Official 2006 F1 Season Discussion

[Shibby]

It was rather sad to see Schu go out like he did but ferrari were just unlucky with the failure. I think when he thru it around on saturday was the reason why it may of blown. What did he set something like a 1.28 which was the fasted lap i think.

But the Renaults may have some bad luck and may just fail next time.

But on the whole was a nice race to watch. I think the toyotas, BMWS are looking better. And what can i say about honda? i think they have come on pretty good now. Bit disapointed with Mclaren. Feel sorry for Albers who drive shaft flew in to the air.

[Martyn]

Very happy that Alonso won, he can only throw the Championship away now. Everyone was saying how Schumi would dominate and win the race easily, and then the opposite happens!

Gutted that Suzuka is getting took off the F1 calendar, it is one of my favourite tracks.

[sundayx Veteran]

damn i was hoping to have the tie break in brazil, which leads to alonsos victory. msc was very unfortunate, ferraris were suppose to be reliable.

[Martyn]

damn i was hoping to have the tie break in brazil, which leads to alonsos victory. msc was very unfortunate, ferraris were suppose to be reliable.

They are meant to be reliable. I find it funny though, people were on about before the race that Schumacher has not had an engine failure for six years, then he has one in that very race :rofl:!

[satishsays.com]

Jerez Testing Day 1

Marc Gene topped the times at Jerez on Tuesday, setting a fastest lap of 1m 17.883s - almost a second quicker than fellow Ferrari tester Luca Badoer. Only five runners made an appearance at the Spanish track for the opening day of the last major testing session of the season.

Gene and Badoer, both at the wheel of a 248 F1, worked through a Bridgestone tyre programme and completed 171 laps between them. Michael Schumacher will replace Gene on Wednesday to carry out further testing alongside Badoer.

Williams’ driver Alexander Wurz was the third-fastest runner and also the busiest man on track, completing 108 laps in total. Wurz’s team mate Narain Karthikeyan joined the Austrian for just 10 laps and clocked the fifth-quickest time. Both Williams’ runners were testing cars fitted with the team’s new gearbox and Toyota engines.

“Alex completed a front tyre construction test in the morning and we then moved onto a race distance run in the afternoon which was successfully completed,” explained test team manager, Mike Condliffe. “We carried out some engine mapping work on Narain's car before we had some teething problems which prevented us completing all the running we had planned.”

Completing the day’s times was Lewis Hamilton, in fourth, for McLaren. Hamilton was limited to a brief shakedown run of 10 laps, but will begin a full day of testing on Wednesday alongside team mate Pedro de la Rosa.

BMW Sauber and Toyota are expected to join the session on Wednesday.

Unofficial Tuesday times from Jerez:

1. Marc Gene, Ferrari (Bridgestone), 1:17.883

2. Luca Badoer, Ferrari (Bridgestone), 1:18.792

3. Alexander Wurz, Williams (Bridgestone), 1:19.549

5. Lewis Hamilton, McLaren (Michelin), 1:22.916

4. Narain Karthikeyan, Williams (Bridgestone), 1:23.550

Source

[Crazysah]

I hope Ferrari and Schumi work together and get Alonso in 9th place with Massa helping out and Schumi winning it!

[Fourjays Veteran]

The only way I can see Alonso not winning the champ is if he a) tries to win and risks putting the engine past it's limit or b) Schumi/Massa/Ferrari pulls some stunt (which wouldn't surprise me).

Alonsos best strategy is to just keep a low profile, run the car at a steady (but not blistering) pace and settle for points, rather than a podium or win.

I'd like Renault to win the constructors, but won't be bothered if Ferrari get it. Both have worked very hard this year.

[satishsays.com]

Jerez day 2 - Schumacher wows in final test

Ferrari’s Michael Schumacher dominated the second day of testing at Jerez on Wednesday with a blistering lap of 1m 16.225s - over a second quicker than Luca Badoer in the second 248 F1. This week’s session at the Spanish circuit is set to be Schumacher’s last as a race driver.

The German completed 108 laps whilst carrying out a comprehensive Bridgestone tyre evaluation ahead of the season’s final race in Brazil. Team mate Badoer tested components for next year and completed 92 laps. Both will return on Thursday to continue testing.

BMW Sauber’s Robert Kubica was the third-fastest runner. As the only BMW driver present, Kubica spent a busy day swapping between two cars. In the morning the Pole tested new parts for 2007, whilst his afternoon was devoted to tyre and transmission development.

Pedro de la Rosa and Lewis Hamilton were fourth and sixth quickest respectively for McLaren, on the team’s first full day of testing. The pair worked through final set-up and tyre evaluations for Interlagos, before carrying out some development work for the 2007 season.

