[SPOILER] 2008 British GP

[blue8]

Round 9: Santander British Grand Prix
Silverstone, UK

Half way through the 18-race F1 season and we've had four championship leaders and only 10 points between the top 4 drivers. With the traction control and driver aides banned, the season is proving to be very unpredictable. The only thing that seems to be certain is Ferrari dominating the constructors' race. Then again, in F1, anything can happen!

The weather is (again) predicted to be rainy all throughout the weekend as with most of the races this season. I'd be happy with a wet qualifying session and a relatively dry race. I think the last time that happened was in Suzuka 2005 (?).

The rain will also likely threaten the Wimbledon finals during the weekend.

Practice 1

Massa crashses possibly due to oil on the track after Alonso goes off earlier during the session.

Times:
Pos Driver Team Time (Laps)
1. Massa Ferrari (B) 1:19.575 (8)
2. Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:19.587 + 0.012 (15)
3. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:19.623 + 0.048 (13)
4. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) 1:19.948 + 0.373 (16)
5. Kubica BMW Sauber (B) 1:20.367 + 0.792 (11)
6. Alonso Renault (B) 1:20.436 + 0.861 (7)
7. Vettel Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:20.588 + 1.013 (18)
8. Piquet Renault (B) 1:20.653 + 1.078 (16)
9. Coulthard Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:20.698 + 1.123 (16)
10. Rosberg Williams-Toyota (B) 1:20.744 + 1.169 (27)
11. Webber Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:20.892 + 1.317 (10)
12. Glock Toyota (B) 1:21.102 + 1.527 (22)
13. Heidfeld BMW Sauber (B) 1:21.107 + 1.532 (18)
14. Bourdais Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:21.166 + 1.591 (17)
15. Trulli Toyota (B) 1:21.265 + 1.690 (22)
16. Nakajima Williams-Toyota (B) 1:21.282 + 1.707 (21)
17. Button Honda (B) 1:21.901 + 2.326 (7)
18. Sutil Force India-Ferrari (B) 1:22.169 + 2.594 (16)
19. Fisichella Force India-Ferrari (B) 1:22.219 + 2.644 (19)
20. Barrichello Honda (B) 1:24.123 + 4.548 (4)

[Kissyface]

Originally Posted by blue8 I'd be happy with a wet qualifying session and a relatively dry race.

That would definitely make for an interesting grid and hence, an interesting race. We haven't been wanting of an interesting race so far this year. I love the Silverstone circuit and it has a history of drama so we shouldn't be disappointed.

[styla21]

If you guys are watching practice - Keep us posted on any worthwhile updates! My net is shaped and I'm missing the whole thing

[blue8]

Practice 2:
Times
1 H. Kovalainen McLaren 1:19.989 35 laps
2 M. Webber Red Bull 1:20.520 32 laps
3 L. Hamilton McLaren 1:20.543 31 laps
4 D. Coulthard Red Bull 1:20.589 36 laps
5 N. Rosberg Williams 1:20.748 43 laps
6 S. Vettel Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:20.805 43 laps
7 J. Button Honda 1:20.929 39 laps
8 F. Massa Ferrari 1:20.943 18 laps
9 K. Nakajima Williams 1:20.985 18 laps
10 R. Barrichello Honda 1:21.002 34 laps
11 R. Kubica BMW 1:21.023 33 laps
12 K. Räikkönen Ferrari 1:21.275 31 laps
13 N. Heidfeld BMW 1:21.453 36 laps
14 T. Glock Toyota 1:21.472 18 laps
15 F. Alonso Renault 1:21.511 27 laps
16 G. Fisichella Force India F1 1:21.520 42 laps
17 S. Bourdais Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:21.634 39 laps
18 N. Piquet jr. Renault 1:21.642 45 laps
19 A. Sutil Force India F1 1:21.756 30 laps
20 J. Trulli Toyota 1:22.196 23 laps


In related news, Donington Park will host the British GP starting 2010:

