Formula 1 blog - Linksheaven

“Knockout” quals to knockout fair competition?

Love or hate the new qualification system it has already come under fire for some loopholes and aggrevating scenarios, but a new one seems to have gone on undetected

Continue Reading 4 comments February 24th, 2006

Thursday’s testing review

Firstly Barcelona

Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. Button Honda (M) 1:13.935 116
2. Fisichella Renault (M) 1:13.971 125
3. Alonso Renault (M) 1:13.977 113
4. Barrichello Honda (M) 1:14.266 119
5. Montoya McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:14.588 131
6. Raikkonen McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:15.475 80
7. Rosberg Williams-Cosworth (B) 1:15.774 83
8. R.Schumacher Toyota (B) 1:15.973 97
9. Coulthard Red Bull-Ferrari (M) 1:16.034 54
10. Trulli Toyota (B) 1:16.057 103
11. Webber Williams-Cosworth (B) 1:16.128 97
12. Klien Red Bull-Ferrari (M) 1:16.923 55
13. Albers MF1-Toyota (B) 1:17.142 79
14. Sato Super Aguri-Honda (B) 1:19.787 58

A big day for Honda who raised the bar on the rest, going 2 seconds quicker than anyone had managed up to this point. Renault however were not far behind and Fisichella continues his form of edging his teammate in Barca. Barrichello rounded out the top 4 with the other Honda. Montoya was next with nearly a second over Kimi and all 3 teams did long runs. It was a good day for Williams and particularly Nico Rosberg who finally put his gremlins behind him to set the 7th fastest time with Ralf’s Toyota and DC’s Red Bull not far behind. The track was very quick today and there was significant movement today too. Just when it seemed like McLaren were nudging ahead on speed and Honda were waivering, Honda come back with a time like this. It must be said however that just as Kimi was about to finish his day with a qualifying run, Ralf’s engine caused a red flag and Kimi never got to do it, so we can wonder what would have happened.

Also, up to this point Williams had been nothing short of mediocre on this track. Today they showed good pace and have now overtaken BMW overall in pre-season. A special mention for Takuma Sato who has now got the Aguri team to within 6 seconds of the fastest time set this year. A brilliant achievement in my opinion, and more importantly they are within 3 seconds of the Midlands.

This just shows how accurate certain websites are. The website I use to see who is where on any given day told me McLaren were not in Barcelona yesterday. Oh well.

On to Imola
Pos. Driver Team Tires Time Laps
1 J. Villeneuve BMW Michelin 01:30.866 92
2 R. Kubica BMW Michelin 01:31.939 86
3 S. Speed Scuderia Toro Rosso Michelin 01:38.290 34

Another wet day hampered both teams. Toro Rosso actually called a halt to their testing but BMW persevered. This can’t be helping either teams preparations. Imola has been soaking for days now and neither team has gotten a meaningful quick or long run in. At least they’ll have good wet data !

Today’s line-up is
Barcelona - Renault, Toyota, Williams, Honda, Red Bull
Imola - BMW

Add comment February 24th, 2006