10 Tenths Grand Prix Previews - US GP Indy

[Super Tourer]

In the latest of our previews we look ahead to the United States Grand Prix.


10 Tenths Grand Prix Preview – US Grand Prix – Indianapolis - 20th June 2004.



2003 RACE RESULT – 73 Laps


1 Michael Schumacher Ferrari 73 1:33:35.997

2 Kimi Räikkönen McLaren-Mercedes 73 +18.2 secs

3 Heinz-Harald Frentzen Sauber-Petronas 73 +37.9 secs

4 Jarno Trulli Renault 73 +48.3 secs

5 Nick Heidfeld Sauber-Petronas 73 +56.4 secs

6 Juan Pablo Montoya Williams-BMW 72 +1 Lap

7 Giancarlo Fisichella Jordan-Ford 72 +1 Lap

8 Justin Wilson Jaguar-Cosworth 71 +2 Lap

9 Cristiano da Matta Toyota 71 +2 Lap

10 Jos Verstappen Minardi-Cosworth 69 +4 Lap

11 Nicolas Kiesa Minardi-Cosworth 69 +4 Lap

Ret Jacques Villeneuve BAR-Honda 63 Engine

Ret Ralph Firman Jordan-Ford 48 Spin

Ret David Coulthard McLaren-Mercedes 45 Gearbox

Ret Fernando Alonso Renault 44 Engine

Ret Jenson Button BAR-Honda 41 Engine

Ret Olivier Panis Toyota 27 Spin

Ret Mark Webber Jaguar-Cosworth 21 Spin

Ret Ralf Schumacher Williams-BMW 21 Spin

Ret Rubens Barrichello Ferrari 2 Accident

Fastest Lap: Michael Schumacher 1:11.473

Official Result


2003 GRID

1 Kimi Räikkönen McLaren-Mercedes 1:11.670

2 2 Rubens Barrichello Ferrari 1:11.794

3 Olivier Panis Toyota 1:11.920

4 Juan Pablo Montoya Williams-BMW 1:11.948

5 Ralf Schumacher Williams-BMW 1:12.078

6 Fernando Alonso Renault 1:12.087

7 Michael Schumacher Ferrari 1:12.194

8 David Coulthard McLaren-Mercedes 1:12.297

9 Cristiano da Matta Toyota 1:12.326

10 Jarno Trulli Renault 1:12.566

11 Jenson Button BAR-Honda 1:12.695

12 Jacques Villeneuve BAR-Honda 1:13.050

13 Nick Heidfeld Sauber-Petronas 1:13.083

14 Mark Webber Jaguar-Cosworth 1:13.269

15 Heinz-Harald Frentzen Sauber-Petronas 1:13.447

16 Justin Wilson Jaguar-Cosworth 1:13.585

17 Giancarlo Fisichella Jordan-Ford 1:13.798

18 Ralph Firman Jordan-Ford 1:14.027

19 Jos Verstappen Minardi-Cosworth 1:15.360

20 Nicolas Kiesa Minardi-Cosworth 1:15.644

[Super Tourer]

2003 RACE REVIEW

Unlike this season, in 2003, the title fight was still open with Montoya and Raikkonen still in a mathematical chance of winning the crown, with only 7 points between MS in 1st place and Kimi in 3rd. Sadly it all went wrong for Montoya who tangled with Barrichello and was given a drive through penalty that killed his championship chances, and became the catalyst to have driving conduct penalties applied at the following race, not during the current race.

The weather pretty much decided the race as rain came into play and tyres played a crucial role. Kimi was leading in his Michelin shod McLaren whose tyres favoured the semi-wet nature of the track more than the Bridgestones, subsequently Schumacher’s Ferrari dropped back. The rain increased and as teams debated what to do we saw the unlikely leaderboard of Webber, Button and Wilson forming the top three.

It didn’t last as Webber skated off in the deteriorating conditions which were too much for the dry tyres he was still on.

Now it became clear that Bridgestone tyres were than ones to have on a totally wet track, Michael Schumacher carved his way through the field after slipping back during the stops, with Kimi struggling along on his Michelin’s. As the track dried and teams switched to dry tyre’s the work was already done and Schumacher led Kimi at the flag.

It was heartbreak for Button and BAR as yet another engine blow ended a strong run from Button, who actually led for 15 laps during the race. It was a great race for Sauber who picked up an incredible 10 points in one race to vault up the standings. Wilson scored his first point, with an accomplished drive in very tricky conditions.

