Should be an interesting race coming up. With the extreme heat, I'm going to predict an STR in the points. Top 3:

1. FA
2. RB
3. GF

Mechanical failures for MS and KR:(

I'm sticking with MS and Ferrari. If it rains, which is likely, MS will rule again.

STR has a great advantage with their V10's running so detuned and reliable at a mere 750hp instead of their designed 950hp. This will be one of the circuits where they will have an upper hand in reliability. The heat will be a factor as always and STR will cope with them better than others, at least thats the prediction anyways.

My guess:
MS
Kimi
Alonso

Im hoping for Nico to be in the points again....along with Speed somewhere in the mix

1. FA
2. KR
3. JB

As much as I would like to see MS and Ferrari take this one, after the wear problems with Massa and Coulthard's engines, I don't think he'll last. Alonso is still the only one who can beat Raikonen this early in the season.

Massa has a new motor for this race and is taking the 10 grid spot penalty. It will be interesting to see how he can claw his way back.

Why, why, why has Davidson or Alex Wurz not picked up a race seat yet. For that matter even Pedro de la Rosa. These show their potential every weekend but its as if it never materializes into a race seat. Forget Jaguar, a real race seat should see them shine and they deserve one

1. Kr
2. Ms
3. Rb
4. Jb
5. Fa
6. Jpm

Massa has a new motor for this race and is taking the 10 grid spot penalty. It will be interesting to see how he can claw his way back.

Why, why, why has Davidson or Alex Wurz not picked up a race seat yet. For that matter even Pedro de la Rosa. These show their potential every weekend but its as if it never materializes into a race seat. Forget Jaguar, a real race seat should see them shine and they deserve one


I was always wondering the same thing Davidson and Wurz has proven themselves to be quick on a consistent basis. I think there are some internal politics that have prevented them from getting a full-time race seat.

was it Davidson that didnt fit the cockpit of last years Mclaren?

Pedro de la Rosa proved himself again last year. STR or RB should have picked up at least one of these guys and given them the race seat

was it Davidson that didnt fit the cockpit of last years Mclaren?

Pedro de la Rosa proved himself again last year. STR or RB should have picked up at least one of these guys and given them the race seat

Everytime they show a shot of Davidson he's sticking WAY out of the cockpit in comparison to JB or Rubens. His helmet almost blocks the airbox.

I think if I were a tester for a top tier team, I wouldn't want to give up that position for a race seat where I don't even have a chance, like STR or MF1.

Back to Malaysia...it looks like MS might need an engine change.

The test drivers are always faster than team mates on friday practice. They don't have to conserve their equipment and can go balls out and get the telemetry and setup for qualifying and race for their team mates without having to worry about the strain on the engines for the competion cars.

1. McSchumacher
2. Kimi
3. Buttons
4. Alonso
5. Montoya
6. Barrichello
7. Massa
8. Rosberg

Schuei now officially needs the engine changed...

Rosberg did good in qualifying.

Looks like an interesting race is on tap for tonight. You west coast guys get prime time viewing this week!

Over 10 years from his passing on, and Senna's record stays un-beaten to this day (not for too much longer though).

That said.

It it rains, it's Schumi, the only other driver to tear through the rain like he does was the "Rain man" Senna.

Othewise, my bets on.

FA.
KR.
JB.

Damn this Rosberg kid can really drive.:eek:

And took over 50 years for a driver to get five championships after Fangio's record in the late 50's. How many F1 titles Senna got? Only three. Pole positions don't make you a champion, just a fast driver in a very short time until the race starts. You don't get points for PP's.
Back to topic.
Great job JB, and Nico is really fast. Speed is 16th.

And took over 50 years for a driver to get five championships after Fangio's record in the late 50's. How many F1 titles Senna got? Only three.

This comming from a JPM fan? :shifty


Pole positions don't make you a champion, just a fast driver in a very short time until the race starts. You don't get points for PP's.


Agreed, but it must count for something, or it would not be a record.
MS has re-written almost every record in the book, this and the one that FA holds being the two exceptions that I know of (I'm sure there are more).

Once again.
I am a Ferrari fan. MS is the Ferrari driver. Therefore, I am rooting for him.
I saw JPM and followed him since he came to the US, I am his fan. Love to see him win and become a champ before he retires, but at this pace I don't think it will happen.:(
I like Alonso and Button as well.
I don't like just one driver and hate the rest. Those are my favorites.
On the other hand, I don't care if Kimi, Sato, Fisi or Speed win. Those are not my favorites. Clear?;)
And for the record, I didn't care about Senna either.
Now, records are to be broken, but the most important thing in your resume is how many championships you got.
Laps led, PP's, top fives, top tens, fastest laps are just for statistics, they don't make you a champ, they are nice to have though. Nobody remembers who got 2nd and 3rd places.

