Fuji F1
09-28-2007, 07:50 AM
#32
Formula One Spin Doctor
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McLaren dominate practice 2 - Japan
By Matt Beer Friday, September 28th 2007, 06:30 GMT
Lewis Hamilton set the fastest time as McLaren dominated Friday afternoon practice at Fuji.
McLaren were only briefly headed during the session when the two Renaults vaulted up to first and second after 15 minutes, beating Hamilton and Fernando Alonso's initial times by a few fractions.
While Giancarlo Fisichella used the softer tyres for his 1:19.926 lap, teammate Heikki Kovalainen was running the hard compound when he outpaced the Italian by 0.030 seconds a few moments later.
Within seven minutes the McLarens had reclaimed the leading positions, with Hamilton lapping in 1:19.198 and then improving to 1:18.734 shortly afterwards.
Alonso remained slightly slower than his teammate on both runs, finishing the session on a 1:18.948.
The session saw significantly more activity than morning practice had, with even the front-runners taking to the track immediately and most completing longer than usual runs as they evaluated tyre performance on the unfamiliar track.
This meant that the majority of quick times were set early on before the field focused on race preparations.
Ferrari were not quite on McLaren's pace during this session, and both Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen ran wide across the run-off areas on several occasions - Massa leaving the road twice on one lap. He took third, 0.749 seconds behind Hamilton and 0.231 seconds ahead of Raikkonen.
They were split by Jarno Trulli, who put in a headline-grabbing performance for circuit owners Toyota to end the day in fourth place.
The Renaults were edged back to sixth and seventh, ahead of David Coulthard and Trulli's teammate Ralf Schumacher, who had a half-spin at Turn 10.
BMW's Robert Kubica completed the top ten.
After his impressive morning performance, Spyker's Adrian Sutil starred again early on, holding seventh for the first half of the session. He was eventually edged back to 16th.
His teammate Sakon Yamamoto had a bizarre incident after 15 minutes when he had a spin in the final complex and was clipped by Rubens Barrichello's Honda as he tried to rejoin. It appeared that the Spyker had escaped damage, but its front wing then fell off as it arrived in its pit box.
Barrichello continued after the incident but struggled for speed all afternoon, remaining at the very bottom of the times until improving to 17th in the closing seconds.
Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:18.734 38
2. Alonso McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:18.948 + 0.214 34
3. Massa Ferrari (B) 1:19.483 + 0.749 36
4. Trulli Toyota (B) 1:19.711 + 0.977 35
5. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) 1:19.714 + 0.980 29
6. Kovalainen Renault (B) 1:19.789 + 1.055 40
7. Fisichella Renault (B) 1:19.926 + 1.192 39
8. Coulthard Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:19.949 + 1.215 33
9. R.Schumacher Toyota (B) 1:19.969 + 1.235 40
10. Kubica BMW Sauber (B) 1:20.069 + 1.335 45
11. Webber Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:20.069 + 1.335 35
12. Wurz Williams-Toyota (B) 1:20.233 + 1.499 37
13. Rosberg Williams-Toyota (B) 1:20.270 + 1.536 43
14. Button Honda (B) 1:20.336 + 1.602 44
15. Heidfeld BMW Sauber (B) 1:20.462 + 1.728 36
16. Sutil Spyker-Ferrari (B) 1:20.736 + 2.002 37
17. Barrichello Honda (B) 1:20.889 + 2.155 33
18. Liuzzi Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:20.985 + 2.251 44
19. Vettel Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:20.997 + 2.263 38
20. Davidson Super Aguri-Honda (B) 1:21.007 + 2.273 34
21. Yamamoto Spyker-Ferrari (B) 1:21.305 + 2.571 38
22. Sato Super Aguri-Honda (B) 1:21.352 + 2.618 34
Lewis Hamilton set the fastest time as McLaren dominated Friday afternoon practice at Fuji.
McLaren were only briefly headed during the session when the two Renaults vaulted up to first and second after 15 minutes, beating Hamilton and Fernando Alonso's initial times by a few fractions.