As we left Indy to head for the last race at Suzuka, Michael led Kimi 92 points to 83 points, with Raikkonen needing to win in Japan with MS not scoring. It didn’t happen…



INDY GRAND PRIX - FLASHBACK

2002 - With the howls of derision from the staged finish in Austria still ringing in their ears, we looked on with incredulity as the Ferrari’s performed another harlem shuffle on the line.

The Ferrari’s dominated the race, at the final turn Schumacher ran wide, Rubens ran down the inside and the cars crossed the line together – it took the timing to work out the winner – it was Barrichello. First Schumacher claimed he was going for a dead heat, and then decided it was ‘payback’ for Austria. Other’s just reckoned that Michael screwed up a formation finish, with Rubens going faster than he thought – whatever, it was stupid and coming on the back of ‘Austriagate’ it wasn’t needed.

Meanwhile down at Williams they had their own keystone cops moment as Ralf spun and punted into Montoya, PH and Sir FW watching the uncomfortable sight of both of their cars spinning out. Both got going but the race was all but over for them.

That was the story of the race really. DC came in 3rd, Kimi retired with a duff engine and Ford bosses were less than impressed with the sight of Irvine tooling around in 10th place in the Jaguar. Mind you he ended up better than team mate de la Rosa who after exiting his smoking Jaguar vaulted over the barrier and fell 6 feet into a drain….Somehow the thought of Jaguar and going down the drain made a connection….Anyway, the championship was done and dusted long ago, Michael left Indy on 134 points his nearest ‘rival’, Montoya in 3rd had a mere 47. In the constructor’s championship Ferrari were on a massive 205 points, more than the rest of the entire grid put together. It was complete dominance.

2001 – We saw a flash of the ‘old’ Mika, as Hakkinen drove a great race in what was to be his final year before retirement.

Barrichello suffered a rare Ferrari engine failure and saw his chances of 2nd in the WDC literally go up in smoke, as DC came in 3rd to consolidate 2nd place in the table. Irvine pleased Ford with 4th in the race. But it was all about Hakkinen who prior to Indy had suffered a lackluster season, only lying 6th in the table on 24 points. As we edged closer to the seasons end, it was somehow fitting that Mika put in such a great drive. "This is one of my most important victories," said Hakkinen. "Indianapolis is very special indeed."

Michael Schumacher came in 2nd, tyre inconsistency being a factor in his race, not that it made any odd’s as he still led DC by 52 points with only Suzuka to come.

2000 – The first GP at Indy greeted the teams, on a circuit described by Eddie Irvine as “a mix between Monza and Budapest” There were some shenanigans before the start as Ferrari protested over the positioning of the grid slots. Just ahead of the pole slot there was a strip of bricks, in keeping with the heritage of the track. This meant the pole sitter would run on the bricks off the start, whilst those behind ran on tarmac, the subsequent difference in traction would give a potential advantage to those on the 2nd row. Ferrari not known for their generosity in such matters, being as Michael was on pole, asked for the bricks to be sandblasted – this was refused. Eventually the grid was moved back and pole became where the 3rd placed slot had been. Only in F1 I hear you cry…

It was wet for the start, some cars opting for full wets, others on inters. DC got a good start from 2nd, but it was deemed to good and he got a penalty for a jumped start.

In the end Michael Schumacher ran out the winner, even a spin late in the race not spoiling victory. Mika looked able to challenge early on but an engine failure ended his race.

All in all it was a successful first event, in front of a big crowd – much to Bernie’s joy F1 had arrived in America – again.






RECENT WINNERS

2003 – Michael Schumacher
2002 – Rubens Barrichello
2001 – Mika Hakkinen
2000 – Michael Schumacher

[Super Tourer]

CIRCUIT MAP: http://www.formula1.com/race/circuitmap/722.html




LOOKING AHEAD TO THE 2004 RACE.

As another evocative name on the calendar, Indy has become a firm favourite, this year the race has moved from it’s last but one slot on the calendar – maybe this will reduce the chance of rain that we have seen during a couple of the races.

The last two Grand Prix have been business as usual for Michael and Ferrari, they used their tactical edge in Canada to full effect and we can expect the same here. Schumacher has effectively won all but one of the races held here – only the debacle on the line in 2002 kept his name off the winner’s trophy there, so as ever he has a good record around here.

