Anyone running light?

[Korr]

And furthermore (!) - why is it only ok with some folk if Ferrari are struggling? they are the best team in F1, and if we don't have them right up there battling for wins it is much more boring.

As much as I would love to see Schumacher score his seventh and final WDC, it wouldn't break my heart too terribly much to have the WDC go to the last race like last year, with Ferrari, McLaren, Williams and Renault fighting tooth and nail. A Raikonnen WDC for 2004 would sit just fine with me.

And a Ferrari/Raikonnen win in 2005 would that much better.

[Red]

Originally posted by BootsOntheSide
Ferrari could be extra-confident of their reliability.

They are, of course, and for good reasons. However, the fact that others are not is not a reason for celebration, is it?

[Kicking-back]

McLaren and Williams are making positive noises though.

Ron says his team were running quite conservatively and just checking tires and that the "real action begins tomorrow."

I'm inclined to agree.

Throughout the winter we've heard how Friday laptimes are relatively meaningless - but now, because we've been starved of F1 action for months, most of us are trying to hyper-analyse the Friday times.

I wouldn't hand the trophies over just yet!

[Adam43]

As the thread title suggests. We still know little of relative performances, race pace, track dependence, temperature dependence...

[Kicking-back]

I'd imagine over at the Ferrari-supporting At**s F1 forums, they're crowning MS with a seventh title around now!

[Son of Jor-El]

Originally posted by Glen
And furthermore (!) - why is it only ok with some folk if Ferrari are struggling? they are the best team in F1, and if we don't have them right up there battling for wins it is much more boring.

What you are saying here is very much a matter of opinion.
I'm declaring otherwise. I find it extremely boring to see those fast red things ALWAYS at the top. Admittedly, they had a bit of a struggle last year, but previous history states that they have been at the top,for far too long for my liking. I'm not "bashing" but I think it's very bad for one team to dominate the WDC and WCC for soo long. It's soul destroying.
There's no point in playing a game if you always win, there will be no competition.
And from the results of these two practice sessions the old order aren't exactly going to be "battling" for race wins, they'll breeze it.

Rant over, phew!

On topic, of course!
I think(and hope) that Williams and the Macs are just restricting engine use, and hopefully we'll see a decent competitive race on Sunday morning.

[ralf fan]

Originally posted by knowlesy
Looking round various forums, I'm amazed to read so many people writing the season off and vowing not to watch the sport again!

lets just pray we dont have 2002 all over again.... we will know the positions of the various teams only in uly and on race day.. besides Ferrari have always been quick in Australia... front row last year as well remember...

BTW.... how come your visiting other forums... are you cheating on the MODs knowlesy...

[garcon]

It's ok ralf - we've always known knowlesy knows we know knowlesy can't stay faithful to us. It's the fact he keeps coming back that concerns us...

Let's face it, anyone who genuinely believes the season is set after two practice sessions either knows nothing whatsoever about F1 or is deaf and blind or is just plain stupid. Or all three.

Mind you, forgive me if my decorum falters for a moment...

ONE WHOLE SECOND!!! YEE HAA!!! CCOOMMMMEEEEEOOOONNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ahem. Thankyou.

[Redblurr]

does it matter if Schumi was light? I heard that it was his first lap that beat last year pole and the second got the lap record.

[Adam43]

Saving engines?
Here is a list of how many laps everyone has done on Friday.
M.SCHUMACHER Ferrari 15
BARRICHELLO Ferrari 22
TRULLI Renault 23
BUTTON BAR 15
ALONSO Renault 22
R.SCHUMACHER Williams 26
MONTOYA Williams 19
COULTHARD McLaren 17
WEBBER Jaguar 17
RAIKKONEN McLaren 18
FISICHELLA Sauber 27
SATO BAR 14
MASSA Sauber 25
ZONTA Toyota 25
DAVIDSON BAR 11
PANIS Toyota 11
KLIEN Jaguar 20
DA MATTA 16
HEIDFELD Jordan 15
WIRDHEIM Jaguar 30
BRUNI Minardi 18
BAUMGARTNER Minardi 9
PANTANO Jordan 18
GLOCK Jordan 4

Now is doesn't give an idea of rev limits, which has a big effect, so I am unsure how much we can tell from this. Still it is generally less than last year IIRC.

[EERO]

Originally posted by Red
Hmm, not sure yet how this "one engine" rule affects friday testing sessions. I'd say that everyone set the rev limiter a couple revs lower. Now, how much?

I'd agree with Red. We know that the Ferrari's were rock solid over the past few years. I'd guess that they are more confident about the reliability of their lumps than say, Honda, would be. Willaims will be cautious to start. I think that we cannot righ-off the season yet, but I will admit surprise at Ferrari's relative pace.

[Glen]

Originally posted by Korr
As much as I would love to see Schumacher score his seventh and final WDC, it wouldn't break my heart too terribly much to have the WDC go to the last race like last year, with Ferrari, McLaren, Williams and Renault fighting tooth and nail. A Raikonnen WDC for 2004 would sit just fine with me.

Very well put - I completely agree. What ires me is that many people here would be just as happy for Ferrari to be virtually out of contention - considering that the reason for that would almost certainly be tyre-wars I find that a very difficult wish to empathise with.

[EERO]

Jeez, Adam, from the list of numbers of laps run, Sauber's numbers are high... Maybe they really are testing for Ferrai and sacrificing their own pace over the weekend?

[Red]

Hmm yes, and Ralf did 26 laps while Montoya only 19...

[Redblurr]

word has it that the Bridgestones were getting better and better on the Ferrari's - and there is a lot more to come- so don't blame Ferrari for your team's under-performance -