The 2006 European Formula 1 Grand Prix

[Redhead]

I think you are reading too much into it. Bridgestone got it right last week but didn't at Imola, Australia or Malaysia. I think we'll see a similar trend over the season.

And those three races resulted in a 1st, a 2nd and a DNF while fighting hard for fourth, I look forward to seeing a similar trend!

[GhoGho]

You can be sure that Fernando will behave like a gentleman. The same can't be said about the other guy.

You sure about that?
We have yet to see how the new Champ will respond when under extreme pressure. Not to take anything awy from him, but he hasnt had anyone come close to threatening his title aspirations yet, which is why I would love to see a close 2 or 3 way fight for the WDC (and I dont mind who the other 2 drivers are).
He just seems too willing to settle for next best.

Remember, Alonso was clearly faster in Imola, Ferrari couldn't have improved that much in two weeks so it must be due to the tyres
Wait to see Alonso in Spain before you start thinking Michael will be a serious contender. I still think it is Kimi who will finish second to Alonso

It may not be ferrari who has improved that much in 2 weeks, but the bridgestones certainly appear to have improved, even the lack-lustre toyotas are moving up the order.
Look closely at some pis of the ferrari from the front from 2004/5 seasons and compare to this year. You will notoce a decidedly rounder appearance to the shoulder of the tyre. (Sort of like the Michelin man )
Like I said, I would love to see a close, well fought championship, and look forward to spain.
This is the one race where I dont believe any excuses relating to equipment are valid. With the amount of testing they do in spain they should be able to set the cars up and drive the circuit blindfolded.

[Redhead]

I think you are reading too much into it. Bridgestone got it right last week but didn't at Imola, Australia or Malaysia. I think we'll see a similar trend over the season.

And those three races resulted in a 1st, a 2nd and a DNF while fighting hard for fourth, I look forward to seeing a similar trend!

That'll learn me for getting up too early. Anyway I got 2 out 3.

I'm looking forward to seeing a close fight this year, one DNF from FA/good result from MS and it'll be on.

[JayVee]

I think you are reading too much into it. Bridgestone got it right last week but didn't at Imola, Australia or Malaysia. I think we'll see a similar trend over the season.

And those three races resulted in a 1st, a 2nd and a DNF while fighting hard for fourth, I look forward to seeing a similar trend!

That'll learn me for getting up too early. Anyway I got 2 out 3.

I'm looking forward to seeing a close fight this year, one DNF from FA/good result from MS and it'll be on.

And I hope you got my point too. The Bridgestone seem to get it more wrong than right.
In Bahrain they tested just before the race but in the following 3 races they didn't get it right and had tyre problems in all 3 races. (I know Michael won at Imola but he did have tyre problems, in Australia he crashed and was struggling with grip and in Malaysia he was 6th )
At Nurburgring they got it right but just like they got it right at Imola last year and many thought this is a Ferrari comeback, their hopes were dashed away quickly.

I think they will get it right a few times this year but Michelin will still have an advantage at most of the tracks.

Good luck anyway, you need it

[JayVee]

You can be sure that Fernando will behave like a gentleman. The same can't be said about the other guy.

You sure about that?
We have yet to see how the new Champ will respond when under extreme pressure. Not to take anything awy from him, but he hasnt had anyone come close to threatening his title aspirations yet, which is why I would love to see a close 2 or 3 way fight for the WDC (and I dont mind who the other 2 drivers are).
He just seems too willing to settle for next best.

Yes I am sure
He has yet to have a controversial move on any driver. That is enough to tell me that he doesn't need to resort to desparate and unsporty tactics to win. And it isn't just on the track, he doesn't demand preferential treatment in the team, he doesn't get his team-mate to test tyres for him, hell he is leaving the team and many here thought that poor Alonso will have a tough time cause the team will give Fisichella more attention. Poor Alonso is 44 points and team preferred Fisichella is 18

As for settling for next best, well Alonso knew that with his tyres he would not be able to pass Michael after the second stop so what is the point ? He knew he needs to save his engine for next race so rather than use maximum revs for no gain, he can use them at the next race in case.
The rules are crazy I agree but you can't blame someone playing by them. In fact had he pushed and set the fastest lap, etc .... then many would say what was the point right ?

Remember, Alonso was clearly faster in Imola, Ferrari couldn't have improved that much in two weeks so it must be due to the tyres
Wait to see Alonso in Spain before you start thinking Michael will be a serious contender. I still think it is Kimi who will finish second to Alonso

It may not be ferrari who has improved that much in 2 weeks, but the bridgestones certainly appear to have improved, even the lack-lustre toyotas are moving up the order.
Look closely at some pis of the ferrari from the front from 2004/5 seasons and compare to this year. You will notoce a decidedly rounder appearance to the shoulder of the tyre. (Sort of like the Michelin man )
Like I said, I would love to see a close, well fought championship, and look forward to spain.
This is the one race where I dont believe any excuses relating to equipment are valid. With the amount of testing they do in spain they should be able to set the cars up and drive the circuit blindfolded.

Exactly, it is Bridgestone who got it right this time but based on the few races we've had already I don't think they will get it right all the time.

I too would like to see a 3 way championship fight but Alonso is too good this year Maybe next year it will be close between himself and Raikkonen in the same car, maybe

[Kapel]

Bravo Michael!! Bravo Ferrari!!

Michael won the race in those astonishing 3 laps before his 2nd pitstop & Alonso lost it there.
Both drove a superb race,but Michael +Ferrari + bridgestone had an edge on this track and Alonso + Renault + Michelins had no reply for them,which was obvious after the 2nd pit stop when Alonso dropped his pace immediately after Michael came out in front of him.Alons knew he had no chance to overtake Michael then & smartly dropped the revs to perserve for his home race & settle for 2nd.

I would not blame Alonso for settling for 2nd & not even trying to chase down Michael till the last lap,similar scene at Imola,but the points system which gives the leading driver a comfortable margin to make any charge.

I think the biggest losers are the fans like us,who want to see a fight between 2 drivers in a race & not this.

My surprise of the race was Nico Rosberg,how did he manage tht with 2 stops

I want to see Mclaren back in the frame for race wins,its long overdue but i think they are still behind Renault in race pace,but things could change this weekend as Barcelona usually favours the Michelins

Want to a 3-way-battle for each race,forget the championship,i'll look at it after Monza.

[RE30B#16]

I did not get to see this race.

The drive of the day was probably put in by Nico Rosberg, but my driver of the day was Michael Schumacher for making it 2 in a row with the pit strategy.



Alonso is and will be the champion again. He is mister consistent, and will win his home race this weekend.



Congrats to Felipe Massa for getting it home 3rd, and scoring his first podium. Maybe he isn't as overrated as I thought. He is definitely green, but he is doing everything right at the moment.



Has Raikonnen finally recovered from his hangover? We shall see!



Hmm! Barrichello is 5th. No Buttons in the points. Is my pre-season prediction starting to come true?



Fisico, for all the flak you've taken, you're still kicking Jenson Button's @#$%!!



Nico Rosberg, son of the first hiphop racer in Formula 1! I hear ya, bro!



Jacques Villeneuve ahead of Nick Heidfeld. Well, they both finished, didn't they? With both Renaults and Ferraris finishing in the points, they were really competing for 5th max. They came in 8th and 10th, so it is really like they finished 4th and 6th!! Not bad!! Hey, I take it back. Rosberg is the son of the 2nd hiphop Formula 1 racer!!



I want to make a special mention of my countryman Scott Speed coming in 11th with the Toro Rosso ahead of both Red Bull cars!






I'm out!!!