.:: 2008 French GP Thread ::.

.:: 2008 French GP ::.

Welcome to the 2008 French GP thread, where you can discuss anything to do with this weekend's race. cjek will update the thread with the latest times as they happen.

RANDOM FACT

This was the circuit at which Michael Schumacher made history, bybecoming the first person to win the same event 8 times.

POINTS OF DISCUSSION

1. He threatened, and finally he delivered: Robert Kubica is a race winner. But what do you think he and the team can do from here.
2. Both Hamilton & Rosberg were penalised in Canada for the pit lane mess. Is the 10 place grid penalty deserved, or was it a harsh decision for one or both drivers?
3. Last year, Ferrari dominated the race. Will they do it again, or can McLaren sustain a stronger attack this time round?
4. Again, it has been mentioned this will be the last French GP. Where do you think will be most suitable to move the race?

ITV-F1 PRESENTS LIVE STREAMING OF THE FRENCH GRAND PRIX WEEKEND: FRIDAY PRACTICES, QUALIFYING & THE RACE

Kubica and BMW will fight, but I still see them as an outside bet, however, Kimi and Ferrari both pulled through last year so stranger things have happened! With regards to Hamilton and Rosberg' s penalties Hamilton's is certainly justified, Rosberg while in truth did crash into the back of Hamilton but he was already out of the race so it was really quite inconsequential but rules were broken and the FIA had to be consistant. Again I see Ferrari being strong here and I hope Kimi can get his campaign back on track after two poor results in Monaco and Canada.

As for the future of the French GP, who knows!

I don't think BMW will be able to get on the podium this weekend, but I also don't think Kovalainen will either. His team mate will most likely finish in front of him, because lets face it, he's not performing as expected. Hamilton should have the pace to qualify 3rd or 2nd, and should make it into the top 5 in the race.

As for a move to another location? A race circuit could be built near Paris as Bernie suggested, but we don't need another completely street based circuit; it's simply a cost cutting excercise that does nothing for the sport. A semi-street track like Melbourne which works as a proper track would be fine. France is important to F1 in a traditionalist sense, so it needs to be hosting a Grand Prix in the future.

Im really looking forward to this race! its the first one ill be able to enjoy without having GCSE's in my mind :D

I agree with cjek, hamilton will qualify well, what will hurt him is the possibility of being stuck behind the heavier guys for the first stint or so, and the fact it isnt an easy track to overtake on doesnt help things.....but itll be fun watching him come through the field whatever happens.

I think ive mentioned this before but whatever about holding the french gp at the Le Mans circuit? :P

I agree with that, I mean the cars would lap it in around 2:50 i'd say, and it would be a challenge for the drivers to drive, with the long straights and fast back section, would be good.

So come on, how about it Bernie!!

.:: 2008 French GP ::.

Welcome to the 2008 Canadian GP thread, where you can discuss anything to do with this weekend's race. cjek will update the thread with the latest times as they happen.

I thought it was the french grand prix

My bad :lol: It's been changed now.

(Note to self: That happens too often. Check over and over! :P)

It's a good feeling ain't it Blaze? :D:D

Anyhoo, i'm hoping for a Raikkonen win, but i can see Kubica putting up a strong fight. As for Hamilton, I think he'll get a points finish, but i can't see him near the podium.

Hmmm, we'll have to see how it pans out won't we, I look forward to a washout, but if temps are around 32-ish, after while i reckon the tyres would start to grain. Unless i am wrong.

It's a good feeling ain't it Blaze? :D:D

Anyhoo, i'm hoping for a Raikkonen win, but i can see Kubica putting up a strong fight. As for Hamilton, I think he'll get a points finish, but i can't see him near the podium.

TannerRules

You're right! Party time!!!! :lol: :D:D

Wow more predictions of rain :roll: Wasnt there supposed to be thunderstorms in Canada?... :lol: Supose some rain will be nice though!

