Saturday, March 15, 2008
# posted by Rich @ 1:07 AM
2008 Formula 1 ING Australian Grand Prix: Saturday Practice
The two BMWs of Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld took top billing in Saturday practice for the 2008 Australian Grand Prix, with times of 1:25.613 and 1:25.950 respectively. The BMWs were likely on low fuel runs, in preparation for qualifying later today. In third place was Fernando Alonso, who also appeared to be on low fuel. His time of 1:26.082 was significantly faster than his best Friday time of 1:28.360. It's possible that the Renault team were being conservative in the Friday sessions, but that's a tactic that yields few benefits.
The order of the rest of the top ten was Rosberg, Coulthard, Webber, Button, Vettel, Fisichella, Trulli. Fisichella was a somewhat unexpected 9th place, and surely must have been on low fuel also. Indeed the fact that these runners were concentrating on qualifying is surely borne out by the fact that none of the major players were in the top ten - Massa was 11th, Hamilton 12th, Raikkonen 14th, and Kovalainen 20th. These guys were likely concentrating on set-up and strategy - Raikkonen complained of poor balance on Friday.
So, given the times from this morning, what are we likely to see in qualifying? Probably the Ferraris and the McLarens in the top 4. So far, Raikkonen has been the faster of the top four, but Hamilton was quicker in the hotter afternoon temperatures. This could play into Hamilton's hands, but Raikkonen should have the quicker car overall. I predict we'll see Raikkonen on pole, Hamiton second, Massa third, Kovalainen fourth. Other people to watch for are Webber, who has been punching above his weight so far this weekend; Rosberg, who has been quick, but looks as though his Williams has been letting him down; and Giancarlo Fisichella, who has definitely impressed so far in the Force India. I predict the fastest times we'll see (ie in Q2) will be in the low 1:25s or high 1:24s.
The order of the rest of the top ten was Rosberg, Coulthard, Webber, Button, Vettel, Fisichella, Trulli. Fisichella was a somewhat unexpected 9th place, and surely must have been on low fuel also. Indeed the fact that these runners were concentrating on qualifying is surely borne out by the fact that none of the major players were in the top ten - Massa was 11th, Hamilton 12th, Raikkonen 14th, and Kovalainen 20th. These guys were likely concentrating on set-up and strategy - Raikkonen complained of poor balance on Friday.
So, given the times from this morning, what are we likely to see in qualifying? Probably the Ferraris and the McLarens in the top 4. So far, Raikkonen has been the faster of the top four, but Hamilton was quicker in the hotter afternoon temperatures. This could play into Hamilton's hands, but Raikkonen should have the quicker car overall. I predict we'll see Raikkonen on pole, Hamiton second, Massa third, Kovalainen fourth. Other people to watch for are Webber, who has been punching above his weight so far this weekend; Rosberg, who has been quick, but looks as though his Williams has been letting him down; and Giancarlo Fisichella, who has definitely impressed so far in the Force India. I predict the fastest times we'll see (ie in Q2) will be in the low 1:25s or high 1:24s.
Labels: Australia, Formula 1, Grand Prix
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