| OnTheGas | 09-26-2002 12:04 PM |
U.S. GP Picks
[list=1][*]Michael - Rubens has a lock on Ferrari 1, 2 Drivers Chamionship already[*]Rubens[*]Juan Pablo - Anyone see him Letterman? I missed it...[*]Ralf[*]David[*]Kimi[/list=1]
| gtguy | 09-26-2002 12:22 PM |
Edited for rkkwan...
Uh, oh...
1. MS (for the same reasons that OTG suggests...M. Schumacher is, at present, the best driver in F1, period. The Ferrari also gets the best mechanical grip, which will help in the infield section. Yet it makes excellent power, which will help in the high-speed front straight. The F2002 also runs very well trimmed out for speed, which we can't say of the Williams. The F2002 is the best all-round package for the Indy track.)
2) RB (best car, arguably second-best driver, though it's no shame being second to MS. Rubens' abilities seem to suit this car very well, but now that he has second place sewn up, Michael will be looking to add to a record-setting year for him and for Ferrari. Rubens seems to have bad luck at Indy, too.)
3) Kimi (Indy is a track that favors a young, thuggish driver. The McLaren is really coming into its own as a package, recent unreliability notwithstanding. It's easier on the rear tires than the Williams, which will make it shine in the twisty infield section. Yet, Ilmor has been able to wring some power out of that engine, just enough to make it reasonably competitive on the straights. Indy favors the fearless, which Kimi certainly is.)
4) Ralf (The Williams is a very powerful car, and Ralf is a more sympathetic driver as regards his machinery than his teammate. His car's straight-line speed will keep them hoofing, even as its inability not to eat its rear tires will let it down. Indy is a track for a balanced performer, like the Ferrari and to a lesser extent, the McLaren. You have to be able to be stable while running very little wing.)
5) JPM (If Montoya can learn that throwing the car around isn't the fastest way, move him up two places. His driving style exacerbates the Williams' tendency to eat rear tires. JPM is fast as heck, without a doubt, and he is very talented. I would like to see him just bring the car home for a change, as Irvine has done the past couple of races. You have to finish to be in it.)
6) DC (Kimi has been outdriving him, and Indy won't be any exception. Raikkonen is better than DC at wringing the most out of a car, despite his immaturity. DC will bring the car home, which is an asset. But the problem is how, recently, he's been struggling during the race, and more importantly, struggling to pass lesser cars, while Kimi is driving off into the distance. Psychologically also, DC seems to be having a hard time right now...)
Again, look for the improving Jaguars to show well, and get in the points if the top three teams have reliability issues. Now that it's all Niki (Lauda) all the time, everything about that car is improving, not that the sky wasn't the limit. They're qualifying well in a balanced package, that is only some lacking horsepower away from being competitive. It isn't that Irvine doesn't have talent. It's just that when he doesn't have a winning car and he knows it, he drives differently. It's weird. The latest engine program has Jaguar not being quite so shamed, and the latest car is a light year aerodynamic improvement. Where the old Jag was slow and didn't have any grip, the new Jag is pretty quick, and is getting better mechanical grip. It still can't run that hard trimmed for speed, as evinced by Monza (a track that will also exacerbate any power deficiencies, as will Indy).
T'will be interesting to see how HHF does in the Sauber, too. He's looking for a real ride after getting out of the Arrows Bankruptcy Express. Sauber has put him in car to score manufacturer's points, because of Massa's ten-place penalty if he drives the car. Like free agents in their contract year, Frentzen should kick out the jams in a Sauber that, let's not forget, is running the 2001 Ferrari drivetrain, not a bad package.
Kevin
1. MS (for the same reasons that OTG suggests...M. Schumacher is, at present, the best driver in F1, period. The Ferrari also gets the best mechanical grip, which will help in the infield section. Yet it makes excellent power, which will help in the high-speed front straight. The F2002 also runs very well trimmed out for speed, which we can't say of the Williams. The F2002 is the best all-round package for the Indy track.)
2) RB (best car, arguably second-best driver, though it's no shame being second to MS. Rubens' abilities seem to suit this car very well, but now that he has second place sewn up, Michael will be looking to add to a record-setting year for him and for Ferrari. Rubens seems to have bad luck at Indy, too.)
3) Kimi (Indy is a track that favors a young, thuggish driver. The McLaren is really coming into its own as a package, recent unreliability notwithstanding. It's easier on the rear tires than the Williams, which will make it shine in the twisty infield section. Yet, Ilmor has been able to wring some power out of that engine, just enough to make it reasonably competitive on the straights. Indy favors the fearless, which Kimi certainly is.)
4) Ralf (The Williams is a very powerful car, and Ralf is a more sympathetic driver as regards his machinery than his teammate. His car's straight-line speed will keep them hoofing, even as its inability not to eat its rear tires will let it down. Indy is a track for a balanced performer, like the Ferrari and to a lesser extent, the McLaren. You have to be able to be stable while running very little wing.)
5) JPM (If Montoya can learn that throwing the car around isn't the fastest way, move him up two places. His driving style exacerbates the Williams' tendency to eat rear tires. JPM is fast as heck, without a doubt, and he is very talented. I would like to see him just bring the car home for a change, as Irvine has done the past couple of races. You have to finish to be in it.)
6) DC (Kimi has been outdriving him, and Indy won't be any exception. Raikkonen is better than DC at wringing the most out of a car, despite his immaturity. DC will bring the car home, which is an asset. But the problem is how, recently, he's been struggling during the race, and more importantly, struggling to pass lesser cars, while Kimi is driving off into the distance. Psychologically also, DC seems to be having a hard time right now...)
Again, look for the improving Jaguars to show well, and get in the points if the top three teams have reliability issues. Now that it's all Niki (Lauda) all the time, everything about that car is improving, not that the sky wasn't the limit. They're qualifying well in a balanced package, that is only some lacking horsepower away from being competitive. It isn't that Irvine doesn't have talent. It's just that when he doesn't have a winning car and he knows it, he drives differently. It's weird. The latest engine program has Jaguar not being quite so shamed, and the latest car is a light year aerodynamic improvement. Where the old Jag was slow and didn't have any grip, the new Jag is pretty quick, and is getting better mechanical grip. It still can't run that hard trimmed for speed, as evinced by Monza (a track that will also exacerbate any power deficiencies, as will Indy).
