Gentlemen, start your engines!

[BlackCat]

Monte Carlo is a difficult race where the driver are more important than the car (not that the car doesn't matter .

1. Kimi
2. Schumi
3. Coulthard

Kimi will have the edge because of the better car - I don't think Ferrari will go for that stragegy that has been good for them (it would have worked perfectly if not for the two punctures (is they allowed to use a new engine because Schumi didn't finish ?), and Red Bull is relatively competitble in a good drivers hands (wich Coulthard certainly is)

[Richelieu]

Apparently Ferrari still has reliability and tyre problems. I'll say:

1. Alonso
2. Fisichella
3. Trulli

I'm betting that Raikonnen's car won't last the race, otherwise i'd have him in first.

[Richelieu]

I have no links for this but...

Apparently, BAR knew that 3 other teams used the same fuel system that they used at Imola. The 4 teams use the same manufacturer for their fueling systems: ATL. And the 3 other teams listed in ATL's catalog are Jordan, McLaren and Ferrari.
BAR was ready to file a protest against each of the other Team's cars after Imola, but since they were cleared at first, they decided not to. Then, when the decision was appealed and taken to the FIA, it was too late for BAR to file a protest.

I'll try and find something to back this up.

[BlackCat]

I don't think that the system as such is illegal- BAR's problem was that they didn't consider the fuel as part of the main tank - maybe the others didn't think that way.

Waits for your search

[Thorgal]

In Monte Carlo the car (the chasis much more than the engine) and the driver are in fact important, so:

1-Alonso
2-Trulli
3-Schumi

[VetLegion]

People you are disregarding the fact that it is very likely Montoya and a large number of Schumachers are going to crash into a wall at some point. Schumi has to race like hell, no way he finishes the race. He'll probably crash into Webber and then order the box to put bananas in Barichello's exhaust ... again. He's a bad loser that guy.

[Thorgal]

Yep, but he was a bad loser even a cheater at some point when he was younger and had something to win. Right now he has won everything, so it seems he has become a much nicer guy.

[Richelieu]

Re: I have no links for this but...

Originally posted by Richelieu
Apparently, BAR knew that 3 other teams used the same fuel system that they used at Imola. The 4 teams use the same manufacturer for their fueling systems: ATL. And the 3 other teams listed in ATL's catalog are Jordan, McLaren and Ferrari.
BAR was ready to file a protest against each of the other Team's cars after Imola, but since they were cleared at first, they decided not to. Then, when the decision was appealed and taken to the FIA, it was too late for BAR to file a protest.

I'll try and find something to back this up.

Couldn't find anything. Thin air.

[Alex]

F1 qualifying set to change
Friday May 20 2005

Formula One is likely to introduce a new qualifying system within the next few days after the 10 teams unanimously approved a change.

The current format, which was only introduced at the beginning of this season, sees two one-lap sessions - one on Saturday and the other on Sunday morning - after which times are aggregated.

That system has proved deeply unpopular, chiefly because the spectacle of Saturday qualifying was diluted with the grid only being decided on Sunday morning. That was problematic for television broadcasters who joined a growing lobby for change.

Changes have been mooted all season without agreement but on Friday the teams agreed on a new system which will go before world governing body the FIA's world motorsport council and Formula One commission for approval.

Under the new format, qualifying will revert to one session on a Saturday afternoon with drivers completing one flying lap in race set-up. The running order of that session will be decided by the previous grand prix result.

Providing the format is approved by the two FIA bodies - the most likely outcome - the new system would be introduced for next weekend's European Grand Prix at the Nurburgring.

Drivers have long complained about the current system and they have encouraged Formula One bosses to make the change - and stick with it if they introduce the fourth new qualifying format in three years.

World champion Michael Schumacher said: "I would prefer coming back to one qualifying session.

"I think that is reasonable but then it would be nice to stick with that qualifying for once. If we change it now hopefully we won't change it again and again."

Renault driver Fernando Alonso said: "To be honest I prefer that it changes because from the second race everyone has talked about changing qualifying and every race I have to answer the same question about qualifying."

"I hope they change it so I do not have to answer this."

Source: http://www.planet-f1.com/news/story_19597.shtml

Good news, the current format is not a good one. I'd rather see the return of the single one hour session with 12 laps for each driver, but any change is good right now.

Alonso was faster on second practice session, with Wurz in second with a McLaren. I was surprised with Coulthard in third.

But Ferrari is really disappointing me: Schumi was only the 11th and Barrichello the 15th.

Let's see what happens tomorrow.

[Zoid]

I kinda liked the new qualifiying rules, it forced the drivers to be constantly on their toes and always give 110%. But if nobody (that matters) likes it, who am I to have a different opinion?

Renault firmly on top in both qualifying races. I like it

[Zoid]

Great first qualifying. Spectacular crash by Ralf in the Tabac corner. Great racing by Alonso and stunning performance by Raikkonnen. Equally bad performance by Ferrari

And both Minardis ahead of Jordan, wtf??

[Alex]

Hm, horrible qualifying for Ferrari. They seem worse with every race.

Alonso and Raikkonen - we could have an interesting fight tomorrow. I'd say that Raikkonen gets pole position tomorrow (he managed to set almost half a second over Alonso).

Nice crash by Ralf.

[vovan]

Looks like:

1. Raikkonen
2. Heidfeld
3. Webber

Quite a day for Williams.

Ferrari sucked though.

The race was way too boring in the beginning, but the last twenty laps or so were very much exciting.

Also, Alonso! Didn't get penalized for cutting the corner under attack by Webber, which obviously gave him unfair advantage? I guess since Webber overtook him any way, it might not matter, but who knows...

[Zoid]

Damn, best Monaco race I´ve seen in ages. Boring at the beginning but really picked up pace in the end. Amazing performance by Raikkonnen and...Williams? Really poor strategy by Renault, though. Lucky for Alonso the race ended when it did, a few more laps and he wouldn´t have scored any points at all...

And what was Trulli thinking when he passed Fisichella in the hairpin? Bold but stupid, a bit like Satos manoeuver on Barichello at [where was it?] last season. 10 points for effort though

[Zoid]

Originally posted by vovan

Also, Alonso! Didn't get penalized for cutting the corner under attack by Webber, which obviously gave him unfair advantage? I guess since Webber overtook him any way, it might not matter, but who knows...

Alonso cut the corner, but so did Webber. So, no one gained an unfair advantage.

What really annoys me though is Schumi visibly crossing the yellow line coming out of the pit after his second stop. And he didn´t get a penalty, wtf?? The Schumi rule is still in effect I see...