03/09/2005
NEWS STORY
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Ahead of today's qualifying session, the air temperature is 30 degrees C, while the track temperature is 43 degrees. It's bright, sunny and dry.
The big news, other than the fact that Antonio Pizzonia is rep[lacing Nick Heidfeld, who is suffering a headache, is that Mercedes has opted to change Kimi Raikkonen's engine, which means that the Finn will drop ten grid positions.
At 13:00 precisely, Antonio Pizzonia heads off down the pitlane, the session is on. The Brazilian, who raced here precisely a year ago, replacing Ralf Schumacher, completes the first sector in 26.8. At the second split its 55.538, followed by a 1:23.291 at the line. Faster than this morning, but surprisingly conservative.
Next out is teammate Mark Webber, who has looked good in the free practice sessions. At the first split the Australian posts 26.508, he's 0.3s up on his teammate. At the second split it's 54.921, he's now 0.617s up on the Brazilian. At the line it's 1:22.560, a good solid lap.
Third out is Felipe Massa, the Sauber looking unconvincing, thus far, this weekend. At the first split it's 26.813, he's 0.3s down on Webber. At the second spit the Brazilian is 0.8s down on the Australian. At the line it's 1:23.060, which puts him second.
Next out is World Champion Michael Schumacher, who was certainly on the pace in the first session this morning. At the first split it's 26.539, he's up on Webber, but it's marginal. At the second split the German posts 54.417, he's now 0.503s up on the williamsF1. At the line it's 1:21.721, his quickest lap of the weekend, and provisional pole.
Last out before the break is Christijan Albers. At the first split the Dutchman posts 26.9, however, he gets it all wrong at the second chicane, taking a trip through the 'kitty litter' totally sideways… he does well to continue. Nonetheless, he completes the lap, posting 1:26.964.
Next out is Tiago Monteiro, who has been looking quite good in the new Jordan EJ15B this weekend. At the first split the Portuguese driver posts 27.053, surprisingly he's down on Albers. At the second split it's 56.162, followed by a 1:24.666 at the line. He goes fifth, but the pace is disappointing.
Next out is Karthikeyan, who crashed heavily this morning. At the first split the Indian posts 27.087, followed by a 56.637 at the second split. In a car which the team has only just finished re-building, following this morning's crash, he posts 1:25.859, which puts him six, 1.2s down on his teammate.
Robert Doornbos completes the first sector in 27.042, he's 0.5s down on Michael. At the second split the Dutchman posts 56.176, followed by a 1:24.904, which puts him ahead of Karthikeyan and Albers. A good, committed lap.
Ralf Schumacher is next out. At the first split the German posts 26.583, he's 0.044s down on his brother. At the second split it's 54.794, he's now 0.378s shy of the Ferrari. At the line the Toyota star posts 1:22.266, which puts him second.
Last out before the second break is Jacques Villeneuve in the second Sauber. At the first split the former champion posts 26.625, he's down on Schumacher, but it's marginal. At the second split it's 54.767, he's now 0.351s down on his former nemesis. At the line it's 1:22.356, which puts him third. A superb lap, which clearly demonstrates that JV still has it, despite what his critics might say.
At the second break, it's: Michael, Ralf, Villeneuve, Webber, Massa, Pizzonia, Monteiro, Doornbos, Karthikeyan and Albers.
Rubens Barrichello is next out, his last qualifying session for Ferrari at this legendary track. At the first split the Brazilian posts 26.311, he's 0.228s up on Michael. He's using every bit of track, especially at Lesmo, as he completes the second sector, still up on his teammate. At the line it's 1:21.962, he's shy of Michael by 0.241… a 1-2 for Ferrari.
Takuma Sato is on track in the BAR. At the first split it's 26.373, he's up on Michael. At the second split it's 54.248, he's 0.2s up on the German. At the line it's 1:21.477, provisional pole for the Japanese driver, a magnificent effort. That said, there's still a long way to go.
Next out is Christian Klien in the Red Bull. At the first split the Austrian posts 26.442, he's down on Sato, but it's marginal. At the second split it's 54.665, he's now 0.4s off the pace. At the line it's 1:22.532, which puts him sixth.
Teammate David Coulthard is next out. At the first split the Scot posts 26.618, he's 0.245s down on Sato. At the second split it's 54.779, he's now 0.531s off the pace. At the line the Red Bull driver posts 1:22.304, which puts him fifth, a strong lap from DC.
Last out before the final break is Jarno Trulli. At the first split the Italian posts 26.427, he's down on Sato, but he's still in touch. At the second split it's 54.246, he's now 0.002s up on the BAR driver. At the line the former Renault star posts 1:21.640, which puts him second, having lost time in the Parabolica.
At the final break it's: Sato, Trulli, Michael, Barrichello, Ralf, Coulthard, Villeneuve, Klien, Webber and Massa.
Next out is Jenson Button, who hasn't looked too convincing this weekend. The benchmark, of course, is his teammate, Takuma Sato, who holds provisional pole. At the first split the Englishman posts 26.408, he's 0.035s down on his teammate. At the second split it's 54.047, he's now 0.201s to the good. At the line it's 1:21.369 to take provisional pole, a superb lap, and in particular that final sector. He was simply amazing through Ascari.
Melbourne winner Giancarlo Fisichella is next out. At the first split it's 26.735, as he loses time after getting it all wrong at the first chicane. Another mistake at the first Lesmo and his lap begins to fall apart. At the line it's 1:22.068, which puts him sixth. He'll be bitterly disappointed.
At the first split Juan Pablo Montoya posts 26.107, he's already 0.301s up on Button. At the second split it's 53.899, he's still up on the Englishman. At the line it's 1:21.054, he takes pole by 0.315, a stunning lap, and surely deserving of pole.
All eyes on championship leader Fernando Alonso. At the first split the Spaniard posts 26.121, he's just 0.014s down on the McLaren driver. At the second split it's 53.957, he's now 0.058s down on the Colombian. At the line it's 1:21.319, he takes second spot on the grid. A brilliant lap from the championship leader.
Last out is Turkey winner, who will lose ten grid places. At the first split the Finn posts 26.161, he's 0.054s down on his teammate. At the second split it's 53.704, he's quickest, but to no avail. At the line the Finn posts 1:20.878 to go quickest, despite the rear end of the car attempting to 'step out' through the Parabolica. A simply stunning lap, but to no avail, since rather than starting from pole the Finn will start from eleventh, further proof of what an unjust rule this is.
Therefore, Montoya starts from pole position, which is good news for McLaren as far as the Constructors' Championship is concerned, however, starting from second on the grid will further aid Fernando Alonso's cause.
In all honesty, we've seen some stunning laps today, Monza, once again, bringing out the very best in the drivers. Button and Sato both rose to the occasion, while Michael and Rubens performed miracles, under the circumstances.
Jarno Trulli gave it 100%, while his former teammate, Giancarlo Fisichella, appeared to fall apart, which is unlikely to go down well with the boys at Renault, particularly his teammate.
The top 7 are covered by less than a second, and the next 7 covered by a further 0.8s.
The main straight here at Monza is one of the widest on the F1 calendar, therefore we can expect some real argy-bargy at the start as drivers scrap for position. The mad scramble at the first chicane should also be interesting.
If we see the same standard of driving in tomorrow's race, as witnessed in today's qualifying session, we could be in for a great race.
A great session, but sadly, not for the first time, the real star is punished through no fault of his own.
That said, we expect to see Kimi on a real charge tomorrow.