T'will be interesting to see how HHF does in the Sauber, too. He's looking for a real ride after getting out of the Arrows Bankruptcy Express. Sauber has put him in car to score manufacturer's points, because of Massa's ten-place penalty if he drives the car. Like free agents in their contract year, Frentzen should kick out the jams in a Sauber that, let's not forget, is running the 2001 Ferrari drivetrain, not a bad package.
Kevin
| TyrannoSullyRex | 09-26-2002 12:44 PM |
Re: U.S. GP Picks
[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by OnTheGas [/i]
[B]Juan Pablo - Anyone see him Letterman? I missed it...[/B][/QUOTE]
It was funny as it gets, Letterman kept calling JPM "Zorro".
[B]Juan Pablo - Anyone see him Letterman? I missed it...[/B][/QUOTE]
It was funny as it gets, Letterman kept calling JPM "Zorro".
| grandpa rex | 09-26-2002 01:04 PM |
1. Pete Rose
2. Young Alex
3. The Fish
4. Jackie Newtown
5. Webber
6. Ukyo Katayama
2. Young Alex
3. The Fish
4. Jackie Newtown
5. Webber
6. Ukyo Katayama
| rkkwan | 09-26-2002 02:57 PM |
Okay, I see this type of post before every F1 grand prix and find it relatively pointless. I hope people will give reasons why and how they come to these predictions.
I mean, we can all say the Ferrari is the best car this year - with the best balance for most courses. But I want to read some insight about the strengths and weakness of other teams, and how they play into a particular circuit.
For example, the McLaren-MB are lower on power than Ferraris and Williams-BMW; but seem to have better mechanical grip than the Williams, which has great power, but is suspect in engine durability. How do these things play in Indy?
And where's the Jaguar's recent improvement concentrated on? Engine, durablity, aerodynamics?
I just hope to learn something more than just predictions. :)
-Ray
I mean, we can all say the Ferrari is the best car this year - with the best balance for most courses. But I want to read some insight about the strengths and weakness of other teams, and how they play into a particular circuit.
For example, the McLaren-MB are lower on power than Ferraris and Williams-BMW; but seem to have better mechanical grip than the Williams, which has great power, but is suspect in engine durability. How do these things play in Indy?
And where's the Jaguar's recent improvement concentrated on? Engine, durablity, aerodynamics?
I just hope to learn something more than just predictions. :)
-Ray
| HoRo1 | 09-26-2002 03:10 PM |
Ray
You're only saying that because you didn't see my much more incisive and witty thread on this very subject. :lol:
You're only saying that because you didn't see my much more incisive and witty thread on this very subject. :lol:
| Fred Zaplitny | 09-26-2002 03:48 PM |
[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by rkkwan [/i]
[B]Okay, I see this type of post before every F1 grand prix and find it relatively pointless. I hope people will give reasons why and how they come to these predictions.
I mean, we can all say the Ferrari is the best car this year - with the best balance for most courses. But I want to read some insight about the strengths and weakness of other teams, and how they play into a particular circuit.
For example, the McLaren-MB are lower on power than Ferraris and Williams-BMW; but seem to have better mechanical grip than the Williams, which has great power, but is suspect in engine durability. How do these things play in Indy?
And where's the Jaguar's recent improvement concentrated on? Engine, durablity, aerodynamics?
I just hope to learn something more than just predictions. :)
-Ray [/B][/QUOTE]
This post has been a tradition on i-Club for over a year now. It used to be a lot of fun when guys like J_Coleman and donjuan used to post whore the crap out of the thread. Now it's just sort of lame tradition. Then there's guys like HoHo.....Nevermind, I don't even want to go there. :rolleyes:
[B]Okay, I see this type of post before every F1 grand prix and find it relatively pointless. I hope people will give reasons why and how they come to these predictions.
I mean, we can all say the Ferrari is the best car this year - with the best balance for most courses. But I want to read some insight about the strengths and weakness of other teams, and how they play into a particular circuit.
For example, the McLaren-MB are lower on power than Ferraris and Williams-BMW; but seem to have better mechanical grip than the Williams, which has great power, but is suspect in engine durability. How do these things play in Indy?
And where's the Jaguar's recent improvement concentrated on? Engine, durablity, aerodynamics?
I just hope to learn something more than just predictions. :)
-Ray [/B][/QUOTE]
This post has been a tradition on i-Club for over a year now. It used to be a lot of fun when guys like J_Coleman and donjuan used to post whore the crap out of the thread. Now it's just sort of lame tradition. Then there's guys like HoHo.....Nevermind, I don't even want to go there. :rolleyes:
| grandpa rex | 09-26-2002 04:34 PM |
MONTOYA WILL WIN!!!
Seriously, Fred is right. Where are all the smack talkers? Even John Felstead has deserted us.
Of course, with what the red guys have done this year, it has taken some of the mystery out of F1.
Seriously, Fred is right. Where are all the smack talkers? Even John Felstead has deserted us.
Of course, with what the red guys have done this year, it has taken some of the mystery out of F1.
| rkkwan | 09-26-2002 05:43 PM |
See, the thing is that I've followed F1 on and off all my life, and do track-driving myself, but I just can't see myself doing any predictions! :)
I love the articles in the UK magazines Autosports. Unfortunately, their GP previews never show up in Borders until [B]after[/B] the races. It'd be much more educational if I know beforehand what to watch for in a F1 race.
-Ray
I love the articles in the UK magazines Autosports. Unfortunately, their GP previews never show up in Borders until [B]after[/B] the races. It'd be much more educational if I know beforehand what to watch for in a F1 race.
-Ray
| gtguy | 09-26-2002 06:51 PM |
Ray, check out my edited post! :lol: Predictions are fun, because even if you're wrong, it's interesting. I think that we have gotten away from reasoning behind picks, but still, I think it's a hoot to try and nail the top six finishers. Obviously, Ferrari's dominance this season has made the top two spots pretty easy, but the other four can be surprising.
Kevin
Kevin
| rkkwan | 09-26-2002 11:04 PM |
Wow, thanks, Kevin. You're making me cry... :)
Hope I didn't disrupt your dinner plan! :lol:
-Ray
Hope I didn't disrupt your dinner plan! :lol:
-Ray
| OnTheGas | 09-27-2002 09:29 AM |
There Is a Change In The Weather!
Yesterday some weathermen predicted:[list][*]Rain on Friday[*]Sunny on Saturday and Sunday[/list]Since teams use Fridays for race set-ups, and work on qualifying set-ups during Saturday practices, some teams might have been left scrambling for a good set-up...