While Giancarlo Fisichella used the softer tyres for his 1:19.926 lap, teammate Heikki Kovalainen was running the hard compound when he outpaced the Italian by 0.030 seconds a few moments later.
Within seven minutes the McLarens had reclaimed the leading positions, with Hamilton lapping in 1:19.198 and then improving to 1:18.734 shortly afterwards.
Alonso remained slightly slower than his teammate on both runs, finishing the session on a 1:18.948.
The session saw significantly more activity than morning practice had, with even the front-runners taking to the track immediately and most completing longer than usual runs as they evaluated tyre performance on the unfamiliar track.
This meant that the majority of quick times were set early on before the field focused on race preparations.
Ferrari were not quite on McLaren's pace during this session, and both Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen ran wide across the run-off areas on several occasions - Massa leaving the road twice on one lap. He took third, 0.749 seconds behind Hamilton and 0.231 seconds ahead of Raikkonen.
They were split by Jarno Trulli, who put in a headline-grabbing performance for circuit owners Toyota to end the day in fourth place.
The Renaults were edged back to sixth and seventh, ahead of David Coulthard and Trulli's teammate Ralf Schumacher, who had a half-spin at Turn 10.
BMW's Robert Kubica completed the top ten.
After his impressive morning performance, Spyker's Adrian Sutil starred again early on, holding seventh for the first half of the session. He was eventually edged back to 16th.
His teammate Sakon Yamamoto had a bizarre incident after 15 minutes when he had a spin in the final complex and was clipped by Rubens Barrichello's Honda as he tried to rejoin. It appeared that the Spyker had escaped damage, but its front wing then fell off as it arrived in its pit box.
Barrichello continued after the incident but struggled for speed all afternoon, remaining at the very bottom of the times until improving to 17th in the closing seconds.
Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:18.734 38
2. Alonso McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:18.948 + 0.214 34
3. Massa Ferrari (B) 1:19.483 + 0.749 36
4. Trulli Toyota (B) 1:19.711 + 0.977 35
5. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) 1:19.714 + 0.980 29
6. Kovalainen Renault (B) 1:19.789 + 1.055 40
7. Fisichella Renault (B) 1:19.926 + 1.192 39
8. Coulthard Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:19.949 + 1.215 33
9. R.Schumacher Toyota (B) 1:19.969 + 1.235 40
10. Kubica BMW Sauber (B) 1:20.069 + 1.335 45
11. Webber Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:20.069 + 1.335 35
12. Wurz Williams-Toyota (B) 1:20.233 + 1.499 37
13. Rosberg Williams-Toyota (B) 1:20.270 + 1.536 43
14. Button Honda (B) 1:20.336 + 1.602 44
15. Heidfeld BMW Sauber (B) 1:20.462 + 1.728 36
16. Sutil Spyker-Ferrari (B) 1:20.736 + 2.002 37
17. Barrichello Honda (B) 1:20.889 + 2.155 33
18. Liuzzi Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:20.985 + 2.251 44
19. Vettel Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:20.997 + 2.263 38
20. Davidson Super Aguri-Honda (B) 1:21.007 + 2.273 34
21. Yamamoto Spyker-Ferrari (B) 1:21.305 + 2.571 38
22. Sato Super Aguri-Honda (B) 1:21.352 + 2.618 34
09-28-2007, 07:53 AM
#33
Formula One Spin Doctor
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Drivers call for changes to pitlane entry
By Jonathan Noble Friday, September 28th 2007, 08:12 GMT
Formula One drivers are pushing for changes to be made to the pitlane entry at Fuji for tomorrow amid fears that its current design is dangerous.
Drivers approach the pitlane entry at almost 300km/h and have to negotiate a quick right-left flick next to the barriers before having to brake for the speed limiter line.
Several drivers feel that any mistake made on the pitlane entry will result in a big crash and they plan to consult with FIA race director Charlie Whiting at their briefing this evening to discuss what can be done.
One suggestion is for the pitlane speed limit line to be moved in front of the corner to slow the cars down earlier as they enter the pits.
