 21 Scott Speed STR-Cosworth 1:29.196
18 7 Ralf Schumacher Toyota 1:29.379
19 18 Tiago Monteiro MF1-Toyota 1:29.713
20 37 Robert Doornbos RBR-Ferrari 1:29.876
21 15 Christian Klien RBR-Ferrari 1:29.879
22 10 Nico Rosberg Williams-Cosworth 1:29.933
23 40 Neel Jani STR-Cosworth 1:30.686
24 20 Vitantonio Liuzzi STR-Cosworth 1:30.734
25 19 Christijan Albers MF1-Toyota 1:30.830
26 39 Markus Winkelhock MF1-Toyota 1:31.260
27 22 Takuma Sato Super Aguri-Honda 1:32.556
28 23 Yuji Ide Super Aguri-Honda 1:34.224

[sameerrao]

Toyota is still in the doldrums ... Mike Gascoigne better deliver - he is paid an astronomical sum - $8 MM p.a.

The Williams times are poor only because of very limited running.

The commentators were mentioning that the Ferraris are slightly detuned as they were not able to figure out what caused one the cylinder pistons to fail in Sepang. It was a random failure - different cylinders failed for DC, MS and FM.

Klien and Heidfeld barely put 9-10 laps. Heidfeld has a new engine this race but they still havent figured out.

Its sad to see very few cars running decent laps because of reliability concerns. It was good to see Schumacher, Raikonnen and Alonso put on fast laps from the get-go.

Looks like it will be rain tomorrow - should be fun - the track is very slippy as is and the rain is gonna make it worse :)

[bmagni]

so between the real 1-2-3 is 0.2 secs between each other... lets wait for tomorrow

[sameerrao]

The 2006 cars are approximately 1.5 secs of the 2005 cars comparing the Friday practice times (1:25.376 in '05)- not bad!!

Wait! Wasnt it last year when there was a downpour during the race weekend? Then perhaps the 2006 times arent that special

[bmagni]

The 2006 cars are approximately 1.5 secs of the 2005 cars comparing the Friday practice times (1:25.376 in '05)- not bad!!

Wait! Wasnt it last year when there was a downpour during the race weekend? Then perhaps the 2006 times arent that special


but the 1st 3 places are not that restricted, they don't count

[sameerrao]

The 2006 cars are approximately 1.5 secs of the 2005 cars comparing the Friday practice times (1:25.376 in '05)- not bad!!

Wait! Wasnt it last year when there was a downpour during the race weekend? Then perhaps the 2006 times arent that special


but the 1st 3 places are not that restricted, they don't count

But last year there were 3rd car drivers that did well also ... or did I misinterpret you?

[bmagni]

The 2006 cars are approximately 1.5 secs of the 2005 cars comparing the Friday practice times (1:25.376 in '05)- not bad!!

Wait! Wasnt it last year when there was a downpour during the race weekend? Then perhaps the 2006 times arent that special


but the 1st 3 places are not that restricted, they don't count

But last year there were 3rd car drivers that did well also ... or did I misinterpret you?

or did I ? :P
still its the same thing...

[McLaren4eVa]

Im just praying that Kimi and McLaren have a trouble free race and both cars come home in the points.

[5vz-fe]

Im just praying that Kimi and McLaren have a trouble free race and both cars come home in the points.

Let me check on my 8 ball........<shaking sound>......duka old kid (http://dont_count_on_it)

[sameerrao]

Im just praying that Kimi and McLaren have a trouble free race and both cars come home in the points.

Same here .. I want a three way fight with Schumi and Dani (Sorry, I meant Alonso - they look like twins)..

[blinkmeat]

Friday Prac: Disappointment For Jacques
Despite his strong showing in Friday's practice sessions for the Australian GP, Jacques will have to face an uphill battle for the remainder of the weekend after it emerged that BMW would have to change his engine overnight.

Although there didn't appear to be anything wrong during either of Friday's two practice sessions, which Jacques finished in third and 12th places respectively, the team is concerned that his BMW engine won't last Sunday's entire 58 lap race. They have therefore decided to swap it for a new power unit.

Explaining the situation, BMW-Sauber team boss Mario Theissen said: "Our investigations into the breakages units after Bahrain and Malaysia revealed that some components have not met their required production tolerances.