[b]But now some weathermen are guessing[/b][list][*]Friday - Cloudy in the AM then Sunny![*]Saturday - Partly Sunny[*][b]Sunday - Rain likely[/b][/list]
[b]But now some weathermen are guessing[/b][list][*]Friday - Cloudy in the AM then Sunny![*]Saturday - Partly Sunny[*][b]Sunday - Rain likely[/b][/list]
| johnfelstead | 09-27-2002 10:36 AM |
[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by grandpa rex [/i]
[B]MONTOYA WILL WIN!!!
Even John Felstead has deserted us.
[/B][/QUOTE]
No i havent, and no he wont! :lol:
MS will win, by a mile!!
The rest are just along for the ride. :lol:
[B]MONTOYA WILL WIN!!!
Even John Felstead has deserted us.
[/B][/QUOTE]
No i havent, and no he wont! :lol:
MS will win, by a mile!!
The rest are just along for the ride. :lol:
| gtguy | 09-27-2002 11:08 AM |
Rain...yessss! I love the rain, because it brings out the best in drivers. Good ones excel, bad ones go backward. It makes for more passing and better racing as well, because for most of the field (MS will still check out, especially in the rain) the performance gaps will be compressed. (Kevin does his rain dance)
Kevin
Kevin
| OnTheGas | 09-27-2002 11:47 AM |
Rats! No Rain
Well now I'm no longer seeing any predictions for rain on Sunday... Some are saying it may be a little sloppy this morning, and then dry for the rest of weekend... so it should be a straight up fight...
It will be interesting to see how Jaguar do in the race... they were impressive at Spa, and Monza...
It will be interesting to see how Jaguar do in the race... they were impressive at Spa, and Monza...
| WRX03 | 09-27-2002 06:37 PM |
Montoya stopped by the BMW suites after practice. He seem a little down about his changes at pole Saturday. MS practiced up front, people started to get close, went out and torn up the clock.
| HoRo1 | 09-27-2002 07:40 PM |
Predict this
Well, you asked for it
I will lap Willow Springs in under 1:40 with a stock motor.
Schumacher... argh, what the hell, he's the best ever (sorry Jim Clark fans), will win. Plus, he and his team have demoralised the competition.
I will lap Willow Springs in under 1:40 with a stock motor.
Schumacher... argh, what the hell, he's the best ever (sorry Jim Clark fans), will win. Plus, he and his team have demoralised the competition.
| Fred Zaplitny | 09-28-2002 12:05 AM |
Re: Predict this
[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by HoRo1 [/i]
[B]Well, you asked for it
I will lap Willow Springs in under 1:40 with a stock motor.
Schumacher... argh, what the hell, he's the best ever (sorry Jim Clark fans), will win. Plus, he and his team have demoralised the competition. [/B][/QUOTE]
Yeah Hoho, Schumacher winning. That's a hard call. :rolleyes:
[B]Well, you asked for it
I will lap Willow Springs in under 1:40 with a stock motor.
Schumacher... argh, what the hell, he's the best ever (sorry Jim Clark fans), will win. Plus, he and his team have demoralised the competition. [/B][/QUOTE]
Yeah Hoho, Schumacher winning. That's a hard call. :rolleyes:
| HoRo1 | 09-28-2002 03:50 PM |
OK, I give in. You've spotted my ruse of picking the greatest driver of all time driving the greatest car of all time, when my real favourite is Takuma Sato :lol:
| OnTheGas | 09-29-2002 05:35 AM |
Qualifying Results
[CODE]Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. M.Schumacher Ferrari (B) 1:10.790 213.183 km/h 11
2. Barrichello Ferrari (B) 1:11.058 + 0.268 12
3. Coulthard McLaren Mercedes (M) 1:11.413 + 0.623 12
4. Montoya Williams BMW (M) 1:11.414 + 0.624 11
5. R.Schumacher Williams BMW (M) 1:11.587 + 0.797 12
6. Raikkonen McLaren Mercedes (M) 1:11.633 + 0.843 11
7. Villeneuve BAR Honda (B) 1:11.738 + 0.948 12
8. Trulli Renault (M) 1:11.888 + 1.098 12
9. Fisichella Jordan Honda (B) 1:11.902 + 1.112 12
10. Heidfeld Sauber Petronas (B) 1:11.953 + 1.163 12
11. Frentzen Sauber Petronas (B) 1:12.083 + 1.293 11
12. Panis BAR Honda (B) 1:12.161 + 1.371 11
13. Irvine Jaguar Cosworth (M) 1:12.282 + 1.492 11
14. Button Renault (M) 1:12.401 + 1.611 12
15. Sato Jordan Honda (B) 1:12.647 + 1.857 12
16. McNish Toyota (M) 1:12.723 + 1.933 12
17. de la Rosa Jaguar Cosworth (M) 1:12.739 + 1.949 12
18. Webber Minardi Asiatech (M) 1:13.128 + 2.338 11
19. Salo Toyota (M) 1:13.213 + 2.423 9
20. Yoong Minardi Asiatech (M) 1:13.809 + 3.019 5[/CODE]
1. M.Schumacher Ferrari (B) 1:10.790 213.183 km/h 11
2. Barrichello Ferrari (B) 1:11.058 + 0.268 12
3. Coulthard McLaren Mercedes (M) 1:11.413 + 0.623 12
4. Montoya Williams BMW (M) 1:11.414 + 0.624 11
5. R.Schumacher Williams BMW (M) 1:11.587 + 0.797 12
6. Raikkonen McLaren Mercedes (M) 1:11.633 + 0.843 11
7. Villeneuve BAR Honda (B) 1:11.738 + 0.948 12
8. Trulli Renault (M) 1:11.888 + 1.098 12
9. Fisichella Jordan Honda (B) 1:11.902 + 1.112 12
10. Heidfeld Sauber Petronas (B) 1:11.953 + 1.163 12
11. Frentzen Sauber Petronas (B) 1:12.083 + 1.293 11
12. Panis BAR Honda (B) 1:12.161 + 1.371 11
13. Irvine Jaguar Cosworth (M) 1:12.282 + 1.492 11
14. Button Renault (M) 1:12.401 + 1.611 12
15. Sato Jordan Honda (B) 1:12.647 + 1.857 12
16. McNish Toyota (M) 1:12.723 + 1.933 12
17. de la Rosa Jaguar Cosworth (M) 1:12.739 + 1.949 12
18. Webber Minardi Asiatech (M) 1:13.128 + 2.338 11
19. Salo Toyota (M) 1:13.213 + 2.423 9
20. Yoong Minardi Asiatech (M) 1:13.809 + 3.019 5[/CODE]
| OnTheGas | 09-29-2002 06:48 AM |
Saturday Quotes...