Giancarlo Fisichella said: "It is a little bit dangerous because when we brake to go into the pitlane we are around 300km/h and it is a bit tricky. It is not safe.
"We need to put maybe the speed limiter before the corner, but I don't know if we can do something for tomorrow."
Jarno Trulli added: "It is quite narrow and quick into the pits, so obviously it is not that easy or safe. Maybe we can change the approach so we go straight into the pits like at Monza.
"But for tomorrow I don't know what we can do. I don't know if we can even change the (speed limiter) line, because that will change the whole weekend in terms of strategy. I don't know what is possible."
Rubens Barrichello said: "The track is okay. The most difficult corner on the circuit is the entry to the pitlane. It's far too dangerous. You come in flat out and have a blind section.
"My suggestion would be to bring the white line before the pitlane corner, the kink. That would be my option. That's what I'm going to suggest at the drivers' briefing."
But not all drivers were unhappy with the design.
Renault's Heikki Kovalainen said: "I think it is quite exciting. It is a nice chicane and if you get it wrong you are going to have a big accident. We will have to be careful."
Formula One drivers are pushing for changes to be made to the pitlane entry at Fuji for tomorrow amid fears that its current design is dangerous.
Drivers approach the pitlane entry at almost 300km/h and have to negotiate a quick right-left flick next to the barriers before having to brake for the speed limiter line.
Several drivers feel that any mistake made on the pitlane entry will result in a big crash and they plan to consult with FIA race director Charlie Whiting at their briefing this evening to discuss what can be done.
One suggestion is for the pitlane speed limit line to be moved in front of the corner to slow the cars down earlier as they enter the pits.
Giancarlo Fisichella said: "It is a little bit dangerous because when we brake to go into the pitlane we are around 300km/h and it is a bit tricky. It is not safe.
"We need to put maybe the speed limiter before the corner, but I don't know if we can do something for tomorrow."
Jarno Trulli added: "It is quite narrow and quick into the pits, so obviously it is not that easy or safe. Maybe we can change the approach so we go straight into the pits like at Monza.
"But for tomorrow I don't know what we can do. I don't know if we can even change the (speed limiter) line, because that will change the whole weekend in terms of strategy. I don't know what is possible."
Rubens Barrichello said: "The track is okay. The most difficult corner on the circuit is the entry to the pitlane. It's far too dangerous. You come in flat out and have a blind section.
"My suggestion would be to bring the white line before the pitlane corner, the kink. That would be my option. That's what I'm going to suggest at the drivers' briefing."
But not all drivers were unhappy with the design.
Renault's Heikki Kovalainen said: "I think it is quite exciting. It is a nice chicane and if you get it wrong you are going to have a big accident. We will have to be careful."
09-28-2007, 08:22 AM
#35
Formula One Spin Doctor
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Friday analysis - do McLaren really have the edge?
Within McLaren there is a belief on Friday evening that, at worst, things will be very close between them and Ferrari at the Fuji Speedway this weekend. And that, at best, the silver arrows will have a small but critical advantage.
Neither Lewis Hamilton nor Fernando Alonso, who set the fastest times with 1m 18.734s and 1m 18.948s respectively, experienced any problems in a smooth day which helped them with their tyre selection and aero set-ups.
Over at Ferrari, meanwhile, having dominated the morning session with times of 1m 19.119s and 1m 19.498s, Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa were content to go slower in the afternoon as they focused on race pace work. Both men had more off-track moments than the McLaren drivers, as they oversteered their way through the infield, but they too believe they will be competitive which bodes well for the race.
Their home race is highly important to Toyota, so fourth place for Jarno Trulli (1m 19.711s) and ninth for Ralf Schumacher (1m 19.969s) counted as a good afternoon for the track-owning team. Ralf had a couple of spins, but otherwise it was a positive day that brought no complaints from either man.
Renault had an encouraging day with Heikki Kovalainen sixth and Giancarlo Fisichella seventh, on 1m 19.789s and 1m 19.926s respectively. Fisi was happier with the balance of his R27 in the afternoon, and both felt they had achieved their aim for the day in setting up their cars and working through the usual evaluation programmes.
