[SPOILER] 2008 France GP

[Carbodiox]

Let's see what is going to happen

MAGNY-COURS
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/98/Circuit_Magny_Cours.png


Practice 1

T L
1. Massa (Ferrari) 1.15,306 (22)
2. Hamilton (McLaren) 1.16,002 (22)
3. Kovalainen (McLaren) 1.16,055 (20)
4. Raikkonen (Ferrari) 1.16,073 (21)
5. Kubica (BMW Sauber) 1.16,377 (19)
6. Alonso (Renault) 1.16,400 (23)
7. Trulli (Toyota) 1.16,758 (32)
8. Vettel (Toro Rosso) 1.16,838 (27)
9. Heidfeld (BMW Sauber) 1.16,870 (21)
10. Glock (Toyota) 1.16,886 (31)
11. Piquet (Renault) 1.17,063 (31)
12. Coulthard (Red Bull) 1.17,234 (21)
13. Webber (Red Bull) 1.17,269 (22)
14. Rosberg (Williams) 1.17,394 (30)
15. Barrichello (Honda) 1.17,491 (25)
16. Bourdais (Toro Rosso) 1.17,683 (27)
17. Nakajima (Williams) 1.17,696 (25)
18. Button (Honda) 1.17,928 (21)
19. Fisichella (Force India) 1.18,072 (27)
20. Sutil (Force India) 1.18,673 (13)


Couple of challenges in front of couple of drivers.

Kimi and Massa want cut this humiliating BMW thing out.
Kubica want's to humiliate silver and red cars, ... and Nick
Nick doesn't want to be humiliated
Hamilton no comments
Alonso wants just make it to the end without humiliation
Kovalainen he just looks like he's seriously not well

We shall see

[Mattk]

I love watching the French Grand Prix. Magny Cours is one of the best circuits. I may even stay up for it.

I'm interested to see how Heidfeld goes. He's been upstaged too often by Kubica this year. I'm sure he'll come out aggressive.

[styla21]

This is shaping up as an interesting race! Not much can be interpreted from practice though.. Race is wide open.:thumbup:

[Carbodiox]

2nd Practice

Laps completed in brackets

1. Alonso (Renault) 1.15,778 (37)
2. Massa (Ferrari) 1.15,854 (24)
3. Raikkonen (Ferrari) 1.15,999 (42)
4. Hamilton (McLaren) 1.16,232 (29)
5. Vettel (Toro Rosso) 1.16,298 (42)
6. Kubica (BMW Sauber) 1.16,317 (35)
7. Kovalainen (McLaren) 1.16,340 (36)
8. Heidfeld (BMW Sauber) 1.16,458 (43)
9. Piquet (Renault) 1.16,543 (39)
10. Coulthard (Red Bull) 1.16,572 (36)
11. Rosberg (Williams) 1.16,682 (42)
12. Trulli (Toyota) 1.16,743 (43)
13. Bourdais (Toro Rosso) 1.16,758 (42)
14. Nakajima (Williams) 1.17,002 (32)
15. Glock (Toyota) 1.17,092 (39)
16. Webber (Red Bull) 1.17,106 (38)
17. Button (Honda) 1.17,244 (37)
18. Fisichella (Force India) 1.17,394 (42)
19. Barrichello (Honda) 1.17,591 (27)
20. Sutil (Force India) 1.17,868 (33)

Can't wait..

[Carbodiox]

Qualifying results

Times
01 K. Räikkönen Ferrari 1:16.449
02 F. Massa Ferrari 1:16.490
03 L. Hamilton McLaren 1:16.693
04 F. Alonso Renault 1:16.840
05 J. Trulli Toyota 1:16.840
06 H. Kovalainen McLaren 1:16.944
07 R. Kubica BMW 1:17.037
08 M. Webber Red Bull 1:17.233
09 D. Coulthard Red Bull 1:17.426
10 T. Glock Toyota 1:17.596
11 N. Piquet jr. Renault 1:15.770
12 N. Heidfeld BMW 1:15.786
13 S. Vettel Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:15.816
14 S. Bourdais Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:16.045
15 N. Rosberg Williams 1:16.235
16 K. Nakajima Williams 1:16.243
17 J. Button Honda 1:16.306
18 R. Barrichello Honda 1:16.330
19 G. Fisichella Force India F1 1:16.971
20 A. Sutil Force India F1 1:17.053