[quote][i]Gerhard Berger, BMW Motorsport Director[/i]
[b]It was clear this morning already that we didn't have a chance to start our race from the first row and that it would be difficult even to achieve the second row. This outcome was not really unexpected. The McLarens will also be challenging us tomorrow in the race. Whoever will be quickest tomorrow with low downforce race set-up in the infield section of the track will probably decide the race. The most important factor for us is getting both cars to the end and scoring some points in order to secure our second position in the Constructor's Championship.[/b][/quote][quote][i]Norbert Haug, VP of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport[/i]
[b]An exciting qualifying and an excellent job by David. We are the fastest Michelin team, but the gap to the front row is still quite big. Kimi certainly had the potential to be higher up the grid if he could have started the session in his race car.[/b][/quote][quote][i]Kimi Raikkonen[/i]
[b]I'm a little disappointed with sixth place. The fact that I had to use the T-car didn't help. The team did a great job in repairing my race car following my incident in the second practice session this morning, and the car was ready when I came back from my first run. However, we decided to continue using the T-car for consistency. My second run was the fastest and I was even quicker on my third, but I had to slow down due to the yellow flags. I'm optimistic for tomorrow's race as I will be back in my race car.[/b][/quote]So the fight to be the non-red car on the podium may be quite entertaining...[quote][i]Jacques Villeneuve - 7th[/i]
[b]It looks like oversteer is going to be a big problem for a lot of drivers tomorrow though. The asphalt characteristic causes you to slide a lot and you use up all the grip very quickly, so we've got a lot of work to do on race set-up to make sure the tyres don't 'go away'.[/b][/quote]Jacques is running on Bridgestones of course, but I imagine the Michelin runners are experiencing similiar challenges...[quote][i]Jarno Trulli, Renault - 8th[/i]
[b]I'm pleased with this position and happy for the team. I wasn't happy with the balance this morning and I worked hard pwith my engineers to improve it. I really think I got 100% out of the car in qualifying. Everything is going very well at the moment and I.m getting on very well within the team. Eighth is definitely a promising result because I think we will be competitive tomorrow in race conditions.[/b][/quote]Jarno and his team-mate Button had an excellent drive at Monza to pull themselves up into the points... Trulli and Renault are a team that I would think may end up in the points if a Mercedes or a BMW blows up on Sunday...[quote][i]Eddie Irvine, Jaguar - 13th[/i]
[b]What a shock! I realised we had problems at the first corner of my first timed lap. As I braked, I lost grip, ran wide and decided to abort the lap. The car was sliding around all over the place and was quite a handful to drive. It was twitchy, unforgiving and simply put, a very different car to the one I drove this morning when I managed a lap time of 1m.11.688s – seven tenths faster than my qualifying time. Having made some changes to the set-up, we stuck a new set of tyres on the car and began the second timed lap. Again, nothing appeared to have changed and once you lose confidence in grip levels, it becomes very hard indeed to approach corners in an aggressive manner. We simply went outside of our tyre window today, but nonetheless, we will be aiming to take full advantage of the Jaguar R3 in race trim tomorrow. I started even further back last year and through a combination of reliability and clever race strategy, we finished in the points.[/b][/quote]7/10ths slower in qualifying than the morning practice!! Wow! So look for a green car to move up through the field...
Finally, a quote from earlier this week as to race set-ups and strategies for Indy...[quote][i]Renault US GP Technical Preview, Sept 24th, [url]http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=107245[/url] [/i]
[b]Indianapolis offers just one significant overtaking opportunity into Turn 1, a possibility enabled by high maximum speeds on the main straight. Without this key factor, cars up to five seconds a lap faster overall can find themselves unable to overtake, as was demonstrated in the 2000 race.
"Strategy at Indianapolis is determined by high straight-line speeds," explains Pat Symonds, Executive Director of Engineering Renault F1. "Without that, it is virtually impossible to pass, which in turn places more emphasis on gaining positions through good pit-stop strategy.[/b][/quote]At Indy, since teams tend to lay their wings down for the front straight, those chassis which have better mechanical and aero efficiency will do good lap-times when the set-up is well balanced for the driver, as we saw today for DC (3rd), JV (7th), and Trulli (8th). Toyota does not appear to enjoy an efficient chassis, and perhaps this has been why they have been struggling all weekend at the back of the pack, despite their fabulous motor.
It will be interesting to see Toyota's race set-up tomorrow as they could lay down their wings and really suck in the in-field, knowing that their motor would make them very difficult to pass on the straight.
My prediction is to watch for Renault and Jaguar to rise through the dog-fights in the pack toward the points positions...