Things did not run so smoothly for Red Bull, but David Coulthard ended the day eighth on 1m 19.949s, and Mark Webber joint 10th on 1m 20.069s. Coulthard in particular found it hard to set his RB3 up in the morning when he was only 21st, but was much happier in the afternoon.
It’s unusual to see BMW Sauber down in 10th and 15th places (Robert Kubica on 1m 20.069s and Nick Heidfeld 1m 20.462s). But both pilots concentrated on race running, and the team are happy, after modifying their set-ups slightly, that they were only one percent out in performance terms on their simulation figures.
The mood at Williams was soured somewhat by the need to change Nico Rosberg’s engine, which automatically gives him a 10-place grid penalty as the unit that broke was his intended race engine that he had also used at Spa. The German was in strong form again in the morning when his 1m 20.058s lap left him ‘best of the rest’ behind the Ferraris and McLarens, whereas in the afternoon he was 13th on 1m 20.270s, just behind team mate Alex Wurz on 1m 20.233s.
As with Toyota, this is a very important race for Honda, but with Jenson Button only 14th on 1m 20.336s and Rubens Barrichello 17th on 1m 20.889s, it was not a great day. Besides a minor brush with Sakon Yamamoto’s Spyker, the Brazilian was troubled throughout by the rear-end stability problem that had plagued him at Spa. Button also complained of some oversteer in the morning, but was happier with his RA107’s balance in the afternoon.
Spyker are unusual in that their drivers both have experience racing here, and that helped the team to get a head start in their various programmes. Indeed, Sutil was ninth in the morning on 1m 20.516s before dropping to a still-good 16th in the afternoon on 1m 20.736s. Sakon Yamamoto was 21st, on 1m 21.305s. His morning run was truncated by an engine problem, while early in the afternoon he lost time after a brush with Rubens Barrichello whilst recovering from a spin in Turn 13. Both of his quick laps were set on the softer option tyre, and there is still work to be done to hone the car for the medium prime tyre.
Toro Rosso had little to be happy about with 18th best time for Tonio Liuzzi on 1m 20.985s and Sebastian Vettel right behind him on 1m 20.997s. Liuzzi had lapped in 1m 20.808s for 14th in the morning, however, and was generally satisfied with what was achieved, especially as traffic cost him his second run in the afternoon.
At the back, Super Aguri’s Takuma Sato lost time with a mechanical problem in the morning which compromised the rest of his day and left him 22nd on 1m 21.352s, while Anthony Davidson’s 10th best time in the morning (1m 20.601s) became a 20th fastest run in 1m 21.007s in the afternoon. He was quite happy with the car in race trim then, and with its balance all day.
Neither Lewis Hamilton nor Fernando Alonso, who set the fastest times with 1m 18.734s and 1m 18.948s respectively, experienced any problems in a smooth day which helped them with their tyre selection and aero set-ups.
Over at Ferrari, meanwhile, having dominated the morning session with times of 1m 19.119s and 1m 19.498s, Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa were content to go slower in the afternoon as they focused on race pace work. Both men had more off-track moments than the McLaren drivers, as they oversteered their way through the infield, but they too believe they will be competitive which bodes well for the race.
Their home race is highly important to Toyota, so fourth place for Jarno Trulli (1m 19.711s) and ninth for Ralf Schumacher (1m 19.969s) counted as a good afternoon for the track-owning team. Ralf had a couple of spins, but otherwise it was a positive day that brought no complaints from either man.
Renault had an encouraging day with Heikki Kovalainen sixth and Giancarlo Fisichella seventh, on 1m 19.789s and 1m 19.926s respectively. Fisi was happier with the balance of his R27 in the afternoon, and both felt they had achieved their aim for the day in setting up their cars and working through the usual evaluation programmes.
Things did not run so smoothly for Red Bull, but David Coulthard ended the day eighth on 1m 19.949s, and Mark Webber joint 10th on 1m 20.069s. Coulthard in particular found it hard to set his RB3 up in the morning when he was only 21st, but was much happier in the afternoon.