"Our short-term reaction has been to build new engines with hand-selected components that best meet these rigorous requirements."

"We have two of these revised engines here. One is already installed in Nick’s car, and Jacques will get the second in time for qualifying after Saturday’s morning practice session.

"As a result he will lose 10 positions on the grid."

And that, Jacques admits, will make his performance in Saturday's qualifying session ever more important.

"The car seems to be competitive," he said.

"One issue so far has been warming up the tyres, which should not be a problem in qualifying now that we can run more than one lap, or in the race, but it will be critical to be competitive then because of the penalty I will get for needing an engine change.

"That’s a pity, because the balance of the car is very good, and I’m really happy with its speed."

Poor Jacques - he looked quick too

[Everlasting]

just got home a bit drunk i'll stay awake for the qualifying since it's only a couple of hours till it starts then watch some saturday morning cartoons and maybe then get some sleep

[SFDMALEX]

This fucking Ide is a safety hazard man.

3rd time he's off and now its red flag.


He should be black flagged......the men just cant drive...period.


This qual sucks !


Rubino doesnt make it and he would have set the fastest time too

[SFDMALEX]

Massa has to go.........I want Rubens back.....This d00de is just unreliable.

[dingo]

That was an awesome qualifying session IMO, excitement right until the end!

Well done Jenson, and bloody hell the McLarens look sweet. :drool: Shame about the Ferraris but I'm sure they'll work their way up.

[bmagni]

what happened to Ferraris ?

[5vz-fe]

Ide screwed Rubens up royally!!!

[black_magician]

quote from SpeedTV

"Ide, also known as oh no."

:mrgreen: :roflmao: :roflmao:

[5vz-fe]

I feel ya Ronin, when JV bumped Schumi out, kinda bumped my heart out too. Massa is making too many mistakes, this will not be good for Ferrari. Back in the days with Schumi and Rubens, they usually cover each other's back. Look what happen now :( Let's hope Brawn come up with a good strategy for both and savage some points.

[McLaren4eVa]

oh and fucking shit, with Renaults lauching system they will take 1st and 2nd after turn 1!! damn them!!

Yeah but could be a possibility thell tangle with eachother hopefult McLaren will be in a good position to win Ron was very opttimistic after qualifying so we'll just see in the race i guess its gooing to be another sleepless night for me oh well imola next and back at regular times phew.

[Braden Head]

This was the best qualifying system I have ever seen. It had it all. To see MS not make it into the top ten is a sign of how much planning and banking a good time early in changable conditions is important. Massa can't be blamed for trying - is it good to see someone with guts in the second Ferrari for a change. For Rubins not to make qualifying is not Ide's fault - just not up to speed. Davidson should be in that car.

Can't wait for the race. 6 teams caperble of giving this thing a shake up and a bit of rain thrown in would be great.

Come on JV

[SFDMALEX]

For Rubins not to make qualifying is not Ide's fault - just not up to speed.


Say what?

The man was up about 3 tenths on the first 2 sectors then lost it in traffic.

[dingo]

about 20mins to race time, I love when the Aussie GP is on so I can watch during the day for once. :D

Go Kimi and Ferrari!!!!!!!!!!

[ZfrkS62]

and Dani (Sorry, I meant Alonso - they look like twins)..

:fist:

:lol:

[nthfinity]

about 20mins to race time, I love when the Aussie GP is on so I can watch during the day for once. :D

Go Kimi and Ferrari!!!!!!!!!!
you know... its really wierd... but its nearing 11pm here; and finally, i can watch my first race of the season Live. besides my always existing hope that MS can somehow do it, im hoping that Jenson takes it; and Webber, and Rosberg are the other podiums. doubt that will happen... but i look forward to the race, and watching brake dust fly out everywhere :)

[impala65]

How a good brazilian, I hope a win of Massa, and, about Rubens, he will give retire....

[dingo]

What the hell was Montoya doing losing it on the formation lap, how embarrassing!!

Fisichella isn't doing much better.

[ZfrkS62]

what a sloppy fucking start. What is this F1 or bumper cars?