[turpija]

Heikki get 5 place penalty for blocking webber
Lewis and Rosberg get 10 from Canada

So Alonso is 3rd, Trulli 4th, and Kubica 5th

[styla21]

As a BMW fan, I have to admit only mild flag waving was going on at my place during qualifying... We were nowhere to be seen?
Hoping for an interesting race, and good to see a varied top 10!

Any update on the weather? That could make things interesting!

[turpija]

well there are some predictions that say thunderstorms, but I sceptic about it.
there seems to be a lot of wind which can make an unpredictible weather, there are some rumors that maybe bmw's are went for rain setups and that's why they are so slow in qualy's, it's a big risk but if there will be rain maybe bmw can get another victory.

[Kissyface]

If Lewis can catch up to Heikki (a good start could make that happen pretty quick) they should be able to use fuel strategy to at least beat Toyota and hopefully BMW. Some seem BMW's drop in performance this weekend is due to the design of the car which lacks overall aerodynamic drag.
[SPOILER]
*POST RACE COMMENT FOLLOWS*
http://lord_k.home.comcast.net/F1.2008.Round.8.France.Results.jpg
It was an interesting race no doubt about that. I am really enjoying F1 again after the Michael Schumacher/Ferrari years where I got kind of bored as I wasn't a fan of Fernando Alonso, Jacques Villenueve struggled to stay mid-field, and the frustration waiting for JPM to win races. I got excited about F1 again watching Lewis Hamilton last year and the rest of the show has been better than I've seen it in the last 10 years.

[Pokiou]

stupid race.. FIAERRARI!!! fucking stupid.. araggh im outta here :/

[styla21]

Good post Kissy.
Some great racing within this race! I would have bet money with 10 laps to go that Heiki could have taken Trulli.. He was all over him. So props to Trulli for holding his own and picking up the podium.

I was surprised Kimi's car didn't explode.. An exhaust pipe at 1000 degrees burning through your car for half the race, and still coming second is insanity! All things considered, Kimi must be relieved with the 8 points!

BMW had a random race for them - I'm hoping everything goes easier at Bridgestone! :-)

POK: Are you a Mclaren fan?

[Pokiou]

yes i am ...

[Kissyface]

I was really impressed by Trulli's drive today. He kept his line even while Kovaleinen was :banghead: and bouncing off like a bouncy ball. I've always held a deep regard for his raciness. He's never been wanting in good, even great cars but it seemed to me like he never has allowed to stay with one team long enough to build a powerful family-like race-contesting unit.

I'm predicting a tight struggle between the Ferrari drivers from here on out with McLaren picking up first dibs for scraps followed by BMW, Renault, RBR and Toyota. Sad to say Williams-Toyota just don't seem to be in this class of second-tier teams and it's rather depressing. Torro Rosso are outperforming them now.

Believe me, I hope I'm NOT right about my predictions and it's close between as many teams/drivers as possible but Raikkonen, Massa and their very reliable, quick machine look as though they have it all to lose.

[arguapacha]

The race was awesome. Not with the leaders, although the exhaust pipe in the Ferrari was quite a shock. It was better in the midfield... Hamilton was nowhere... Kovalainen... well.. half a season has gone by and he still can't get the feeling of the McLaren. Trulli just got it right... I am so glad for him, as he deserved that podium like no one else. Toyota is improving, and Honda still lacks performance... seems like a lot of money and a great mastermind like Brawn just can't cut it... let's wait until the next year.

[thiago]

stupid race.. FIAERRARI!!! fucking stupid.. araggh im outta here :/

Ferrari rulez!!!!!!!!!

Da-lhe Massa! Porra! :laugh:

[thiago]

I am really enjoying F1 again after the Michael Schumacher/Ferrari years where I got kind of bored as I wasn't a fan of Fernando Alonso, Jacques Villenueve struggled to stay mid-field, and the frustration waiting for JPM to win races. I got excited about F1 again watching Lewis Hamilton last year and the rest of the show has been better than I've seen it in the last 10 years.

