2006 Formula 1 French GP

[Jack_Bauer]

This weekend sees the 2006 French Grand Prix at the Magny-Cours circuit in Nevers.

The first qualifying session has just ended, and there were a couple of big suprises early on. Those drivers eliminated were the Super Aguris and Tiago Monteiro (no suprises there), but Jenson Button and Jacques Villeneuve were the high profile scalps. The Hondas look absolutely awful at the moment, no doubt about it. Rubens Barrichello only barely made it through to the last 16 by the skin of his teeth, and although Button was baulked by traffic his pace was miles off the front runners. Villeneuve missing out was a suprise given that he was fastest in free practice this morning.

[Jack_Bauer]

Second session over, and as expected the remaining Torro Rosso and Midland cars of Speed and Albers drop out. Barrichello too perhaps unsuprisingly drops out given Honda's shocking performance this weekend. Klien, Heidfeld and Webber also miss out, with Nico Rosberg just pipping his teammate to squeeze into the final session. Webber will no doubt be a little miffed that Rosberg made it into the final session as Nico already has a 10 place grid penalty for an engine change and a good qualy performance probably won't make much of a difference for the young German.

[fpv_gtho]

You have to wonder why BMW are doing what theyre doing. Fastest in all practice sessions this weekend, yet still midfield for qualifying.

Usual stuff for Ferrari, Renault and McLaren. Toyota looking good as the 4th best team. Bit of a battle behind them though. Williams are looking the best they have in a while, whilst BMW are hard to judge as this would be their first indication of their true pace and RBR are thereabouts as well. Honda could be racing the Midlands going by their qualy pace.

[Jack_Bauer]

Qualifying is over, and it's back to back 1-2 finishes for Ferrari with Schumacher just squeezing ahead of an impressive Massa to lock out the front row. Not exactly what the French crowd had come to see with the Renaults finishing a disappointing 3rd and 7th, a definite second best to the Italians (not for the first time recently!). Probably the biggest factor was the performance of Bridgestone relative to Michelin, just like at Indy. Alonso squeezing into 3rd was the only thing stopping an all Bridgestone top four, with both Toyotas on excellent form here. Mclaren were slightly disappointing with Raikkonen and De La Rosa 6th and 8th respectively. Coulthard has again proved his excellent form by squeezing into the final shootout.

Qualifying results

1. Schumacher
2. Massa
3. Alonso
4. Trulli
5. R Schumacher
6. Raikkonen
7. Fisichella
8. De La Rosa
9. Rosberg*
10. Coulthard
11. Webber
12. Heidfeld
13. Klien
14. Barrichello
15. Speed
16. Albers
17. Liuzzi
18. Villeneuve
19. Button
20. Monteiro
21. Montagny
22. Sato

*10-place penalty for engine change.

[Quiggs]

Q3 was pretty exciting.

[Coventrysucks]

Mclaren were slightly disappointing with Raikkonen and De La Rosa 6th and 8th respectively.

I think that's a little harsh:- If Toyota, Renault and Ferrari weren't taking part, McLaren would be 1st and 2nd.

[Suka]

I think that's a little harsh:- If Toyota, Renault and Ferrari weren't taking part, McLaren would be 1st and 2nd.

Words of wisdom indeed.

[byronleehk]

So who's going to win?

Predictions please!

[Coventrysucks]

Traditionally, it tends to be the driver that completes the number of reqired laps first that wins.

[Ferrer]

Traditionally, it tends to be the driver that completes the number of reqired laps first that wins.

Unless he is disqualified or something...

[Zytek_Fan]

WTF I thought BMW wouldn't be using those "winglet" things

[ptclaus98]

Was it just me or did the Maccas come out earlier than they have this season?

[Zytek_Fan]

I think the BMW's were sandbagging in quali for some reason...I think we're going to see a great race

[MrKipling]

I'm gonna go out on a wild limb here and say that by the end of this season either Button will be at Renault or McLaren or Fry will be gone.

[Merrill]

What happen to Montoya?