French Saturday Free Practice.

[Adam43]

The Williams are looking strong. 1-2 at the front. McLaren are up there too, with only Michael able to get amongst them on Bridgestones.

It looks like it was dry out there and with everyone on track at the same time Jos was 19th and Wilson 20th.

Button only managed three laps. I don't know why, but it's not ideal.

[Mark Webber]

1. 4 R.SCHUMACHER Williams BMW M 1'14"966 211.824 Km/h 17
2. 3 MONTOYA Williams BMW M 1'15"577 + 0'00"611 17
3. 5 COULTHARD McLaren Mercedes M 1'15"600 + 0'00"634 14
4. 1 M.SCHUMACHER Ferrari B 1'15"918 + 0'00"952 19
5. 6 RAIKKONEN McLaren Mercedes M 1'16"012 + 0'01"046 14
6. 8 ALONSO Renault M 1'16"039 + 0'01"073 20
7. 14 WEBBER Jaguar Cosworth M 1'16"112 + 0'01"146 24
8. 20 PANIS Toyota M 1'16"133 + 0'01"167 17
9. 2 BARRICHELLO Ferrari B 1'16"345 + 0'01"379 18
10. 7 TRULLI Renault M 1'16"376 + 0'01"410 22
11. 15 PIZZONIA Jaguar Cosworth M 1'17"036 + 0'02"070 25
12. 16 VILLENEUVE BAR Honda B 1'17"101 + 0'02"135 21
13. 21 DA MATTA Toyota M 1'17"690 + 0'02"724 22
14. 10 FRENTZEN Sauber Petronas B 1'17"776 + 0'02"810 23
15. 17 BUTTON BAR Honda B 1'17"808 + 0'02"842 3
16. 11 FISICHELLA Jordan Ford B 1'17"908 + 0'02"942 21
17. 9 HEIDFELD Sauber Petronas B 1'18"057 + 0'03"091 25
18. 12 FIRMAN Jordan Ford B 1'18"670 + 0'03"704 17
19. 19 VERSTAPPEN Minardi Cosworth B 1'18"696 + 0'03"730 8
20. 18 WILSON Minardi Cosworth B 1'19"044 + 0'04"078 18


107% time : 1'20"213

[Rick]

Originally posted by AdamAshmore
It looks like it was dry out there and with everyone on track at the same time Jos was 19th and Wilson 20th.
[/B]

Go on!

Williams look very strong - Bridgestone in trouble again? Very close in the middle too.I think this session gives about the best idea these days. Webber strong again - and Toyota.

[Damon]

The great thing this year is that we've got no reason so think Ferrari might be sand bagging!

[Mark Webber]

yes Rick Webber is running strong I wonder if he is setting up again heavy as he is only just in touch .
good to see DC up there .

[Adam43]

I think he is more likely to be light, because the Jaguar isn't a quick car. I don't know about 'heavy again', but he has also run slightly light on occassions in Q2 this year too.

[steve nielsen]

Originally posted by AdamAshmore
The Williams are looking strong. 1-2 at the front. McLaren are up there too, with only Michael able to get amongst them on Bridgestones.

It looks like it was dry out there and with everyone on track at the same time Jos was 19th and Wilson 20th.

Button only managed three laps. I don't know why, but it's not ideal.

Jos could have been a litle faster but the engine died.........

[Adam43]

It might be worth noting that Alonso was quickest in 2.1 and the Ferrari's were second and fourth. Maybe his is more representative of race pace (they were just over 1s quicker in 2.2 than 2.1).

Just a thought based on tenuous facts!

[garcon]

So this Ralf guy at the front then - everyone keeps telling me he's no good? :confused:

[Peter Mallett]

Um,

I posted something about this in the Minardi on the front rwo thing. Sorry didn't see this one.

But the two Williams' do look impressive and I wondered about Button.

[Wrex]

Why are the fastest guys at that back again?

[Mark Webber]

Actually Adam the Jag has good speed but in all the Quali's for late Jag have ran with more a Race setup than a high Quali setup . I think they run a more conservitive setup for a points finish as race distance was a problem early on

[Adam43]

Mark, I know the Jag is quicker than it has been, but it is at best the fifth quickest car (behind Ferrari, Williams, McLaren and Williams). This is where we find it, so I see nothing unusual to suggest it is running heavy (comparitively) in this latest session.

It is even ahead of one Renault and one Ferrari. Which could hint that it was a little light. However I think they and Webber just got it together and did a good job, but there is nothing to suggest from these times that they are running heavy. That's not to say he isn't, but we'd need better information rather than 'just in touch'. 'Just in touch' is were I'd expect to see the Jag with fuel loads being equal.

[Mark Webber]

the only reason I suggested this was looking at the sector time atthe end of the session

all the top 6 where running low 24's to 24.5 where
Webber and RB & op where running at best 24.6 through to 25.2
now this being the faster/straighter sector's this would imply a heavyier car or a handling (pushing car) through the sweepers and add that MW , RB. OP where running out of sinc the the pack they had the track to themself to a point .

I'll be suprized to hear if Mark is not running "in there words" a race setup in Q2

[Adam43]

It is too difficult to say, I reckon. It would surprise me that RB was heavier because we know his car is quick, but even that it not certain at a Michelin track and without Michael to drag the last out of it.

They might be slower because they are running more wing (or something) and losing out in that sector, but they are doing it to really nail the middle sector? Who knows.

We'll see, I suppose, but it won't be till half way through the race. Unless, of course, we could get the weigh bridge figures after practice.

[Mark Webber]

so true

[ljakse]

Completely off-topic:

Adam, how can Saturday be "french"?