You got that right, F-1 was very boring with Schumacher's dominance and the 80/20 he had on Ferrari (80% priority for him 20% for second driver) didn't really provide a good sport/spectacle for the viewers as we always knew that he'd be "the man" with some "artificial flavors added" to it. With these new, young and talented drivers and decent rules attempting to make the sport more attractive F-1 is finally getting there and putting a great show for all of the enthusiast to see. I'm having a blast this year; specially after I joined this great website.

My passion for F-1 started when I was 11 (1991) by watching Senna as he drove his white and red McLaren to perfection on the tracks. For years, every Sunday always had a greater meaning that just a day to get some rest, go to church and play soccer on the street (back in Brazil) type of thing. It was the day to watch Senna pull off some tricks; do some of his magic, take off from pole and win the race. Beautiful Sundays were those. After his death, to me, the sport was not the same. Being from Brazil, I could not stand seeing my countrymen not winning races like Senna did. Barrichello had his moments but he was overshadowed by Schumacher's dominance inside Ferrari. Thank God, now we have Massa representing us with some great driving skills, aggressiveness, great car and a more than fair 50/50 share between him and Räikkönen. Giving us that great spectacle that we all wanted to see back when Schumacher was racing.

I'm looking forward to the British Grand Prix on July 6th!

Yes! Da-lhe Massa! Porra!

[arguapacha]

It will be hard to find someone like Senna... much has been said of others, like JPM, my countryman, but times have changed, and to be a 'real' champion now requires to be smart, not only in the track, but also out of it, specially because the driver still seems to have changed roles: the engineers do a LOT of the work ontrack, so the driver must be intelligent enough to make them do what the driver wants...

anyway... too much musing... the race was great, and Massa deserved the win, although my kudos go to Trulli... the driver of the race, by far. MacLaren... well... they have their ups and downs... more of the second ones, but they are still there. Personally I don't like McLaren nor Williams, but just a matter of taste, I guess.

[SHIZL]

could of been a little more interesting race yet the stewards and the officials decided not to let it wonder if they will allow trulli to keep 3rd after hitting heikki anyway awesome track unfortantly not very good for passing too bad they dont dock points instead of making the races not as good for the fans

[thiago]

I think it was sad that Lewis (boy, he's having a hard time this season) had that penalty for going over the chicane AFTER he passed Vettel (for what I was able to see, Vettel somewhat opened the way for him to pass by going all the way to the right before the chicane and he didn't seem to be trying to avoid being overtaken by Lewis, otherwise he'd stayed right in the middle of the track following the pack) to begin with... It wouldn't surprise me if they did that to Trulli.

[Mattk]

^I think we can distinguish the two incidents. Hamilton went onto the green run-off area because of his passing manoeuvre. He had stuffed up the turn and should really have let Vettel go by. With Trulli, he had the prime position, and the move was never really going to work for Kovalainen unless Trulli let him by.

For me, the highlight of the race was at the end - when the battle for 3rd really heated up. A great drive by Trulli to fend off Kovalainen. A pity for Raikonnen, whose exhaust blew up, but it's a testament to great 21st car design that he managed to last another 30 laps. A deserved victory for Massa - he did nothing wrong, and was very fast.

[5vz-fe]

http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/080622214255.shtml

"He had a better exit than me from the Adelaide hairpin," Vettel explained. "I was inside, to defend my position, and had the better line for curves six and seven. Lewis arrived with more speed; I went from the gas and braked and he kept going. For me it was clear that he was going to cut the chicane."

The 20-year-old German said Hamilton would not have been penalised had he immediately let him take back the position.


"He cut the chicane completely," he said. "I had a similar situation at the Monaco chicane, when I was too late on the brakes. I overtook two cars but I let them go again and so the issue was settled.

"If someone stays out in front, there is a penalty. I think he should have let me past again because he had a better car and could have passed me again."

