The Official 2008 F1 Series Thread

[TDE30]

On the topic of the older F1 drivers, I think Rubens Barachello is a better driver than DC, and Rubens doesn't have that great of a car to work with either. The difference that I've noticed between these two drivers is that Rubens will make it tough to get past him if you have a faster car - but when he does relinquish his spot for the faster guy he does it in the "gentleman's racer" fashion......not like DC who will spear his car into your path at the last second under braking like he did and nearly beheaded Alex Werz or the cross-check to Phil Massa (ironically both happened at Australia).

One last note on older drivers: my hats' off to Rubens for being the most experienced driver on the grid - 257 races after this weekend. He comes from the old guard of F1, was friends with and raced against Senna. Rubens is one of the good ones and he will be missed when he bows out of F1. Hopefully he can still be part of the scene if he decides to....such as a commentator. A well spoken lad he is ;-)

Another observation from todays' qualifying. It was mentioned that Phil Massa is under some pressure to do better or he could be at risk of loosing his ride with Ferrari. There was an article on the itv-f1 site about how Phil can be quick but he lacks consistentcy. Also, tighter less-forgiving tracks don't seem to suit his driving style. The weekends' race in Turkey is his kind of track.....I won't be surprised to see him take the win either given his success at this circuit. Where he faces greater challenges are the races at Monaco and the new street-based circuits in Valencia and Singapore. He needs more than just podium finishes to secure his ride for next year.....he needs wins. Those folks at Ferrari are a tough crowd.

Jon

Very well put. DC has no class, he tries to be the relentless old brute that F1 fans and critics have labeled him as. He has stuck around for much too long as opposed to other drivers (even Ralf Schumacher) who realized their prime expired a few seasons ago.

It would make me happy to see Ferrari give Fil the boot. He does nothing for me. His bratty attitude annoys the hell out of me. And during the post-race conference, I can't help but think that he sounds like a 10-year-old at best. To see someone like Heikki take his place would be very exciting.

[Dave]

Right, and Kimi is such a charmer.

[Hick]

Massa is not going anywhere.

[TDE30]

Kimi seems like a great driver and a great promoter for SF. He is quiet and reserved, but he produces results. He is consistent. He doesn't get involved with on-track drama/politics like Felipe manages to get himself into. Kimi is someone I see staying with Ferrari for a while.

Felipe seems unsteady and unreliable to produce results. He doesn't even strike me as someone willing to be the #2 driver and help Kimi out, it seems like he is only out for himself, for his seat. He is living proof that stuffing a mediocre driver in a strong, reliable car produces sub-par results.

[z31maniac]

Monaco this weekend bitches!!!!

[TDE30]

Ch-yeah. Hopefully BMW will be more powerful here, Theissen has been very positive this past week.

[madjurgen]

No one has the mechanical grip Ferrari has this year. One-two if they dont crash.

[Jon325i]

Monaco GP this weekend. Fridays' practice is held on Thursdays at this event......here are the times for both sessions. Of course, practice is "adjustment/strategy" day. The cards will be shown in Saturdays' quali.

First free practice times for the Monaco Grand Prix:

1. Kimi Raikkonen (Finland) Ferrari 1min 15.948secs
2. Lewis Hamilton (Britain) McLaren-Mercedes 1:16.216
3. Heikki Kovalainen (Finland) McLaren-Mercedes 1:16.248
4. Felipe Massa (Brazil) Ferrari 1:16.292
5. Nico Rosberg (Germany) Williams - Toyota 1:16.653
6. Robert Kubica (Poland) BMW Sauber 1:16.834
7. Fernando Alonso (Spain) Renault 1:17.498
8. Rubens Barrichello (Brazil) Honda 1:17.511
9. Mark Webber (Australia) RedBull - Renault 1:17.798
10. Giancarlo Fisichella (Italy) Force India - Ferrari 1:17.835
11. Timo Glock (Germany) Toyota 1:17.942
12. Jenson Button (Britain) Honda 1:18.153
13. Sebastien Bourdais (France) Toro Rosso - Ferrari 1:18.245
14. Nick Heidfeld (Germany) BMW Sauber 1:18.263
15. Kazuki Nakajima (Japan) Williams - Toyota 1:18.274
16. Jarno Trulli (Italy) Toyota 1:18.360
17. Adrian Sutil (Germany) Force India - Ferrari 1:18.360
18. Nelson Piquet (Brazil) Renault 1:18.955
19. Sebastian Vettel (Germany) Toro Rosso - Ferrari 1:19.176
20. David Coulthard (Britain) RedBull - Renault no time

