Alonso takes Pole at Shanghai

Alonso takes the pole position at Shanghai followed by Fisichella making Renault 1-2 at the start of the grid in a rain soaked Shanghai International Circuit. With Reubens Barrichello taking third grid position followed by Jenson Button making all Honda second row.

On 5 & 6 positions comes Kimi Raikkonen & Michael Schumacher followed by Pedro De La Rosa & Nick Heidfeld. Robert Kubica & Robert Doornbos completing the top 10.

Renault showed the awesome pace they have even in a wet weather conditions with Alonso being more than half-a-second quicker than Fisichella and nearly On-and-a-half second faster than Micheal Schumacher on a rather struggling Bridgestone wet weather tyres. With Massa finishing 13, he will be starting his race from the end of the grid with a fully fuel loaded car.

Tomorrow forecast is of a dry race, and everything is placed perfectly to make Chinese Grand Prix an exciting race.

tags: Formula 1 . F1 . Renault . Ferrari . Honda . McLaren-Mercedes . Fernando Alonso . Fiancarlo Fisichella . Reubens Barrichello . Jenson Button . Kimi Raikkonen . Michael Schumacher . Pedro De La Rosa . Nick Heidfeld . Robert Kubica . Robert Doornbos . tyres . Michelin . Bridgestone . Shanghai

We Will Survivie – Whitmarsh

As reported on SportingLife.com

Martin Whitmarsh, McLaren’s F1 CEO, admits F1 will face a period of adjustment once the German has departed, he does whole heartedly believe F1 will survive in its post-Schumi era. “Inevitably, (Schumi) has a following, particularly in Germany – but on the other hand, as one door closes another opens,” he told Autosport.

“I think that with Nico (Rosberg), Lewis (Hamilton), Gary (Paffett), Heikki (Kovalainen) and (Nelson) Piquet (Jr), we’ve got an interesting rush of new blood, and I am sure those guys will be exciting to see as they develop.

Interestingly he forgot to mention Robert Kubica, the rookie who reached the podium in his third race. But then, that is not we are talking about.

We are talking about Michael Schumacher and Formula 1 next season. No doubts a lot has already been written about it and we don’t want to be repetitive. So we’ll say it once and for all.

The sports will go ahead, undoubtedly, even without Michael Schumacher, but it is going to take at least 2-3 races next season for the reality to sink-in. That’s our take on the subject, feel free to write yours.

TAGS: Formula 1 . F1 . Martin Whitmarsh . Michael Schumacher . Nico Rosberg . Lewis Hamilton . Heikki Kovalainen . Nelson Piquet Jr . Gary Paffett . Robert Kubica . McLaren

F1’s next big star?

As reported on Auto123.com

While we have the likes of Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen to carry us through after Schumacher leaves, there is another name on everyone’s lips after Polish racer Robert Kubica finished the Italian Grand Prix third in his only third race.

Despite Kubica’s lack of experience, he did everything right in Italy while his more experienced rivals made mistakes including his teammate Nick Heidfeld, who out-accelerated Michael Schumacher at the start to take second place, but then, as they went into the first corner, he switched to the inside line where there was a lot less grip.

When compared to other rookie that start this year, Nico Rosberg, Robert Kubica definately looks the future of Formula 1.

For Kubica’s hold the advantage of a complete package [car, team & personal performance], compared to Nico Rosberg [taking nothing away from his personal performance] who, we think, got hampered by lack of progress at Williams. Also the hype created during Rosberg’s initial races did a little harm to him, compared to a very quiet launch of Kubica and he proved his credentials directly on the circuit.

Related Articles

• Kubica a star of the future, says Alonso [Internal]

TAGS: Formula 1 . F1 . Williams . BMW-Sauber . Robert Kubica . Fernando Alonso . Kimi Raikkonen . Nico Rosberg . Nick Heidfeld . Monza

Michael Schumacher to retire

It’s official now. In post race interview, Michael Schumacher said to the world that he won’t be participating with the team at same level of racing. In other words, he’s retiring from being a Formula 1 Driver for Ferrari.

And that came after winning the Italian Grand Prix, with Kimi Raikkonen coming second and some astonishing driving from rookie Robert Kubica brought him his first Podium Finish with ending the race in Third place.

Details to follow.

TAGS: Formula 1 . F1 . Michael Schumacher . Kimi Raikkonen . Robert Kubica . Ferrari . Monza

Kubica a star of the future, says Alonso

As reported on reuters

Poland’s Robert Kubica can be a Formula One star of the future, according to world champion Fernando Alonso ……. “This is what happens always. We lost Villeneuve but Kubica came in, who I think is a good driver and probably a star of the future,” said the 25-year-old Spaniard.

Amen !

Related Entry:

• Kubica first Pole to start F1 race [Internal]

TAGS: Formula 1 . F1 . Fernando Alonso . Jacques Villeneuve . Robert Kibuca

Kubica first Pole to start F1 race

As reported on CNN

BMW Sauber said the 21-year-old test driver had been promoted to the race seat after 1997 world champion Villeneuve told them he had not fully recovered from an accident at Hockenheim last weekend.

“I had prepared myself for a whole year without actually competing in any races so I’m even happier to get his opportunity,” he said. “I’m proud that BMW Sauber has such confidence in me. I’m determined not to let them down.” Robert Kubica said.

TAGS: Formula 1 . F1 . BMW-Sauber . Robert Kubica . Jacques Villeneuve . Hockenheim

Villeneuve to quit F1 for US Nascar?

As reported on motoring.co.za

Canadian Jacques Villeneuve says he might quit Formula 1 this year and move to the US-based Nascar championship in 2007. It seems likely that Villeneuve will be dropped by BMW Sauber at the end of the 2006 season in favour of Polish test driver Robert Kubica……with no top teams apparently interested in him either……

Villeneuve said at the weekend: “Going to Nascar might not be such a bad career move because it’s the most exciting race series in the US and it’s a very different discipline to F1. I would not consider it a step down. Would I consider a move to stock cars? I would. But I would have to consider my family too as we would have to move to the US.”

That would be a perfect move for you JV! Knowing very well that you can’t be on a F1 podium [only except if 17 cars crash out of a race] and no decent contructor is ready to employ you. Hey and guess what !! You are no longer one of the directors of GPDA !! You resigned .. remember !!

And given your “flying” singing career, you definately are better off flying [hopefully] at NASCAR.

TAGS: Formula 1 . F1 . BMW-Sauber . Jacques Villeneuve . Robert Kubica . NASCAR