Spanish GP qualifiying! don't read if you haven't watched it yet...

[Ian]

Jen-son

What a last gasp performance - passing the start finish line to start his last flying lap with about 2 seconds to spare (the lights turned red just after he went under the gantry). And he was down on Vettel until the last sector.

I'm really feeling sorry for Rubens now - what does he have to do to beat Jenson?

We don't know the fuel loads yet, but surely the Brawns are in a great position to consolidate.

And at least Ferrari are being consistent in making big gaffes every race (no disrespect to Kimi!)

Ian

[JSR]

Re: Spanish GP qualifiying! don't read if you haven't watched it yet...

Jen-son

What a last gasp performance - passing the start finish line to start his last flying lap with about 2 seconds to spare (the lights turned red just after he went under the gantry). And he was down on Vettel until the last sector.

I'm really feeling sorry for Rubens now - what does he have to do to beat Jenson?

We don't know the fuel loads yet, but surely the Brawns are in a great position to consolidate.

And at least Ferrari are being consistent in making big gaffes every race (no disrespect to Kimi!)

Ian

Yes, breathtaking pole!

When the final quali started, I thought maybe Renault would send Alonso around on fumes to get him on pole in front of his home crowd but I don't think even fumes would have made him fast enough.

Rubens has been so much faster than Button until now that I thought this would be Barrichello's weekend - if not a win, then certainly pipping Button.

Barrichello put in a good pole, but was then whitewashed by Vettel - who, you've got to say, looked to be a cert to keep it. But where on Earth did Button pull his finest lap of the weekend from? Surely no one can doubt this guy anymore?

It was great hearing the communication and Button going almost mental because he'd got pole. That's clear that it wasn't expected so I don't think we're going to find he's running particularly light fuel. And his dad was so happy - far more emotional than I've ever seen Lewis' dad.

As for Ferrari "doing a Massa" to Kimi - boy, I bet they feel like utter berks right now. That said, it was reassuring to hear Kimi take the blame for the decision. There are some drivers out there that wouldn't take the blame themselves, even if it was their call.

It's a real shame for Kimi, though, judging by how good the car was looking - as Massa proved. He would surely have been right in the mix if they hadn't "done a Massa". Still, Massa has zero WDC points so far this season so he's the one who needs to grab some tomorrow.

Looks like it'll be a great race tomorrow. Will Button make it his fourth win? Will Vettel beat Barrichello? If they finish the race the way they start, with Vettel getting 8 points and Barrichello getting 6, Vettel will jump him in the WDC (Vettel will be on 26 points while Barichello will be on 25). So there'll be a crucial race going on there for second place. The start is going to be crucial.

[JSR]

Re: Spanish GP qualifiying! don't read if you haven't watched it yet...

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2009/5/9334.html

Looks like there's 5Kg (two laps) in it with Vettel being able to stay out longer than Button.

Alonso (8th) is the lightest.
Button (1st) and Glock (6th) are next.
Barrichello (3rd).
Vettel (2nd) and Webber (5th) are equal.
Then Massa (4th), Trulli (7th), Kubica (10th), Rosberg (9th).

That bodes well for Massa in 4th so long as the extra 9Kg doesn't slow him down too much at the start of the race.

The time adjusted positions has Vettel on pole followed by Button, Massa, Barrichello, Webber, Trulli, Glock, Alonso, Rosberg and Kubica. But even the fuel-adjusted times only puts Vettel in front by just .059s.

[Ian]

Re: Spanish GP qualifiying! don't read if you haven't watched it yet...

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2009/5/9334.html
Looks like there's 5Kg (two laps) in it with Vettel being able to stay out longer than Button.

Alonso (8th) is the lightest.
Button (1st) and Glock (6th) are next.
Barrichello (3rd).
Vettel (2nd) and Webber (5th) are equal.
Then Massa (4th), Trulli (7th), Kubica (10th), Rosberg (9th).

That bodes well for Massa in 4th so long as the extra 9Kg doesn't slow him down too much at the start of the race.

The time adjusted positions has Vettel on pole followed by Button, Massa, Barrichello, Webber, Trulli, Glock, Alonso, Rosberg and Kubica. But even the fuel-adjusted times only puts Vettel in front by just .059s.

Yes, Jenson needs to keep 1st place and then really work hard to build up a cushion so that he isn't leap-frogged at the first stop. He is more comfortable with the car on race pace. I would guess he needs at least 6-7 seconds lead before his first stop. Vettel and Massa are heavier, so that will limit their speed relative to Jenson. But it's very tight. Rubens could be the dark horse here, of course. The start will be crucial.

Alonso was on the same weight as Jenson, but 0.8 seconds slower - he won't be pleased with that.

It will be really interesting to see if the revised aerodynamics of this year's cars will enable more frequent overtaking for the first time at this track.

Can't wait!

Ian

[peter]

Re: Spanish GP qualifiying! don't read if you haven't watched it yet...

All I can say is that somebody in a red outfit needs to be sacked. The team are making SO many mistakes I really felt for massa today. He was told he had to save fuel and you heard him say how do I do that and stay in front. It was really sad to see that happen after the good race he was having.

[JSR]

Re: Spanish GP qualifiying! don't read if you haven't watched it yet...

All I can say is that somebody in a red outfit needs to be sacked. The team are making SO many mistakes I really felt for massa today. He was told he had to save fuel and you heard him say how do I do that and stay in front. It was really sad to see that happen after the good race he was having.

You're not kidding!

As much as I'm still rooting for Button to lead the field, I just felt so sorry for Massa. Okay, so he does have KERS but he kept the quicker Red Bull of Vettel behind him for the entire race and then had to give up the place due to fuel. And, even worse, he had to lose a second place to Alonso!

When the race started, I was wondering if we'd see a surprise podium for Massa. As the race unfolded, that wasn't really on but fourth place was really on the cards for him. After the gaff with Raikonnen during quali and now the fuel gaff with Massa during the race, there are clearly still some butts that need kicking by di Montezemolo.

The one real positive for Massa is that he's finally got some points on the board. He went into this race on zero points and, although he could have had five points here, he at least got three to match Kimi. That's something given that he could have ended up with none.

On a slightly more positive note, has anyone realised that if Button wins just one more race, he'll have equalled the number of race-wins by the WDC last year (Lewis)? He'll still need another to equal second-place man Massa, but it's an intriguing thought. Lewis won the WDC with just five wins, and Button's already got four of them. How amazing is that?

I would also like to echo Ian's words here as well - what on Earth does Rubens have to do to beat his teammate? He surely looked a cert for first place here and, when he was storming ahead with his three-stop strategy, it still looked very do-able. Yet Button gets the rubbish tyres on and just blitzes the field. Still, I never tire of hearing Button's enthusiasm when he crosses the line first, or of seeing his father going crazy. That's what winning races is all about.