Formula 1

**BFG** · 11th May 2006, 22:27

Like what Eddyq said, it depends on the driver. If a driver prepares himself and the car meticulously, he will know how the car will handle. Knowing that, the advantage will fall to the driver who really knows how his car behave at a certain situation. There are drivers who works with the car and there are those that let the car do the working. This is where the difference between all the driver lies. Experience is also a major factor for the driver. Sometimes, all the driver needs is a good ear or his gut feeling telling him that there is something wrong with his car. He can even feel it if the engines doesn't vibrate as usual. This is where his experience comes into play.

There's no use if a team has all the money and expertise in the world but has a driver who is not in-tune with his car.

**gummynut** · 13th May 2006, 01:59

Off track... Yaaaa... i saw Michelle Yeoh kissing JT

I wanna to be in ferrari team too. :envy:

**eddyq** · 13th May 2006, 09:23

Off track.....To accomplish great things we must dream on....

On track..... Renault fastest on Friday practices....

**BFG** · 13th May 2006, 19:30

The qualifying lap is about to begin! Start at 1957 on StarSports Live!

**gummynut** · 15th May 2006, 00:46

Interesting.. Renaults are back in Spain with dominant performance with Ferrari a distant second. Wonder what advantage they have that gives them the edge over their rivals. Michelin?
Results:
1. F. Alonso (Renault)
2. M. Schumi (Ferrari)
3. Giancarlo Fisichella (Renault)
4. Felipe Massa (Ferrari)

**Quixotic** · 15th May 2006, 16:57

Haha... As mentioned in my earlier post, Ferrari and Renault cars are very close in performance to each other. Not a lot to choose between the two. So it comes down to the tyres.

Michelin was aggresive and ran all-new tyre specifications this week. Bridgestone, according to the Technical Manager, is in need of more grips.

As quoted, Jean Todt says that Ferrari is still very much in contention for both World Championships, and that tyres will be the key to how the balance of power shifts between the Italian team and Renault in the coming months.

**BFG** · 15th May 2006, 20:10

Both tyre manufacturer have their problems with some of the tracks but not the others. If it's suits Michelin, Bridgestone will have some sort of grip problem and vice versa.

The start of the race was great! Alonso has the edge on the 1st corner and Fisichella held up the 2 Ferrari. Massa however blocked off the 2 Honda's to leave some space for Schumacher to go through. This is what I've talked about before. They really need good teamwork to slow down the prancing horse. Home ground support was magnificent for Renault.They did their homework, planned their strategy well and the outcome, the youngest Spanish driver to won Spain F1 race! It was also great that Fisichella got on to the podium. They were also reminded that Schumacher is not far behind them in the points with his presence on the podium.

McLaren sadly was nowhere to be seen. A jeep stuck in mud is normal to see but a F1 car stuck on the track kerb just millimeter higher than the track course is unbelievable! What did Montoya do to deserve this? I can't remember what happen to Raikkonen though.

Honda has no problem with it's pit crew if I remembered correctly. Someone must have been dealt with. They have a clean sheet while at Spain. Good for them!

**barmby** · 17th May 2006, 02:32

I missed the last 2 races!!! Arrggg.. Its on Sunday 8pm. Yet I still miss it.. :sigh

**BFG** · 17th May 2006, 11:41

You could catch the repeat telecast but I don't know when that is.

**BFG** · 29th May 2006, 19:37

Well, yesterday racing was a controversy by the time the qualifying session was over. Schumi, after having a fast lap which made him the pole starter position had drove aggressively to try to better his time trial. At the corner before the pit entrance, he inadvertantly lost control and nearly hit the barrier. He tried to reverse but his car stall. Because of this, the safety official calls for the yellow flag to be raised to warn the other driver. Now the problem here was that Alonso was having his 'hot' lap and the yellow flag had caused him to not finish his run the way he hoped. The folks at Renault including Renault team manager was furious and call for an immediate inquiry and calling Schumi a cheater. The F1 official had a meeting for 8hr to dscuss about Schumi qualifying tactics. On race day, Schumi had to start from the pit area, at the last position possible, away from the other 21 drivers who start their race on the track.

The actual race in itself was clean, no crashes if I recall correctly. There were a few cars that drop out due to reliability issue and sadly, Raikkonen and Nico Rosberg were among them. Schumi incredibly finished 5th.

**Happy Camper** · 29th May 2006, 20:39

I think its a bit unfair of them to call him a cheat. He has nothing to prove, why on earth would he possible cheat. Whats your opinion Mohamad?

