Well, the first big news of the weekend was history repeating itself for poor Ralf Schumacher. A huge shunt into the wall coming off the final turn in Friday practice, just as in last years race, has put him out of the race. Thankfully the new safety walling on the outside of the banked section of the track (installed after Ralf broke his back last year) did its job and Ralf walked away unhurt. This has sparked a row about Michelin's tyres as the accident was caused by a rear blowout, and Toyota test-driver Zonta (who now substitutes for Ralf) had a similar blowout in practice too. After Raikkonen's last-lap shunt at the Nurburgring both tyre manufacturers were issued with a warning by the FIA that ultimately the buck stops with them in terms of the safety aspect with the tyres. Have Michelin heeded this warning? Makes you wonder, it can't really inspire confidence for all of the drivers on the Michelin tyres. Since the accident Michelin have asked all the teams to increase the pressure of their tyres. This may cost them a little in terms of outright performance but is surely the sensible choice in terms of safety.
After this evening's qualifying session there is to be a meeting between the teams and Bernie Ecclestone to discuss whether they are going to allow Michelin to bring in a new compound tyre for tomorrows race on the interests of safety. This would effectively break about 5 technical regulations regarding the selection of tyres, and I imagine the Bridgestone runners will have something to say about it, but if it's being done in the interests of safety it would be difficult for Bernie and the teams not to agree to it. Makes you wonder what Michelin are playing at though if they bring tyre compounds that aren't capable of lasting a full GP distance. Highly unproffesional IMHO.