[arguapacha]

True indeed, but it is hard to see that when you are a stubborn. (Been there... )

[thiago]

^I think we can distinguish the two incidents. Hamilton went onto the green run-off area because of his passing manoeuvre. He had stuffed up the turn and should really have let Vettel go by. With Trulli, he had the prime position, and the move was never really going to work for Kovalainen unless Trulli let him by.

For me, the highlight of the race was at the end - when the battle for 3rd really heated up. A great drive by Trulli to fend off Kovalainen. A pity for Raikonnen, whose exhaust blew up, but it's a testament to great 21st car design that he managed to last another 30 laps. A deserved victory for Massa - he did nothing wrong, and was very fast.

I agree with you on that, he should have given up the position to avoid the penalty. BUT he would have passed him anyhow. The only thing that's killing Lewis is probably his eagerness to win and get in the front on the first lap... If he just waited patiently some more throughout the race he'd probably have better luck with a better result in the end.

[5vz-fe]

^Yeah, I think the pressure is wearing him thin. Similar to the blown he suffer in Shanghai last year.
Totally avoidable, but his eager to win hinder his judgment.

[thiago]

^Yeah, I think the pressure is wearing him thin. Similar to the blown he suffer in Shanghai last year.
Totally avoidable, but his eager to win hinder his judgment.

Yup... ;-)

[Mattk]

A bit like Massa at the beginning of the season. He had an initial failure in the first grand prix and it just seemed that he was pushing too hard to catch up. Then he started winning and getting his confidence back up. A lot of sportsmen just feel the need to push harder when the chips are down, when the best option is to probably do the opposite.

[Kissyface]

Quote:
Originally Posted by 5vz-fe http://www.motorworld.net/forum/firestorm/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.motorworld.net/forum/showthread.php?p=837242#post837242)
^Yeah, I think the pressure is wearing him thin. Similar to the blown he suffer in Shanghai last year.
Totally avoidable, but his eager to win hinder his judgment.

Yup... :wink:


...and it will probably be even more difficult for him next race in his home country where the pressure from the media and his fans will be huge.

[arguapacha]

Can his attitude be confused with the one Gilles Villeneuve demonstrated back in the 80's and made hhim famous still today? Or am I just missing the point? I reckon I haven't seen much of Gilles' races...|

[gobs3z]

A few points about hami...
He's young as hell, and almost won the championship last year...Pressure is an understatement this year since he should be doing better than he did last year. His dad is a huge problem for him and his image (can't stand the crazy father scenario). Hami will grow more patient with time, and hopefully more modest. He's a great driver and will no doubt win the championship at some point. I'm curious as to how serious he's taking this since he's making so much money and living a dream at such a young age.

P.S. Go Massa!!!! :-P

[thiago]

A few points about hami...
He's young as hell, and almost won the championship last year...Pressure is an understatement this year since he should be doing better than he did last year. His dad is a huge problem for him and his image (can't stand the crazy father scenario). Hami will grow more patient with time, and hopefully more modest. He's a great driver and will no doubt win the championship at some point. I'm curious as to how serious he's taking this since he's making so much money and living a dream at such a young age.

P.S. Go Massa!!!! :-P

Yes!!!

On May 23rd, 1993 on the streets on Monte Carlo - Ayrton Senna, after winning the race, managed to hold the leadership of the category. That was the last time we had one of our countryman leading the Formula 1 Championship. Yes, it's been some long 15 years, and now, after Felipe Massa's victory in France, he takes the top spot in F-1 back to the Brazilian fans. So now we have another reason to cheer ourselves up (after Senna's death) and have our flag; our anthem; and most importantly: the pride of being Brazilian, and seeing one of our own back on the top of the world of Formula 1 once more!

Yesterday's Grand Prix at Magny-Cours was not only important because of Massa's leadership; as history is written once more by the great performance of the young and talented Nelsinho Piquet after finishing on 7th, ahead of his teammate (the two time F-1 Champion Fernando Alonso), and scoring the first two points of his career in Formula 1. Renault F1's Flavio Briatore has finally, officially recognized Piquet's talent with yesterday's superb performance on the track. Luckily his days at Renault F1 are not counted anymore, as the driver seemed to be reaching the end of his career, and losing his almost non existing credibility due his poor performances prior to yesterday's race.

