Well, top 10 within one second, not bad. Shame Kobayashi didn't make Q3, but a respectable performance with a constant 0.5 sec behind Trulli in both sessions. I'm hoping Hamilton is going to start from P2 or P3, but would win the race, though it looks like he's going to lead from lights-out to flag
That's being harsh on Alguersuari. I mean, this year there are no training sessions and he's only been here for six races. Buemi has had 10 more GP to get the feeling for the car and as so he's got almost 3 times the F1 driving experience.
Besides, the only instructions Alg is being sent is to finish the race and get into the Q2 - it's going to be next year when he'll be forced to do good, but as of now, he's there to practice and shape up good for next year.
Back to the circuit, is it only me or does it have the shape of an old western handgun?
This track is soo unusual that getting the right set up is critical to get any pace. i think thats why there is such huge differences in pace between team mates and such here.
It has the longest straight of all the tracks this season whilst requiring high downforce for 2/3rds of the track.
Vettel and Webber one behind the other, the BMW's one behind the other and the Brawns one behind the other... How is that a huge difference between teammates lol.
As weird as it might sound, worst enemy of F1 (even years ago when it wasn't as capped and standarized as it is today) is new things - and a new circuit falls into that category -, thus teams do have to experiment quite heavily. At least those that want to be somewhere up high next year on this very circuit (remember WDC and WCC are already decided).
I agree but the results don't show that too much. In some cases it might but not always as is shown by Brawn, BMW and Redbull. And I'm sure Redbull wants to go for the WDC and WCC next year...
Brawn needs to get a good result for good standings mean more sponsors.
BMW needs to get a good result so if they sell the team they can say 'hey, we're leaving you with an ok car, it ain't that bad if we managed to get such results on a new track!'
Red Bull needs to get a good result to be a believable title contenders for next year, attract fans, and leave behind the criticism some people might have for them for not being able to get the championship (totally pointless as it's the first year RBR has been a top contendant).
See the pattern?
Other teams care about two things : Finishing the race and adquiring data for next year.
Drivers are a different matter though, as everyone that does not have a confirmed seat for next year will be pushing to the limit to gain exposure, and then possible investors which will hand a car for 2010.
Nice qualy session. Happy Mclaren/Hamilton are on pole.
Hopefully it will be a nice race tomorrow.
Edit - People who watched the BBC build up. Does anyone know the song they played when they showed the Brawn GP clip when they were talking about the teams? It was a nice soft piano tune. All I know about it, is that its quite popular, the thing is, it was only the melody and no lyrics so I couldnt remember the name
Hopefully Alonso and Vettel can bring it next year because Hamilton is starting to look the 'driver' of F1 at the moment. He's making the rest look downright average at the moment.
Hamilton has 2 laps less fuel than Vettel, but isn't the lightest car in the top 10. Hamilton is so quick, he'll easily pull out enough of a gap over Vettel during his first stint. So, with the winner decided, it's up to the rest of them to squabble over 2nd.