30/07/2005
NEWS STORY
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Ahead of today's qualifying session, the air temperature is 34 degrees, while the track temperature is 50 degrees. It's hot, and with the Hungarian Grand Prix just over twenty-four hours away, it appears that the predicted rainstorms will not hit the region until Sunday night, early Monday.
First out will be Kimi Raikkonen, the only retirement in Germany, followed by Webber, Doornbos, Monteiro and Karthikeyan.
It's a historic day for McLaren, which is appearing for the first time, in God knows how many years, without any form of tobacco livery. The Woking team having dropped 'West' following yesterday's practice sessions, though the cars are still silver and black.
At 13:00 on the dot, Kimi leave his garage, the McLaren mechanics leaving the tyre warmers in place until the last possible moment.
The Finn, who enjoys a lot of support here in Hungary, much like predecessor Mika Hakkinen, completes the first sector in 28.486. At the second split it's 58.160, the McLaren looking as though it's running on rails. At the line it's 1:20.891, a superb lap, especially as he's first out. Utterly superb, total commitment.
Mark Webber is next out, the Australian completing the first sector in 28.969, he's already 0.48s down. The front of the "illiamsF1 looks unstable as he completes the second sector in 59.738, he's now 1.5s down. At the line it's 1:23.495 as he really wrestles with the FW27. clearly, the new wing isn't making a difference.
Robert Doornbos takes to the track in the Minardi. At the first split the Dutchman posts 29.886, followed by a 61.154 at the second. At the line the Minardi star posts 1:25.484, 4.5s adrift of Raikkonen.
Tiago Monteiro is next out, the Portuguese driver not looking that convincing thus far this weekend. At the end of his 'out' lap he returns to the pits meaning that Tiago will start from the back of the grid. Following an engine change this morning, the team opted not to post a time and used the 'out' lap merely as an installation lap.
Therefore, Narain Karthikeyan is next out in the second Jordan. At the first split the Indian driver posts 29.726, he's already 1.2s down. At the second split it's 60.962, the EJ15 looks a real handful. At the line it's 1:25.057, which puts him third, ahead of Doornbos.
Next out is Jacques Villeneuve in the Sauber. At the first split the Canadian posts 28.932, he's 0.44s down on Raikkonen. At the second split it's 59.536, as he loses further ground. At the line it's 1:22.866, which puts him second, ahead of Webber. Not bad, under the circumstances.
Jarno Trulli is on track in the Toyota, he's been having a torrid weekend. At the first split it's 28.533, he's down on Raikkonen, but it's marginal. At the second split it's 58.338, as he loses ground to the McLaren. The Italian crosses the line at 1:20.839 to take pole having gone quickest in the final sector. A great performance.
Christijan albers is on track in the second Minardi. It's 29.247 at the first split, the Minardi looking really erratic. At the second split it's 60.654, he's up on his teammate. At the line the Dutch driver posts 1:24.443 to go fifth ahead of Karthikeyan and Doornbos.
Takuma Sato really needs a good result this weekend, he's next out. At the first split it's 28.512, he's up on Trulli, but it's tight. At the second split it's 58.812 as he loses 0.4s. At the line the Japanese driver posts 1:21.787 to go third, he'll be disappointed with that second sector time.
Nick Heidfeld is on track in the second WilliamsF1. At the first split the German posts 28.609, he's down on Trulli but it's marginal. At the second split it's 58.912 as he loses ground to the Italian. At the line it's 1:22.086, which puts him fourth, 0.4s ahead of his teammate.
The Ferraris have been looking much better today. Whether they really have discovered some added pace will soon be evident as Rubens Barrichello takes to the track. The Brazilian completes the first sector in 28.565, he's 0.032s down on Trulli. He's pushing hard as he completes the second sector in 58.400, he's now 0.063s down on the Italian. At the line it's 1:21.158, which puts him third.
At the first split Christian Klien posts 28.9, followed by a 59.041s at the second. At the line the Red Bull driver posts 1:21.937, which puts him fifth, 1.098s off the pace.