[dingo]

bumper cars I think, more interesting that way anyway. :P

[SFDMALEX]

Fucking Massa.

This clown has to go. He is costing Ferrari any constructors chances........


Schumi wont do better then 6th or worse I figure.


But it has been exciting must say.

[ZfrkS62]

Since when is Albert Park a race of attrition? :? If things continue like this, there won't be enough cars to fill the podium come the European GP and German GP

[bmagni]

the race has been great
WTF is wrong with Ferrari ??? overpassed by a toro rosso, thats going low...

[ZfrkS62]

^ no kidding. I though for sure Speed was going to get him. here comes Fisi though. Now if Ide comes up on him, i'd say it's time to get gramps off the track :mrgreen:

[bmagni]

^ no kidding. I though for sure Speed was going to get him. here comes Fisi though. Now if Ide comes up on him, i'd say it's time to get gramps off the track :mrgreen:

gramps, :lol:
but its the car, seems to be pretty out of balance... or maybe a one stop strategy (i wish)...

[ZfrkS62]

^ no kidding. I though for sure Speed was going to get him. here comes Fisi though. Now if Ide comes up on him, i'd say it's time to get gramps off the track :mrgreen:

gramps, :lol:
but its the car, seems to be pretty out of balance... or maybe a one stop strategy (i wish)...

Well, they're saying Ferrari is running the hardest compound Bridgestone has due to the fact that they never got a chance to test the new one. And the low temps aren't going to be helping anything.

[racer_f50]

Shit! the first race i watch live in a really long time, and Ferrari's hope just got smashed to bits :(

[bmagni]

thats a pissed off schumi, he was really pushing it, he was the only one running at alonsos pace, i say its the bridgestones, fuck them !

[dingo]

Fucking Massa.

This clown has to go. He is costing Ferrari any constructors chances........



better get rid of Schumi too, could've easily got a top 5 but now he stuffed all that up. ;)

[Max Power]

fuck, goddamn mother fucker, pos shit.....ahhhhhhhhhh

:fist: :fist: :fist: :fist:

I hate this bullshit race

[ZfrkS62]

who the how the what the fuck?!?!?!?! Are these 5 year olds driving??? 5 cars out on the first lap, Klien decides to turn left about 2 weeks before a right hander, Montoya comes in before Raikkonen is out, Schumi fucks up royally. What next?

The only thing missing is a defrocked priest and a confused jackrabbit :?

>EDIT< spoke too soon. Liuzzi just fucked up too. I think we've now had more Safety Car laps in this race then we did all last year :?

[SFDMALEX]

Man this race is fucking comedy hour!


What a pathetic race!!!!


THe last restart is bullshit with the super slow fuckers.


ANOTHER SAFETY CAR!!!!


OMFG

This is patheticaly hillaroius........


Super Aguris have to fucking go. They have to go.......They just have to bloody go.........Minardis are like a bloody Macca in comparison.

[ZfrkS62]

LMAO!! "Christian Albers...wait..where did he go?" "On his way to Tazmania?" :lol: and now montiero is out.

Oh god dammit. Stoddart wants back in F1 for 08? Fuck that whiney little bitch :fist:

[SFDMALEX]

my god!

hahahahahaha

rotflmao!


MONTOYA GONE!

I was just making a bet with Dan about anothger safety car and he said
"motoyas car is going to crash and brake in half" lol



what a bloody horrid race.

[ZfrkS62]

sadly, this is the most excitement i've seen in an F1 race since Alonso's pass in the 134R in Japan last year

LAKng;oasdhg'osbd'voaj 'ougub :shock: WTF!!!!! 20 feet from the finish and Button goes KA-BLAMO!! Well, 1 point for the American :D guess it wasn't all that bad in the end after all :D

[SFDMALEX]

OMFG!

