10 Tenths Grand Prix Preview - Spain

[Super Tourer]

10 Tenths Grand Prix Preview – Spain - Circuit de Catalunya.

9th May 2004.


2003 Result.

1. Michael Schumacher - Ferrari 65 Laps 1:33:46.933

2. Fernando Alonso - Renault 65 Laps +5.7 secs

3. Rubens Barrichello - Ferrari 65 Laps +18.0 secs

4. Juan Pablo Montoya - Williams-BMW 65 Laps +62.0 secs

5. Ralf Schumacher - Williams-BMW 64 Laps +1 Lap

6. Cristiano da Matta - Toyota 64 Laps +1 Lap

7. Mark Webber - Jaguar-Cosworth 64 Laps +1 Lap

8. Ralph Firman - Jordan-Ford 63 +2 Laps

9. Jenson Button - BAR-Honda 63 +2 Laps

10. Nick Heidfeld - Sauber-Petronas 63 +2 Laps

11. Justin Wilson - Minardi-Cosworth 63 +2 Laps

12. Jos Verstappen - Minardi-Cosworth 62 +3 Laps


R Giancarlo Fisichella -Jordan-Ford Engine

R Olivier Panis - Toyota Gearbox

R Heinz-Harald Frentzen Sauber-Petronas Suspension

R David Coulthard McLaren-Mercedes Collision

R Jacques Villeneuve BAR-Honda Electrical

R Jarno Trulli Renault Collision

R Antonio Pizzonia Jaguar-Cosworth Launch control

R Kimi Räikkönen McLaren-Mercedes Collision


Fastest Lap: Rubens Barrichello 1:20.143

Official Result




2003 Grid.

1 Michael Schumacher Ferrari 1:17.762

2 Rubens Barrichello Ferrari 1:18.020

3 Fernando Alonso Renault 1:18.233

4 Jarno Trulli Renault 1:18.615

5 Jenson Button BAR-Honda 1:18.704

6 Olivier Panis Toyota 1:18.811

7 Ralf Schumacher Williams-BMW 1:19.006

8 David Coulthard McLaren-Mercedes 1:19.128

9 Juan Pablo Montoya Williams-BMW 1:19.377

10 Heinz-Harald Frentzen Sauber-Petronas 1:19.427

11 Jacques Villeneuve BAR-Honda 1:19.563

12 Mark Webber Jaguar-Cosworth 1:19.615

13 Cristiano da Matta Toyota 1:19.623

14 Nick Heidfeld Sauber-Petronas 1:19.646

15 Ralph Firman Jordan-Ford 1:20.215

16 Antonio Pizzonia Jaguar-Cosworth 1:20.308

17 Giancarlo Fisichella Jordan-Ford 1:20.976

18 18 Justin Wilson Minardi-Cosworth 1:22.104

19 19 Jos Verstappen Minardi-Cosworth 1:22.237

20 6 Kimi Räikkönen McLaren-Mercedes








2003 Race Review

Ferrari introduced their new car at this race after an uncharacteristic slow start to the season. The race became a comparison of tyres; Bridgestone’s were inconsistent on a track noted for tyre wear, whilst Michelin shod cars fared better in the conditions.

However in the end Micheal and Ferrari prevailed scoring his 66th victory in the process. The following charge was led by Renault’s Fernando Alonso who converted 3rd on the grid into 2nd on the podium.

McLaren had a day to forget, with Kimi messing up qualifying and starting from the back, which is where he remained at the start after colliding with the back of Pizzonia’s Jaguar when the red lights went out, both cars retiring on the spot. Meanwhile DC tangled with Trulli at the 2nd corner, losing a lot of time. He finally retired when he and Button collided later in the race forcing his retirement – nil points for McLaren.

Da Matta scored his first world championship points for Toyota.

Williams struggled in comparison to the similarly shod Renault’s, a combination of poor qualifying and the wrong strategy call during the safety car period triggered by the DC/Trulli 2nd corner fracas compromised their race. Ralf didn’t help matter by going off later in the race, damaging the car’s cooling, forcing him to nurse it home with an increasingly hot BMW engine.

Ralph Firman scored a point for Jordan.