Once again.
I am a Ferrari fan. MS is the Ferrari driver. Therefore, I am rooting for him.
And for the record, I didn't care about Senna either.


Thanks!, it helps to know where you're comming from ;)

Thanks!, it helps to know where you're comming from
You're welcome.;)
Now, why did we start this? :rolleyes
Go MS, JPM, FA and JB !!!!! In that order, love to see that podium.

lets hope montoya and kimi don't take eachother out at the first corner.

perhaps they are both on a one stop? do you think they have a compound similar to last year to be able to run so long? when kimi came in for his only stop his tires didn't even look that bad.

I would say no, since other teams will be running a softer compound due to the new tire rules. It will also much hotter there and tire wear will be a bigger factor.

I'm going out on a limb. I'm predicting Button's first win. or Sato.... jk

1. Button
2. Raikkonen
3. Schumacher
4. Rosberg

damn, no one seems to think montoya is a threat even though he out qualified his teammate and alonso.

BOOOOOM there goes the BMW engine...again.....

Sitting through the French National Anthem... is painful.

Sitting through the French National Anthem... is painful.
True....

But, what makes the French/Renault team so strong?

:( sad day, and Heidfeld looked to be doing so well too

Raikkonen on the first lap. :( and then the fire works start happening. Interesting race, would have been dull without the fireshows though. Watching GF drive it to the end without a serious threat was less than exciting. Good race for the Renaults.

To bad for Kimi, and for Schumi's manager who guranteed a victory!

But, what makes the French/Renault team so strong?

Mainly, reliability.

The BMW engines are not being too reliable... :( At least we got some points...

Also, I heard ferrari told Massa to step aside for shumacher and he didn't :D Great, I would hate him to be just "another barrichelo"...

Seems like williams should't laugh on BMW's engine faulier...

Mainly, reliability.

The BMW engines are not being too reliable... :( At least we got some points...

That and the fact that they have the best package! Why do you think they are more reliable? their engine is more driveable, the car is easier to set up, thus more efficient and they end up being able to run 2-400rpm that the opposition hence the better reliability.
Reliability is just a consequence of a lot of other factors at the moment, not a reason.
Who else was lapping consistenly faster than them today? simply no-one.

The irony is that Renault is doing it and spends less than 1/2 of what Ferrari, Toyota or Mclaren are.

Also Renault's launch/start system that have developed. FA went from 7th to 3rd by turn one. They do that every race, if they are starting that deep in field.

Also Renault's launch/start system that have developed. FA went from 7th to 3rd by turn one. They do that every race, if they are starting that deep in field.

and with more fuel onboard than anyone else. Renault boys fucked up for him on satrurday charging the fuel twice in his car during the qualifications, hence his poor grid position.
Pretty amazing how he jumped both Mclaren. :eek:

Mainly, reliability.

The BMW engines are not being too reliable... :( At least we got some points...


Agreed Pat Symonds really has a handle on how far he can push the limits of his engines. ANother big advantage already touched upon is the Renault launch control, it's simply light years ahead of what anyone else has.

Well, a disappointing race for me to say the least. Not nearly as exciting as the last one.

One thing I find interesting is that we have not seen a Mercedes powerplant expire yet *knock on wood*.

Yep, not as exciting, but my predictions were pretty close.

Alonso's dive to 3rd place was really impressive.
MS seemed really constrained again (maybe due for retirement?)

To bad for Kimi, and for Schumi's manager who guranteed a victory!

Kimi was just bad luck (deja vu), as for Schumi, I guess talk is cheap.

Bah, after that display, I am all in favor of dumping the two race per engine rule. It was a boring race. Only good stuff was further back in the pack (and the big clouds of oil smoke every time an engine let go)...

I want more passing!!!

Good race for Renault. Button shoulda/coulda/woulda placed better if he'd learn to pass.

haha, "I guarantee a Shumacher win". And that was an awesome start for Alonzo.

haha, "I guarantee a Shumacher win". And that was an awesome start for Alonzo.


Yup.

Willi should know better.

Ferrari is really close. Had they not had the 10 spot penalty he would have easily been fighting for the podium.

I think MS will definitely win one of the upcoming races.