Button on the last corner........


what a horrid race

[racer_f50]

Button sure has some shit luck!
I have to laugh at the situation, but i really feel bad for him.

what a crazy race :shock:

[RAMMIUS]

Button`s bad luck was just :shock:

[bmagni]

ok, who wants to come with me and kill alonso?? im dead serious!!


edit - and while we are at it, we can repaint the Renault cars in Ferrari colors and the Ferrari's in Renault colors!!

dont kill him, leave him crippled, hell suffer more... :P

[Ghostbat]

ok, who wants to come with me and kill alonso?? im dead serious!!


edit - and while we are at it, we can repaint the Renault cars in Ferrari colors and the Ferrari's in Renault colors!!

dont kill him, leave him crippled, hell suffer more... :P

umm, this is true ill think it over!! i have 22 days :twisted:

Ahh nice to se the Alonso fan club gathered. I hate that mofo..

[Toronto]

i love how good honda is @ F1, first Ide is the worse thing i have ever seen, 2nd button @ the start/finish line, i was laughin all night.

[racer_f50]

Button should have just disengage the gearbox from the engine and roll over the finish line. Now he tried to keep his place and lost everything, too bad for him. Disaster for Ferrari this time.The announcers on SPEED think he pulled off to the side on purpose, actually. If he would have crossed the finish line, they would've received a "change engine" penalty for the next race. But since the engine took them out of the race, there's no penalty, I guess.

[Braden Head]

Alonso/Renault is streets ahead of the rest of the field. Shuie made heaps of errors and was destined to crash. Webber was very unlucky Williams was really hooked up. Great to see JV come from the back into the points despite the carnage.

I don't think I have seen a better or more action packed Australian GP.

[gangajas]

It seems that Speed has lost his point.

[FPVPSI]

wow, what an action packed race! From the first lap with montoya losing it, to button blowing up on the last corner... :shock: ...the action didnt stop!

I predicted the winner, pretty happy with myself... :wink:, i somehow think this is going to turn in a Ferrari type afair, with Renault taking everything beofre it. Just know the winner before the race even starts...pitty... :|

[SFDMALEX]

hmm odd Im surprised you guys say the words "action packed"...

To me it was the worst race of the season on how bad it was.


Its like a nascar race.....crashes and safety cars.

And no racing. Anyting a driver would make up or pull away would get ruined by safety cars.....half the race is safety cars.....borring as hell......

All the big guns out of the picture too :roll:

Personaly I think it was the worst "race" of the season, being eventful doesnt really mater to me, I want to see some racing.

[jon_s]

Button :cry: I know he had a bad race, but what luck!

[sameerrao]

Yesterday was a comedy of errors ... a potboiler ... people were laughing, people were crying ...

This is how F1 would be if Hollywood would have directed the proceedings.
I was at a Ferrari club of America get-together watching this race and although I missed some of the action it was hilarious to watch....

Alonso's performance was imperious ... well let's face it, he is the best successor to Michael - superb pace, terrific under pressure, ability to overtake, can think on his feet, fast and consistent and importantly has the champions luck. I believe we are looking at the 2007 champion already if McLaren and Kimi keeping slipping up like this.

Kimi is the fastest driver out there in my opinion but Alonso is the complete package. Its sad to see Michael making mistakes and I personally think, he doesnt have anything over a charged up Kimi or Alonso. A few years back you could give Michael the second best car and he could make mincemeat of the competition. Not any more, I think Michael needs a slight car advantage to keep ahead of Kimi or Alonso.

Montoya was a guy I really respected for his amazing overtaking but his reputation was partly tarnished last year and this year he is looking very ordinary pace wise and has made innumerable mistakes. He would be lucky to hold on to his McLaren seat.

[SFDMALEX]

I think Micheal still got it at all ;) His car/tires are letting him down...

He was lapping at Alonso pace at one point wasnt he?

Plus no one can touch him in rain ;)


Ahhh we'll just have to see what Ferrari does with the new car.

[nthfinity]

I think Micheal still got it at all ;) His car/tires are letting him down...

He was lapping at Alonso pace at one point wasnt he?

Plus no one can touch him in rain ;)


Ahhh we'll just have to see what Ferrari does with the new car.

i was sure he was going to end up 4th before the crash; the same turn that took out montoya.

im very very suprised that there werent any punctures during the race, there were bits of Carbon Fibre everywhere. i dont think i've ever seen a race with so many knocked out... at least not in some time (interlagos comes to mind...)

kudos for Scott Speeds' first F1 points scoring position :)

Alanso is quite the pompus ass; but pretty fast.