At the end of the race Kimi still led the championship from Michael Schumacher, the gap significantly closed after Kimi’s no score.

Read a full race review: http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr702.html


Recent winners

2003 – M Schumacher
2002 – M Schumacher
2001 – M Schumacher
2000 – M Hakkinen
1999 – M Hakkinen
1998 – M Hakkinen
1997 – J Villeneuve
1996 – M Schumacher
1995 – M Schumacher – Benetton
1994 – D Hill – Williams
1993 – A Prost - Williams



Spain Flashback

The Circuit de Catalunya eminated out of the disaster that occurred at Montjuich Park in 1975, when Rolf Stommelmens Hill-Ford vaulted the barrier killing four spectators during a race that had already been run under protest after many drivers felt the barriers were too poorly constructed, sadly they proved to be right, the accident marked the end of the circuit as a GP venue, the race moving to Jarama, then Jerez.

In 1986 the Catalan parliament voted in favour of creating a new racing circuit in
Barcelona to bring the Grand Prix back to the region, hence the Circuit de Catalunya was born, although not actually started until 1989 and completed in late 1991, just prior to the 1st Grand Prix to be held there. The circuit set a new standard for safety and facilities.


2001 – Hakkinen had the race in the bag until his car failed on the last lap, handing the race win to Michael Schumacher

2000 – DC drove in much discomfort and emotion after surviving a light plane crash a few days earlier in which his pilot was killed. De la Rosa qualified 9th for his home race, but the fuel in his car was found to be illegal, causing much embarrassment to Repsol despite them not actually supplying fuel for the car, Walkinshaw appealed then withdrew the appeal and Pedro started from the back. Button was on course to score more points for Williams, but his engine failed with a few laps to go

1998 – McLaren dominated with another 1-2. Tyres were in focus again with McLaren’s Bridgestone’s having the edge on Ferrari’s Goodyear’s (remember them!). Rubens bought the Stewart- Ford home in 5th.

1997 – Tyres were key again with Jacques Villeneuve saving the Goodyear’s on his Williams to good effect to score victory. Olivier Panis used his Bridgestones to score a rare 2nd place for Prost, Alesi finishing 3rd in the Benetton – Renault.

1996 – A wet race showed Michael Schumacher to be dominant, winning by 45 seconds and setting a fastest lap more than 2 seconds faster than anyone else. Showing that history repeats itself, a less than classic performance from McLaren produced this quote from one journalist “How does a team with so many talented engineers, such a good engine, such a vast budget and such impressive facilities manage to do so badly when we know the drivers are quick? Answers on a postcard, please, to Ron Dennis, Woking Business Park, Albert Drive, Woking, Surrey or c/o The Fancy Motorhome, Any Paddock, F1.” A quote that apply’s to 2004 surely…

[Super Tourer]

Looking ahead to the 2004 race.

Barcelona is about tyres which have been a deciding factor in many in most if not all of the races held here. It’s a technically challenging circuit, with a mix of a long straight and tight infield section that make set up of the car crucial. Too much ‘wing’ causes drag on the long straight, too little and you are ‘slip sliding away’ through the twisty section. This will be the equation the teams wrestle with, but Barcelona has been a favourite test track for year so most teams have plenty of data!

Imola through up a surprise in that it was not the redwash it possibly should have been. Schumacher didn’t get pole and Rubens didn’t seem awake all weekend. Similarly Patrick Head left Imola an unhappy man, as Williams weren’t able to convert what is a good track for them into a good race performance. Ralf also messed up again to add to his growing quota of errors in 2004.

BAR has been quick in testing at Barcelona and as they have turned testing performances into real race performance (unlike McLaren who must wish every race was held at Valencia…) we can assume they will be quick this weekend. Currently they don’t seem to have pace over a race distance to challenge Ferrari for a win, but their improvement curve suggests that if anyone will be around to pick up a win should Ferrari falter, it will be Button and the BAR.

Alonso will be looking for a good result on home soil, so look out for a good qualifying performance from him.

In the final anaylsis, with Jacques Villeneuve not competing this year, Michael Schumacher is the only driver on the current grid to have won in Spain, can that change this race?



