06/05/2006
NEWS STORY
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The big news, ahead of today's all-important qualifying session, is that both WilliamsF1 drivers, Mark Webber and Nico Rosberg, have been forced to change their engines following problems in free practice. Although this means that both drivers lose ten grid spots, it is not entirely impossible, thanks to the fuel rules, we could still see at least one of them creep into the points. That said, this is a massive blow for the Grove team.
There are some that regard Ferrari's Imola victory as a 'flash in the pan', however the pace of the two red cars thus far this weekend clearly indicates that the Maranello outfit has made a massive leap forward.
Renault has also looked good during the free practice sessions, while McLaren, in particular, has appeared to struggle.
Jenson Button has effectively rubbished any talk of a Honda win this weekend, however, all eyes are on the Japanese outfit, which must be seen to be improving this weekend, a repeat of the Imola nightmare being unthinkable.
With five minutes to go before the session gets underway, the air temperature is 21 degrees C, while the track temperature is 38 degrees. It sunny.
The lights go green, the first knock-out session is underway, with Ralf Schumacher heading the queue at the end of the pitlane. The German is followed by the WilliamsF1 duo, Coulthard and Sato.
Ralf sets the benchmark, crossing the line at 1:32.674, with Takuma Sato going second with a 1:35.239.
As Kimi Raikkonen leaves the McLaren garage, Trulli goes second with a 1:34.269.
Christijan albers goes fastest in the first sector, eventually crossing the line at 1:33.658, which puts him second. However, moments later he is demoted by Liuzzi, who posts a 1:32.621 to go quickest.
Raikkonen is on a very fast lap, going quickest in the first sector. The Finn maintains the pace in the second sector, finally crossing the line at 1:31.263, to go quickest.
The Honda duo is on track, Rubens and Button trading best times in the various sectors. When the dust settles, Button is second, ahead of Barrichello, with Liuzzi fourth, ahead of Ralf, Albers and Speed.
As Montoya goes third (31.774), Michael Schumacher is on track, however, his first sector is nothing to write home about. Button improves, but remains second, as Michael posts 1:31.235 to go quickest.
Fernando Alonso takes the top spot from his German rival with a 1:31.138, as Heidfeld goes fifth.
With neither Heidfeld or Montagny having posted a time, the timing monitors indicate 'red flag', however, it's a false alarm. This doesn't help Villeneuve, who has yet to qualify.
This timing error has really screwed things up. Klien fails to improve, and therefore misses the 'cut', while Villeneuve, like Montagny, hasn't even posted a time. Furthermore, several other drivers, including David Coulthard, wasted a lap, and a fresh set of tyres.
Therefore, at the first hurdle we lose Montagny, Villeneuve, Sato, Klien, Monteiro and Speed.
Alonso was quickest, ahead of Michael, Raikkonen, Button, Heidfeld, Fisichella, Barrichello, Webber, Montoya and Trulli.
As we prepare for the second part of the session the timing screens suffer another 'glitch', which means that the session is delayed by around 10 minutes.
The timing screens reappear, but now, strangely, Villeneuve is accredited as seventh quickest! Indeed, we now appear to have lost Montagny, Sato, Monteiro, Speed, Albers and Klien. All very odd, and it comes as no surprise to hear that Red Bull, having 'lost' Klien, are very, very unhappy.
To add to the confusion, Alonso remains quickest, but now we have Fisichella second, ahead of Raikkonen, Montoya, Michael and Massa. Ho hum!
Nick Heidfeld is first out, followed by Villeneuve and Liuzzi.
The Italian is really pushing his car, though Trulli and Villeneuve are also on hot laps. The Toro Rosso driver crosses the line at 1:31.728, however, this is quickly beaten by both BMW drivers, with Villeneuve (31.275) outpacing his German teammate.
As Trulli goes third (31.809), Ralf spins on his out-lap.
David Coulthard posts a 1:31.354 to go second, as Fisichella goes sixth ahead of Ralf. Elsewhere, Kimi goes quickest in the first sector, and again in the second. The Finn crosses the line at 1:30.203, a staggering lap.
However, Michael is now on track, and he goes quickest in the first sector. Montoya goes second with a 1:30.944, only to be leapfrogged by Massa, as Michael crosses the line at 1:30.013 to take top spot.
Rubens Barrichello posts an impressive 1:30.469, to go third, with six minutes still remaining.
Both WilliamsF1 drivers are on track, as is Alonso. All three drivers have yet to post a time.
