15/10/2005
NEWS STORY
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With just five minutes to go before the final qualifying session of the 2005 season - and hopefully the last ever single-lap format sessions - gets underway, the air temperature is 23 degrees C, and the track temperature is 22 degrees. The murky haze we witnessed yesterday has given way to bright sunshine today.
First out today will be Takuma Sato, who was excluded from the results of the Japanese Grand Prix following his clash with Jarno Trulli. He will be followed by Juan Pablo Montoya, who crashed out on the first lap at Suzuka, Trulli, Antonio Pizzonia and Christijan Albers.
At 13:00 precisely, Sato heads off down the pitlane, with the team warning him over the radio that the track is still "very slippery". At the first split the BAR driver posts 25.785, so far, he appears to be cautious. At the second split it's 55.329, followed by a 1:37.083 at the line. That's way off the pace we witnessed this morning, he's probably running with a heavy fuel load.
Montoya begins his 'hot' lap, the Colombian really working the wheel. At the first split it's 25.301, followed by a 53.978 at the second. At the line it's 1:35.188, he's 1.895s up on Sato, who appeared to lose all his time in the second sector.
Jarno Trulli is next out, the Toyota driver completing the first sector in 25.618. At the second split it's 54.431, he's 0.45s down on the McLaren driver. At the line the Italian posts 1:36.044, to go second, 0.85s off Montoya's pace. As he crosses the line he's told to "save fuel".
Pizzonia begins his lap, the Brazilian really needing a good result this weekend. At the first split it's 25.617, he's 0.316s down on Montoya. At the second split it's 54.770, as the deficit increases to 0.79. At the line the Brazilian posts 1:36.445, which puts him third.
Last out before the first break is Christijan Albers. The Dutch driver really has to wrestle the car, completing the first sector in 26.484. At the second split it's 56.837, it's like he's driving on ice, the car is that nervous. At the line it's 1:39.105, which puts him fifth.
At the first break, it's: Montoya, Trulli, Pizzonia, Sato and Albers.
"There's no grip, it's killing the racing," says Montoya, when asked how he felt about his lap. We couldn't agree more.
Narain Karthikeyan begins what could be his last ever F1 qualifying lap, and the penultimate qualifying lap for Jordan. The Indian completes the first sector in 25.681, he's only 0.380s off the pace. At the second split it's 54.896, as he loses ground. At the line it's 1:36.707, which puts him fourth, ahead of Sato.
All eyes on Robert Doornbos in the Minardi. At the first split it's 26.008, he's 0.707s off the pace. At the second split the Dutch driver posts 56.291, he's up on his teammate by 0.7. At the line it's 1:39.460, as he loses a heap of time in the final sector.
Tiago Monteiro is on track in the Jordan. At the first split the Portuguese driver posts 26.109, he's 0.80s down. At the second split it's 56.764 as he goes wide in the preceding corner. At the line it's 1:39.233, which puts him seventh, behind Albers.
Jacques Villeneuve is on track in the Sauber. The 1997 World Champion completes the first sector in 25.700, 0.399s down on Montoya. At the second split it's 55.182, as the deficit increases to 1.2s. At the line the Sauber driver - who hopes to be a BMW driver - posts 1:36.788, to go fifth.
Next out is Rubens Barrichello, who won here twelve months ago. At the first split the Ferrari driver posts 25.593, he's 0.292s down on Montoya. At the second split the Brazilian posts 54.450, followed by a 1:35.610 at the line, which puts him second. He was quickest of the lot in the final sector.
At the second break it's: Montoya, Barrichello, Trulli, Pizzonia, Karthikeyan, Villeneuve, Sato, Albers, Monteiro and Doornbos.
Next out is Massa, who will partner Michael Schumacher at Ferrari next year. It's mission impossible, but wouldn't it be great to see Felipe give Peter Sauber pole position in his final race? At the first split it's 25.561, as the Brazilian is told; "over-rev on". At the second split it's 54.476, he's 0.499s down on Montoya. At the line it's 1:35.898, which puts him third, behind Montoya and Barrichello.
Christian Klien is on track in the Red Bull. At the first split the Austrian posts 25.787, he's 0.48s off the pace. At the second split it's 54.813, followed by a 1:36.472 at the line, having locked-up at the hairpin. The Red Bull driver goes sixth.