It’s unusual to see BMW Sauber down in 10th and 15th places (Robert Kubica on 1m 20.069s and Nick Heidfeld 1m 20.462s). But both pilots concentrated on race running, and the team are happy, after modifying their set-ups slightly, that they were only one percent out in performance terms on their simulation figures.
The mood at Williams was soured somewhat by the need to change Nico Rosberg’s engine, which automatically gives him a 10-place grid penalty as the unit that broke was his intended race engine that he had also used at Spa. The German was in strong form again in the morning when his 1m 20.058s lap left him ‘best of the rest’ behind the Ferraris and McLarens, whereas in the afternoon he was 13th on 1m 20.270s, just behind team mate Alex Wurz on 1m 20.233s.
As with Toyota, this is a very important race for Honda, but with Jenson Button only 14th on 1m 20.336s and Rubens Barrichello 17th on 1m 20.889s, it was not a great day. Besides a minor brush with Sakon Yamamoto’s Spyker, the Brazilian was troubled throughout by the rear-end stability problem that had plagued him at Spa. Button also complained of some oversteer in the morning, but was happier with his RA107’s balance in the afternoon.
Spyker are unusual in that their drivers both have experience racing here, and that helped the team to get a head start in their various programmes. Indeed, Sutil was ninth in the morning on 1m 20.516s before dropping to a still-good 16th in the afternoon on 1m 20.736s. Sakon Yamamoto was 21st, on 1m 21.305s. His morning run was truncated by an engine problem, while early in the afternoon he lost time after a brush with Rubens Barrichello whilst recovering from a spin in Turn 13. Both of his quick laps were set on the softer option tyre, and there is still work to be done to hone the car for the medium prime tyre.
Toro Rosso had little to be happy about with 18th best time for Tonio Liuzzi on 1m 20.985s and Sebastian Vettel right behind him on 1m 20.997s. Liuzzi had lapped in 1m 20.808s for 14th in the morning, however, and was generally satisfied with what was achieved, especially as traffic cost him his second run in the afternoon.
At the back, Super Aguri’s Takuma Sato lost time with a mechanical problem in the morning which compromised the rest of his day and left him 22nd on 1m 21.352s, while Anthony Davidson’s 10th best time in the morning (1m 20.601s) became a 20th fastest run in 1m 21.007s in the afternoon. He was quite happy with the car in race trim then, and with its balance all day.
09-28-2007, 10:08 AM
#36
Ironman 140.6
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Wayne you may get your wish as the forecast is still showing rain Sunday. It would probably make for a better race as it may break up the "conga line".
Saturday: AM Rain. Lo: 59°F. Hi: 66°F. Chance of precipitation: 55%
Sunday: Showers. Lo: 60°F. Hi: 66°F. Chance of precipitation: 85%
Saturday: AM Rain. Lo: 59°F. Hi: 66°F. Chance of precipitation: 55%
Sunday: Showers. Lo: 60°F. Hi: 66°F. Chance of precipitation: 85%
09-28-2007, 10:32 AM
#37
King of Cool
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Wayne, good to see you're back! I was afraid you had emptied the Finlandia and fallen into a coma or something, I'm glad that's not the case.
09-28-2007, 11:56 AM
#38
Formula One Spin Doctor
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09-28-2007, 01:02 PM
#39
King of Cool
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09-28-2007, 02:11 PM
#40
Formula One Spin Doctor
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Yea see when Kimi's drinking with you, it's mineral water, He knows I don't want to waste time like that, we do our drinking with different beverages and that required mroe privacy, next week in fact, it's gonna be NHL, and like we did after Spa at Kimi's place in Switzerland, sauna and beer!
Mineral Water , Haaaa, that's to fool the public, dat's Pure VOdka Bwoyieeeeee
09-28-2007, 10:23 PM
#42
Burning Brakes
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Finally, us west coast fans get to enjoy F1 in primetime!!! Get ready for qualifying in 2 1/2 hours!!! Bring on the cocktails (and RAIN)!!
