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Australian GP Qualification

Mar 17th, 2007 by AJ

  

Warning: This post contains potential spoilers including Qualification results.

The season has now officially started, with the qualification for the first formula 1 race of the year, at the Albert Park, Melbourne also known as the Australian GP.

The qualification was as exciting as one thought it would be with some of the “back-markers” showing it to the front runners and other expected strong performers lagging. The biggest surprise was Anthony Davidson and Takuma Sato who displayed some brilliant driving in a mid field Super Aguris (Yes, considering today’s performance, they are mid fielders and not back markers anymore) to come out in front of bigger names like Renault, Honda and even a Ferrari.

The first qualifying session started of normal with the usual back field cars coming out first to get some lap times on the board. Then came the big runners out on the field literally taking over the timing boards as the times started to tumble. The McLaren’s and Ferraris traded the top 3 positions with Nick Heidfeld coming in the top 6 ahead of Fisichella. The first provisional pole was taken by Kimi Raikkonen closely followed by Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso in their McLarens.

The drivers relegated in the first qualifying session were:
Felipe Massa, Rubens Barrichello, Scott Speed, David Coulthard, Vitantonio Liuzzi, Adrian Sutil, Christijan Albers

Felipe Massa did qualify in the first round but has been relegated to the 16th position likely due to an engine failure he suffered in the second qualifying lap in the second round. More news on that as information becomes available.

In the second round of the qualification, the biggest exit was Felipe Massa who suffered mechanical problems in his second hot lap and had to abandon it. Besides Massa, Heikki Kovalainen in a Renault and both the Williams Toyotas were out of the qualifying as well. Anthony Davidson who had put in a good time to get to the 6th place early in the session was out-qualified down to the 11th place with the 10th place being taken by his team mate, Takuma Sato.

In the final round, it was business as usual with the Ferraris and McLarens performing the strongest. The Toyota’s which were struggling through most of the qualifying managed to earn some respect back by qualifying in the top 10. Takuma Sato maintained his position from the previous round at number 10.
In between, Kimi Raikkonen blitzed the track by a single hot lap which blew the rest of the field away and took him to the pole position. Both Alonso and Hamilton tried to beat Kimi’s time but could only manage 2nd and 3rd position. In the dying moments of the session, Nick Heidfeld drove an inch perfect lap to split the two McLarens and get himself on the second row of the grid, just ahead of Lewis Hamilton.

The final standings (According to Formula1.com):

Kimi Räikkönen 1:26.644
Fernando Alonso 1:26.697
Nick Heidfeld 1:26.895
Lewis Hamilton 1:26.674
Robert Kubica 1:26.696
Giancarlo Fisichella 1:27.270
Mark Webber 1:26.978
Jarno Trulli 1:27.014
Ralf Schumacher 1:27.328
Takuma Sato 1:27.365
Anthony Davidson 1:26.986
Nico Rosberg 1:27.596
Heikki Kovalainen 1:27.529
Jenson Button 1:27.540
Alexander Wurz 1:27.479
Felipe Massa 1:26.712
Rubens Barrichello 1:27.679
Scott Speed 1:28.305
David Coulthard 1:28.579
Vitantonio Liuzzi 1:29.267
Adrian Sutil 1:29.339
Christijan Albers 1:31.932

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2007 Australian Grand Prix - Race Predictions…

Mar 17th, 2007 by Haas

  

Kimi on pole with two Mc Larens at a couple of car lengths… So how do you think this race is going to end up?

Australia has always been very unpredictable and this time round it looks like its going to go that way. The tyre rules and safety car rules might be much better explained to the audience in the race tommorow, considering how prone Melbourne is to safety cars(we had like 4 last year). Rain is another factor but with all fairness, I would bet everything on Alonso in a wet race let him start it at 2nd or 22nd…

So back to the point… How do I think its going to span out tomorrow? Lets look…
Continue Reading »

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2007 Australian Grand Prix - Qualification - Kimi Alonso Front Row…

Mar 17th, 2007 by Haas

  

In what can be explained as a perfect start to the Formula One season, three drivers from three different teams took the top 3 qualification spots for the opening GP of the season. Everyone expected the Ferrari and Mc Laren to be competitive but possibly the most open season in ages threw up a few more surprises than expected…

Firstly Super Aguri’s amazing pace is simply shocking… Two thumbs up to a team which was last year unable to get past Q1, today saw its drivers qualify at 10th and 11th ahead of a Renault and a Ferrari(Massa could not set a time in Q2). BMW were quick as expected and split the Mc Larens with ease. Fisichella was impressive in the yellow Renault which almost seemed like a different team(not just by look) Heikki struggled with his Renault and was out in Q2.
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Everyone Goes GA GA Over Massa.

