23/07/2005
NEWS STORY
Based on the evidence we've seen thus far, McLaren and Renault are sure to dominate the front of the grid. Furthermore, with no engine problems for Kimi thus far, we should get to see a real head-to-head battle tomorrow.
Then again, one cannot help but feel that Ferrari knows something that we don't - weather-wise - while Jarno Trulli is almost certain to produce one of his typical qualifying laps that gets him to the front of the grid, much to the chagrin of those that are stuck behind him tomorrow afternoon.
Of the rest, Red Bull haven't looked too bad thus far, while BAR could spring a surprise, but not a win.
First out is Minardi new-boy Robert Doornbos. The former Jordan third driver completes the first sector in 17.0s, and the second in 53.861. He really works the wheel in the Stadium, the car is all over the place, but crosses the line at 1:18.313.
Next out is the sole Silverstone retiree, Narain Karthikeyan. At the first split it's 17.613s, having got it all wrong at Turn 1. At the second split it's 55.728, as his lap falls apart. Indeed, his lap is so bad he opts to return to the pits.
Christijan Albers is on track in the second Minardi. At the first split the Dutchman posts 17.0s, he's up on his teammate. At the second split it's 53.228, he's 0.63 up on Doornbos. At the line it's 1:17.519, as he takes almost 0.8s off his fellow Dutchman.
It's 17.332 at the first split for Monteiro in the Jordan, who is unhappy with the feel of his car. At the second split it's 54.095, followed by a 1:18.599 at the line, which means that both Jordans will start behind the Minardis.
Next out is Takuma Sato, who fluffed the start at Silverstone. At the first split it's 16.453, he's 0.562s up on Albers. At the second split it's 52.249, as he finds another 0.4s. At the line it's 1:15.501, provisional pole for the BAR driver. He'll be pleased with that, and rightly so.
Christian Klien has been looking good for much of the weekend, what can he do now, when it matters? At the first split it's 16.674, he's 0.22s down on Sato. At the second split it's 52.121, he's 0.06s up on the Japanese driver. At the line it's 1:15.635 as he loses pace in the final sector, nonetheless, it's good enough for second.
Jacques Villeneuve is on track in the Sauber. At the first split the former world Champion posts 16.540, he's down on Sato but it's marginal. At the second split it's 52.379, as he drops to 0.130s down on the BAR driver. At the line it's 1:16.012, which puts him third. Not a bad lap, but a little scrappy.
David Coulthard is next out. At the first split it's 16.627, he's already 0.17s off the pace. At the second split it's 52.188, as he goes up on Sato. At the line it's 1:15.679, which puts him third, following a disappointing final sector.
Nick Heidfeld completes the first sector in 16.609, 0.156s down on Sato. At the second split the WilliamsF1 driver posts 52.147, he's now up on the BAR by 0.102s. At the line the German posts 1:15.403 to take provisional pole. A strong, determined lap.
Teammate Mark Webber is next out in the second WilliamsF1. At the first split the Australian posts 16.522, he's 0.087s up on the German. At the second split it's 52.058, he's still ahead, but it's marginal. At the line it's 1:15.070, he takes provisional pole by 0.333s.
At the second break, it's Webber, Heidfeld, Sato, Klien, Coulthard, Villeneuve, Albers, Doornbos, Monteiro and Karthikeyan.
Sauber's Felipe Massa is next out, the Brazilian has been looking pretty good this weekend. At the first split the Brazilian posts 16.854, he's already 0.33s down on Webber. At the second split it's 52.441, as he loses just a little bit more ground. At the line it's 1:16.009, which puts him sixth. Under the circumstances a disappointing lap, or was he running heavy?
At the first split, Jarno Trulli posts 16.550, he's down on Webber, but it's tight. At the second split it's 52.0707, as he remains just 0.012s off Webber's pace. At the line it's 1:15.532, which puts him fourth, a disappointing final sector.