Circuit Map: http://www.formula1.com/race/circuitmap/718.html


Race website: www.circuitcat.com



Race Timetable – all times are LOCAL time.

http://www.formula1.com/race/timetable/718.html


Friday 7th May

11:00 to 12:00 – 1st Practice
14:00 to 15:00 – 2nd Practice.


Saturday 8th May

09:00 to 09:45 Saturday 1st Practice
10:15 to 11:00 Saturday 2nd Practice
13:00 to 14:00 – Pre-Qualifying
14:00 to 15:00 – Qualifying.

Sunday 9th May

14:00 – Race. (13:00 UK time)

F1 Live Timing: http://www.formula1.com/race/livetiming/718.html



Time Zone:
Barcelona is Daylight saving time (BST) + 1 Hour

http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/city.html?n=31


Weather
http://weather.cnn.com/weather/forec...p?locCode=LEBL


Longer Term Weather Outlook from 30/04/02004
http://uk.weather.com/weather/local/...code=code&y=11


Friday 7th May – Showers – 18 deg C
Saturday 8th May – Partly Cloudy with Sunny spells – 19 deg C
Sunday 9th May – Partly Cloudy with Sunny spells – 19 dg C.



UK TV Viewing – ITV 1 correct as of 30/04/2004

Saturday 8th May – 12:30 pm to 14:15 pm - Qualifying LIVE -
Sunday 9th May – 12.05 pm – Race LIVE. – I am presuming a 13:00 start.
Sunday 9th May – Race Highlights – 23:45


Please check times with your TV schedule or the motorsport press before recording this race!

[Super Tourer]

Championship Standings.

Drivers

2004 Drivers Championship


1 Michael Schumacher - 40 pts

2 Rubens Barrichello - 24 pts

3 Jenson Button - 23 pts

4 Juan Pablo Montoya - 18 pts

5 Fernando Alonso - 16 pts

6 Jarno Trulli - 15 pts

7 Ralf Schumacher - 9pts

8 Takuma Sato - 4 pts

8= David Coulthard - 4 pts

10 Felipe Massa - 1 pt

10= Mark Webber - 1 pt

10= Kimi Räikkönen - 1 pt




2004 Constructors Table

1. Ferrari - 64 pts

2. Renault - 31 pts

3. BAR-Honda - 27pts

3.= Williams-BMW - 27 pts

5. McLaren-Mercedes - 5 pts

6. Sauber-Petronas - 1 pt

6.= Jaguar-Cosworth – 1 pt


10 Tenths Tyre Maker Standings.

Michelin – 91 pts
Bridgestone – 65 pts


Inter team Qualifying

M Schumacher - 4 – Barrichello – 0
Montoya – 4 – R Schumacher – 0
Coulthard – 2 - Rakkionen – 2
Trulli- 2 – Alonso –2
Button – 3 – Sato –1
Fisichella -1 – Massa – 3
Panis –1 – Da Matta – 1
Webber –3 – Klein – 1
Heidfeld –3 – Pantano – 1
Bruni – 4 - Baumgartner - 0

[Adam43]

Blummin' 'eck ST are we that close, I best post the comp. thread.

[Adam43]

Will Alonso shine on home ground again? It'd be nice, he's not achieved the hieghts some had been expecting since Australia's podium.

[ralf fan]

Alonso's performance last year really impressed me and since then i have been a fan...
will be interesting to lookout for BAR... they were rocket paced in the off season testing there,....

[Adam43]

Yes, Jenson had a decent qually last year. Even better this year?

[jetsetter]

I can't see anything but a fourth straight Spanish GP victory for Schumacher in this race although i expect to see a great drive coming from Alonso in front of his home fans.

[grumpy1]

Well done again ST.
Given that the Michelin runners love this track we hope they are more competitive.
I stiil can't see anyone other than Button beating MS though.

The Grumpy1

[climb]

Many thanks ST for the superb job

[Rennen]

I was a spectator at the old Montjuich Park circuit when Stommelen had his fatal crash. I was shocked to see that the Spanish press published several horrific pictures of the aftermath in the local paper. Something we didn't do here in the 70's.