Sitting through the French National Anthem... is painful.
What were you expecting? The German Anthem?
I'd like to hear the Italian, but French does it.
Yep, not as exciting, but my predictions were pretty close.
Mine too, FA followed by JB, I wasn't expecting Fisi, but he's got a Renault as well.
OT, why don't we have Renaults in the USA?
Boring race if the "iceman" retires? C'mon, did you see the pit stops strategies?

The only racing at the front was in the pits. That's not why I watch F1. And yes, if one of the top contenders retires, it lessens the "fun" factor.

Bahrain was much more interesting. Still, I am very hopeful for a good year. There are a lot of people who could give Renault and Alonso a run.

I think Renault is not sold here because they would have to change alot of things to meet US crash and emissions standards. They are sold in Mexico. Surprised at least one car (I like the Clio Cup) doesn't come over as a rebadged Nissan.

Boring race if the "iceman" retires? C'mon, did you see the pit stops strategies?

Ahh, yes I did see the pit stop strategies, like I've done for the past 10 years or so before 2005. An art mastered by the same guy that moved almost all of his pit crew from benetton to ferrari.
:rolleyes

EDIT: The "Iceman" did not retire, he "was retired". Subtle but significant difference.

Reliability is just a consequence of a lot of other factors at the moment, not a reason.


I was not talking results-wise, but in the aspect that their cars/engines don't seem to break much.

OT, why don't we have Renaults in the USA?


Why? to have something else than wine to boycott? :D
Seriously you do buy a lot of renault, they are called Nissan in the US or infinity. :D

The only 3 cars worth having from renault line up are: Clio RS (the new one will be a 200bhp hot hatch), the clio 3.0L V6 (not produced anymore, RWD FTW :buttrock ) and the Megane RS (2.0L turbo, 225bhp FWD FTL :( )

My first F1 race (relatively new cable subscriber). Seems like Villeneuve picked up a few spots early on but then hit a brick wall so to speak, got passed by Schumacher and could never catch up. Might as well keep this on topic since were on bimmer forums. :)

Why? to have something else than wine to boycott? :D
Seriously you do buy a lot of renault, they are called Nissan in the US or infinity. :D

The only 3 cars worth having from renault line up are: Clio RS (the new one will be a 200bhp hot hatch), the clio 3.0L V6 (not produced anymore, RWD FTW :buttrock ) and the Megane RS (2.0L turbo, 225bhp FWD FTL :( )
Yeah, but the are Nissan, they are not Renault with the Nissan badge. I like the Megane a lot.
I'd love to have a 207 WRC, but they don't sell it in Mexico either.
Ahh, yes I did see the pit stop strategies, like I've done for the past 10 years or so before 2005. An art mastered by the same guy that moved almost all of his pit crew from benetton to ferrari.


EDIT: The "Iceman" did not retire, he "was retired". Subtle but significant difference.
I saw the Renault's strategy, it was better than the Ferrari's.
Anyway, the "iceman" didn't finish the race.:alright Who "retired" him? JPM?:devillook

.

I saw the Renault's strategy, it was better than the Ferrari's.
Anyway, the "iceman" didn't finish the race.:alright Who "retired" him? JPM?:devillook


Nope, (as funny as that would be however) I beleive it was Christian Klein. Which explains Klien's suspension damage. The dick Montoya was already by Kimi in turn 3.

Yep, Klein it was.

To hell with Renault, Alonso, and his thick-ass eyebrows :shifty

Nope, (as funny as that would be however) I beleive it was Christian Klein. Which explains Klien's suspension damage. The dick Montoya was already by Kimi in turn 3.

what is your problem w/ pretty much every driver on the grid, esp. montoya.

To hell with Renault, Alonso, and his thick-ass eyebrows :shifty

I think he looks like oscar the grouch personally.

I think he looks like oscar the grouch personally.
Who cares, he is the champ.
esp. montoya
Yeah, what's up with that. I know JPM is not very friendly to some people, he was to me, but after that...I don't know. His looks? funny, someone last year in LA thought I was him and asked me for an autograph:eyecrazy ;)

Who cares, he is the champ.

Yeah, what's up with that. I know JPM is not very friendly to some people, he was to me, but after that...I don't know. His looks? funny, someone last year in LA thought I was him and asked me for an autograph:eyecrazy ;)

jpm was cool to you or he wasn't (sorry it wasn't clear). someone mistook you for jpm or alonso? that is funny, if i looked like any f1 driver i would be webber

ps. post a pic of your mug!