Jenson... WTF; he just cant keep his first lap composure.... and kept dropping back. he has the speed, so what is wrong with his race pace? but the engine fire in a spectacular show!

i really wonder if Ralf is going to be able to maintain his podium position as teams may or may not protest...

Ide... LOL it really does show that Sato is a great driver to be going 2 seconds faster a lap then his teammate...

[ZfrkS62]

kudos for Scott Speeds' first F1 points scoring position


He got docked 25 seconds for passing DC under caution. He finished 11th :? :x

[nthfinity]

kudos for Scott Speeds' first F1 points scoring position


He got docked 25 seconds for passing DC under caution. He finished 11th :? :x
so whats going to happen with Ralf? 25 seconds! :x not just a place? bah, he may yet get a few points this year...

oh another disapointment... the Williams team still have some mechanicals to firgure out; Webber in the lead (well, hadn't pitted yet) when suddenly his gearbox goes out :(

[ZfrkS62]

kudos for Scott Speeds' first F1 points scoring position


He got docked 25 seconds for passing DC under caution. He finished 11th :? :x
so whats going to happen with Ralf? 25 seconds! :x not just a place? bah, he may yet get a few points this year...

oh another disapointment... the Williams team still have some mechanicals to firgure out; Webber in the lead (well, hadn't pitted yet) when suddenly his gearbox goes out :(

oh, and he got fined 5 grand for cursing at Coulthard after being handed the penalty.

[Braden Head]

hmm odd Im surprised you guys say the words "action packed"...

To me it was the worst race of the season on how bad it was.


Its like a nascar race.....crashes and safety cars.

And no racing. Anyting a driver would make up or pull away would get ruined by safety cars.....half the race is safety cars.....borring as hell......

All the big guns out of the picture too :roll:

Personaly I think it was the worst "race" of the season, being eventful doesnt really mater to me, I want to see some racing.

You are entitled to your opinion but to say this was a bad race is just not right. Boring - man this was far from boring. The worst part was watching those Midland cars on the restarts - twice caught sleeping. Would have been more interesting if Kimi was allowed past them. A race that has this many scenarios in it is in my opinion the best. Driver error and mechanical failure is what this sport is about. The best cars and drivers finish the race.

This is why I always read this site - people have varied opinions.

[ZfrkS62]

The best cars and drivers finish the race.


Then how is it SuperAguri-Honda finished? Midland is faster than these guys, and Ide can't outqualify a snail! I think we ought to bring back the 107% rule and get these safety hazards off the grid

[Everlasting]

fucking track! never liked it

[Braden Head]

The best cars and drivers finish the race.


Then how is it SuperAguri-Honda finished? Midland is faster than these guys, and Ide can't outqualify a snail! I think we ought to bring back the 107% rule and get these safety hazards off the grid

Well they got over the finishing line. Ide wouldn't have been my first choice but you have got start some where. Rubens couldn't pass Sato at one stage of the race. Its all about reliability and not hitting walls or cars and getting to the end. Sure they are slow now but they only had a matter of weeks to get the car and engine/team together and practice. Every time they go out they will improve.

[Max Power]

ok, who wants to come with me and kill alonso?? im dead serious!!


edit - and while we are at it, we can repaint the Renault cars in Ferrari colors and the Ferrari's in Renault colors!!

well i am down with that 8) ...on the way there I wish to slap Massa for not making it past the first turn...Schumi for making a stupid mistake...and Ferrari for making me have to suffer 3 weeks to hate on Alonso... :x

[5vz-fe]

After claming myself down after the race for almost 1 day I have the following to say:

- FUCK ALONSO!!!! Ronin, quickly do ur thing
- what a shame for Button
- Schumi definitely pushing abit too hard......but bridgestone needs to step up, I recall the performance back in 2004 in AUS is amazing.
- Massa sucks......get Rubens back he's dying in Honda anyways.
- Ide...he should be kicked out of F1

[JoeHahn]

I dont see all the hate for Massa, yeah he made a mistake in practice/qualifying but in the race he was rammed by a redbull and sqeezed by Rosberg. That's racing.