Fifth fastest was Toyota tester Ricardo Zonta, who completed 111 laps whilst testing tyres. Zonta’s team mate Olivier Panis, meanwhile, was eighth quickest. The Frenchman spent the day collecting data for the team’s race strategy but will switch to tyre evaluation on Thursday alongside Zonta.

"The driver's programmes were quite straightforward. Ricardo worked on tyre comparisons, while Olivier spent the day collecting data that the engineers in the factory needed to analyse various items on the car,” explained Gerd Pfeiffer, Toyota’s test team manager. “Overall, the cars worked well and we made it through the day and both programmes nicely. Tomorrow we will continue the tyre programme on both cars to make the choice for Brazil."

On track for a second day with Williams were Alexander Wurz and Narain Karthikeyan. Wurz was seventh fastest, with Karthikeyan ninth. “Today in Jerez, Narain carried out some engine tests for Toyota in the morning as well as completing an aero test on some new parts and brake work in the afternoon,” explained Mike Condliffe, Williams’ test team manager. “Alex also worked on brake tests and then traction control development. Both drivers completed their planned tyre testing in the afternoon to round off a successful day.”

Testing continues at Jerez on Thursday.

Unofficial Wednesday times from Jerez:

1. Michael Schumacher, Ferrari (Bridgestone), 1:16.225

2. Luca Badoer, Ferrari (Bridgestone), 1:17.276

3. Robert Kubica, BMW Sauber (Michelin), 1:17.569

4. Pedro de la Rosa, McLaren (Michelin), 1:17.788

5. Ricardo Zonta, Toyota (Bridgestone), 1:17.988

6. Lewis Hamilton, McLaren (Michelin), 1:18.192

7. Alexander Wurz, Williams (Bridgestone), 1:19.057

8. Olivier Panis, Toyota (Bridgestone), 1:19.342

9. Narain Karthikeyan, Williams (Bridgestone), 1:20.475

Source

[satishsays.com]

Jerez day three - no let up from Schumacher

Ferrari’s Michael Schumacher continued to dominate testing in Jerez on Thursday, clocking the quickest time for a second consecutive day. Schumacher lapped the Spanish test track in 1m 15.684s - over five-tenths faster than his Wednesday best and just a few hundredths of a second off the unofficial circuit record, which he set in September 2004.

Schumacher continued to evaluate Bridgestone tyres for the Brazilian Grand Prix and was joined on track by Luca Badoer, Ferrari’s official test driver. Badoer was fourth quickest in the second 248 F1. He completed 76 laps whilst working on the development of new parts for 2007.

Lewis Hamilton set the second-fastest time for McLaren. This year’s GP2 champion was over four-tenths quicker than team mate Pedro de la Rosa who ended the session fifth in the timings. Although a minor oil leak interrupted De la Rosa’s session he managed to complete his scheduled programme. Both drivers spent McLaren’s last day at the circuit evaluating Michelin tyres for Interlagos and testing developments for the team’s 2007 car.

Robert Kubica was BMW Sauber’s only driver in Jerez on Thursday (he will be joined by Nick Heidfeld on Friday). Kubica completed 100 laps and ended the day the third-fastest runner. The Pole continued transmission development work in the morning before undertaking several longer runs in the afternoon.

Ricardo Zonta completed his final day of testing for Toyota, before his move to Renault next season. Despite losing some valuable running time due to an engine change, Zonta clocked the sixth-quickest time.

“In the end, we still got some running in and I think the team can make a good choice,” explained the Brazilian. “This being my last day it is difficult to leave a team that I have worked with a long time and who have treated me so well. Looking back, we have had quite a busy and difficult season, focusing on the tyres and developing the car to improve on our results. The team was always motivated to keep moving ahead. I have always felt welcome here and I will miss everyone that I have worked with."

Seventh quickest was Olivier Panis in the second Toyota. Panis worked predominantly on tyre evaluation and completed 90 laps. Although the Frenchman is also due to leave Toyota this year, he is set to complete further tests during the winter months.

The day’s final runners were Alexander Wurz and Narain Karthikeyan for Williams. Wurz continued to test the Toyota engine the team will use next year and was eighth fastest, whilst Karthikeyan carried out a series of set-up comparisons before testing front wing assemblies. He finished the session ninth.

Although Ferrari, McLaren and Toyota have completed their Jerez programmes, Williams and BMW Sauber will continue to test in Spain on Friday.