[b]It was clear this morning already that we didn't have a chance to start our race from the first row and that it would be difficult even to achieve the second row. This outcome was not really unexpected. The McLarens will also be challenging us tomorrow in the race. Whoever will be quickest tomorrow with low downforce race set-up in the infield section of the track will probably decide the race. The most important factor for us is getting both cars to the end and scoring some points in order to secure our second position in the Constructor's Championship.[/b][/quote][quote][i]Norbert Haug, VP of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport[/i]
[b]An exciting qualifying and an excellent job by David. We are the fastest Michelin team, but the gap to the front row is still quite big. Kimi certainly had the potential to be higher up the grid if he could have started the session in his race car.[/b][/quote][quote][i]Kimi Raikkonen[/i]
[b]I'm a little disappointed with sixth place. The fact that I had to use the T-car didn't help. The team did a great job in repairing my race car following my incident in the second practice session this morning, and the car was ready when I came back from my first run. However, we decided to continue using the T-car for consistency. My second run was the fastest and I was even quicker on my third, but I had to slow down due to the yellow flags. I'm optimistic for tomorrow's race as I will be back in my race car.[/b][/quote]So the fight to be the non-red car on the podium may be quite entertaining...[quote][i]Jacques Villeneuve - 7th[/i]
[b]It looks like oversteer is going to be a big problem for a lot of drivers tomorrow though. The asphalt characteristic causes you to slide a lot and you use up all the grip very quickly, so we've got a lot of work to do on race set-up to make sure the tyres don't 'go away'.[/b][/quote]Jacques is running on Bridgestones of course, but I imagine the Michelin runners are experiencing similiar challenges...[quote][i]Jarno Trulli, Renault - 8th[/i]
[b]I'm pleased with this position and happy for the team. I wasn't happy with the balance this morning and I worked hard pwith my engineers to improve it. I really think I got 100% out of the car in qualifying. Everything is going very well at the moment and I.m getting on very well within the team. Eighth is definitely a promising result because I think we will be competitive tomorrow in race conditions.[/b][/quote]Jarno and his team-mate Button had an excellent drive at Monza to pull themselves up into the points... Trulli and Renault are a team that I would think may end up in the points if a Mercedes or a BMW blows up on Sunday...[quote][i]Eddie Irvine, Jaguar - 13th[/i]
[b]What a shock! I realised we had problems at the first corner of my first timed lap. As I braked, I lost grip, ran wide and decided to abort the lap. The car was sliding around all over the place and was quite a handful to drive. It was twitchy, unforgiving and simply put, a very different car to the one I drove this morning when I managed a lap time of 1m.11.688s – seven tenths faster than my qualifying time. Having made some changes to the set-up, we stuck a new set of tyres on the car and began the second timed lap. Again, nothing appeared to have changed and once you lose confidence in grip levels, it becomes very hard indeed to approach corners in an aggressive manner. We simply went outside of our tyre window today, but nonetheless, we will be aiming to take full advantage of the Jaguar R3 in race trim tomorrow. I started even further back last year and through a combination of reliability and clever race strategy, we finished in the points.[/b][/quote]7/10ths slower in qualifying than the morning practice!! Wow! So look for a green car to move up through the field...
Finally, a quote from earlier this week as to race set-ups and strategies for Indy...[quote][i]Renault US GP Technical Preview, Sept 24th, [url]http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=107245[/url] [/i]
[b]Indianapolis offers just one significant overtaking opportunity into Turn 1, a possibility enabled by high maximum speeds on the main straight. Without this key factor, cars up to five seconds a lap faster overall can find themselves unable to overtake, as was demonstrated in the 2000 race.
"Strategy at Indianapolis is determined by high straight-line speeds," explains Pat Symonds, Executive Director of Engineering Renault F1. "Without that, it is virtually impossible to pass, which in turn places more emphasis on gaining positions through good pit-stop strategy.[/b][/quote]At Indy, since teams tend to lay their wings down for the front straight, those chassis which have better mechanical and aero efficiency will do good lap-times when the set-up is well balanced for the driver, as we saw today for DC (3rd), JV (7th), and Trulli (8th). Toyota does not appear to enjoy an efficient chassis, and perhaps this has been why they have been struggling all weekend at the back of the pack, despite their fabulous motor.
It will be interesting to see Toyota's race set-up tomorrow as they could lay down their wings and really suck in the in-field, knowing that their motor would make them very difficult to pass on the straight.
My prediction is to watch for Renault and Jaguar to rise through the dog-fights in the pack toward the points positions...
| rkkwan | 09-29-2002 10:08 AM |
Did anybody notice that during the Sunday morning warm-up, while Schumacher/Barrichello is again 1-2 in times, Schumi actually has the very slowest trap time on the straight? Even slower than the Minardis. I think it's more than 10km/h under Fisichella. And Barrichello is like 2nd or 3rd slowest. Pretty interesting, no?
-Ray
-Ray
| GarySheehan | 09-29-2002 03:54 PM |
Dammit! I really would have liked to watch the rest of DC's interview!
| HoRo1 | 09-29-2002 04:00 PM |
What the hell is Montoya doing?
Like I said - wild.
Like I said - wild.
| rkkwan | 09-29-2002 04:05 PM |
My two questions after watching the race:
1. How come Ralf can't pass even one car after his extra stop?
2. What happened to Jaguar after Saturday morning?
-Ray
1. How come Ralf can't pass even one car after his extra stop?
2. What happened to Jaguar after Saturday morning?
-Ray
| Raxy | 09-29-2002 04:33 PM |
[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by GarySheehan [/i]
[B]Dammit! I really would have liked to watch the rest of DC's interview! [/B][/QUOTE]
No kidding! :mad: And also to hear Barrichello again after DC! Of course I've come to expect that from ABC...
Ferrari never ceases to amaze me! :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
[B]Dammit! I really would have liked to watch the rest of DC's interview! [/B][/QUOTE]
No kidding! :mad: And also to hear Barrichello again after DC! Of course I've come to expect that from ABC...
Ferrari never ceases to amaze me! :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
| johnfelstead | 09-29-2002 05:54 PM |
That was MS trying to be a smart ass, and getting it very very wrong! oops. :D :lol:
| TimStevens | 09-29-2002 05:59 PM |
Man I can't stand ABC. I really hope they don't pick up F1 next year, but sadly it's looking like a sure-bet. :mad:
Couldn't tell from the angles but it looks like Ralph was the one who caused that crash. It seemed like he had plenty of room to stay on the inside, but panicked and the car swapped ends. Either way, it sucked.
Oh well, halfway decent day for McLaren and for DC, so not a bad race as far as I'm concerned :)
-tim
Couldn't tell from the angles but it looks like Ralph was the one who caused that crash. It seemed like he had plenty of room to stay on the inside, but panicked and the car swapped ends. Either way, it sucked.
Oh well, halfway decent day for McLaren and for DC, so not a bad race as far as I'm concerned :)
-tim
| rkkwan | 09-29-2002 06:05 PM |
[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by johnfelstead [/i]
[B]That was MS trying to be a smart ass, and getting it very very wrong! oops. :D :lol: [/B][/QUOTE]
His "real" intent will be published in MS' autobiography. This is his way to make sure it'll be high on the bestseller's list, and to get as much $$$ out of the book deal! :D
-Ray
[B]That was MS trying to be a smart ass, and getting it very very wrong! oops. :D :lol: [/B][/QUOTE]
His "real" intent will be published in MS' autobiography. This is his way to make sure it'll be high on the bestseller's list, and to get as much $$$ out of the book deal! :D
-Ray
| ellisnc | 09-29-2002 06:10 PM |
Yeah Ralf caused that because he spun, they didn't touch before that.
Do you actually thing Schumacher cares if he didn't win the race? I was glad Barichello won.
I wish JPM had caught DC though and made it interesting.
ABC stinks bad though. They cut off right when Kimi's motor blew and then killed the rest of DC's comments.