But wasnt Buttons explosion funny? I was hoping Fisichella slipped on his oil into the wall - I guess 1 outta 2 is good enough :P

[sameerrao]

All you Alonso haters .... its time to bend over and take it like a man because he is running away with the championship... I wish Kimi and Michael can post some wins soon or else it will be another 2005.

[5vz-fe]

All you Alonso haters .... its time to bend over and take it like a man because he is running away with the championship... I wish Kimi and Michael can post some wins soon or else it will be another 2005.

LMAO!! You mean take it like a gay men?

[blinkmeat]

Alonso is a fag - If I ever see him I'll kick the shit out of him

[ZfrkS62]

But wasnt Buttons explosion funny?


It almost looked like he had a jet engine on the back of his car :lol:

[sameerrao]

But wasnt Buttons explosion funny?


It almost looked like he had a jet engine on the back of his car :lol:

True ... Hit the turbo button Batman!!

[ZfrkS62]

But wasnt Buttons explosion funny?


It almost looked like he had a jet engine on the back of his car :lol:

True ... Hit the turbo button Batman!!

you disappoint me sameer... such an amatuer comeback :wink:

i believ what you were looking for was "Holy turbines, Batman!"

[sameerrao]

^^ Forgive me sire for the grave mistake ... I will banish myself for 20 years and look happy about it. Cheers!! :wink:

[ZfrkS62]

^^ Forgive me sire for the grave mistake ... I will banish myself for 20 years and look happy about it. Cheers!! :wink:

I have a better punishment. Declare your loyalty to SuperAguri-Honda and defend Ide for the rest of the season, and we'll call it even :wink: :lol:

[blinkmeat]

^^ Forgive me sire for the grave mistake ... I will banish myself for 20 years and look happy about it. Cheers!! :wink:

I have a better punishment. Declare your loyalty to SuperAguri-Honda and defend Ide for the rest of the season, and we'll call it even :wink: :lol:

:shock:

That's just plain evil - well executed :lol:

[sameerrao]

^^ Forgive me sire for the grave mistake ... I will banish myself for 20 years and look happy about it. Cheers!! :wink:

I have a better punishment. Declare your loyalty to SuperAguri-Honda and defend Ide for the rest of the season, and we'll call it even :wink: :lol:

:clap:

Methinks there is nothing Super about Aguri ... And I cant for the life of me defend "Oh no" - he makes Alex Yoong look like Schumacher. Forget about the white paint, I think the Aguri needs to be repainted like a school bus with an "L" board ... friggin slow that it is.

[mindgam3]

Was a bit of a shambles of a race, but lots of action

Can't believe you ferrari fanboys are still blaming the tyres... look at williams (and toyota this race) - Ferrari are up shit creek without a paddle for the second year running and the tyres have only a slight influence on it... for the second year running

[McLaren4eVa]

Was a bit of a shambles of a race, but lots of action

Can't believe you ferrari fanboys are still blaming the tyres... look at williams (and toyota this race) - Ferrari are up shit creek without a paddle for the second year running and the tyres have only a slight influence on it... for the second year running

Yeah but toyota and williams both opted for the new softer compound tha bridgestone constructed for cooler condition whereas ferrari didn't schumi was quick midway just impossible to think why he was 5 seconds slower.

[SFDMALEX]

Was a bit of a shambles of a race, but lots of action

Can't believe you ferrari fanboys are still blaming the tyres... look at williams (and toyota this race) - Ferrari are up shit creek without a paddle for the second year running and the tyres have only a slight influence on it... for the second year running

Ferrari brought a different compound from the rest, 3 shades too hard from what I herd.


Anyway no one to blame but Ferrari...

[ZfrkS62]

Me thinks there is nothing Super about Aguri ... And I cant for the life of me defend "Oh no" - he makes Alex Yoong look like Schumacher. Forget about the white paint, I think the Aguri needs to be repainted like a school bus with an "L" board ... friggin slow that it is.

They should stablish a new rule against those slow bastards... just like they used to have some years back with the 107% of the pole position laptime :?

I think the 107% rule should be brought back. Ide and Sato are going to get killed, or kill someone, at Monza this year. and i shudder to think what's going to happen at Monaco :shock:

[sameerrao]

The main reason the 107% rule isnt around anymore is that mixed fuel strategies are in play. Another reason more relevant in 2003-2005 was that since each driver was allloted one flying lap, the driving conditions could be very different - E.g. it may be sunny in the beginning of the qualifying but pouring towards the end screwing up the laptimes of those going in last.