With all this talk about Mclaren/Ferrari/BMW you are all forgettin who the REAL winner will be......Piquet! By miles too.....he's just been sandbagging 8)

Practice 1

Pos  Driver        Team                     Time              Laps
 1.  Massa         Ferrari             (B)  1:15.306            22
 2.  Hamilton      McLaren-Mercedes    (B)  1:16.002  + 0.696   22
 3.  Kovalainen    McLaren-Mercedes    (B)  1:16.055  + 0.749   20
 4.  Raikkonen     Ferrari             (B)  1:16.073  + 0.767   21
 5.  Kubica        BMW Sauber          (B)  1:16.377  + 1.071   19
 6.  Alonso        Renault             (B)  1:16.400  + 1.094   23
 7.  Trulli        Toyota              (B)  1:16.758  + 1.452   32
 8.  Vettel        Toro Rosso-Ferrari  (B)  1:16.838  + 1.532   27
 9.  Heidfeld      BMW Sauber          (B)  1:16.870  + 1.564   21
10.  Glock         Toyota              (B)  1:16.886  + 1.580   31
11.  Piquet        Renault             (B)  1:17.063  + 1.757   31
12.  Coulthard     Red Bull-Renault    (B)  1:17.234  + 1.928   21
13.  Webber        Red Bull-Renault    (B)  1:17.269  + 1.963   22
14.  Rosberg       Williams-Toyota     (B)  1:17.394  + 2.088   30
15.  Barrichello   Honda               (B)  1:17.491  + 2.185   25
16.  Bourdais      Toro Rosso-Ferrari  (B)  1:17.683  + 2.377   27
17.  Nakajima      Williams-Toyota     (B)  1:17.696  + 2.390   25
18.  Button        Honda               (B)  1:17.928  + 2.622   21
19.  Fisichella    Force India-Ferrari (B)  1:18.072  + 2.766   27
20.  Sutil         Force India-Ferrari (B)  1:18.673  + 3.367   13

AUTOSPORT

Wow, Vettel was Superman today! 8th and 5th in a Toro Rosso? Incredible.

Surprise in FP2 with Alonso topping things, too. Looks like both of these guys are gonna score well this weekend.

A lot of people running wide though - Hamilton, Massa (quite a few times), Alonso, Sutil, Trulli etc., and there's a LOT of dust off the track on the tarmac areas, they're practically kicking as much up as they would in the gravel :?

PRACTICE 2

Pos  Driver        Team                     Time              Laps
 1.  Alonso        Renault             (B)  1:15.778            37
 2.  Massa         Ferrari             (B)  1:15.854  + 0.076   24
 3.  Raikkonen     Ferrari             (B)  1:15.999  + 0.221   42
 4.  Hamilton      McLaren-Mercedes    (B)  1:16.232  + 0.454   29
 5.  Vettel        Toro Rosso-Ferrari  (B)  1:16.298  + 0.520   42
 6.  Kubica        BMW Sauber          (B)  1:16.317  + 0.539   35
 7.  Kovalainen    McLaren-Mercedes    (B)  1:16.340  + 0.562   36
 8.  Heidfeld      BMW Sauber          (B)  1:16.458  + 0.680   43
 9.  Piquet        Renault             (B)  1:16.543  + 0.765   39
10.  Coulthard     Red Bull-Renault    (B)  1:16.572  + 0.794   36
11.  Rosberg       Williams-Toyota     (B)  1:16.682  + 0.904   42
12.  Trulli        Toyota              (B)  1:16.743  + 0.965   43
13.  Bourdais      Toro Rosso-Ferrari  (B)  1:16.758  + 0.980   42
14.  Nakajima      Williams-Toyota     (B)  1:17.002  + 1.224   32
15.  Glock         Toyota              (B)  1:17.092  + 1.314   39
16.  Webber        Red Bull-Renault    (B)  1:17.106  + 1.328   38
17.  Button        Honda               (B)  1:17.244  + 1.466   37
18.  Fisichella    Force India-Ferrari (B)  1:17.394  + 1.616   42
19.  Barrichello   Honda               (B)  1:17.591  + 1.813   27
20.  Sutil         Force India-Ferrari (B)  1:17.868  + 2.090   33

AUTOSPORT

Well, you can't really comment on who's doing well and who isn't with a timesheet like that..

O_o

Riiiiight...

Well, one thing is consistent: if Vettel doesn't make the top 10, I'll eat a hat.

RYDER: Well here they say never say Nevers...

Stupid attempt at a joke. FAIL.