Indy will reward aero efficiency, that long approach from turn 11 to the main straight is a key factor in the lap here – get it right and you get a fantastic run down the straight, which then sets up passing opportunities into turn 1.

You would think that JPM would be in his element here and use his US experience to full effect, but somehow he keeps tripping up here – both the last two years he has compromised his race by incidents – in actual fact – how many times have we said that about JPM in our GP previews this year……

Button suffered for mid-race balance problems at Canada so wasn’t a real factor, no doubt BAR will be keen to put that right, hopefully we will also see Sato ‘on it’ but on the track this time after a messy Canadian race.

Renault have it all to do after the double DNF at Canada and were slightly fortunate that both Williams got disqualified, which could be significant later in the season.

The McLaren’s were reliable in Canada and will be looking to build on that here, they ran light in qualifying - so more of the same here?

As to the result, Michael Schumacher won from 7th on the grid last year as rain came into play. Brother Ralf was more on it at Canada but has a poor record here, but Williams seemed better in Canada so maybe they can be a factor here. Looks like the usual protagonists at BAR, Renault and Williams chasing Michael. One driver who should be able to win here is JPM – can he do it I wonder?


RACE TIMETABLE – all times are LOCAL time: http://www.formula1.com/race/timetable/722.html


Friday 18 June

11:00-12:00 Friday Practice 1

14:00-15:00 Friday Practice 2


Saturday 19 June

08:00-08:45 Saturday Practice 1

09:15-10:00 Saturday Practice 2

12:00 Saturday Pre-Qual

13:00 Saturday Qualifying


Sunday 20 June

12:00 Race





LIVE TIMING: http://www.formula1.com/race/livetiming/722.html






TIME ZONE
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/city.html?n=105

Indianapolis is 6 hours behind current UK time.

Standard time zone: UTC/GMT -5 hours
Daylight saving time: +1 hour





WEATHER
http://uk.weather.com/weather/local/...code=code&y=10





Outlook
Friday 18th June – Partly Cloudy 27 dec C
Saturday 19th June – Scattered Thunder Storms - 24 deg C
Sunday – 20th June – Mostly Sunny - 26 deg C



UK TV VIEWING

http://www.itv-f1.com/TVSchedule.aspx


The United States Grand Prix on ITV

Qualifying
ITV1 - Saturday 19 June 0000-0115

Live Race
ITV1 - Sunday 20 June 1700-1950

Highlights
ITV1 - Sunday 20 June 0005-0105
ITV2 - Monday 21 June 1900-2005



Please check times with your TV schedule or the motorsport press before recording this race!

[Super Tourer]

CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS



2004 Drivers Championship



1 Michael Schumacher 70

2 Rubens Barrichello 54

3 Jenson Button 44

4 Jarno Trulli 36

5 Fernando Alonso 25

6 Juan Pablo Montoya 24

7 Ralf Schumacher 12

8 Giancarlo Fisichella 10

9 Takuma Sato 8

10 David Coulthard 7

11 = Felipe Massa 5

11= Kimi Raikkonen 5

13= Christiano da Matta 3

13= Nick Heidfeld 3

13= Mark Webber 3

16 Timo Glock 2

17 Olivier Panis 1







2004 Constructors Championship



1 Ferrari - 124

2 Renault - 61

3 BAR-Honda- 52

4 Williams-BMW - 36

5 Sauber Petronas - 15

6. McLaren Mercedes - 12

7. Jordan Ford - 5

8. Toyota - 4

9. Jaguar - 3


10 Tenths Tyre Maker Standings

1. Michelin – 168
2. Bridgestone - 144

[Gt_R]

Great preview..very detailed and well presented.. Sigh..we should have all this consolidated onto a website.

[Super Tourer]

Thanks!

[Kicking-back]

Good work as ever.

[dcp2685]

I'm anticipating 2 engine failures for McLaren this weekend. I think they got lucky last weekend but at Indy, they will be flat open for approx. 20 seconds. That's not going to be easy for that fragile Mercedes engine.

[Pitstop]

As always ST a good read, it helps to be reminded of last years race, will go and sort out my predictions now, after the footie of course.

[Adam43]

Just a reminder. The qualifying session can be followed on the BBC Five Live Sports Extra available on BBC digital radio.

You can't get it on the 'net due to licencing issue, bu you can get it through a DAB radio, Sky, Freeview or Cable. Click here to find out how to get it.