09-29-2007, 11:42 AM
#44
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Hamilton pips Alonso to Japanese GP pole
What a Q3 session , Ham's pole lap was something else , not sure , but Mclaren seemed to give him somthing a little Special , regardless pole in the rain last lap , fantastic.
By Matt Beer Saturday, September 29th 2007, 06:01 GMT
Lewis Hamilton snatched Japanese Grand Prix pole position from McLaren teammate and title rival Fernando Alonso by 0.070 seconds in the final moments of qualifying at a wet Fuji.
The Ferraris will start third and fourth, with Kimi Raikkonen ahead of Felipe Massa.
With the fog that had forced the abandonment of third practice still an issue as qualifying approached, there were fears that the session might have to be delayed until later in the afternoon or even Sunday morning.
But in the event conditions were deemed acceptable and qualifying took place on schedule.
Massa narrowly beat Alonso to the fastest time in Q1, and the world champion was confident enough to spend the final minutes of the segment in the pits even though the conditions appeared to be improving fractionally.
His teammate Hamilton could not afford to be so relaxed, as he was pushed right down to 18th before vaulting to fourth with his last lap.
The points leader then proceeded to set the fastest time in Q2, beating Alonso by 0.053 seconds.
Alonso's early 1:25.539 lap while heavy with fuel in the final session stood as provisional pole until the last seconds, when the Spaniard improved to 1:25.438.
Raikkonen beat Alonso's initial sector times but was 0.078 seconds slower over the lap.
After making a late final stop for tyres, Hamilton was the last man to set a flying lap. Despite not looking like a pole contender earlier in Q3, he made a massive improvement on his last run and snatched pole from Alonso.
Nick Heidfeld took fifth for BMW, but his teammate Robert Kubica could only manage 10th on the grid, 0.7 seconds slower.
Although Williams' Nico Rosberg was sixth fastest, he will drop to 16th when his penalty for requiring a fresh Toyota V8 is applied.
That will move Jenson Button into the top six. The Briton lived up to his reputation as a wet weather specialist and kept the troubled Honda in the top ten throughout qualifying before clinching his best starting position of the year.
Mark Webber qualified eighth for Red Bull, five places ahead of teammate David Coulthard.
Toro Rosso's Sebastian Vettel was arguably the star of the session. The German rookie excelled in the slippery conditions and got the team into Q3 for the first time in their history.
Having been as high as seventh in Q1, despite a quick spin early on, he ultimately qualified ninth, which will become eighth after Rosberg's penalty. Vettel eclipsed teammate Vitantonio Liuzzi, who was 1.009 seconds slower in Q2 and remained in a more habitual 15th.
Renault struggled in the wet and only got as high as 11th and 12th thanks to last gasp improvements by Giancarlo Fisichella and Heikki Kovalainen in Q2.
After nine consecutive top ten starts, Jarno Trulli equalled his worst qualifying of the season by putting his Toyota 14th.
His teammate Ralf Schumacher put in a lap sufficient to escape Q1 but then tangled with Sakon Yamamoto at the chicane when attempting another flying lap.
The Toyota hit the rear of the Spyker as Schumacher tried to pass down the inside, and was pitched into the air before landed with suspension and wing damage, ending his participation in qualifying and leaving the German 16th on the grid.
For the sixth time this season, Honda's Rubens Barrichello and Williams' Alex Wurz were eliminated in the first session. They will share row nine.
Although the wet conditions appeared to be conducive to some giant-killing performances from Formula One's smaller teams, the Super Aguri and Spyker drivers could not emulate Vettel and all failed to get past Q1.
Anthony Davidson and Adrian Sutil took 19th and 20th, while the two home drivers will share the final row of the grid - Takuma Sato ahead of Yamamoto and both a second slower than their respective teammates.