Mar 16th, 2007 by MAK

  

Well it all started, when the best the sport had seen, retired. The Phenomena named Micheal Schumacher Had Come to a dramatic end, which showcased one of the best duels the sport had seen, involving him and the reigning champ Fernando Alonso. At this point everyone, Sort Of assumed that the Man replacing him at ferrari will be Number 1 driver. Even though the flying finn had utterly uneventful year, with no finishes on top step of the podium. But then during the winter testing, Massa almost always clocked faster than the finn, which caught the imagination of the few. Some of whom actually went on to Make comments like these,

* That the finn was over rated.
* That the Team Mclaren was may be being pulled down by the incompetence of both Kimi and Juan Pablo Montoya.
And most others, started making comments like,
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And The Lights Go Green…

Mar 14th, 2007 by admin

  

The 2007 F1 season is almost here and this year is all about change…

New Drivers.. New Teams… New Liveries… New Wheels… New Rules… New Race Tracks…

We at Formula One Jam feel that is the perfect motto for us as well… We have a new look(we have not finished working on it yet :P ), New Features(wait and watch), Better Race Reviews (we will get actual opinions this time) and a lot more…

So sit back, put on your seat belts and Enjoy the ride…

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Pictures from the FIA Gala…

Dec 12th, 2006 by Haas

  

The annual FIA Gala awards ceremony took place in Monaco on Friday evening and the major figures in world motorsport were there to see Fernando Alonso and Renault pick up the FIA Formula One World Championship trophies for the second year in succession. Michael Schumacher was awarded an FIA Gold Medal for Motor Sport in recognition of his contribution to Formula One racing.
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2006 Brazillian Grand Prix - Race Result - Alonso, Renault Crowned World Champions as Massa Wins

Oct 23rd, 2006 by Haas

  

Fernando Alonso and Renault are 2006 Formula One World Champions. The Spaniard did more than what was required and sealed the Championship coming in second. The drive of the race went to Michael who drove from 10th to 5th before a tyre failure caused by debries from a earlier accident and pushed him to 17th and last. He fought back superbly to 4th overtaking all the way.

Massa’s brilliant flawless driving saw him take victory in what he described as the “easiest race” of his life. The Brazilian’s victory was very emotional as it was the first time in 13 years that Brazil had a home race winner. The last one was won by the great Artyon Senna.

Button joined the group of amazing race preformers fighting back from 14th to 3rd and chasing Alonso right to the Flag. Kimi came in 5th after a promising start and will always be remembered as probably the last driver to fight with Michael Schumacher on Track. Giancarlo Fisichella showed maturity in his drive but threw it away driving wide at turn one once.

The Double World Championships makes Alonso the youngest driver to defend the Driver’s World Championship taking that record from Michael. The Constructors Crown taken by Renault by 5 points after a unrelentless performance of excellece by the French team. Michael and Ferrari will be remembered for a long time thanks to the best ever comeback in the history of F1 coming back from 25 pts behind.

This race marks the end of Michael Schumacher’s career in Formula One, which saw him become one of the most successful drivers in F1 history. The Seven time World Champion will be sorely missed in the Paddock, on the Track and On the Podium

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2006 Brazillian Grand Prix - Qualification - Massa takes pole and more problems for Michael

Oct 21st, 2006 by Haas

  

Micheal Schumacher suffered a major blow to his final attempt at a World Championship as his Ferrari had more problems(what kind is still not certian). The problems forced the Seven time World Champ to retire to the pits right at the start of Q3. Michael had been in the top two in Q1 and Q2 with Massa. The Brazilian took the opportunity to flawlessly seal pole and looks the clear favourite to take 3rd in the World Championship.

Kimi and Trulli will seperate Massa from Alonso who just requires 1 point to be World Champion. The Spaniard was the fastest of the rest in the first two sessions begging the question if the Renault team have banked on a heavier fule load to help him fight the Ferraris in the race. Kimi was brilliant to lap without a mistake. He will be beside his future teammate on the front row. Trulli’s lap was one of surprise but in the conditions that clearly helped Bridgestone runners its a little surprise to see Toyota fighting on top.

The track temp started at 38deg and dropped to about 30deg by the end of the session. The higher it gets the better for the Bridgestone runners. If it gets between 15-25deg the advantage should swing towards the Michelin runners.

What is left to be seen is where Michael starts. If there is an engine change then he will start 20th and otherwise 10th. Can Michael pull out the impossible and win from the back of the grid or will Massa win his home race or will Kimi or Alonso win one for their team before they leave. All that will be answered tommorow.

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2006 Japanese Grand Prix - Race - Heartbreak For Micheal…

Oct 8th, 2006 by Haas

  

15 laps to the finish and possibly the single most important event that will decide the World Championships happened… Probably for the first time in years Micheal Schumacher’s Ferrari blew its engine and to add salt to the wounds, Renault’s Fernando Alonso emerged victorious in a weekend that looked disastrous for the French team.

Race started perfectly for Ferrari as Massa and Michael drove without trouble into the first corner. They looked good but the getaway everyone expected never happened… Massa let Michael thru a few laps later and Michael was clearly the fastest on the track but was being matched by the Renaults all the way. The Toyota of Trulli lost to Alonso into the 3rd corner and Ralf was closely being followed by Alonso right thru the first stint.