Having said that it is still feasible to enforce the 107% rule now with the race directors like Charlie Whiting given discretionary powers to forgive cars that would have definitely qualified but didnt for extraneous reasons.

[ZfrkS62]

Given Ide's consistently HORRID showing, i'd say he doesn't deserve to drive in the races. Get me in there. I can do better :twisted:

[sameerrao]

OK Ide is trash I admit but I feel a little sad for him because:

a) It is a 4 year old car that has been bastardized to suit the '06 rules
b) He hasnt driven any of these tracks before
c) I doubt there was a real pre-season testing time as the SA team was set up in the last minute
d) I doubt the team has experienced engineers to help him cope with the set-up.
e) He is not used to the speed or competitiveness of F1

Sato is primarily surviving on his prior knowledge of tracks and driving F1 cars.

Anyway .. does all this change my opinion of him or the team .. NO WAY :lol:

SA should have taken the year off for testing and started racing the next year. This year has been a sheer waste of everyone's time

[ZfrkS62]

there 1st mistake was using old Arrows cars in the first place. THat should have thrown up red flags up and down the FIA :?

[SFDMALEX]

Well more teams more money and we know they all want money so....;)

[bmagni]

Intresting declarations from Schumacher, seems pretty enthusiastic:

"We must work hard and show that we are competitive under any condition, not just under an specific circumstance"


"This year is totally different, this time we're much more competitive and our package is absolutely better than what it seems. Still this weekend we couldn't show that. Thank God in F1 you can still compare using numbers, and this clearly shows that if the tyres had warmed up correctly we could have been infront"


About his times being on par with Alonsos and Kimi's
"This is what gives us hope, we're on the pace, we just have to mantain it during the whole race"

[SFDMALEX]

/\/\/\Precisely.......Ferrari has it all, the problem is a that Massa is trying to hard, and they have zero luck...

[03200165]

the problem is a that Massa is trying to hard


You can better say Schumi is trying too hard, he was the one driving off limitis during the race, massa had bad luck 8)

[McLaren4eVa]

/\/\/\Precisely.......Ferrari has it all, the problem is a that Massa is trying to hard, and they have zero luck...

Zero Luck you have to be kidding me he was slow so what imola they'll be back but the no luck part i find that impossible to grasp he's te luckiest man in f1 well second to alonso now. Massa just needs to learn to be less eratic and throwing everything away on one lap and shchumi just tried to hard unfortunatley for him the concrete patch threw him into the wall just as it did with montoya and dc in 03 qualifying mika hakkinen had a shunt there and schumi again in practice in 97 so he knew the bump was there just trying to hard.

[xecutioner]

lol alonso is one lucky man tho

everything falls in place for him

as we saw from the melb grand prix

button's poor retart

2 midland cars between him and kimmi

all this happened infront of me where i was sittin on the main straight

even m.schui crashin and button blowing hes engine

smelt mad tho

i tried to get a mad pic of the m.schui crash but i could only get hes car when it was on the back of a truck as u can see on my avarta

i havent seen schui drive that agressive for atleast a few years

even tho he lost it comin on the main straight it was good to c him drive so damn quick and agressive for once

i felt for him tho in qualifying

i was there for that session and he basically had 2 very quick sectors and then out of no where.. the good ol melbourne weather goes from sunny to rain and as soon as schui went into the pits the sun came out

i was glad to see webber retire and hear the hole grand stand scream out wit NOOOOOOOOOO's

just hate him

the safety car sounded and looked awsome flying down the straight

[Max Power]

nah, Alonso is not lucky...he's smart...he gunned it of the restart and Kimi got stuck behind the Midland...its just that in an effort to break Ferrari's dominance the FIA has created another monster...Renault :(

[SFDMALEX]

/\/\/\Precisely.......Ferrari has it all, the problem is a that Massa is trying to hard, and they have zero luck...