Japan qualifying breakdown Session 1 Session 2 Session 3
Pos Driver Team Pos Time Lap Pos Time Lap Pos Time Lap
1. Hamilton McLaren 4. 1:25.489 10 1. 1:24.753 9 1. 1:25.368 11
2. Alonso McLaren 2. 1:25.379 6 2. 1:24.806 10 2. 1:25.438 11
3. Raikkonen Ferrari 3. 1:25.390 10 3. 1:24.988 8 3. 1:25.516 11
4. Massa Ferrari 1. 1:25.359 8 4. 1:25.049 10 4. 1:25.765 11
5. Heidfeld BMW Sauber 6. 1:25.971 10 5. 1:25.248 9 5. 1:26.505 11
6. Rosberg Williams 9. 1:26.579 11 9. 1:25.816 11 6. 1:26.728 11
7. Button Honda 10. 1:26.614 10 6. 1:25.454 10 7. 1:26.913 11
8. Webber Red Bull 5. 1:25.970 10 8. 1:25.535 8 8. 1:26.914 11
9. Vettel Toro Rosso 7. 1:26.025 11 10. 1:25.909 11 9. 1:26.973 11
10. Kubica BMW Sauber 8. 1:26.300 11 7. 1:25.530 11 10. 1:27.225 11
11. Fisichella Renault 13. 1:26.909 7 11. 1:26.033 10
12. Kovalainen Renault 15. 1:27.223 7 12. 1:26.232 10
13. Coulthard Red Bull 12. 1:26.904 11 13. 1:26.247 10
14. Trulli Toyota 11. 1:26.711 11 14. 1:26.253 10
15. Liuzzi Toro Rosso 16. 1:27.234 11 15. 1:26.948 11
16. R.Schumacher Toyota 14. 1:27.191 10 16. 0
17. Barrichello Honda 17. 1:27.323 10
18. Wurz Williams 18. 1:27.454 10
19. Davidson Super Aguri 19. 1:27.564 10
20. Sutil Spyker 20. 1:28.628 10
21. Sato Super Aguri 21. 1:28.792 10
22. Yamamoto Spyker 22. 1:29.668 10
By Matt Beer Saturday, September 29th 2007, 06:01 GMT
Lewis Hamilton snatched Japanese Grand Prix pole position from McLaren teammate and title rival Fernando Alonso by 0.070 seconds in the final moments of qualifying at a wet Fuji.
The Ferraris will start third and fourth, with Kimi Raikkonen ahead of Felipe Massa.
With the fog that had forced the abandonment of third practice still an issue as qualifying approached, there were fears that the session might have to be delayed until later in the afternoon or even Sunday morning.
But in the event conditions were deemed acceptable and qualifying took place on schedule.
Massa narrowly beat Alonso to the fastest time in Q1, and the world champion was confident enough to spend the final minutes of the segment in the pits even though the conditions appeared to be improving fractionally.
His teammate Hamilton could not afford to be so relaxed, as he was pushed right down to 18th before vaulting to fourth with his last lap.
The points leader then proceeded to set the fastest time in Q2, beating Alonso by 0.053 seconds.
Alonso's early 1:25.539 lap while heavy with fuel in the final session stood as provisional pole until the last seconds, when the Spaniard improved to 1:25.438.
Raikkonen beat Alonso's initial sector times but was 0.078 seconds slower over the lap.
After making a late final stop for tyres, Hamilton was the last man to set a flying lap. Despite not looking like a pole contender earlier in Q3, he made a massive improvement on his last run and snatched pole from Alonso.
Nick Heidfeld took fifth for BMW, but his teammate Robert Kubica could only manage 10th on the grid, 0.7 seconds slower.
Although Williams' Nico Rosberg was sixth fastest, he will drop to 16th when his penalty for requiring a fresh Toyota V8 is applied.
That will move Jenson Button into the top six. The Briton lived up to his reputation as a wet weather specialist and kept the troubled Honda in the top ten throughout qualifying before clinching his best starting position of the year.
Mark Webber qualified eighth for Red Bull, five places ahead of teammate David Coulthard.
Toro Rosso's Sebastian Vettel was arguably the star of the session. The German rookie excelled in the slippery conditions and got the team into Q3 for the first time in their history.
