Sunday, July 16, 2006

Formula One Grand Prix: France

Qualifying for the French Grand Prix saw the implementation of the new qualifying rules. The third section of qualifying is reduced to 15 minutes, while changes in the first two sections of qualifying allows a driver to record a time if they start a lap before the chequered flag comes out.

As per usual both Super Aguris failed to make the first cut, Villeneuve also missed the cut despite having the fastest time in the Saturday Practice session. Button, Liuzzi and Monteiro also were cut. Webber was sitting in tenth towards the end of the second section, before being bumped out by Coulthard. Heidfeld, Klien, Barrichello, Speed and Albers also failed to make the final 10.

In the final section, the cars circulated burning fuel for about 8 minutes before returning to the pits to change tires. Eight of the Ten had a chance at pole. After setting a quick time they returned to the pits before heading out with about 2.5 minutes left. In the final minute the pole was held by, de la Rosa, Räikkönen, Massa, Alsono and M Schumacher. Massa's final lap was enough to bump Alsono from 2nd on the grid.

So it's another Ferrari One-Two. It's a little surprising as many people thought that Renault and Michelin would dominate since it's their home GP. Alonso is third with both Toyotas 4th & 5th followed by Kimi.

Rosberg had an engine change before qualifying and will take a 10 spot grid penalty making him 19th.

Here is the qualifying times:
PosNoDriverTeamFirstSecondThird
15Michael SchumacherFerrari1:15.8651:15.1111:15.493
26Felipe MassaFerrari1:16.2771:15.6791:15.510
31Fernando AlonsoRenault1:16.3281:15.7061:15.785
48Jarno TrulliToyota1:15.5501:15.7761:16.036
57Ralf SchumacherToyota1:15.9491:15.6251:16.091
63Kimi RäikkönenMcLaren -Mercedes1:16.1541:15.7421:16.281
72Giancarlo FisichellaRenault1:16.8251:15.9011:16.345
84Pedro de la Rosa McLaren -Mercedes1:16.6791:15.9021:16.632
910Nico RosbergWilliams -Cosworth1:16.5341:15.9261:18.272
1014David CoulthardRBR -Ferrari1:16.3501:15.9741:18.663
119Mark WebberWilliams -Cosworth1:16.5311:16.129
1216Nick HeidfeldSauber -BMW1:16.6861:16.294
1315Christian KlienRBR -Ferrari1:16.9211:16.433
1411Rubens Barrichello Honda1:17.0221:17.027
1521Scott SpeedSTR -Cosworth1:17.1171:17.063
1619Christijan AlbersMF1 -Toyota1:16.962 1:17.105
17 20 Vitantonio LiuzziSTR -Cosworth1:17.164
18 17 Jacques Villeneuve Sauber -BMW1:17.304
1912Jenson ButtonHonda1:17.495
2018Tiago MonteiroMF1 -Toyota1:17.589
2123Franck MontagnySuper Aguri -Honda1:18.637
2222Takuma SatoSuper Aguri -Honda1:18.845

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