Gentlemen, start your engines!

[BlackCat]

IIRC then the low test aggrement is a agreement between the teams and not pushed by FIA, so Ferrari is kosher - although, I think they should have joined.

BAR on the other hand has acted stupid. They can talk all that they want about not clear rules when emptying the tank, but the fact is that that gas is supposed to be used, so of course it is not a part of the car.

Claming that there has to be this reserve just to make the engine work is just stupid

[VetLegion]

Basically, BAR used a small "retaining device" in their fuel system, that could be used to hold some fuel. When only the fuel tank was empty, the car was above minimal weight. When both the tank and this device were emptied of fuel, the car was underweight.

Wow. Interesting.

[Richelieu]

It just sounds like an incredibly stupid gamble to make.

Also: I wonder if this could have been done without Honda's knowledge.

[Richelieu]

BAR excluded from next two races - loses San Marino's points


BAR's official reaction...

...and they still want to race in Spain

[Alex]

Hm, interesting situation, indeed.

BAR surely did a very stupid thing if they thought that this kind of "trick" would not be noticed by anyone. If they have a bad car, this is certainly not the best way to solve their problems.

Too bad for Button, he is a talented pilot who deserves a better fate.

[Richelieu]

I agree with Button not deserving this.

I read somewhere that 2 former BAR engineers notified some of the other teams about the situation.

[vovan]

Originally posted by Richelieu
...and they still want to race in Spain

Woah... The plot thickens.

[VetLegion]

Rahter boring race. Absence of Button and Sato really felt.

Too bad for Michael, with the bad luck.

Good overtake by Fisichella of Webber near the end.

What else? A couple of quasi-duels between team members.

[Zoid]

I missed the race weekend But congrats to Raikkonnen He deservs a victory after all his trouble lately. And Alonso and Trulli is showing good form as usual

And BAR got off easier than I thought they would. Only a two race suspension and docked points for Imola is quite generous by FIA IMO...

[Thorgal]

Yep, boring race. Barcelona is not a very funny circuit.

Some comments:

Raikkonen simply the quickest all the weekend. Not much to add. McLaren is obviously the quickest car (and it has been since the first race IMO)

Alonso did a good solid race. Second in despite of suffering heavy blistering in the rear left tyre along the first 20 laps.

Trulli, once again a great work. Solid like rock too.

About Ralf he was at Trulli´s level for first time this season. Toyota seems the fourth stronger team right now. Fisi did a good race but had bad luck with his car´s nose. Webber did a grey race and Williams seems not much better. Montoya was mediocre, due maybe to his physical conditio. Schumi and Ferrari were mediocre all the weekend as i predicted. (Brigdestone´s fault at a high percentage, they should change to Michelin becaue many reasons)

EDIT: spelling.

[VetLegion]

Supposedly, Raikkonen broke with his girlfriend.

Well, now we see what slowed him down!

[Zoid]

Less distractions = better driving

[Alex]

Not the most exciting race, I agree.

Surely Raikkonen deserved the victory, he was absolutely great in the race. I hardly could believe when he had more than 20 secs over Alonso, and he maintained a good pace during all the event.

Alonso was somehow disappointing, but if he had problems with his car, the second place was still a strong finishing position for him.

Trulli and Ralf were good too, Toyota seems to improve with every race, kind of like what happened to BAR last season. Let's hope they don't have any dirty tricks under the hood...

Montoya

Webber and Heidfeld were mediocre... I really can't see Williams as a serious contender now.

Schumi was good during the first half of the race, and it seemed like he could do something similar to what he did at Imola, but the horrible Bridgestone tyres are really making things bad for Ferrari this year.

All in all, I expected more from this race. Next is Monaco, which is a very peculiar race, one that is usually decided in the qualifying sessions. And Ferrari is not good at qualifying, as we have seen so far. McLaren and Renault (and Toyota) are the teams which are going to fight for victory at Monaco.

[Zoid]

My predictions for Monaco

1) Alonso
2) Raikkonnen
3) Trulli

But as Alex said it all depends on the qualifying...

[VetLegion]

Monte Carlo prediction:

1. Alonso
2. Fisichella
3. Trulli