I guess I don't really mind seeing MS win because it would be like saying you got sick of Senna winning. At least MS is appreciative or he makes a very good act of it. I mean we're watching what could very well be the best driver of all time break records and how he's built that team up around him is what makes it all the more amazing.
Also it makes me happy to be a Ferrari fan and see how well Michael and Rubens get along as teammates. If you were in the Williams garage after the race those two were probably ripping each other's throughts out.
oh yeah...
Is Montoya's girlfriend hot or what?
Do you actually thing Schumacher cares if he didn't win the race? I was glad Barichello won.
I wish JPM had caught DC though and made it interesting.
ABC stinks bad though. They cut off right when Kimi's motor blew and then killed the rest of DC's comments.
I guess I don't really mind seeing MS win because it would be like saying you got sick of Senna winning. At least MS is appreciative or he makes a very good act of it. I mean we're watching what could very well be the best driver of all time break records and how he's built that team up around him is what makes it all the more amazing.
Also it makes me happy to be a Ferrari fan and see how well Michael and Rubens get along as teammates. If you were in the Williams garage after the race those two were probably ripping each other's throughts out.
oh yeah...
Is Montoya's girlfriend hot or what?
| TimStevens | 09-29-2002 06:15 PM |
Ralphie's gf looks like a total ditz. She was tip-toeing around the garage on these massive elevator sandals. :rolleyes:
| johnfelstead | 09-29-2002 07:22 PM |
That's his wife. She seems OK to me.
Did you guys get to see Patrick Head in the garage as Chilli Dog and Ralfie Boy collided? priceless!!!!! :D
Did you guys get to see Patrick Head in the garage as Chilli Dog and Ralfie Boy collided? priceless!!!!! :D
| ellisnc | 09-29-2002 09:11 PM |
yeah, was he like pulling his hair out??
Ralf's wife looks like a call girl or stripper one of the two... no class whatsoever.
Ralf's wife looks like a call girl or stripper one of the two... no class whatsoever.
| Leonardo | 09-29-2002 09:19 PM |
:monkey: to ABC!
I loved how Montoya made up more than 8 seconds in the last laps and ended soo close! If he had 2 laps more, he could have passed him!
Damn Ralph was the cause of the accident! If not, Montoya wouold have been ahead of DC all allong!
Forming a local group to go to Toronto GP next year, hope it will be more interesting!
Leo
I loved how Montoya made up more than 8 seconds in the last laps and ended soo close! If he had 2 laps more, he could have passed him!
Damn Ralph was the cause of the accident! If not, Montoya wouold have been ahead of DC all allong!
Forming a local group to go to Toronto GP next year, hope it will be more interesting!
Leo
| OnTheGas | 09-29-2002 09:57 PM |
But Mr. Head, you don't understand...
[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by johnfelstead [/i]
[B]Did you guys get to see Patrick Head in the garage as Chilli Dog and Ralfie Boy collided? priceless!!!!! :D [/B][/QUOTE]That was funny! One can imagine the conversation afterwards...
"But Mr. Head, I was ahead, then Juan pinched me on to the inside curb... he spun me on purpose!"
"Hah! I was ahead on the outside but you out-braked yourself, and only used the curb cause you were over-committed again... like Monza!"
[B]Did you guys get to see Patrick Head in the garage as Chilli Dog and Ralfie Boy collided? priceless!!!!! :D [/B][/QUOTE]That was funny! One can imagine the conversation afterwards...
"But Mr. Head, I was ahead, then Juan pinched me on to the inside curb... he spun me on purpose!"
"Hah! I was ahead on the outside but you out-braked yourself, and only used the curb cause you were over-committed again... like Monza!"
| amp5 | 09-29-2002 11:11 PM |
[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by TimStevens [/i]
[B]Man I can't stand ABC. I really hope they don't pick up F1 next year, but sadly it's looking like a sure-bet. :mad:
Couldn't tell from the angles but it looks like Ralph was the one who caused that crash. It seemed like he had plenty of room to stay on the inside, but panicked and the car swapped ends. Either way, it sucked.
Oh well, halfway decent day for McLaren and for DC, so not a bad race as far as I'm concerned :)
-tim [/B][/QUOTE]
Actually, it wasn't nearly as bad as last year and the year before. At least the main commentators knew what they were talking about. But enough of that damn red bull driver's search! I get the damn picture.
[B]Man I can't stand ABC. I really hope they don't pick up F1 next year, but sadly it's looking like a sure-bet. :mad:
Couldn't tell from the angles but it looks like Ralph was the one who caused that crash. It seemed like he had plenty of room to stay on the inside, but panicked and the car swapped ends. Either way, it sucked.
Oh well, halfway decent day for McLaren and for DC, so not a bad race as far as I'm concerned :)
-tim [/B][/QUOTE]
Actually, it wasn't nearly as bad as last year and the year before. At least the main commentators knew what they were talking about. But enough of that damn red bull driver's search! I get the damn picture.
| gtguy | 09-30-2002 07:36 AM |
Wow. Back from the race, and what a riot. There were some boos, but mostly cheers for Rubens, who wagged his finger in an admonitory fashion at Michael as they both exited their cars.
It was payback for Austria to be sure, and a very nice gesture, IMHO. People will whine, but so what? No matter what Schumacher/Ferrari does, it's wrong, so they should do what they like, I think.
And what an interesting top six. Live, DC looked to be driving to a) save his car and b) manage the gap. I think that he and Kimi, judging from the way DC's car was beginning to sound, about to have the same problem.
Live, Michael's driving and the way that the Ferrari works is astounding. They come in to the corner faster, go through it faster, and are on the throttle earlier than anyone else. It's no wonder they're so fast. And that car has so much power, that down Hulman Blvd. on the back section, their traction control was going off long after everyone else was hooked up, and that ain't cuz Ferrari's TC setup sucks, lemme tell ya. That car looked like it was in hyperspace when it accelerated.
The standing start practice was also verry interesting. You can see why Michael's start was so good. McLaren also has an excellent launch control system.
More gushing to come, but I have gone to the USGP every year since its return, and I think that I might have had the most fun this time, even though the red cars made the outcome academic...the only question was which red car?
Kevin
It was payback for Austria to be sure, and a very nice gesture, IMHO. People will whine, but so what? No matter what Schumacher/Ferrari does, it's wrong, so they should do what they like, I think.
And what an interesting top six. Live, DC looked to be driving to a) save his car and b) manage the gap. I think that he and Kimi, judging from the way DC's car was beginning to sound, about to have the same problem.