Having been as high as seventh in Q1, despite a quick spin early on, he ultimately qualified ninth, which will become eighth after Rosberg's penalty. Vettel eclipsed teammate Vitantonio Liuzzi, who was 1.009 seconds slower in Q2 and remained in a more habitual 15th.
Renault struggled in the wet and only got as high as 11th and 12th thanks to last gasp improvements by Giancarlo Fisichella and Heikki Kovalainen in Q2.
After nine consecutive top ten starts, Jarno Trulli equalled his worst qualifying of the season by putting his Toyota 14th.
His teammate Ralf Schumacher put in a lap sufficient to escape Q1 but then tangled with Sakon Yamamoto at the chicane when attempting another flying lap.
The Toyota hit the rear of the Spyker as Schumacher tried to pass down the inside, and was pitched into the air before landed with suspension and wing damage, ending his participation in qualifying and leaving the German 16th on the grid.
For the sixth time this season, Honda's Rubens Barrichello and Williams' Alex Wurz were eliminated in the first session. They will share row nine.
Although the wet conditions appeared to be conducive to some giant-killing performances from Formula One's smaller teams, the Super Aguri and Spyker drivers could not emulate Vettel and all failed to get past Q1.
Anthony Davidson and Adrian Sutil took 19th and 20th, while the two home drivers will share the final row of the grid - Takuma Sato ahead of Yamamoto and both a second slower than their respective teammates.
Japan qualifying breakdown Session 1 Session 2 Session 3
Pos Driver Team Pos Time Lap Pos Time Lap Pos Time Lap
1. Hamilton McLaren 4. 1:25.489 10 1. 1:24.753 9 1. 1:25.368 11
2. Alonso McLaren 2. 1:25.379 6 2. 1:24.806 10 2. 1:25.438 11
3. Raikkonen Ferrari 3. 1:25.390 10 3. 1:24.988 8 3. 1:25.516 11
4. Massa Ferrari 1. 1:25.359 8 4. 1:25.049 10 4. 1:25.765 11
5. Heidfeld BMW Sauber 6. 1:25.971 10 5. 1:25.248 9 5. 1:26.505 11
6. Rosberg Williams 9. 1:26.579 11 9. 1:25.816 11 6. 1:26.728 11
7. Button Honda 10. 1:26.614 10 6. 1:25.454 10 7. 1:26.913 11
8. Webber Red Bull 5. 1:25.970 10 8. 1:25.535 8 8. 1:26.914 11
9. Vettel Toro Rosso 7. 1:26.025 11 10. 1:25.909 11 9. 1:26.973 11
10. Kubica BMW Sauber 8. 1:26.300 11 7. 1:25.530 11 10. 1:27.225 11
11. Fisichella Renault 13. 1:26.909 7 11. 1:26.033 10
12. Kovalainen Renault 15. 1:27.223 7 12. 1:26.232 10
13. Coulthard Red Bull 12. 1:26.904 11 13. 1:26.247 10
14. Trulli Toyota 11. 1:26.711 11 14. 1:26.253 10
15. Liuzzi Toro Rosso 16. 1:27.234 11 15. 1:26.948 11
16. R.Schumacher Toyota 14. 1:27.191 10 16. 0
17. Barrichello Honda 17. 1:27.323 10
18. Wurz Williams 18. 1:27.454 10
19. Davidson Super Aguri 19. 1:27.564 10
20. Sutil Spyker 20. 1:28.628 10
21. Sato Super Aguri 21. 1:28.792 10
22. Yamamoto Spyker 22. 1:29.668 10
09-29-2007, 10:35 PM
#45
Ironman 140.6
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
If there was any question about how the McLaren team feels about Alonso it was certainly clear in the final moments of Q3.
The pit crew was jumping for joy when Hamilton knocked Alonso out of the top spot.
An interesting reaction for sure.
The pit crew was jumping for joy when Hamilton knocked Alonso out of the top spot.
An interesting reaction for sure.