Unofficial Thursday times from Jerez:

1. Michael Schumacher, Ferrari (Bridgestone), 1:15.684

2. Lewis Hamilton, McLaren (Michelin), 1:16.804

3. Robert Kubica, BMW Sauber (Michelin), 1:17.012

4. Luca Badoer, Ferrari (Bridgestone), 1:17.241

5. Pedro de la Rosa, McLaren (Michelin), 1:17.292

6. Ricardo Zonta, Toyota (Bridgestone), 1:17.488

7. Olivier Panis, Toyota (Bridgestone), 1:17.801

8. Alexander Wurz, Williams (Bridgestone), 1:18.284

9. Narain Karthikeyan, Williams (Bridgestone), 1:20.449

Source

[KzR]

The only way Schumi can win now is for Ferrari to get Massa to crash into Alonso, and Schumi to win the race. :D

[Martyn]

The only way Schumi can win now is for Ferrari to get Massa to crash into Alonso, and Schumi to win the race. :D

Would not surprise me, judging from Schumacher's and Ferrari's past tactics.

[Martyn]

Final race this weekend. I love the Interlagos circuit as well, so it should be great :D!

[Shibby]

I'm really looking forward to today, i really hope schu does get pole and alonso comes 6th and then gets an engine blow on him

[b0m8er]

I'm really looking forward to today, i really hope schu does get pole and alonso comes 6th and then gets an engine blow on him

:devil: you're Evil. LOL... but yeh, that'd been nice :devil:

Can't wait till qualification begins!

And I really hope Shumi wins tomorrow - it'd be a good retiremet present for him. :yes:

[.mcman]

Saturday Practice Results

1 6 Felipe Massa Ferrari 1:11.443

2 5 Michael Schumacher Ferrari 1:11.631

3 12 Jenson Button Honda 1:12.306

4 17 Robert Kubica Sauber-BMW 1:12.535

5 2 Giancarlo Fisichella Renault 1:12.567

6 11 Rubens Barrichello Honda 1:12.697

7 1 Fernando Alonso Renault 1:12.721

8 3 Kimi R?ikk?nen McLaren-Mercedes 1:12.723

9 4 Pedro de la Rosa McLaren-Mercedes 1:12.780

10 16 Nick Heidfeld Sauber-BMW 1:13.037

11 9 Mark Webber Williams-Cosworth 1:13.205

12 10 Nico Rosberg Williams-Cosworth 1:13.380

13 21 Scott Speed STR-Cosworth 1:13.455

14 20 Vitantonio Liuzzi STR-Cosworth 1:13.530

15 15 Robert Doornbos RBR-Ferrari 1:13.564

16 7 Ralf Schumacher Toyota 1:13.642

17 22 Takuma Sato Super Aguri-Honda 1:13.814

18 18 Tiago Monteiro MF1-Toyota 1:13.832

19 14 David Coulthard RBR-Ferrari 1:13.944

20 8 Jarno Trulli Toyota 1:14.051

21 19 Christijan Albers MF1-Toyota 1:14.108

22 23 Sakon Yamamoto Super Aguri-Honda 1:14.875

Ferrari have big chances to win pole position:):)

Can't wait till the qualification.53b> minutes left...

[Crazysah]

DAMN! Schumacher went back to the pits in the last qualifying session and never came back out! He finished 10th! Alonso 4th! DAMN!

[Shibby]

Schu could still win it! the chances now are just very very slim.

Now all we need is Alonso engine to break and Schu to raid thru the grid. Which he has done before

[Deathray]

Schu could still win it! the chances now are just very very slim.

Now all we need is Alonso engine to break and Schu to raid thru the grid. Which he has done before

If Schumacher wins... what a way to do it... that would be the ultimate. For people watching, this should be great, because he should be going full out

[scaramonga]

Well its looking good in Qualifying........his car has just bombed....LOL! :D .....overweight in fuel and a 10 place grid drop.......LMAO!!!! BYEEEEEE Schu.......enjoy your retirement :devil:

Go Alonso!!

[sundayx Veteran]

can someone clarify for me, MSC can only win if alonso dq on sunday AND MSC need first?

[KzR]

can someone clarify for me, MSC can only win if alonso dq on sunday AND MSC need first?

Schumi needs to win and Alonso must not score a point (i.e. >9th position)

[Crazysah]

Schumi will do it I tell you!

[digitalsoft]

Schumi will do it I tell you!

you still think that now? :cry:

[sundayx Veteran]

great finish MSC

[Fourjays Veteran]

Good race, great championship. I feel the championship has finished in the right way. Alonso continuing as the person to beat next year (gives everyone someone to compare to on track) and Schumacher showing that he is still quick, but not stealing the lime light... Leaving the door open for the future.

Good to see Massa win his home race. I can't help but feel he is going to over-shadowed by Raikonnen next year though, which is a shame. :(

Button and Honda are looking good for next year. Should be challenging for a championship. :)