Anyway enough of the negative past...I dont know about you guys but my favourite part of the TV shows of the GPs is the incar footage, especially Martin Brundles commentary (or one of the drivers) of a lap of the track...fantastic!

Next nearest thing for me is when Anthony gives me his version while I look at the circuit map...anyone interested in reading it?...It appeared in this weeks Motorsport News page 33.

If you are get a circuit diagram and follow this...As you cross the startline the straight runs downhill and you gather quite a bit of speed. But you can still brake a sniff past the 100-metre board into Turn 1.

It's really important to turn in cleanly at the 2nd corner because you need to maintain the speed into the right-hander that follows. This is a pretty awesome corner. You arn't going fast enough to get full downforce to keep the throttle flat!...but it's blooming close to it!

You can really feel the downforce after that as the speed builds up as you focus on the next turn. But you have to be very careful here because there's very little run-off at the exit! I've seen many people go off here over the past couple of years!

You can brake very late for Turn 4...considering the speed you carry, it's an early turn-in and the car always wants to understeer. Keep it tight and you'll find plenty of grip before you let it drift out to the exit.

Turn 5 is very tricky!...you bring the car back to the otherside of the circuit, brake in a straightline and straighten up as quickly as possible. It's a downhill corner with adverse camber...so it's easy to lock the inside front wheel as you turn-in! You have to trail-brake quite heavily. It's quite a fight to get into the corner and then you lose downforce, which means the backend tries to step out!

You then hammer down the hill towards Turn 6. approaching on the right-hand lip of the track..here the aero really loads up and helps your entry...you clip the kerb on the inside then flick right over the grasscrete...but not too much or you lose time and traction!

The next corner is blind...it's a right-hander taken in 5th gear! It's an uphill entry and is mega-tight! It's a very hard corner to learn, you have to be very aggressive on the turn-in...but you get a lot of aero assistance...which gives you a lot of rear stability so you don't need to brake. It's just a mild modulation in 5th!...You can't stab the throttle on a modern F1 car as it upsets the the balance too much...you could be more aggressive in the past...but not anymore.

Turn 8. is all new for 2004...it was reprofiled over the winter. It's starnge now having to shift down to first now...but I like it...you have your work cut out not to lock up and get through it cleanly...and you get a lot of wheelspin on the new surface, that makes it hard to run over the kerbs...so it's best to stay off them.

Then you're off up-hill, getting to grips with the massive kerb on the inside and the adverse camber on the exit! You can ride the inside kerb but it can upset the car!

You hug the kerb all the way around Turn 9. It a place that doesn't suit badly handling cars!...understeer on entry followed by 'snap-oversteer'! Quite hard to find a balance here. The exit is uphill with an adverse camber, bad cars suffer here...but the B'A'R flies out of here and picks up lots of speed before the penultimate corner...a fast down-hill right kink which is flat in 5th...very satisfying when it's done right but your neck really gets a caning after you've done a race distance!...and then it gets worse!...because you have to brake and turn into the last corner! You enter quite aggressively to load up with downforce...keep it clean and catch just a touch of oversteer...the cars really on the areo limit through these last 2 corners..but you'll gain time if you really push-on through this section!...If you hit the 'sweetspot' it's just awesome...driving an F1 is all about moments like this...'they' musn't ever change this section!...It's heaven on earth!


Hope you didn't mind me using up all this space...and hope you appreciate it?

[jhansen]

It looks like the third BAR for Anthony Davidson will sport a different livery on Friday.

http://www.formula1.com/gallery/718.html

Tough to say excactly what it looks like, but nice to see a change. There are a few pics there, check em out.

[Rennen]

Err...that's the Concept car 051 livery used over the winter by all 3 drivers.

[jhansen]

Not quite the same, but similar. There are some better shots of it here. The concept car was ALL black. This one has some color in it and the "Don't Walk" phrase on it. Better shots of it here:

http://f1.racing-live.com/en/index.html

[Rennen]

You were right 'jhansen'...I was asleep it was late here! Yeah looks kinda neat! 'Ant' says they just did it for fun because they are allowed to mess around with the 3rd cars livery! Haha

[Wrex]

Great stuff ST, keep up the good work

[Gt_R]

So now..are we gonna preview next year's Spain GP?