**BFG** · 29th May 2006, 21:34

Me and my colleague share the same sentiment. Watching the replay, Schumi car was aggressive going into the corner. As he went into the corner rather fast, his rear started to slide a bit and he steered the other way to regain control, sort of a knee jerk reaction. When the car was stabilised, he turned the steering to the right but the car seems to move straight. He hit the brake, as seen on tv and his front right tyre looses grip from the asphalt. That tyre locked up as the car moves forward. He straightened the wheel as the car finally stop, just inches from the barrier. He couldn't move forward without hitting the barrier and damaging his car front wing so he engaged reverse gear. That when his car stalled.

Happy Camper, after the qualifying period end, I had thought that Schumi had confirmed to be in the pole position but I was very surprised when I came home from work and switch on the tv to catch the race only to find his name wasn't even on the 1st 6 place of the starting grid. He was punished and the worst punishment he was given was to start in the pit area. I'd think he would have felt a bit humiliated. I mean look at the fact. His team driver had crashed earlier while going into a turn fast. Now, why didn't anybody do anything about it then? And when it happen to Schumi, he was labelled a cheat. If you've had watched the qualifying session after that debacle, you would have heard what Renault F1 Team principal said about Schumi on tv. The fact was that the tyre Ferrari choose did not give adequate grip on that track, as was mentioned on tv. That track is a part of the public road. All the tv commentator said was that there could be someone who gave the idea to Schumi ( while he was trying for another hot lap run ) to sabotaged the qualifying period in order to slow down Alonso. The F1 official had a meeting for 8hr to look into the matter. Why 8hr? How many times the tape was being replayed? But he showed his driving skill by advancing up by 3 car before entering the tunnel section and ending the race in 5th position. How many F1 drivers can do that? That track had a reputation for being the hardest track to over take another car and he proves the critic wrong.

**Happy Camper** · 29th May 2006, 21:47

Originally Posted by BFG

Happy Camper, after the qualifying period end, I had thought that Schumi had confirmed to be in the pole position but I was very surprised when I came home from work and switch on the tv to catch the race only to find his name wasn't even on the 1st 6 place of the starting grid.

I only found out about it on Sunday morning, I'm a huge fan of the Super Bikes and they mentioned during one of the races.

Originally Posted by BFG

He was punished and the worst punishment he was given was to start in the pit area. I'd think he would have felt a bit humiliated. I mean look at the fact. His team driver had crashed earlier while going into a turn fast. Now, why didn't anybody do anything about it then? And when it happen to Schumi, he was labelled a cheat.

Perhaps alot of people are bitter over Michael's success? So they will use any excuse to 'blacken' his name!

Originally Posted by BFG

If you've had watched the qualifying session after that debacle, you would have heard what Renault F1 Team principal said about Schumi on tv.

Yes I saw that, I am not a big fan of Renault, Alonso nor Fabio. I like to support Mclaren but so far they are having an awful season, I felt very sorry yesterday for Kimi, he was on the pace for sure!!!

Originally Posted by BFG

The F1 official had a meeting for 8hr to look into the matter. Why 8hr?

This just shows how deep the politics run in Motorsport, its hardly a sport anymore with all the red tape that comes with it, a great pity!

Originally Posted by BFG

How many times the tape was being replayed? But he showed his driving skill by advancing up by 3 car before entering the tunnel section and ending the race in 5th position. How many F1 drivers can do that? That track had a reputation for being the hardest track to over take another car and he proves the critic wrong.

Well lets face, Michael will probably go down in history as the world's greatest driver, no one can take that away from him. But perhaps he should seriously think of quitting before all the politics spoil his reputation.

Kind Regards
Cameron

**eddyq** · 29th May 2006, 22:23

At last, David Coultard/Red Bull Racing, first time at the podium after 2 years. It a huge boost for them, I think he won at Monaco before with Maclaren so David is very experienced driver.

He couldn't move forward without hitting the barrier and damaging his car front wing so he engaged reverse gear. That when his car stalled

BFG, I have never seen a F1 car using reverse gear. If there is space, usually they just flick the car around with 1st gear.

**Quixotic** · 30th May 2006, 14:24

Michael has a precedent for dubious moves in the past, so it is of no wonder that this episode is highly suspicious. I am not a fan but has no hatred for him, so I will reserve my judgements.

These are the only facts: only Michael truly knows what he has done, and the race stewards, with all the telementary data made available to them, deemed it to deliberate.

There are other more interesting things:

1. Surely, McLaren's unreliability will severely test Kimi's patience. Kimi in a Ferrari in 2007 is looming large.

2. Honda were nowhere near the top.

3. What does it take to beat Alonso? The reliability of the Renault and his consistency is astounding. But is going to McLaren in 2007 a wise choice?

4. Williams doing well, and IMHO, is going to be close to McLaren at the end.

5. Is Toyota back? Trulli has always done well in Monaco, so judgement is still reserved.

6. Red Bull result is definitely a one-off situation, this being Monaco and Coulthard's favourite circuit.

Bring on Silverstone...

**Happy Camper** · 30th May 2006, 18:04