Chinese Grand Prix
DinanM3_S2
10-01-2006, 03:58 PM
Brilliant performance from Schumacher, simply brilliant.
First of all, qualifying showed, once again, just how good Schumacher is. The Bridgestones had a terrible disadvantage in qualifying. Nowhere near the grip that the Michelins had, but Schumi pulled off starting in 6th as opposed to the closest B'stone runner, Massa, in 13th (actually went down to 22nd for the engine swap).
It was a tough day to race because of the drying track. Tires were hard to figure out. Fernando built up a good lead early on (thanks to Fisi holding Kimi back), but Schumacher was able to pass both the Hondas on the track before his 1st pit. Renault had blatant team orders for Fisi to keep Schumi back, but because Furlonso had grip problems of his own, he couldn't hold on to his lead. Eventually Alonso let Fisi by and Schumacher quickly passed Alonso. Fisi would later get passed by Schumacher on his out lap when his tires wern't up to temp. Fisi later let Alonso by (more team orders), Schumacher won, Alonso took second, tieing up the WDC. Unfortunately for Ferrari, Massa's had a bump with Coulthard, ending his race. Had he scored, the WCC would be tied up as well.
Schumacher was simply amazing. Flav + Alonso "clearly god and the pit crew is out to get us, F1 isn't a sport" :) . Schumacher hadn't scored a single point the last two times he was in China, what a way to finally win it. On to Japan and Brazil to decide the championship
Star of the Race- Schumacher of course
Fool of the Race- The guy on Alonso's radio during qualifying, "poor ol' Michael is back in 6th"
Robbed- Heidfeld and Rubens by Sato's failure to let them by
I also feel bad for Kubica, he was looking great until he switched to slicks, that ruined the race for him.
First of all, qualifying showed, once again, just how good Schumacher is. The Bridgestones had a terrible disadvantage in qualifying. Nowhere near the grip that the Michelins had, but Schumi pulled off starting in 6th as opposed to the closest B'stone runner, Massa, in 13th (actually went down to 22nd for the engine swap).
It was a tough day to race because of the drying track. Tires were hard to figure out. Fernando built up a good lead early on (thanks to Fisi holding Kimi back), but Schumacher was able to pass both the Hondas on the track before his 1st pit. Renault had blatant team orders for Fisi to keep Schumi back, but because Furlonso had grip problems of his own, he couldn't hold on to his lead. Eventually Alonso let Fisi by and Schumacher quickly passed Alonso. Fisi would later get passed by Schumacher on his out lap when his tires wern't up to temp. Fisi later let Alonso by (more team orders), Schumacher won, Alonso took second, tieing up the WDC. Unfortunately for Ferrari, Massa's had a bump with Coulthard, ending his race. Had he scored, the WCC would be tied up as well.
Schumacher was simply amazing. Flav + Alonso "clearly god and the pit crew is out to get us, F1 isn't a sport" :) . Schumacher hadn't scored a single point the last two times he was in China, what a way to finally win it. On to Japan and Brazil to decide the championship
Star of the Race- Schumacher of course
Fool of the Race- The guy on Alonso's radio during qualifying, "poor ol' Michael is back in 6th"
Robbed- Heidfeld and Rubens by Sato's failure to let them by
I also feel bad for Kubica, he was looking great until he switched to slicks, that ruined the race for him.
DinanM3_S2
10-01-2006, 04:53 PM
I think this picture pretty much sums up the race-
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/156513poor_ol_Alonso.jpg
God I'm excited for Japan.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/156513poor_ol_Alonso.jpg
God I'm excited for Japan.
ales
10-01-2006, 11:43 PM
It was a fantastic race, full of emotion and drama. I'm still waiting for the worldwide outrage because of team orders, but I'm not holding my breath (up yours, hypicrites!).
Sato should have been given at least a race ban for that stunt, discqualification from the race doesn't really mean much, does it?
It's also interesting to see how the wet weather tyre situatin has turned - now Michelin intermediates give a vast advantage, but Bridgestone dries perform better on a slightly damp track (used to be the other way around). By the way, he current forecast for Japan is also for rain :(
Interstingly, Alonso, after being 25 points up on Schumacher at one stage, now trails MS in the standings and cannot with the championship at the next race. Schumi, on the other hand, can clinch it if he wins and Alonso DNF-s.
Kubica impressed again, and I don't hold his mistake (it was his call) to switch onto dry tyres against him. This shows both his willingness to take risks and inexperience, but the speed and the desire to do well are certainly there.
Kimi could have won the race, but it was the same old story :( I hope he has more luck going his way next year.
Here is a video of another Ferrari victory this Sunday. I call it the "bottle battle". http://www02.rapidfile.fr/wget.php?id=z123xXNA
Sato should have been given at least a race ban for that stunt, discqualification from the race doesn't really mean much, does it?
It's also interesting to see how the wet weather tyre situatin has turned - now Michelin intermediates give a vast advantage, but Bridgestone dries perform better on a slightly damp track (used to be the other way around). By the way, he current forecast for Japan is also for rain :(
Interstingly, Alonso, after being 25 points up on Schumacher at one stage, now trails MS in the standings and cannot with the championship at the next race. Schumi, on the other hand, can clinch it if he wins and Alonso DNF-s.
Kubica impressed again, and I don't hold his mistake (it was his call) to switch onto dry tyres against him. This shows both his willingness to take risks and inexperience, but the speed and the desire to do well are certainly there.
Kimi could have won the race, but it was the same old story :( I hope he has more luck going his way next year.
Here is a video of another Ferrari victory this Sunday. I call it the "bottle battle". http://www02.rapidfile.fr/wget.php?id=z123xXNA
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