Starting Grid, Spain

[f1atic]

Michael is still a master at this sort of thing.

JPM did a fantastic job on track to take P-2 and not bad in the press conference; although, it did seem he was hoping to bate Michael.

Taku & Jense could have been up there together - I don't know about the wind - it looked like his left rear was about to break the bead loose from the rim in the slow-mo replays.

Rubens hard and heavy and perhaps even on a 2 stop.

[Pitstop]

Didn't Brundle say this was a bog standard 3 stop race? I know the Macs have a larger fuel tank that most other teams, but is it big enough?

[golem]

About Taku being unable to sustain the pace, don't forget he's posted the fastest lap this weekend so far, dipping into 1:14's supposedly. So he obviously knows how to get the car about at a fair old pace.

[Sodemo]

Well lets hope that the temperature tomorrow is a lot hotter than planned, if it is hotter, the soft tyre schu has gone for may blister.
It might be enough for Montoya to challenge.
Then again, im sure MS will win it once again.

[fog_shadow]

hmmmmm, "whine probably moan-to-ya" did try to provoke Michael, and what did he get?

Q: Michael, what are your thoughts on that run down to the first corner and Juan Pablo? Does that incident at Imola carry through now?
MS: Not to me. We had an interesting fight at Imola and we will find out whether we have one again tomorrow but it’s part of racing, to have a battle, and to have a tight business. I’ve no problems with that, to have another one.

better luck next time JPM, or maybe you've just come up against an opponent smarter than you and who's not in the least bit scared of you.

shadow

[Splatz the Cow]

?

[enemy-ace]

Originally posted by golem
About Taku being unable to sustain the pace, don't forget he's posted the fastest lap this weekend so far, dipping into 1:14's supposedly. So he obviously knows how to get the car about at a fair old pace.

No doubt he is quick for one lap. But what about lap after lap? Can he sustain it? I don't think so, but I am willing to be proven wrong.

[NiceGuyEddie]

I got the impression Taku did a somewhat conservative lap. Especially in the second and third sector it looked like he could've gone quicker. But than again, Taku is in no position to take risks, so he did well to just put the car on P3 without much ado.

Both MS' ans JPM's laps were amazing. I never imagined JPM could be a match for Sato's time after watching Ralf, although Ralf's lap was very sloppy.

[Don K]

Originally posted by enemy-ace
No doubt he is quick for one lap. But what about lap after lap? Can he sustain it? I don't think so, but I am willing to be proven wrong.

Earlier this season (Bahrayn?) we have already seen that Sato is capable of staying within striking distance of the podium for more than half a race. (He lost that podium finish when he went off track while driving in front of Button)

I don't know whether he can keep it up for the entire race.
He might need some more experience at the moment.
But I think he's closing in.

[Hazard]

He's under a lot of pressure. Sitting behind Schu & Montoya on the grid, I wouldn't be surprised if he fluffs up the start or the first corner and gives away a few places to Trulli & Barrichello.

Though he could claim them back later of course, that BAR is probably the fastest car on the track.

[Teretonga]

Coulthard ahead of Kimi-significantly- DC is also driving for his F1 life. Fisichella well ahead of massa but if the sauber is a 2003 Ferrari does it mean everyone stepped up significantly since last year or is Sauber just plain slow?
If you looked at the times from last year at most comparable races the Sauber times are close in some cases to what Ferrari did last year.

[gttouring]

AHA HAHAHAH Forza Ferrari!!!!
and wow Taku! good boy!

[Yoong Montoya]

Originally posted by fog_shadow
hmmmmm, "whine probably moan-to-ya" did try to provoke Michael, and what did he get?



better luck next time JPM, or maybe you've just come up against an opponent smarter than you and who's not in the least bit scared of you.

shadow

Yep, it's the rest that are scared of him, not the other way round

[neilap]

If anything I dont think JPM will be able to sustain the speed of the BAR nor the Ferrari. IMO Sato will pose more of a threat. JPM was on the ragged edge. How many laps can he drive like that before the tires fail or he messes up. I dont think he will be a factor. Either way, this is MS's race to lose.

I wanna see what BAR Honda does with JB. Will they change strategy or will they have him fight his way throught the slower cars. The BAR's have been good off the line in the last few races. Lets hope he is in the top ten by the first lap.

[Splatz the Cow]

STOP!!!

enemy-ace, on what experience of Sato do you base your statement?

Hazard, why do you say he will fluff the start? What evidence is there that this is likely to happen? You certainly provide none, and in fact my memory recalls that Sato makes blinding starts, and his race history shows him to be an excellent driver. Prejudice does not count as evidence.

Just because he's not British, not even European(God forbid?!!) so many of you (others not named here also) lay in to him and expect a poor performance almost as a formality. Is he there to make up the numbers? Pay for Buttons car to go round the track?

You may be unaware of how obvious your prejudice is to people, but everytime Sato is mentioned very similar comments are made by a number of people here.

If you don't know what you are talking about then don't post aimless statements as are in some posts above.

Sato's performances this year have been excellent and he has jumped into this team seamlessly.

At least do the common courtesy of doing some research about the drivers so as to familiarise yourself with their capabilities before deriding them on this public forum.

Furthermore Taku has a well presented site to make your life even easier.

[Mark Webber]

what a lap by MS and jpm did push that Willy to a well deserved 2nd .

Mark was on a very god lap to just quitely but in his wrds "just to hot in the last turn " it did cost him so things look even better for the race . remembering his in a Jag

[Hazard]

I will never judge a driver on his nationality.
The usual history of inexperienced - as in 'new' drivers to different positions and circumstances and the way they handle them are my only evidence, and that'll do nicely.

Sato has never started from 3rd, he has two champion drivers starting in front of him, and he also has made occassional errors before - (when he went off and let Button through for one).

The fact he is not European has no factor on my opinion - and am not happy being called prejudiced for that opinion. He may well prove me wrong, and I would thoroughly enjoy it if he did.

For historical reference, Button did the same thing in Belgium 2000, and that was a fairly predictale rookie error as well. In this case, Sato isn't quite a rookie - but he is someone/somewhere new.

[300kph]

MS again.....what can I say..

JPM....no comment..

Sato San's 3rd confirms how good the car is...his run though was a little conservative, IMO, he could have done better, but anyway, that is a huge record for Japan..."bansai"

JB's run was a shame...

RB & Kimi...two stopper...

[fog_shadow]

just a few more minutes left!!

MS has said something to the effect that he welcomes the challange the moaner threw at him. if squeezed at the first corner, he'll squeeze back.

man i hope we aren't being setup only to have an anti-climax at the start.

[Knowlesy]

Well, don't get your hopes up....

Warm up lap nearly done...ah, an invader on track!!!

[garcon]

Well, Michael was forced to give up the corner after all... but not to JPM!

[Knowlesy]

I was glad I got a prediction correct this weekend....sadly it was the race winner.