The 2006 Bahrain GP Thread

[Counterfit]

Now THAT is the way to open a season!
Alonso: Bastard for winning
Schumi: almost had it
Kimi: stormed from the back again.
Jenson: probably would have been behind Rubens if it was for him missing 3rd gear
J.P.M.: should have been higher, but he said the setup wasn't quite right
Nico: "wicked pissah", this guy is going to win quite a few races I think (as long as he has a good engine like he does now)
Massa: After the spin (wtf happened anyway? more below) and the botched pitstop (over 50 seconds), 9th is good.
Speed: I think 13th counts as midfield now, right? Hey, he beat the Toyotas at least (and the Midland and not-so-Super Aguris)

Massa's spin: He said he just touched the brakes, and lost the rear. David Hobbs mentioned that there are some bumps in the braking area there. At the first Chinese GP ('04), most of the braking areas were very bumpy, and the Ferraris were some of the most stable there, and I doubt they would have compromised that much overall (although perhaps on this particular setup).

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Speed: I think 13th counts as midfield now, right? Hey, he beat the Toyotas at least (and the Midland and not-so-Super Aguris)

Considering he's driving what was a Minardi and in his first GP, I'm satisfied. But I'm really hoping that he shows enough talent to get a drive for a contender team.

Massa's spin: He said he just touched the brakes, and lost the rear. David Hobbs mentioned that there are some bumps in the braking area there. At the first Chinese GP ('04), most of the braking areas were very bumpy, and the Ferraris were some of the most stable there, and I doubt they would have compromised that much overall (although perhaps on this particular setup).

Maybe he was fiddling with the brake bias and screwed it up...the instant he got on the brakes the rears locked hard and swung him around. He seems fast though, if a bit erratic.

 

[iGav]

At the first Chinese GP ('04), most of the braking areas were very bumpy, and the Ferraris were some of the most stable there,

Except that Schu spun on the first corner of his qualifying lap, as the back slipped out under braking at China '04.

Maybe he was fiddling with the brake bias and screwed it up...the instant he got on the brakes the rears locked hard and swung him around. He seems fast though, if a bit erratic.

Speaking of brake balance... there's a lot of talk about how Schu constantly adjusts his brake balance for every corner after they showed his qualifying lap, the guys got serious mental capacity reserves.

Also, towards the end of the race... when Alonso was leading Schu, they had the graphics showing the throttle and braking techniques of the 2 drivers in realtime, totally different techniques... Alonso seems to just break, downshift, turn in and then bury the throttle letting the T/C do the work on the exit, where as Schu brakes, downshifts, manually blips the throttle, balances the car between the brake and throttle and feathers in the power throughout the corner.

Two totally different techniques.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

I saw the in-car shot of Schumi changing brake balance at each corner...not only does he have talent, but also a thorough understanding of just what his car is doing at any given moment. He's like a 21st century Adolph Galland, lighting reflexes, coolness and a razor sharp brain. I'll bet he could check out in a combat jet pretty quick. So few of the drivers even in Formula One can even compete near his level - only Raikkonen seems to truly be his equal. Alonso is harder for me to gauge - he is obviously supremely talented but is more heart than brain, unlike the other two. But maybe a few more seasons will add technical acumen to his raw ability...

 

[fradac]

schedule

hey guys, i put together the schedule from SpeedTV website for the current formula 1 season, here is the pdf file.

race this weekend so we better start the the Malaysian Grand Prix thread.

 

[Counterfit]

I saw the in-car shot of Schumi changing brake balance at each corner...not only does he have talent, but also a thorough understanding of just what his car is doing at any given moment. He's like a 21st century Adolph Galland, lighting reflexes, coolness and a razor sharp brain. I'll bet he could check out in a combat jet pretty quick. So few of the drivers even in Formula One can even compete near his level - only Raikkonen seems to truly be his equal. Alonso is harder for me to gauge - he is obviously supremely talented but is more heart than brain, unlike the other two. But maybe a few more seasons will add technical acumen to his raw ability...

I think if we get to see more of Nico (which I bet we will, I predict a win this season), I think we'll probably see that he's on the level of Kimi and Schu. Remember that Schumi didn't even finish his first GP. (Not his fault though, stupid clutch on the Jordan went to ****. He did manage P7 on the grid though )

 

[iGav]

I think if we get to see more of Nico (which I bet we will, I predict a win this season), I think we'll probably see that he's on the level of Kimi and Schu. Remember that Schumi didn't even finish his first GP. (Not his fault though, stupid clutch on the Jordan went to ****. He did manage P7 on the grid though )

He already looks better than his dad ever did.

 

[link92]

Now THAT is the way to open a season!
Alonso: Bastard for winning
Schumi: almost had it
Kimi: stormed from the back again.
Jenson: probably would have been behind Rubens if it was for him missing 3rd gear
J.P.M.: should have been higher, but he said the setup wasn't quite right
Nico: "wicked pissah", this guy is going to win quite a few races I think (as long as he has a good engine like he does now)
Massa: After the spin (wtf happened anyway? more below) and the botched pitstop (over 50 seconds), 9th is good.
Speed: I think 13th counts as midfield now, right? Hey, he beat the Toyotas at least (and the Midland and not-so-Super Aguris)

McLaren need to fix this reliability issues if they want to win. Kimi's a good enough driver to be able to come up 19 places, but he can't win unless he starts further up.

Nico had a heckuva good debut race. That guy isn't rubbish.

As for Speed, I think the V10s are a bit too, well, speedy.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

If McLaren's cars don't break this weekend, they will have two cars fighting for a podium. I think Massa might be up there too fighting with Button and Rosberg. With them and Alonso and Schumi all contenders it's getting crowded towards the front - which means racing!

I wonder if Fisi will be fast, assuming his f***ing s*** car holds together.

I also should note that while Super Aguri was slow, they were faster than I thought - They may not be the slowest team this season...

 

[iGav]

I think Massa might be up there too fighting with Button and Rosberg.

Massa's getting an engine change.

If McLaren's cars don't break this weekend, they will have two cars fighting for a podium.

Nah. One. Kimi. If McLaren are reliable, and the cars are as close as they were in Bahrain, it will be Alonso, Kimi, Schu all the way this season (though not necessarily in that order of course .

They're all in another league from the rest of them if you ask me.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Massa's getting an engine change.

Just read about that after I posted. Bummer. I think he's capable of fighting with the big boys in that Ferrari.

Nah. One. Kimi. If McLaren are reliable, and the cars are as close as they were in Bahrain, it will be Alonso, Kimi, Schu all the way this season (though not necessarily in that order of course .

They're all in another league from the rest of them if you ask me.

I think that there is a chance you might see Montoya or Button winning a race or two, but probably not without retirements. The Big Three are set for a pretty serious duel to be sure.

 

[link92]

Just read about that after I posted. Bummer. I think he's capable of fighting with the big boys in that Ferrari.

He's gonna have to get onto pole position, or at least 2nd (again).