Renault look like they're playing the light on fuel game with Alonso; I can't see him remaining anywhere near 4th. The grid obviously will be slightly different, with Hamilton and Rosberg dropping 10 places.

So the story of qualifying is I eat a hat. Any suggestions, people?Redders1989

Dig In!

Oh goodness, this may take a while...

...oh, and my general sense of direction is poor, but if these predicted Thunderstorms are anything like what I had last night... holy ****, we're in for a good'un :D

*starts eating*

Woah woah woah... Kova's got a penalty for doing whatever he could to avoid Webber? Err, anyone else see Nakajima in an even worse place for Mark?

Why do I have to keep continually questioning some of these decisions the stewards make?

Great race by Trulli to get on the podium; but what the hell was up with Heidfeld this weekend? But anyway, the championship remains close as we go into Silverstone..

Why do I have to keep continually questioning some of these decisions the stewards make?Redders1989

Yay, I get to do it again!

Ahead of Vettel beforehand + didn't overtake anyone whilst offline + had to slightly lift whilst off so he didn't hit anyone/go off on the other side of the track, therefore lost a titchy little bit of time = WHY PENALISE HIM!?!

I think we need to look at the rulebook, there must be something there saying "penalise McLaren wherever possible" :lol:

Trulli was really the man of the race! Did great to close the door on kovi, I mean he didnt surrender even as much as a centimetre :D More racing like that please :lol:

Glad (and relieved :P) Kimi made it to the end to take 8 points out of Hamilton, would have prefered the 10 though :P

Why do I have to keep continually questioning some of these decisions the stewards make?

Redders1989

Whenever a penalty is imposed on a Ferrari, its always deserved....Whenever a penalty is imposed on Mclaren, its always 'wrong' or 'Ferrari bias', Right?

:roll:

Nope. Once I'd kinda calmed down after Hamilton's stupidity in Canada, of course his penalty there was deserved. Reflecting back, the grid penalties in Malaysia were deserved too.

It's just I kinda can't see where the Kova one came from, but can understand I guess, but the Hamilton one seems questionable still. I think James Allen hit it on the nail (did I really say that!?!) in that we need a helicopter shot of it or something before a full judgement can be made. These ones just slightly confuse me.

As for the race, good job from Kimi to make it to the end, and agreed that Trulli was DotD. Shame the BMW's weren't as strong this weekend to try and, which was always going to be, keep damage limitation to Ferrari extending their lead. Still a close bttle for the drivers, but Ferrari clearly have the Constructors in the bag even before the half way point of the season.

Trulli was really the man of the race! Did great to close the door on kovi, I mean he didnt surrender even as much as a centimetre :D More racing like that please :lol:

Glad (and relieved :P) Kimi made it to the end to take 8 points out of Hamilton, would have prefered the 10 though :P

[QUOTE="Redders1989"]Why do I have to keep continually questioning some of these decisions the stewards make?

BlaZe_irl

Whenever a penalty is imposed on a Ferrari, its always deserved....Whenever a penalty is imposed on Mclaren, its always 'wrong' or 'Ferrari bias', Right?

:roll:

Don't get me started on this :P

It's just I kinda can't see where the Kova one came from, but can understand I guess, but the Hamilton one seems questionable still. I think James Allen hit it on the nail (did I really say that!?!) in that we need a helicopter shot of it or something before a full judgement can be made. These ones just slightly confuse me.

Redders1989

But from my memory, the only reason Hamilton got by Vettel was because he didn't break in time for the chicane. So breaking that bit later, resulting in cutting the chicane is an advantage. Look at the gap between Hamilton and Vettel just before the corner, then look at the lead he had after, and you'l lsee he got an advantage.

or maybe i'm just being biased :P

He was late braking, yes, but the shot we had didn't show if he was fully past Vettel, which is why we needed a better view. If he hadn't completely cleared Vettel by the braking point, then yes, the penalty was fair. If Lewis had cleared Vettel (which I believe he just did), then no, the penalty was unfair. Like I say, without a clear view, we can't really make a fair judgement.

On another note, I've just finished the hat. Wasn't very nice, I tell you that.