Live, Michael's driving and the way that the Ferrari works is astounding. They come in to the corner faster, go through it faster, and are on the throttle earlier than anyone else. It's no wonder they're so fast. And that car has so much power, that down Hulman Blvd. on the back section, their traction control was going off long after everyone else was hooked up, and that ain't cuz Ferrari's TC setup sucks, lemme tell ya. That car looked like it was in hyperspace when it accelerated.
The standing start practice was also verry interesting. You can see why Michael's start was so good. McLaren also has an excellent launch control system.
More gushing to come, but I have gone to the USGP every year since its return, and I think that I might have had the most fun this time, even though the red cars made the outcome academic...the only question was which red car?
Kevin
| TimStevens | 09-30-2002 07:57 AM |
[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by amp5 [/i]
[B]Actually, it wasn't nearly as bad as last year and the year before. At least the main commentators knew what they were talking about. But enough of that damn red bull driver's search! I get the damn picture. [/B][/QUOTE]
Better than before, but still crappy. I also don't like how stale the damn commentators are. The Speedvision guys crack jokes and laugh at each other... the two ABC guys sound like they only get let out of the basement three times a year to do F1 races.
And I really, sincerely hope that this is all we'll have to listen to about the damn Red Bull thing. It's bad enough to have to listen to Danny Sullivan drone on for an hour about the same damn thing every damn race! And am I the only one who'd never heard of ANY of their nominees?
-tim
[B]Actually, it wasn't nearly as bad as last year and the year before. At least the main commentators knew what they were talking about. But enough of that damn red bull driver's search! I get the damn picture. [/B][/QUOTE]
Better than before, but still crappy. I also don't like how stale the damn commentators are. The Speedvision guys crack jokes and laugh at each other... the two ABC guys sound like they only get let out of the basement three times a year to do F1 races.
And I really, sincerely hope that this is all we'll have to listen to about the damn Red Bull thing. It's bad enough to have to listen to Danny Sullivan drone on for an hour about the same damn thing every damn race! And am I the only one who'd never heard of ANY of their nominees?
-tim
| Bonzo | 09-30-2002 12:33 PM |
I was watching Danny S walking these kids the the pits on Saturday. This group of boys looked like a bunch of school boys:confused:
Ralfy vs Chili on their GF's wow to both of them:eek: Sat ralfys girl had on a pink leather outfit. Very tight and Chili's girl was in jeans and a low shirt showing off her assets.:eek: :D Wow I wish I was rich, talented and a race car driver:lol:
As for Ferraris dominance Like GtGuy said they are a step ahead. I was standing on the most important and last major corner on the track, the 3rd gear right hander leading onto the main straight. MS and RB were clearly on the throttle earlier and hooking up much better. I picked that out right away. They were also short shifting to 2nd coming out of the very tight lefthand leading to that corner. They simply paced each other and I beleive had more speed if needed.
As for best year, I still remember in 2000 the anticipation and excitement when hearing the cars for the very first time that Friday morning pratice. This year easily betters last year. Plus the weather offered so much off track scenery:devil: :D
Ralfy vs Chili on their GF's wow to both of them:eek: Sat ralfys girl had on a pink leather outfit. Very tight and Chili's girl was in jeans and a low shirt showing off her assets.:eek: :D Wow I wish I was rich, talented and a race car driver:lol:
As for Ferraris dominance Like GtGuy said they are a step ahead. I was standing on the most important and last major corner on the track, the 3rd gear right hander leading onto the main straight. MS and RB were clearly on the throttle earlier and hooking up much better. I picked that out right away. They were also short shifting to 2nd coming out of the very tight lefthand leading to that corner. They simply paced each other and I beleive had more speed if needed.
As for best year, I still remember in 2000 the anticipation and excitement when hearing the cars for the very first time that Friday morning pratice. This year easily betters last year. Plus the weather offered so much off track scenery:devil: :D
| OnTheGas | 09-30-2002 01:58 PM |
Red Bull U.S. F1 Driver Search
[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Bonzo [/i]
[B]I was watching Danny S walking these kids the the pits on Saturday. This group of boys looked like a bunch of school boys:confused: [/B][/QUOTE]Yes, that's the whole point! Get 'em while they are young and talented, and send 'em to europe to race against the other young and talented racers from around the world... You would hear of most of these kids if you followed karting here in the states... Many of them are karting champions.
And it is the right thing to do... Just look at Massa and Kimi... they are nearly school boys themselves, because they are not far removed from their karting careers.
That's how the game is played... if you want to drive in F1, you have to go to Europe to be noticed. The problem is that U.S. drivers have traditionally found it extremely difficult to get U.S. companies to sponsor them for a few seasons in Europe. So U.S. drivers go to Europe under-funded, and then try to find local sponsors in Europe. But often the U.S. drivers won't know many people Europe, and local companies are more interested in sponsoring local drivers. And so w/no sponsorship money, talented drivers come back home. It happens all the time. One of the few drivers that we have heard of who recently experienced this is Danica Patrick but there many others whom one won't normally hear of.
At the same time, drivers from other countries in the western hemisphere are often able to get sponsors from their home country to sponsor them and stick with them over a few seasons. The Canadians do this, and the Brazilians are notable for doing this well. That is why there are so many Brazilians in CART (and F1), because many of them have Brazilian sponsors who commit to stay with them for a few seasons.
It is ironic that Red Bull is not an American company, (they are Austrian). Yet they are filling a large void that is needed to see U.S. drivers in F1, by providing sponsor ship commitments to enable U.S. drivers to mature and prove themselves in European junior formulas.
It is too bad that Danny Sullivan is not the most exciting speaker w/a microphone, but nonetheless, what they are doing will likely lead to success... U.S. drivers in F1. I say, Bravo!
[B]I was watching Danny S walking these kids the the pits on Saturday. This group of boys looked like a bunch of school boys:confused: [/B][/QUOTE]Yes, that's the whole point! Get 'em while they are young and talented, and send 'em to europe to race against the other young and talented racers from around the world... You would hear of most of these kids if you followed karting here in the states... Many of them are karting champions.
And it is the right thing to do... Just look at Massa and Kimi... they are nearly school boys themselves, because they are not far removed from their karting careers.
