Canadian GP

[Jack_Bauer]

Well, it was certainly a qualifying session full of surprises!!!

Jenson Button claiming his second ever pole a whole 2 tenths ahead of Schumey, easily the strongest either driver has looked so far this season. Unsurprisingly the Renaults were not too far off the pace, taking up the second row. However the big surprise was the poor performance of championship contenders McLaren. Kimi was always gonna be hampered by going out early in the session so is probably fuelled a little heavier than most and will try to work his way through the field from a lowly 7th, but JPM will be disappointed to be down in 5th with such a competitive car underneath him.

Away from the front-runners there were surprises aplenty, most notably Villeneuve putting in a stellar performance to take 8th in front of his home fans. He was a full half-second ahead of team mate Massa and ahead of the Toyotas, who had looked very strong throughout practice. Challenging Button and Villeneuve for the performance of the day award was Christian Albers, putting his Minardi way up into 15th place. He'll start just behind the day's biggest disappointments: Williams. After being serious contenders at the past two GPs Heidfeld and Webber will start from 13th and 14th respectively, and it would've been worse had Barrichello not had to pull out of his hotlap with gearbox gremlins.

So what do we think for the race tomorrow? I think the Renaults will probably be the team to beat. They are definitely quick and probably have a bit more fuel on-board than the two ahead of them. If the two McLarens can find a way through the traffic ahead of them then they should definitely be on the pace. But behind the two leading teams it looks as though both Ferrari and BAR have the potential to at least challenge for podium positions.

Grid Positions:

01 Button BAR 1:15.217
02 M Schumacher Ferrari 1:15.475
03 Alonso Renault 1:15.561
04 Fisichella Renault 1:15.577
05 Montoya McLaren 1:15.669
06 Sato BAR 1:15.729
07 Räikkönen McLaren 1:15.923
08 Villeneuve Sauber 1:16.116
09 Trulli Toyota 1:16.201
10 R Schumacher Toyota 1:16.362
11 Massa Sauber 1:16.661
12 Coulthard Red Bull 1:16.890
13 Heidfeld Williams 1:17.081
14 Webber Williams 1:17.749
15 Albers Minardi 1:18.214
16 Klien Red Bull 1:18.249
17 Karthikeyan Jordan 1:18.664
18 Monteiro Jordan 1:19.034
19 Friesacher Minardi 1:19.574
20 Barrichello Ferrari no time

[CHEESE-TACULAR]

was watching that too, good for BAR and Button-im a fan of both

[CHEESE-TACULAR]

it was kinda odd though...the toyotas should have done much better in my opinion

[SilverG35SportC]

I would have gone to this with my brother and my dad but with stupid exams.....

[CHEESE-TACULAR]

they were there
got photos?
EDIT: going to bed -CT out

[Homem de Gelo]

This might realy be a great race.
I hope Kimi recovers.

[fpv_gtho]

I think the race could see a wide variety of strategies, i'd expect maybe Kimi and Webber to be fueled heavier than some of the others given their DNF's last race and early qualy slot. Schue's 2nd will be one to watch though, is he running light or do Bridgestone have a great tyre.......

[lightweight]

Well Schumacher and Ferrari never wanted to qualify with little fuel on board, just to get a high grid spot (up to now that is. Nobody knows what they have done at the Canada GP) I'd say that Ferrari would never compromise their race, just to make a good qualy impression. Maybe marketing-led Red Bull would (I'm being mean....)
I believe that Raikkonen has much fuel on board (maybe 1 pit stop?)

Time will tell.....

[Wouter Melissen]

Originally Posted by lightweight

Well Schumacher and Ferrari never wanted to qualify with little fuel on board, just to get a high grid spot (up to now that is. Nobody knows what they have done at the Canada GP) I'd say that Ferrari would never compromise their race, just to make a good qualy impression.

Ross Brawn and Schumacher probably figured out a neat two stop strategy with one short stint, and two longer stints. This might get them trouble if they hit traffic after the first stop, but then maybe schumi can pull off a couple of those Imola moves.
It would not surprise me though if Alonso converts his third place qualification position into another victory.

[lukeh]

Originally Posted by fpv_gtho

I think the race could see a wide variety of strategies, i'd expect maybe Kimi and Webber to be fueled heavier than some of the others given their DNF's last race and early qualy slot. Schue's 2nd will be one to watch though, is he running light or do Bridgestone have a great tyre.......

Also Albers not bad posistion and he is also runing Bridgestone tyres, too bad for Webber though.

[lightweight]

Webber made a shitty qualifying lap. So I guess that his problem isn't his fuel load. Heidfeld also made a few mistakes, but I guess the Williams car isn't much competitive in Canada.

Why can't they qualify with no fuel on board? It's so uncertain to predict with the "fuel load" as an extra factor.
The rules are so "clumsy"....

[SlickHolden]

Originally Posted by fpv_gtho

I think the race could see a wide variety of strategies, i'd expect maybe Kimi and Webber to be fueled heavier than some of the others given their DNF's last race and early qualy slot. Schue's 2nd will be one to watch though, is he running light or do Bridgestone have a great tyre.......

Knowing What webber does in a 1 lap dash was thinking that was unlike him,
But as you said both the williams might be heavy for the long run, Which is a little off on what they have been doing this year.
Be intresting to see how they go with it.
But until QFL they had good speed both them.
Late race tonight 3am but i'll stay up just hope webber goes past the first corner this race

[ScionDriver]

I am pulling for BAR and Button, they have had a tough season and a win here would be spectacular!

[Dino Scuderia]

I think Alonso has the best chance of winning, would never count Kimi out though.

BAR must have qualified really light because their car is down 12-24 MPH on the straight.

So maybe a few laps of glory for Button then it'll be over.

Ferrari, who knows.... they could have found something but the Michelins will probably still have an advantage in the first stints.

[Quiggs]

I think Ferrari's problem this year in the early part of the race was dealing with traffic. With Mike starting second, this won't be a problem. I'm glad I finally get to watch a whole race and not the last 6 laps when I wake up in the morning.