Nothing can be taken away from Fernando Alonso, he drove flawlessly in a Renault and stood up to fight the seemingly untouchable Ferraris. The Spaniard looked in absolute control as he went past Trulli and then fought past Ralf Schumacher when it looked like he could have simply waited till the end of the lap when Ralf was pitting. The World Champ did not give an inch away and overhauled Massa in the pits. He and Michael looked in a class of their own showing the world why they are currently the two best F1 drivers in the world. They traded fast laps and were consistently 1s faster than anyone else on track.

Going to the second pitstop Micheal led by 5.9s and looked good to take the victory. But right after the pitstop going into turn 7 the right side of Michael’s engine let go. As the oil plummeted out of Michael’s car and he steered the car to the side of the road Alonso drove by to take the lead of the race a lead he would not relinquish.

The other big gainers in the race were Fisichella who drove very well to a well deserved podium. The week has been emotional for the Italian who lost his best friend on thursday. Kimi Raikkonen fought thru the field in spectacular style to finish in 5th place. The biggest losers being Toyotas, they finished 6th and 7th after a great start.

Massa’s drive to 2nd was very consistent and had Micheal finished the overall result for Ferrari would have been perfect. In all counts the Brazillian did the job that was required of him this weekend and looks good to hold on to the 3rd spot in the Driver’s Championship.

Two Incidents were very emotional to watch, Alonso after the victory was one. Despite all the rumors and speculations surrounding Alonso’s alleged comments about the team, Team-Spirit looked obvious after the race. Renault have denied any internal friction within the team and it looked very true as Renault celebrated their much awaited victory(since Hungary). The team looks set to seal both the World Championships in 2 weeks time.

On the otherside of the scale, it was heart warming to watch Michael walk and shake hands with every member of his team. Ferrari have always been a bit shy of in front of cameras (team members have hardly been caught on camera that often) but this small insight into the Red team shows what all teams are really about behind closed doors. Michael spent some time sitting in front to the times and chatting with Jean Todt and Ross Brawn. I think this race has truly let the feeling of Micheal leaving sunk into the team.

In two weeks time the World Championships will be decided. The requirements for Michael and Ferrari are clear… win at all costs and hope to get lucky with a Alonso retirement. This next race will also be the last for Michael and like his career he would like to finish it on a high. Kimi and Alonso will be looking for victory as a goodbye gift to their respective teams. And lets not forget the World Constructor Championship. There is too much at stake and for Michael nothing to lose.

Like the old saying goes “Lookout for the one who has nothing to lose… for he is the one who has everything to gain”.

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2006 Japanese Grand Prix - Qualification - Advantage Bridgestone, Ferrari…

Oct 7th, 2006 by Haas

  

Ferrari and Bridgestone could not have written a better script for the Japanese GP… With all the fears of a wet race blowing away their chances, come qualification Bridgestone proved that they know better than anyone else how to win at home. With the first 2 rows locked with Bridgestone runners and Toyota and Williams out performing Mc Laren, the race looks glum for the Michelin runners already.

Massa took pole in a warm saturday afternoon followed very closely by his team mate and World Championship contender Micheal Schumacher. Toyotas impressed in all parts of qualification and out paced the Renaults en route to row 2. Ralf will start on 3rd and Trulli on 4th.

Among the battle of the Michelin runners Renault were the class of the field. Alonso leading Fisichella into the third row. The Hondas were the other Michelin runners to give a little fight to their Bridgestone counterparts locking row 4.

This qualification session looks exactly the opposite of the Chinese GP where Michelin had a huge advantage. Renault will hope the result ends in their favour like it had done so a week ago in favour Ferrari. Another concern could be the rain… Bridgestone have a new wet weather tyre for the race and say they are so confident about it that they were hoping for a wet weekend! Advantage wrt wet conditions was never clear as only the first and (part of)second practice was in the wet and not many top runners set the times during this period. Michelin would none the less be doing a rain dance in the pits all day tmrw.

You can keep an eye on the weather here: http://weathernews.jp/livecam/cgi/livecam_disp.cgi?liveid=410001428

Predictions:
Dry Race:
1) Michael Schumacher
2) Massa
3) Fernando Alonso

I expect Ferraris to be untouchable in a dry race at Japan… If the Renaults manage to beat the Toyotas it will be a huge thing and Alonso is the man for the job.

Wet Race:
1) Fernado Alonso
2) Fisichella
3) Micheal Schumacher / Jenson Button

It will be hard for anyone to beat Alonso in the wet, twice already he has proved to be the most dominant racer in the wet this season and I dont see anyone challenging that even if Bridgestone performs well in the wet. Fisi and Jenson will depend heavily on Michelin outperforming Bridgestone in the wet to jump the Ferrari’s in the lead.

Again we have a weekend which is unpredictable… and that means we get to watch some cool racing.

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