Silverstone will host its final British GP next season after the FIA confirmed that the race would be moving to Donington. The Northamptonshire circuit, which played to the inaugural race of the F1 World Championship back in 1950, has come under fire in recent years with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone the track biggest detractor. There been issues with parking, pits and outdated facilities, which the British Racing Drivers Club have tried to resolve, the latest being a planned upgrade to the pit lane facilities. However, it now remains to be seen whether the updates with go ahead as the FIA announced on Friday that the British GP would be moving to Donington Park in 2010. "Finally the uncertainty is over. A contract has been signed with Donington Park and the future of the British Grand prix is now secure," said Ecclestone. "We wanted a world class venue for Formula One in Britain, something that the teams and British F1 fans could be proud of. "The major development plans for Donington will give us exactly that. A venue that will put British motor sport back on the map. "I am sorry that we could not have helped Silverstone to raise the money to carry out the circuit improvements and run Formula One. "I believe that the government should have supported them which would have cost probably less than .002% of the government's commitment for the Olympic Games." FIA President Max Mosley added: "After many years of patient but fruitless negotiation with the BRDC, we are delighted that Bernie has nevertheless been able to ensure that the British Grand Prix will keep its place on the Formula One World Championship calendar. "We understand that the development programme planned for Donington will achieve the very high standards we and FOM expect from a modern F1 circuit. Finally, British Formula One fans will get the Grand Prix venue they deserve." Donington Park last staged a round of the F1 Championship in 1993 when Ayrton Senna won the European GP.

I'm not really familiar with Donington Park, but I'm very disappointed because Silverstone was one of my favorite tracks!

I just remembered - this announcement comes at a very bad time because Silverstone is celebrating their 60th anniversary.

[thiago]

Massa is The Man!
Thank God he's all right after the crash and DAMN, HE IS FAST!
After shredding his Ferrari, he then returned to the track and did 1min19s575 a lap that even faster than last years pole, when Lewis did 1min19s997. The man is leading even after his accident!
Now that's driving! Let's see if he gets another pole for us!
YES! Vai Massa! Porra!

[gobs3z]

This is definitely Massa's chance to shine, but I'm extremely annoyed on how Silverstone has gotten away with not upgrading their track while tracks around the world have to constantly upgrade to keep the F1 going there, but I love Silverstone, I just don't like the extremely unfair practices. (a little animosity from losing the U.S. Grand Prix for no reason). F1 overly favors the British, and they don't even try to hide it, and yes i understand the British history behind F1, but get with the times.

[thiago]

Hey folks, I was wondering if someone would possibly know how to setup a proxy that would work for US residents to watch the ITV F1 coverage (UK only videos). I've tried pretty much everything and still can't get it to work right...
Thanks!

[turpija]

video of Massa crashing, I think it was Alonso who spilled some oil on the track and that's why Massa spined/crashed
http://www.viddler.com/explore/KRS_Evenstar/videos/98/

here is link for live streaming
http://www.coresworld.net/F1/

[thiago]

Originally Posted by turpija video of Massa crashing, I think it was Alonso who spilled some oil on the track and that's why Massa spined/crashed http://www.viddler.com/explore/KRS_Evenstar/videos/98/ here is link for live streaming http://www.coresworld.net/F1/

NICE!
Thank you so much for the links!

Going back o my original question: Does anyone know how to fool ITV's F1 website and watched it outside of the UK?

[Kissyface]

Originally Posted by gobs3z (a little animosity from losing the U.S. Grand Prix for no reason)

I FEEL YOUR PAIN!


From 2000-2007 I had the convenience of driving less than an hour and being at the USGP at Indy. You can be sure that the reason is money. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway spent two years and millions of USD to accomodate F1 and yet we now have no race. There is a line from Ecclestone in the F1 Saga documentary where he states that "F1 is so good it destoys all other forms of racing". I guess he was upset that he was proved wrong here.

[go1d1e]

Stupid question.. What is it that both the Ferrari guys are messing with just next to their right knee? I have not noticed anyone else doing the same thing.. Must be an adjustment of some kind, just wondering what.

I am stuck in the US aswell, it is going to be shown on FOX which does not show it live

[chattapiou]

Hey guys,
Is anyone could tell me the best way to go from London to the circuit? I do not have a car but can rent one. Thank you. Maxime

[Jona]

Go Finland!

Iceman and Niceman FTW!

[Mattk]

http://www.formula1.com/results/season/2008/795/6531/

Qualifying has just finished. Kovalainen on pole, followed by Webber, then Raikonnen. Hamilton fourth, the Heidfeld fifth, with the two Renaults of Alonso and Piquet sixth and seventh respectively. Vettel up in eighth with a good performance, but Massa and Kubica down in ninth and tenth, rather disappointing for them.

[Kissyface]

Really an unexpected grid lineup for tomorrow. I'm guessing the wind had alot to do with why some had good times and others not. Kimi alluded to this in his post-qualifying interview. But seeing Massa on row 5 is making me think there is something in this setup thats not quite optimal. I'm also thinking there are some unconventional fuel strategies at work here too. Anyone have any ideas why the grid is so mixed-up? I'm going to study this time sheet until I get some answers!
BTW Anyone know what was wrong with Kubica's car?