Mr Tanner speaks the truth! 8)

Did anyway here James Allen's hilarious screw up today? Button had just retired, and the camera showed him walking back in the pits. Brundle was also talking about the retirement, but good ole James Allen must have been preoccupied during this event as minutes later he started goin on about how Button has just pitted, then he sorta realises his mistake but doesnt know how to save it, so after about 5-6 seconds of awkward silence he says ".....................TED!"

:lol: funny stuff...

:lol: That was THE worst screw-up of Allen's career. Worse than talking about Alonso ahead of Raikkonen for a lap despite Kimi being in front, to which James only says "Kimi's through!" when the replay is shown!

I cannot wait for 2009 when he's unemployed :D He doesn't even deserve a place in the pitlane anymore... :lol:

Yeah today was a pretty bad day for him! Heres a few more em.....comments I picked up from him:

at the start of the coverage hes talkin about the atmostphere: "....its so quiet you can hear you nails grow"

talking about the ferrari 1-2 after the 1st stop: "its a carbon copy of last year only the other way around"

upon seeing a slow mo of kimis ferrari (from brundle actually) "thats a ferrari going slow.....wait thats a slow mo replay"

after the heavier kovi lets the lighter hamilton passed: "WOW" :roll:

What about some howlers from the past?

San Marino 2006, when Button pulled off the fuel hose with him after his pit stop: "Oh no! It's all gone Pete Tong!"

And I can't remembered who brought it up at the time, but Malaysia this year: "And Hamilton is finally past Webber, thank goodness for that"

And even one I noticed in Q3 of urkey this year, going on-board with Lewis: "We're back on board with Barrichello" (Rubens was out in Q2)

Goodbye Mr. Allen! (soon!)

Allen: 'So that's Kovalainen in 3rd then, Trulli right behind in fourth' (camera shows cars the other way around).

Or what about China 2006, where our James would provide a summary of the race so far every five minutes?

On the topic of Hamilton's penalty; If he had fully passed Vettel, that is, he was physically in front of him, there should not have been a penalty because if Hamilton had actually slowed and corrected his line Vettel couldn't have possibly passed there anyway, but if he was even slightly to the side of Vettel, the penalty would have been justified as Vettel would have had a pathway to regain his place as Hamilton slowed to correct his line. I'd need to check the replays to be sure.

On the topic of Hamilton's penalty; If he had fully passed Vettel, that is, he was physically in front of him, there should not have been a penalty because if Hamilton had actually slowed and corrected his line Vettel couldn't have possibly passed there anyway, but if he was even slightly to the side of Vettel, the penalty would have been justified as Vettel would have had a pathway to regain his place as Hamilton slowed to correct his line. I'd need to check the replays to be sure.

cjek

watch the vid again. He went in way too hot and could only make the pass stick by cutting the chicane.

I don't want to be seen as a Hamilton basher but his braking was WAY too late he didn't have a hope in hell of keeping it in front of Vettel, AND on track. If you get your nose in front, thats not an over take and then why not cut chicanes by braking WAY too late but in doing this get your nose in front of the guy in front of you. As soon as I saw it I was thinking Lewis should probably back off and let Vettel back through. He just needed to stay calm don't panic wait till a more decent overtaking opportunity presented itself and take him then. It was silly. That said, I could be wrong, he may have got fully ahead of him but I think it was justified Vettel would have probably got him back if Lewis made the corner.

Glad Kimi made it to the end of the race :D Great race by Trulli *applause* not too happy with Kovalainen's penalty, it was an incident in Q1. The times are deleted going into Q2. Both Heikki AND Webber got through to Q2 no harm done. Mind you the stewards do have to be seen as consistant I guess.

Watching the replay again, unfortunatly it seems the stewards are probably right. There still is no clear video, but watching from on-board with Lewis, it seems that Hamilton wasn't fully past Vettel, so I think the stewards had a point. Still, it was marginal, but I think they just got it right. This is why I think it was a drive-through rather than a stop/go (as said in the commentary, in those situations the stewards have a choice of three options: drive-through, stop/go or demotion o 10 grid places at the next GP).

I say unfortunatly because it proves the pressure seems to be getting to Lewis recently, which isn't good for the Brits! :lol: Hopefully he clears his mind and brings the fight to the Ferraris soon enough. That said, it's still an open 4-way fight atm.