Zero Luck you have to be kidding me he was slow so what imola they'll be back but the no luck part i find that impossible to grasp he's te luckiest man in f1 well second to alonso now. Massa just needs to learn to be less eratic and throwing everything away on one lap and shchumi just tried to hard unfortunatley for him the concrete patch threw him into the wall just as it did with montoya and dc in 03 qualifying mika hakkinen had a shunt there and schumi again in practice in 97 so he knew the bump was there just trying to hard.


Mate the Ferrari team has absolutly no luck so far this year.

[xecutioner]

i would really like to see alonso pass ppl durin the race for the top spots instead of waitin for someone to mess up like button

we saw button's restart rite infront of us and it was shockin

the backmarkers just made it interesting

poor kimmi had to wait till the finish line to pass the slower cars

but yeh u are rite

i think the renaults are the monsters just like how ferrari were before the rules changed

[McLaren4eVa]

/\/\/\Precisely.......Ferrari has it all, the problem is a that Massa is trying to hard, and they have zero luck...

Zero Luck you have to be kidding me he was slow so what imola they'll be back but the no luck part i find that impossible to grasp he's te luckiest man in f1 well second to alonso now. Massa just needs to learn to be less eratic and throwing everything away on one lap and shchumi just tried to hard unfortunatley for him the concrete patch threw him into the wall just as it did with montoya and dc in 03 qualifying mika hakkinen had a shunt there and schumi again in practice in 97 so he knew the bump was there just trying to hard.


Mate the Ferrari team has absolutly no luck so far this year.

Well aint that a good thing i mean i'm not complaining guess schumis luck's run out or maybe he's getting old imo i think he should retire while he still has his reputation in tact instead of doing more seasons and being the slow one and thats not being buyist because im a mclaren fan just a non-buyist opinion.

[racer_f50]

/\/\/\Precisely.......Ferrari has it all, the problem is a that Massa is trying to hard, and they have zero luck...

Zero Luck you have to be kidding me he was slow so what imola they'll be back but the no luck part i find that impossible to grasp he's te luckiest man in f1 well second to alonso now. Massa just needs to learn to be less eratic and throwing everything away on one lap and shchumi just tried to hard unfortunatley for him the concrete patch threw him into the wall just as it did with montoya and dc in 03 qualifying mika hakkinen had a shunt there and schumi again in practice in 97 so he knew the bump was there just trying to hard.


Mate the Ferrari team has absolutly no luck so far this year.

Well aint that a good thing i mean i'm not complaining guess schumis luck's run out or maybe he's getting old imo i think he should retire while he still has his reputation in tact instead of doing more seasons and being the slow one and thats not being buyist because im a mclaren fan just a non-buyist opinion.Would you please start using puncuation?

Schumi might be getting older, but it's highly unlikely that his talents are fading yet. Even if his talent is declining, he's got a couple decades until it drops to the level of the other drivers 8)

[sameerrao]

^^ Personally I think Schumi now has nothing on Alonso and Kimi in terms of pure speed and racecraft. In fact, the way that the younger boys can confidently keep him behind without wilting under pressure speaks volumes.

I really think the way Alonso matches sheer speed with racecraft, I feel we are re-witnessing Schumi circa 1994 - the same confidence, aggression, speed. Kimi is faster at times but he also makes more mistakes than Alonso.

No one can touch Michael on moulding a team around himself though.

I feel that this will be Michael's last season. He's been the top driver for nearly 12 years - an astonishing feat in such a competitive sport. Viva Michael!!

[SFDMALEX]

/\/\/\I dont buy the for a second. Alonso and Kimi benifit from the added confidence of being in a competative car and the agression due to their age.


Schumi is a legend, knows the ins and outs of the game and has mega tons more experiance then these boys ever will.

Luck just hasnt been swinining his way and his hardware has been letting him down.

I'm just waiting for a competative Ferrari, and I see him crushing the competition.

Or I might be wrong, he just might not be driven enough anymore......time will tell

[sameerrao]

^^ Let's hope Ferrari comes good this season 8)

[SFDMALEX]

^^ Let's hope Ferrari comes good this season 8)

I just hope that Macca, Renault and Ferrari become reliable and competative with eachother so we can who the real man currently is :D

[bmagni]

so we can who the real man currently is :D

WTF did yoda teach you how to speak ?? :P