Rosberg takes sixth with a 1:31.194, as Alonso takes third spot with a 1:30.336. Mark Webber also makes it into the top ten, though, like his German teammate, he will forfeit ten grid spots.
Three minutes remaining and Fisichella, who is still in the danger zone, is on track.
Trulli goes sixth, as Fisichella takes tenth, however, Button is still in danger of being eliminated. The Englishman, clearly unhappy, gesticulates to his crew.
Coulthard improves, but remains thirteenth, as Button appears to save himself courtesy of a 1:30.755, which puts him eighth. Elsewhere, a final desperate effort sees Villeneuve go ninth, the Canadian therefore making the cut.
At the end of the second session we 'lose' Liuzzi, Heidfeld, Coulthard, Fisichella, Rosberg and Ralf. Therefore, for the second successive race we lose Giancarlo Fisichella at the second hurdle.
Quickest was Michael, ahead of Raikkonen, Alonso, Barrichello, Montoya, Massa, Trulli, Button, Villeneuve and Webber.
Fisichella pays a visit to the BMW garage, where he vents his frustration on Jacques Villeneuve, who looks on impassively. Our money would be on the stocky Canadian.
The final session gets underway, and Michael Schumacher leads his Brazilian teammate as the 'burn off fest' begins. You will already have read on Pitpass - what do you mean you haven't? - that there are moves afoot, led by the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA), to tweak this part of the current format in order to make it more entertaining and slightly more environmentally friendly. As much as motorsport can be environmentally friendly.
Michael sets the pace with a 1:33.607, but these are early days.
The German continues lapping in the mid 1:32s, quicker than one might have expected for this stage of the session.
Ten minutes remaining and Button is the first driver to pit. Next time around it's Schumacher's turn to stop, also Massa, Alonso and Barrichello.
Button goes quickest in the first sector, and again in the second. The Honda driver crosses the line at 1:31.715 to go quickest. Game on!
Michael goes quickest in the first sector, as Alonso goes quickest in the second. The Spaniard takes top spot with a 1:30.454, while Michael can only manage 30.476. Meanwhile, Massa goes third, ahead of Barrichello, Button and Villeneuve.
Button improves to fourth (31.547), as Alonso, Michael and Massa all pit.
Less than three minutes remaining, and Button is the last to pit.
Villeneuve goes sixth (32.183), no doubt cheered on by Fisichella. Raikkonen is pushing hard, but his car cannot deliver.
Alonso goes quickest in the first sector, but Michael immediately responds. In the second sector Alonso goes quickest, finally crossing the line at 1:29.819. Michael gives 100% but it's not enough, he can only manage a 1:30.028.
A last-ditch effort gives Button sixth, two spots behind his teammate.
Alonso takes pole, with Michael starting second, ahead of Massa, Barrichello, Raikkonen, Button, Trulli, Villeneuve, Montoya and Webber, though in reality the Australian will start from twentieth.
Not sure that Fisi will agree, but that was a strong performance from Jacques, who is now giving his (younger) teammate a good run for his money. Let's hope that the BMWs have rediscovered some of the pace they had earlier in the season.
It's good to see that Rubens is finally getting to grips with the Honda and the Michelins, his out-qualifying of Jenson Button will give him a massive confidence boost at a time when some were clearly writing him off.
A mixed day for Toyota, though with the 'demotion' of Webber, Ralf at least makes it into the top ten. Jarno gave a solid performance which could well see the Japanese team add a few more points to its tally.
With both McLarens in the top eight, McLaren look a lot better than many of us were expecting, Kimi, in particular, pushing hard, clearly feeling, in the wake of the 2005 event, that he has a point to prove here.
Ferrari will be delighted with second and third, though in all honesty the Maranello outfit must have felt that Michael had pole all but sewn up. That said, we now know that Imola wasn't a one-off, and with the right strategy, together with Massa riding shotgun, the seven-time World Champion should be able to take the fight to Alonso tomorrow. Which is good news for all of us.
Finally, pole for Fernando Alonso, who, as ever, does exactly what he needs to, when he needs to. It was a great lap at just the right time, totally befitting a World Champion.
Regulars on the Pitpass forum are already suggesting that Fernando already has his second title in the bag, mainly thanks to the current points system. Though Michael, and hopefully others, will not give the Renault driver an easy ride, it would be a brave man who would bet against the Spaniard extending his lead tomorrow.
That said, write Michael off at your absolute peril.