Second free practice times for the Monaco Grand Prix:

1. Lewis Hamilton (GB) Britain, McLaren-Mercedes 1:15.140
2. Nico Rosberg (Ger) Williams - Toyota 1:15.533
3. Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Ferrari 1:15.572
4. Felipe Massa (Brz) Ferrari 1:15.869
5. Heikki Kovalainen (Fin) McLaren - Mercedes 1:15.881
6. Robert Kubica (Pol) BMW Sauber 1:16.269
7. Fernando Alonso (Spa) Renault 1:16.310
8. Jenson Button (GB) Honda 1:16.351
9. Kazuki Nakajima (Jpn) Williams - Toyota 1:16.372
10. Rubens Barrichello (Brz) Honda 1:16.418
11. Nick Heidfeld (Ger) BMW Sauber 1:16.426
12. Timo Glock (Ger) Toyota 1:16.688
13. Mark Webber (Aus) Red Bull - Renault 1:17.094
14. David Coulthard (GB) Red Bull - Renault 1:17.131
15. Nelson Piquet Jr (Brz) Renault 1:17.246
16. Giancarlo Fisichella (Ita) Force India - Ferrari 1:17.251
17. Jarno Trulli (Ita) Toyota 1:17.379
18. Sebastien Bourdais (Fra) Toro Rosso- Ferrari 1:17.581
19. Adrian Sutil (Ger) Force India - Ferrari 1:18.176
20. Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Toro Rosso- Ferrari 1:18.225

Jon

[TDE30]

I caught it this morning. My boy Heidfeld is falling waaaay off pace.

Hopefully Kubi will capture a podium spot though.

[Jon325i]

This weekends' race is shaping up to be even more interesting....there's rain predicted for Monaco on Sunday.

http://weather.msn.com/local.aspx?wealocations=wc:8548036

Jon

[Hick]

yeah, heidfeld has been struggling for a little while, i wonder whats behind it.

The real race is tomorrow in quali. its almost not worth watching the race [unless of course it rains : pleasepleaseplease:]

[TDE30]

It seriously needs to rain on Sunday. I'm sure Kimi, Lewis, and Heikki are all great in the dry, but I haven't seen much of them in the wet.

Looking forward to quali.

[Hick]

MASSA!

It rained 3rd round of practice and from what i could gather, Kubica was fastest in the wet. So if it rains this should be a very cool race to watch.

Heidfeld - WTF??

Rosberg on hards setting a 1:15.2.....wow

[TDE30]

Props to Rosberg in Q2. I cannot get over Heidfeld's result in Q2, and they simply pull the car in with over 3 minutes to go!?!?! I can understand it if him crashing out was an issue, but seriously, you have three laps why not use them? He really needs to get things together. I've yet to watch Q3, but I have to admit, I have lost most of my interest.

Oh yeah, Coulthard's an old man idiot who would be better as a Wal-Mart greeter than a Formula One driver.

[Jon325i]

Good stuff - for someone who claims he doesn't like Monaco, Massa sure pulled off a good one. The final lap times for the top three are real close so car set up and pit strategy will be key. (not so) Quick Nick's run was disappointing to say the least - no comparison to his teammate. I wouldn't be surprised if they set Nick's car up for a one stopper while Kubica runs a two stopper.

Two most memoriable 'moments' from quali: Alonso's powerslide as he negotiated Portier and Hamilton's drift in Loews. Good stuff!

I agree with you Joe - pray for rain 8)

Jon