That's how the game is played... if you want to drive in F1, you have to go to Europe to be noticed. The problem is that U.S. drivers have traditionally found it extremely difficult to get U.S. companies to sponsor them for a few seasons in Europe. So U.S. drivers go to Europe under-funded, and then try to find local sponsors in Europe. But often the U.S. drivers won't know many people Europe, and local companies are more interested in sponsoring local drivers. And so w/no sponsorship money, talented drivers come back home. It happens all the time. One of the few drivers that we have heard of who recently experienced this is Danica Patrick but there many others whom one won't normally hear of.
At the same time, drivers from other countries in the western hemisphere are often able to get sponsors from their home country to sponsor them and stick with them over a few seasons. The Canadians do this, and the Brazilians are notable for doing this well. That is why there are so many Brazilians in CART (and F1), because many of them have Brazilian sponsors who commit to stay with them for a few seasons.
It is ironic that Red Bull is not an American company, (they are Austrian). Yet they are filling a large void that is needed to see U.S. drivers in F1, by providing sponsor ship commitments to enable U.S. drivers to mature and prove themselves in European junior formulas.
It is too bad that Danny Sullivan is not the most exciting speaker w/a microphone, but nonetheless, what they are doing will likely lead to success... U.S. drivers in F1. I say, Bravo!
| ForzaF1 | 09-30-2002 02:35 PM |
[QUOTE]As for best year, I still remember in 2000 the anticipation and excitement when hearing the cars for the very first time that Friday morning pratice. [/QUOTE]
I hear you on that one. I'll never forget the excitement when HHF's bright yellow jordan pulled up to the pit exit to wait for the first practice session to start. Everyone was standing and cheering before he even came screaming down the main straight. it was simply awesome!
I enjoyed the race again, and the race was proably the most enjoyable of the three for me, and of course Schumacher's little screw up at the last second added some excitement.
I hear you on that one. I'll never forget the excitement when HHF's bright yellow jordan pulled up to the pit exit to wait for the first practice session to start. Everyone was standing and cheering before he even came screaming down the main straight. it was simply awesome!
I enjoyed the race again, and the race was proably the most enjoyable of the three for me, and of course Schumacher's little screw up at the last second added some excitement.
| Fred Zaplitny | 09-30-2002 03:35 PM |
I also enjoyed the race in person for the third straight year. Still have the same great seats in stand J too. This year we were crop dusted by Alex Yoong's little (okay big!) explosion.
| rkkwan | 09-30-2002 08:40 PM |
In case some of you don't know, you can get the full post-race interviews at [url]www.formula1.com.[/url]
-Ray
-Ray
| richeich | 09-30-2002 08:48 PM |
[QUOTE]Live, Michael's driving and the way that the Ferrari works is astounding. They come in to the corner faster, go through it faster, and are on the throttle earlier than anyone else. [/QUOTE]
I've got a friend at work that went to the race. It was his first F1 race. I talked to him on the phone today, and it's funny, because that's exactly what he said.
Rich
I've got a friend at work that went to the race. It was his first F1 race. I talked to him on the phone today, and it's funny, because that's exactly what he said.
Rich
| gtguy | 10-01-2002 09:00 AM |
There was SO much cool stuff this past weekend. That Sunday bit, when Schumi drove the antique Maserati(??), then the current one, and made the guy driving the camera car get the tail out was a riot.
I always like watching the practice starts that they do on Sunday morning, and thanks to a pair of hi-po Nikon binoculars, the SAP maidens were rather exceptional.
Schumacher is so decisive in traffic, while Rubens hesitates for just that moment, that allows the door to close, and traps him behind a slower car. It's really interesting to watch live.
I think that live, a GP has far more interest than it does on TV. The race was fun, but not anywhere near as compelling on TV. You don't get any idea of the violence of the whole driving experience...the way their heads snap during upshifts, how loud the cars are, how late they brake. That is all so compelling, that at times I lost track of who was doing what, just watching those guys drive.
We got quite a laugh out of how fast the Minardi is in absolute terms, but how slow it is in relative terms. Webber ran a practice start, and I remarked that I would kill to drive a car like that, with that kind of acceleration. Then, to realize that they're 3-5 seconds a lap slower than the Ferrari just blows me away.
Also, you really don't notice on TV just how beautiful F1 cars are. BMW had a car over at its display booth, that was an actual car. The attention to detail and air flow were truly impressive, and the car was a knockout too, though not as beautiful as the Ferrari.
News from the front is that McLaren will start next year with a "fully developed" version of the current car. They feel like this year's car still has some life in it, drawing encouragement from the fact that they were less than ten seconds behind Ferrari at the end of the race (I'm not kidding!).
The Ferrari logo regalia sales were brisk. The marketing of that brand is such that they aren't just selling merchandise, they're selling image. Ferrari stands for the unattainable car (for most of the populace), but they can sport that prancing horse and feel chi-chi for as long as they're wearing it. It's a beautiful thing, if you're the one feeling the profit margins from the sales of that stuff.
Kevin
I always like watching the practice starts that they do on Sunday morning, and thanks to a pair of hi-po Nikon binoculars, the SAP maidens were rather exceptional.
Schumacher is so decisive in traffic, while Rubens hesitates for just that moment, that allows the door to close, and traps him behind a slower car. It's really interesting to watch live.
I think that live, a GP has far more interest than it does on TV. The race was fun, but not anywhere near as compelling on TV. You don't get any idea of the violence of the whole driving experience...the way their heads snap during upshifts, how loud the cars are, how late they brake. That is all so compelling, that at times I lost track of who was doing what, just watching those guys drive.
We got quite a laugh out of how fast the Minardi is in absolute terms, but how slow it is in relative terms. Webber ran a practice start, and I remarked that I would kill to drive a car like that, with that kind of acceleration. Then, to realize that they're 3-5 seconds a lap slower than the Ferrari just blows me away.
Also, you really don't notice on TV just how beautiful F1 cars are. BMW had a car over at its display booth, that was an actual car. The attention to detail and air flow were truly impressive, and the car was a knockout too, though not as beautiful as the Ferrari.
News from the front is that McLaren will start next year with a "fully developed" version of the current car. They feel like this year's car still has some life in it, drawing encouragement from the fact that they were less than ten seconds behind Ferrari at the end of the race (I'm not kidding!).
The Ferrari logo regalia sales were brisk. The marketing of that brand is such that they aren't just selling merchandise, they're selling image. Ferrari stands for the unattainable car (for most of the populace), but they can sport that prancing horse and feel chi-chi for as long as they're wearing it. It's a beautiful thing, if you're the one feeling the profit margins from the sales of that stuff.
Kevin
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