Comments on: Thoughts on qualifying and the start (2008 European Grand Prix)

By: paul sainsbury

paul sainsbury — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 10:55:57 +0000

I totally agree with Keith. Race fuel quiai. is, I think, the biggest disgrace of the last few years in F1.

By: James

James — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 10:44:43 +0000

I disagree Keith… Race fuel qualifying makes it more of a spectacle. It brings an element of uncertainty to proceedings, and plenty of speculation prior to the first pit stops in the race.

Vettel wouldn’t of made pole yesterday if race fuel qualifying wasn’t in operation. I’m sure the big players could of gone out and beat that time if they needed to. The top 4 or so don’t need to run or fuel vapours or take unnecessary risks in Q2, they just need to make sure they make it through to Q3.

As for the race I think McLaren will be fuelled a little bit heavier than Ferrari and others overall. I think they are more paranoid about safety cars, and Hamilton isn’t in a position where he needs to make unnecessary risks, with an aggressive fuel strategy.

Having said all that I think it will be mighty close, and I just can’t see it being a simple race… I think we are in for an interesting race!

By: Keith Collantine

Keith Collantine — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 10:09:44 +0000

I mean, if the Q2 times dictated the grid we’d have Vettel on pole. Now that would be fun…

By: thefrontwing

thefrontwing — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 10:01:10 +0000

yes keith, i really do agree, race fuel qualifying definitely took the fun out of it, those first two sessions were awesome.

By: Keith Collantine

Keith Collantine — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 09:57:39 +0000

Perhaps the dirty side of the grid is not such a disadvantage. Hamilton said this morning:

I don’t think it’s the dirty side of the grid. If you look at it both sides are pretty dirty. We generally tend to drive down the middle part of both grid slots, especially at the front part.

By: Toby

Toby — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 09:26:19 +0000

I’ll predict at the start of lap 2, Phil 1st, Hammo, Koobs, Kovi, Iceman, Iceburger (whaddya reckon for Rosberg?). A certain 1st lap accident (with safety car), but in the lower midfield, certainly involving Fisi nearly flipping the Force India.

It’s great to be so excited before an F1 race! Haven’t really felt this way since the season opener!!

By: Keith Collantine

Keith Collantine — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 08:58:01 +0000

Frontwing – good point. I have to say though it’s incredibly frustrating all this talk of strategies. Qualifying yesterday was brilliant for the first two parts, and then they put fuel in the cars for the final part and suddenly the competition was gone. They really, really have to get rid of race fuel qualifying. It’s just terrible.

By: thefrontwing

thefrontwing — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 06:19:12 +0000

The strategies might not be as varied as you might think, for example Massa and Raikkonen show a clear disparity in their ability to extract the maximum from the equipment for a single lap, with massa getting the better of kimi, it does not nessecarily mean a large variation in the fuel loads.

The same goes for Kubica and Heidfeld, Nick has kept struggling in qualifying and although there are the instances where he was placed on one stop strategies the gap does not mean a different strategy, probably more just an inability to heat his tyres up sufficiently. I guess we’ll know if a few hours.

By: Paige

Paige — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 03:11:46 +0000

I’m excited to see how the different strategies will play out. The guys who have fueled heavy could really be in the catbird’s seat for a potential podium, maybe even a victory, if there’s a safety car before the first round of pit stops.

The guy I would keep my eye on for tomorrow is Heidfeld. He’s generally done a very good job on street circuits, and he often tends to do very well in races featuring safety car periods where fuel strategy can really play into the equation, where he can stay out under safety car and put the hammer down to secure a podium.

This will be an interesting race. It’s actually one of the two or three longest of the season up to this point, so it will be interesting to see what strategies will be employed, be it a one-stopper or two-stopper.

By: Snoopy

Snoopy — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 02:56:54 +0000

Hamilton wants beat Massa and pay back what happened in last race. Massa will not give up so there is first change for accident. Same time Kubica will use battle between those 2 and past by both of them outside and Kimi follow him.
Sounds nice lol.
Unfrtunatelly we can not drive races on papers like say in this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMiuZ-JsJlc