Teammate Ralf Schumacher is next out. At the first split the German posts 16.713, he's already 0.19s down on Webber. At the second split it's 52.276 as he continues to lose ground to the Australian. At the line it's 1:15.689, which puts him seventh.
All eyes on Rubens Barrichello, who has been having a dreadful weekend in the Ferrari. At the first split it's 16.658 as he uses every inch of track. At the second split it's 52.484, as he falls 0.42s behind the WilliamsF1. At the line it's 1:16.230, which puts him tenth.
Can Michael Schumacher do any better? At the first split the World Champion posts 16.568, he's down on Webber, but it's still possible. At the second split it's 51.977, as he goes quicker than the Australian. At the line it's 1:15.006, provisional pole, but is it down to new-found pace or a light fuel load?
At the final break it's; Michael, Webber, Heidfeld, Sato, Trulli, Klien, Coulthard, Ralf, Massa and Villeneuve.
First of the final five to go out is Jenson Button in the second BAR. At the first split the Englishman posts 16.487, he's up on Michael by 0.081s. At the second split it's 51.656, as maintains his advantage over the Ferrari. At the line it's 1:14.759, a superb lap from Button, one of his best ever, 100% commitment.
Next out is Giancarlo Fisichella. At the first split it's 16.444, he's up on Button. At the second split the Italian posts 51.788, as he falls behind the BAR driver. At the line it's 1:14.927, which puts him second. It was the middle sector where he really lost out.
Kimi Raikkonen is on track in the McLaren. At the first split he posts 16.349, he's already 0.138s up on Button. At the second split it's 51.323, as be pulls further ahead. He's a little wide at the hairpin and slides at Turn 16, however, it's enough for provisional pole, 1:14.320. A sensational lap.
At the first split, Fernando Alonso posts 16.722, he's 0.3s down on the Finn. At the second split the World Championship leader posts 51.752, he's now 0.42s down on the McLaren star. At the line it's 1:14.904, which puts him third, behind Kimi and Jenson.
Last out is Silverstone winner, Juan Pablo Montoya. At the first split the Colombian posts 16.340, he's 0.009s up on his teammate. At the second split it's 51.419, as he loses a little ground. He pushes, pushes, pushes, but it all goes wrong, he loses it and spins off sideways into the barriers. From hero to zero in the blink of an eye.
It looked like an all silver and black front row for the Woking team, but suddenly it's all gone horribly wrong, on the pit wall Ron Dennis looks on in disbelief.
Kimi Raikkonen starts from pole position, ahead of Button, Alonso, Fisichella, Michael, Webber, Heidfeld, Sato, Trulli and Klien.
Coulthard is eleventh, ahead of Ralf, Massa, Villeneuve, Barrichello, Albers, Doornbos, Monteiro, Karthikeyan and Montoya.
Although the threat of rain tomorrow has diminished, it remains a threat, therefore we should bear in mind that if it does rain the whole race could be thrown on its head.
At this time however, the main factor, as ever, is strategy, certainly several drivers appeared to be running heavy in qualifying, most notably the Toyotas and World Championship leader Fernando Alonso.
Kimi Raikkonen and Jenson Button were both superb, and fully deserve to start the race from the front row. Both laps were sensational, with 100% commitment.
McLaren will be gutted that Montoya is not in contention and therefore unable to assist Kimi's cause, while Renault has both of its drivers at the front end of the grid.
Michael Schumacher will be delighted not only to have qualified fifth, but more importantly ahead of Jarno Trulli, which means we could see the German show the Ferrari's 'true' pace right from the off.
WilliamsF1 will be ecstatic to have both cars starting from so far up the grid, however, one has to wonder whether the BMW-powered team is running light in what is the German manufacturer's 'home' race'.
At a time when Bernie Ecclestone is calling on F1 fans to nominate their choice for a new qualifying format - and British broadcaster ITV is asking fans to pay in order to make the same choice - this has been one of the best qualifying sessions for some while.
Let's just hope that the race lives up to expectations, weather and strategy permitting.