The qualifying runs have started...is anyone watching it live?

 

Coverage isn't on Speed until 7am CST, but I'll check it out then.

 

Session 2 of qualifying is starting. According to Formula1.com, BAR pretty much dominated the practice sessions. Button had the fastest in 2 of the sessions, and Sato placed fisrt this morning with 1'14" (fastest so far)...this is going to be an interesting race!

 

f0k Button almost lost the whole damn car!

 

BAR must be kicking themselves for the lost opportunity today. We'll have to see how it all turns out but worst case is Button will have to wait until the next race.

 

Well done Sato for getting place on 2nd row! can't say much about Button

 

Button will be busy, but I'm sure he'll make up some places tomorrow. Sato and Button both have good cars.

 

It was kinda wierd seeing Sato in the interview room after he took 3rd. I am looking foward to tomorrow and I will be continuing to count down the days until the USGP!!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MiraiZ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Button will be busy, but I'm sure he'll make up some places tomorrow. Sato and Button both have good cars. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I wonder how long it will take for him to get into the points positions considering he's significantly faster than the guys ahead of him?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dax-es &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I wonder how long it will take for him to get into the points positions considering he's significantly faster than the guys ahead of him?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Shouldn't take too long ...within the first 5-10 laps is my prediction...He'll prbobaly be stuck behind Alonso or Barrichello for a while though

 

replay of qualifying on speed channel is 45 min her on the east coast

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MiraiZ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Shouldn't take too long ...within the first 5-10 laps is my prediction...He'll prbobaly be stuck behind Alonso or Barrichello for a while though</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yep. Most likely it's going to be a pitstop strategy race for Button. The start should be interesting. Schumacher could move across to block Montoya but that might leave enough space for Sato (if he's quick enough on the start) to go around both. I'd be happy for that to happen, even happier if Schumacher and Montoya took each other out.

Either way, about 7hrs to go.

 

If this was a couple of years ago, I'd say that the chances of JPM taking out MS would be pretty good. But JPM has really matured in the last year or so. He' still agressive but not careless. As for Sato, he is a damn good starter. He gains an average of four places or more just on his starts. But getting past JPM is going to be a real challenge. I wouldn't chance that and risk contact if I were him because JPM will not let anyone by.

Honda still doen't have the power to overtake Ferrari. Even if he were to, by some sheer miracle, overtake MS on the start, MS will recover after the first pit stop (provided that he doesn't do so within the first two laps)

 

It is on now....wooohooo!!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by davidnyc &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">It is on now....wooohooo!!</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

did you guys see Button's left rear tire almost go down?

i was like holy sh$t!!!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MiraiZ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If this was a couple of years ago, I'd say that the chances of JPM taking out MS would be pretty good. But JPM has really matured in the last year or so. He' still agressive but not careless. As for Sato, he is a damn good starter. He gains an average of four places or more just on his starts. But getting past JPM is going to be a real challenge. I wouldn't chance that and risk contact if I were him because JPM will not let anyone by.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I know it's highly unlikely that Montoya and Schumacher will take themselves out, but you never know. I'd think Sato would want to be ahead of Montoya, or at worst right on him in order to have the chance to leap ahead at the first pitstop and be on track for second place.

 

Spain GP starts in less than 2hrs. Any preditctions?

Here's mine:

1. M. Shumacher
2. Montoya
3. Barichello
4. Sato
5. Button
6. Alonso
7. R. Shumacher
8. Truli


Although I would love to Honda on the podium this time around, I don't thing Sato has the umph to fight off the others or move ahead. And, Button is too far back on the grid to make significant enough ground to see the podium. I hope i am wrong, but this is what I see realistically.

 

sato has been pretty consistent lately, when he finishes, he usually finishes in the Top 10, even 8 - where it really counts.

I reckon within 3 seasons, with BAR's current pace, we could see Button and Sato a force to be reckoned with. Honda's thirst to replicate their 80's success has shown positive results all season and their success is causing havoc on the constructors points.

Take up the Challenge.


Anyway, it should be another great race. I wonder if Shumey will teach Montoya

 

I wonder if Shumey will teach Montoya a lesson for those remarks on his win last race.

First turn, LOOK OUT, Shumey cuts off the inside of Montoya and Sato takes a promising lead weaving around as Shumey & Montoya fall into the thickening pack after their contact. "OH MY GOSH", keeping to the outside of the corner, Button escapes the traffic, gains momentum and increases corner speed and LOOK AT THAT, its a 1 - 2 lead for BAR Honda after the turn 1 here in Spain.

An hour and 2 mins to find out!!!!

 

Sato hasn't been consistent...thats his problem. He has been really good in some races and wind up retiring in others. He seems have really good starts, but then loses places at the end. He's fast but he can't seem to stay fast. That's why I don't see him on the podium in this race....hopefully I'm wrong...

 

Well, it's on any second now so we'll see what happens into the first corner. For those without TV coverage http://www.formula1.com/.

 

Amazing starts from Trulli and Sato

&lt; Who wishes Schumi wouldn't have come out in front after the first pit stop.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dax-es &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">For those without TV coverage http://www.formula1.com/.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Live timing at that site is very cool.

 

MS engine trouble?