Round of Malaysia (John takes the lead!)

[BlinkyBill]

No, I think Fisi retired, that's why they can send his engine to Viry to inspect it and he doesn't get a 10 place penalty for that, whilst JPM *did* finish and can't get his engine changed without copping the penalty. Right?

Ahh that makes sense: if you finish - your stuffed, if you dont, your ok. . . Thats the first real major difference to last year then isnt it. Last year if you DNF - you get a new engine but qualify first . . . so its not a noted advantage. This year, if your out of the points, and hit the self destruct button on your hydraulics, then you dont have the qualifying penalty for the next race and can start with a fresh engine

No, I think it was the same last year. Sometime in 2005 Toyota pulled out a car during the last laps of a GP while they were out of the points, afterwards which the FIA clarified that rule and said they would look closely into incidents like that, so that no one can have this obvious advantage by faking a DNF. As far as I know, the rules concerning engine changing / DNF or not / grid place demotion haven't changed from 2005 to 2006.

The "qualifying first after DNF in the last race" simply doesn't apply any more this year because the qualifying format was changed.

I think we agree, ol Steinmaster. The first major difference this year is that Fisi will actually have an advantaging in qualifying as opposed to last year when he would have had a disadvantage. Interesting times these are.

[Mart2005]

Winner : Kimi Raikkonen

Second : Fernando Alonso

Third : Jensen Button

Fourth : Juan Pablo Montoya

Fifth : Michael Schumacher

Sixth : Nico Rosberg

Seventh : Mark Webber

Eighth : Cristian Klien

Pole : Kimi Raikkonen

[Mark Whitehouse]

Playing catch-up already ......

Winner Kimi Raikkonen (just needs to start in the top 15 or so)
Second Fernando Alonso (will do nothing wrong .... just not quick enough)
Third Mark Webber (will qualify well, lose some places, then make some back)
Fourth Michael Schumacher (no pre-season testing in Malaysia)
Fifth Jenson Button (solid, but will struggle with something)
Sixth Nico Rosberg (fast, but this is an unknown track)
Seventh Rubens Barrichello (slow and steady)
Eighth Jacques Villeneuve (new engine will have him moving through tired cars towards the end)

Pole Kimi Raikkonen (and will be last of the big boys to make his first stop)

[Jim Watt]

O.K. Mates! Here's me picks. Like most of you, I'm just having to roll the dice becuz there are only 8 spots to pick with 4 teams having cars that can bloody win the thing!
so it comes down to two things: (1) Drivers (or as I prefer, RACERS!)
and (2) LUCK.

Well there's no question about the best driver today and I'm picking him to take the pole and win the race (by about two and a half laps!)

Thas' right!

1. Kimi Raikkonen (finally he has some GOOD LUCK; with that plus his car no one gets even close!)
2. Fernando Alonzo (the God's --like the girls-- love him and that's hard to top!)
3. Michael (his car's a good one and his experience, unlike some I could name, is mostly with podiums!)
4. J P Montoya (because even if they penalize him; he'll be there!)
5. Felipe M (assuming he don't spin and the pit crew is awake!)
6. Jenson B. (his is a good machine, after all)
7. Rubens (assuming he has all his gears this week!)
8. Nico (I love this kid; I'd pick him to be in the points even if he weren't in a quality car)

Pole: as I said, this week, AT LAST, Kimi HAS TO HAVE some decent luck

On the topic of luck, I agree with Julien: Fisi can't ever catch a break!!

But like mlittle (and others) I like Nico's attitude & driving

I note that Jay Vee's disregard of the red cars is total. Good, Jay Vee for your emotional well being, I take it. But not so good for your chances of finishing well in the Pole 'N 8 standings!

Finally, I'm sorry chaps, but there just wasn't any room for the Webbo this week. It was him or Nico and I like the kid. Heck, I obviously like Italians!

cheers and doesn't this look like a fun season already!? Jim Watt

[Bonobo11]

Winner: Kimi Raikkonen From 22 to third

Second: Fernando Alonso His car is good

Third: Jenson Button His car is OK

Fourth: Michael Schumacher He is Michael Schumacher

Fifth: Nico Rosberg New Kid On The Block

Sixth: Giancarlo Fisichella His car is s#$%

Seventh: Juan Pablo Montoya Monty is not in good form

Eighth: Christian Klien Dark Horse

Pole: Kimi Raikkonen He is so fast, if the material lets him

[Julian Mayo]

His dad says Nico is german.

[rah]

Winner: Fernando Alonso

Second: Michael Schumacher

Third: Mark Webber

Fourth: Kimi Raikkonen

Fifth: Giancarlo Fisichella

Sixth: Jenson Button

Seventh: Juan Pablo Montoya

Eighth: Nico Rosberg

Pole: Michael Schumacher

[JayVee]

I note that Jay Vee's disregard of the red cars is total. Good, Jay Vee for your emotional well being, I take it. But not so good for your chances of finishing well in the Pole 'N 8 standings!

Jim, first all the best to your Kimster but I somehow doubt that the Merc will last 2 races

My total disregard is for Michael and not the Red cars. And I won the F1 idiots group last year without picking Michael for a single round. It just becomes a bit harder when Michael scores points

This week I am picking Massa for 8th but it looks like he won't last. The team are now using him as a tester but more on that in the other thread

[Kapel]

Oh JayVee how can u take the rebel in 8th place?? he should be a bit higher..he's heard u.. might bump of Michael on ur request

[Julian Mayo]

Schuey is having an engine change before qualifying.

[Kapel]

Schuey is having an engine change before qualifying.

i know

That means Klien would be the only Ferrari engine runner for the 2nd race consecutive...Will his engine last??

[Kapel]

Also Rubinho has changed his engines

[<T-K>]

Nico will win it

[Julian Mayo]

Nico will win it

He is running lighter than MW, and bothWilliams are runnung a lot heavier than Fisi and Button

[<T-K>]

Nico will win it

He is running lighter than MW, and bothWilliams are runnung a lot heavier than Fisi and Button

I love optimism.......