What else would make this race/season even more special? Both Ferraris finishing the race with a 1st and 2nd place in the podium? Ferrari dominance by leading the Drivers' and Constructors' Championship? Hell yeah! Go Massa! Go Ferrari!

ACELERA TUDO MASSA!!!!!!!!

[79rivers]

Nice to see Massa so strong again and fully recovered from his early-season disappointments. And nice to see Raikkonen survive that exhaust problem. But for me what made this GP one of the best of the year was that battle for third. I was torn between the two. I really wanted to see Kovalainen do well with that first-class ride. But then, I also wanted to see "old man" Trulli redeem himself for his on-again/off-again performances the past few years. Now we know Trulli's still got the fire. Kovalainen? Maybe another day. Maybe...

[torrentjunkie]

^^Yup, really happy Jarno made it on the podium, hes a cool guy, and well obviously still has the necessary skill seeing as he held off a Mclaren that came up from the bottom half of the grid.

I'm sure Kimi enjoyed the race just a bit more when the threat of the car blowing up became present lol.

As for Lewis, that race should bring him back down to earth...and in his own words "legends win from the back of the grid" seeing as he didn't...that says something...

Don't get me wrong, i was behind Lewis before the season started and still am, but the arrogance thing...its just not cool.

[Mattk]

^Haha! I think Hamilton is definitely talented, but not the best driver out there.

[WanderingAO]

Did anyone else happen to catch Hamilton's dad getting the way of the crew preparing Lewis's car on the grid? He should stick to ruining nice cars.

[thiago]

Did anyone else happen to catch Hamilton's dad getting the way of the crew preparing Lewis's car on the grid? He should stick to ruining nice cars.


No I actually have not seen it... Where and when did you see that? Did he get in the way on a mechanic and got him annoyed? Can you tell? I want to see it! :-)

Yeah, his dad really seems to be sort of a freak... I feel bad for Lewis because of his dad somehow... When he wrecked his can in Montreal I thought his dad would beat him up publicly. :-D

[WanderingAO]

It was during the preparations on the starting grid, he went over to get some face time on tv with his son and stumbled on a crew man monitoring the tire heating blanket. I enjoy Lewis's talent, but his dad seems to attract more attention of the cameras than team principals.

[thiago]

I need to go check on that one! It must be hilarious! :-P

Oh, ok, I saw it! It's right after they interview Ferrari's Rob Smedley, there's a bit of the fanfare playing the French National Anthem and there you'll see Anthony hugging his son before the race and then he trips over one of the mechanics working on the left front tire. Yeah, the man seems to be very passionate about his son and he wants to be there for him, looks like he doesn't seem to care much about others jobs by being that way in there.

[styla21]

We might be being a bit harsh on here.. I think it's great Lewis is publicly appreciative of his fathers influence. I havn't really heard much from the Dad before to judge if he is a positive role model, but from what I have seen I would have no reason to think otherwise.

[WanderingAO]

It is possible to be supportive without being shoulder-to-shoulder with the crew. I'm not trashing him, but he needs to take a back seat, instead of calling shotgun.

Great race for Ferrari, and cheers to Jarno.

[torrentjunkie]

I have alot of respect for Anthony, he's a good father..a relentless driving force. You can't really blame him...he's as much a part of Lewis's F1 Career as Lewis's driving ability, and i would say being in F1 is as much his dream as it is Lewis's.

He's just a little more concerned than other managers, seeing as it's his kid out there and that they've been in it together since Lewis first put that yellow crash helmet on, father and son. Just look at the images on the itv coverage for magny cours...how Anthony sends lewis off on the grid, as well as how he watches the race in the pits...his facial expression tells it all.

[Mattk]

I have a big problem with parents in sport. It's good that they're supportive, but when they're screaming instructions from the sidelines and/or micromanaging their sporting lives, a line has been crossed. Ultimately, sport is about the participant and parents need to know it. I don't think Anthony Hamilton has crossed the line yet. In fact, I think if anyone will ruin his career, it'll be someone from McLaren management.