Next out is Felipe Massa in the second Sauber. At the first split the Brazilian posts 28.934, he's 0.401s down on Trulli. At the second split it's 59.397, he's down on Trulli but up on Villeneuve. At the line it's 1:22.565 which puts him seventh, 1.7s off the pace.
David Coulthard takes to the track in the second Red Bull. At the first split the Scot posts 28.876, he's up on his teammate. At the second split the former WilliamsF1 and McLaren driver posts 59.301, he's lost a little ground. At the line it's 1:22.279, which puts him seventh, behind Klien and Heidfeld.
Last out before the final break is Ralf Schumacher. At the first split the German posts 28.769, he's already 0.23s down on his teammate. He slide big time at the exit of the chicane, but still manages 58.424 at the split. At the line it's 1:20.964, which puts him third. He lost time at the chicane but still posted a competitive time, which means that the track is getting better as more rubber is laid down, and more dust blown away.
At the final break it's: Trulli, Raikkonen, Ralf, Barrichello, Sato, Klien, Heidfeld, Coulthard, Massa and Villeneuve.
Michael Schumacher is next out, the German looking very good this morning. Following a smooth, almost cautious, out lap, the World Champion begins his flying lap. At the first split it's 28.354, he's 0.179s up on Trulli. At the second split it's 57.532, as he extends the gaps to 0.8s. At the line it's 1:19.882, the fastest lap of the weekend, an absolutely stunning lap, but what sort of strategy is he on. Superb.
Giancarlo Fisichella is on track in the Renault. At the first split the Italian posts 28.616, he's 0.2s down on Schumacher. At the second split it's 58.426, as he loses further ground. At the line it's 1:21.333, which puts him sixth, behind Ralf and Barrichello.
Jenson Button is on track in the BAR, the English driver putting the tug-of-war saga behind him for ninety seconds or so. At the first split it's 28.563, he's 0.2s down on the German. At the second split it's 58.387, he's now 0.85s off the pace. At the line it's 1:21.302, which puts him sixth, a very disappointing final sector.
Hockenheim hero, Juan Pablo Montoya, is next out, can he beat his nemesis? At the first split the Silverstone winner posts 28.434, he's down on Schumacher but still doable. At the second split it's 58.102, as he loses half-a-second to the Ferrari star. At the line it's 1:20.779, which puts him second.
Last out, and the only man who can knock Michael off the top spot is World Championship leader, Fernando Alonso. He runs wide at the exit to Turn 1, consequently he posts 28.497 at the first split. At the second split it's 58.140, as he loses a further 0.5s. At the line it's 1:21.141, which puts him sixth, behind Raikkonen and Ralf.
Consequently, Michael Schumacher starts from pole for the sixty-fourth time in his Formula One career, just one pole short of Ayrton Senna's record 65.
The German starts ahead of Montoya, Trulli, Raikkonen, Ralf, Alonso, Barrichello, Button, Fisichella and Sato.
Klien starts from eleventh, ahead of Heidfeld, Coulthard, Massa, Villeneuve, Webber, Albers, Karthikeyan, Doornbos and Monteiro.
Although Friday was something of a disaster for Ferrari, today has been entirely different, with the red cars looking good in both free practice sessions. Although there is sure to be a major question mark with regards Michael's fuel strategy, it was a great lap, thoroughly deserving of pole.
With Juan Pablo Montoya starting alongside him, Schumacher can expect to be kept on his toes, though the Colombian will also be watching his mirrors for his McLaren teammate, who starts directly behind him.
If Michael's lap was good, what was Kimi's? Especially when you consider that he was first out. A tremendous performance.
The Toyotas look good, with Trulli and Ralf starting from top five positions, while Renault is sure to be disappointed with sixth (Alonso) and ninth (Fisichella).
It's hard to know whether BAR will be content or disappointed with eighth (Button) and tenth (Sato), however WilliamsF1 and Sauber are both sure to be extremely peeved.
With the threat of rain diminishing, the main question mark concerning tomorrow's race is strategy, exactly how light was Michael running?
All will be revealed in tomorrow.