Turkish Grand Prix!

[bigC]

after a three week hiatus, it's time for the Turkish Grand Prix! :D :beer:

Renault was dealt a serious blow to their championship aspirations as the FIA won the appeal of the mass damper ruling, so Renault will no longer be allowed to use that system in their cars. the race where they didn't use the mass damper system was a disaster. with Schumie only ten points back, with 5 races left, the best thing to happen for F1 would be Ferrari domination this weekend, a tie going into the Italian GP, which would make for an amazing end of the season (i'm hoping the last race in Brazil decides the championship).

Alonso was 12th in Friday practice, not that it means a lot, but the Hondas, Ferraris, McLarens were faster then the reigning champ/ Ralf for Toyota and Doornbos for RBR also made the top ten. the fastest driver, though, was the new test driver for BMW, Sebastian Vettel.

story: http://www.formula1.com/race/news/4837/764.html

results: http://www.formula1.com/race/result/764/10.html

Renault loses the appeal of the mass damper system: http://www.tsn.ca/auto_racing/Formula_One/news_story/?ID=175080&hubname=auto_racing-formula_one

JV is done in F1, so says his manager, Pollock. well duh. he's the genius that took him from champion team to fledgling BAR-Honda, going for money instead of results, and we all know how well that turned out. what's next for JV: Nascar? i hope not. i would love to see JV return to open wheel racing in North America, specifically Champ Car. not only would it revitalize the sport in NA, it would be fun to watch JV vs Paul Tracy, two ultra-competitive drivers who don't know how to take it easy, especially when they have cars built to win. http://www.tsn.ca/auto_racing/Formula_One/news_story/?ID=175176&hubname=auto_racing-formula_one

[BrianG]

Interesting Qually. Massa is going to be awfully wide going into turn one. Look for a pinch move with the two Ferraris holding up the field in turn one and MS "mysteriously" jumping out ahead.

[bigC]

it's a Ferrari 1-2 in qualifying, with Massa getting his first ever pole position. the Renaults are 3rd and 4th, so the start of the race will be crucial. the Ferraris need good starts to stay ahead of their rivals. Ralf qualified in 5th (minus ten positions for due to an engine change) whilst Heidfeld was 6th (Kubica in the other BMW was 9th). the best driver to win only one race in 113 starts (Button) qualified 7th, with Raikonen in 8th and Webber getting 10th.

story: http://www.formula1.com/race/news/4847/764.html
results: http://www.formula1.com/race/result/764/24.html

[Mr_LoL]

The best race of the season by a long way. Some nice overtaking moves. Shame Schumacher couldnt pass Alonso though.

[BrianG]

The best race of the season by a long way. Some nice overtaking moves. Shame Schumacher couldnt pass Alonso though.
Yup, that wing adjustment certainly helped in sectors one and three, but he just could keep on Fred's tranny through turn eight. And what a great "turn" that is. I would LOVE to drive that track.

[bigC]

three weeks ago, in Hungary, Button won his first race. ever. this caused the British ITV announcers to orgasm on live TV. sad, but true: they have serious man-love issues with him. i doubt he will ever achieve the greatness prophesied as long as he stays with Honda. this weekend, it was Massa's turn to win, as he got his first victory in F1 for Ferrari. Alosno was second, Schumacher third, so he now trails by 12 points with 4 races left. what a race. people say F1 is boring; not so for this race. accidents, passing, actual suspense as Schumie was trying to find a way around Alonso ... it was a fun race.

the rest of the points scorers: mr. 1 win in 114 starts, Button, was 4th, de la Rosa 5th, Fisichella 6th, Ralf in 7th and Barrichello gaining a single point for the 8th place. BMW didn't make it into the top 10, for those keeping track, although Kubica (12) did beat his teammate, Heidfeld (14). Kimi failed to finish, although it looked like driver error instead of a mechanical issue.

story: http://www.formula1.com/race/news/4854/764.html
results: http://www.formula1.com/race/news/4854/764.html

in two weeks, it's the Italian Grand Prix! :D :beer:

[Shamrock]

Re: Kimi's incident was not driver error. Turn 1 of first lap, Scott Speed got into the back of Kimi, puncturing a tire. He limped all the way around the track on the flat, tearing stuff up. When he got to the pits, they had to rip off the brake ducts. When he went back out, they didn't fix everything, and it went poof. Kimi had no choice but to go straight, or be in a world of hurt, when he hit the wall. It was mechanical failure of the rear suspension.

Massa's glory was overshadowed by Schumie's/Alonso's battle. A shame.