Ralf Schumacher is next up, in the second Toyota. The Suzuka pole-man completes the first sector in 25.488, he's 0.18s off his former teammate's pace. At the second split it's 54.187, as the gap increases to 0.210. At the line it's 1:35.723, which puts him third, a very good lap.
All eyes on Michael Schumacher, who completes the first sector in 25.539, 0.238s slower than Montoya. At the second split the German posts 54.321, the gap now stands at 0.334. At the line the seven-time World Champion posts 1:35.301, to go second. In the process he edges of Albers, who was previously the fastest through the speed-trap (207.7 mph)
At the first split, Red Bull's David Coulthard posts 25.588, he's 0.287s down on Montoya. At the second split the Scottish driver posts 54.304, the gap is still only 0.327. At the line it's 1:35.428, which puts him third, a great, great lap.
At the final break it's: Montoya, Michael, Coulthard, Barrichello, Ralf, Massa, Trulli, Pizzonia, Klien and Karthikeyan.
Jenson Button heads off down the pitlane in the 555 liveried BAR. At the first split the Englishman posts 25.197, he's 0.104s up on the Colombian. At the second split it's 53.762, as he maintains his strong pace. At the line it's 1:34.801, provisional pole, and a brilliant lap by the BAR driver.
Mark Webber begins his lap. At the first split the Australian posts 25.278, he's down on Button, but it's marginal. At the second split the WilliamsF1 driver posts 54.015, as he loses ground to the BAR. At the line it's 1:35.739, which is only good enough for seventh. A great effort, but the car (engine) didn't have the pace.
Fernando Alonso is next up, in the Renault. At the first split the World Champion posts 24.873, he's 0.27s up on Button. At the second split it's 53.361, as he increases the gap to 0.400. At the line it's 1:34.080, he takes provisional pole by 0.721s. A stunning lap.
Teammate Giancarlo Fisichella is on track, can he beat the Spaniard? At the first split the Italian posts 25.126, he's 0.253s down. At the second split it's 53.613, he's now 0.252s down. At the line it's 1:34.401, which gives the French team the provisional front row.
However, there's the small matter of Kimi Raikkonen.
At the first split the Finn posts 25.052, he's 0.179s down on his rival, and almost loses it at the next corner. At the second split it's 53.580, as the McLaren driver drops 0.23s behind. At the line it's 1:34.488, which puts him third, behind the two Renaults.
You couldn't have written this any better, the two Renaults will start the race ahead of the two McLarens, with only Jenson Button, and to a lesser extent, Michael Schumacher, in there to cause them any problems.
As ever, this is all about strategy, so it would be ludicrous to start making predictions. However, at this stage the blue and yellow cars have the advantage, especially when they already enjoy a two-point lead.
As Flavio Briatore walks across the pitlane to congratulate his crew, it is Ron Dennis who is smiling, much like the cat that got the cream, or sparrow. "You'll have to wait and see," he says, when asked if McLaren can still "do it", "but we're here to win the race," he adds, "we're not thinking about the Championship".
To repeat, Alonso starts from pole, ahead of Fisichella, Raikkonen, Button, Montoya, Michael, Coulthard, Barrichello, Ralf and Webber.
We are not going to have the weather to add spice to tomorrow's race, however, it should be intriguing nonetheless.
Putting aside the Constructors' Championship battle - and what a battle - there are several drivers that have yet to find drives for 2006, and a couple of teams that still have 'vacancy' signs in the window. Therefore we can expect several drivers to be giving it their best on Sunday in an effort to make a good (final) impression on prospective employers before the winter break.
Add to this the fact that there are a couple of drivers who are moving on to pastures new in 2006, and would surely love to go out on a high with their current employers, though Barrichello is highly unlikely to repeat his 2004 performance here tomorrow, the Brazilian would dearly love to take his first podium for Ferrari since Canada - we do not count Indianapolis. While Massa would no doubt love to give Peter Sauber a race to remember.
Then of course, there's the fight for the Constructors' Championship, and no matter what Ron says, it is important.
The track condition, coupled with over enthusiasm or plain stupidity, could see the title decided at the first corner, though hopefully that won't be the case. Hopefully we'll get a four-car battle right up until the very last lap… a spectacle that would have the fans, broadcasters and sponsors salivating with anticipation for 2006.
The ingredients are there… you couldn't have written it better.