They probably mean he'll announce, at the Italian GP, his plan to retire at the end of the season. I think only a very small number of people know what he's going to do so we'll see. I wouldn't be too surprised if he hung around for another season.

Mark

 

Alonso has been penalized 5 grid positions for blocking Massa!!!!!!

That means for the Monza grand prix, Alonso is starting from the 10th spot. Should make for some interesting racing.

 

The impact was 5 grid places but the penalty itself was deletion of his 3 fastest lap times. Lucky for him quali is segmented this year so his 4th best lap only pushed him back to the last of the Q3 drivers. His official Q3 time of 1:25:688 would otherwise have pushed him back to 21.....right between Sato and Yamamoto.

 

And how 'bout the Honda's?
How do say...... KERBLAMMO!!!!!
Jim

 

Did anyone catch the qualifying today. Just finished watching it off TIVO...

Great finish, would love to see MS on pole, but good result for Kimi.

Could we see Kimi in red after tomorrow?

 

I don't think we'll see such fireworks in the race though because Honda were running their '07 engines during practice -- they changed back to '06 spec before quali.

 

And apparently the "blocking" consisted of Massa getting close to Alonso on Alonso's out-lap. Alonso was doing a fast out-lap in order to make sure he'd cross the line before time ran out so he could do one hot lap before the end of the final session.

Mark

 

Alonso penalized for blocking Massa, now he goes KABLAMMO right in front of Massa with five laps to go, taking both out of the points, Hmmm.

Kubica performs like a veteran, maybe I shoulda given the youngster a bit more credit...What will Michael say at the press conference?... The plot thickens.

 

Alright...Schuey said it and it was well said in the press room. Scheuy will finish the next 3 races, hopefully win the championship, then retire and make way for a new #1 Ferrari driver (Raikkonen)...Here's a link i found fast fast, i didn't get a chance to read it yet.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/moto...ne/5332630.stm



Giancarlo

 

Yet another ridiculously unfounded (and biased?) decision by the stewards.

 

The entire second half of this season has been altered greatly by the FIA steward's ridiculous rulings towards Renault. First they tell Renault they can't run the mass damper system that they told them 1.5 years ago was fine. Now they penalize Alonso for driving one of the quickest outlaps of the entire year to get his final hot lap in. Massa was never close enough to even think about passing Alonso. To me, this is clearly the FIA trying to tip the tables in Ferrari's (MS's) favor. I have to agree with Alonso's comment that F1 is become less of a sport, since there is no clear rulebook anymore, which is really unfortunate.
In my opinion, Michael should have retired when he was absolutely on top at the end of 2004. If he wins the title again this year, it will be a contrived and manipulated win and will further tarnish his image.
I really hope that Alonso can keep the fight going and take the title that is rightfully his! Next stop, China!

Also, Kubica had the drive of the race, what an impressive rookie!

 

I'm very sad to see MS leave at the end of the year. He's really brought the sport to a new level. It will be a moment in history of the sport. Great result for MS. I really hope that Michael can win the WDC for 2006, ending his fantastic career on a strong victory and a great season.

As for the stewards & FIA in the ladder part of the season, that's part of it. Remember of all the bad calls that you see throughout sports history. I strongly disagree with the penalty for Alsonso on this one though.

With that said, we have ourselves a good season... Looking forward to next year, I'm very happy to see Massa to have a drive with Ferrari next year and teamed up with Kimi taking over for MS.

Kubica has driven like a champ. I am really excited to see this kid in the future. Who would have thought that BMW Sauber would have been so competitive. I thought for sure they were on a light fuel load at the start of the race. Oh boy, can't wait to China.

 

It’s not the driver at this level of racing because they’re all good, it’s the car. You put him in a SUPER AGURI HONDA and see where he shows at the finish line.

 

I agree & disagree with your statement. First off, driving the moving chicane, no one will be quick in that thing...

The BMW Sauber pace this weekend was amazing. I couldn't believe that they could keep up with Ferrari, Renault & McLaren as they did. Kubica has some speed. Look at him in comparison to Heidfeld. He out paced him through the whole race.

 

It really is a good season as far as the racing goes. I have to forget about the politics, etc, once the races start so I can enjoy them, but there have been close races, more dicing for position that usual, and lots of surprises.

I'm in total agreement about Kubica. I like the fact that he's very smart and not arrogant as much as I like to watch him drive.

 

If you think about the rookies this year, we have a pretty good crop..

Kubica and Rosberg. I think those two guys have some good running. Scott Speed as well. Seems like these guys are very techincal as well, which will be an asset to the teams their in to give the feedback to improve the car.

I love Nico's remarks in interviews. He's funny.

 

Agreed on Kubica, what I was most impressed by was his first stint, where he passed damned near everybody and with more fuel than either Raikkenen or Schumacher. Indeed, F1 will be super-competitive in the post-MS era.

For the life of me, I can't see where Alonso screwed up Massa's week-end except for that brief moment a few laps from the end of the race where the Renault's oil and recently externalized engine bits played havoc with his tires.

 

I must say, the new rules of F1 for qualifying have really improved the year for me. I didn't really like the one lap.

I'm a little concerned withthe upcoming changes, the engine freeze. I think that's just going to hurt somethings. We'll have to see how it goes.

Looking forward to the new "rookie" drivers. I'd actually like to see DC make a solid come back (if Redbull can get it together).

 

great win for Schumi if not very exciting

I guess the Speed announcers were right. Ferrari got this chance to get Kimi so they signed him. Massa is driving very well. Schumi really likes Massa and doesn't want to take his ride. Schumi is that much closer to chosing retirement which he did. I hope he gets the championship. It would be a perfect ending to a great careeer Maybe he will go to LeMans in a Ferrari or go to DTM for Mercedes and race Hakkinen again I just find it hard to believe he will just quit racing all together

I betcha Schumi was telling Kimi on the podium when he put his hand on Kimi's shoulder "Soon this will be yours. The team, the crowd, the victories, the championships...get ready, my friend..." or something like that.

Massa is probably saying..."over my dead body...this is my team next year"

Kubica was just awesome Where did BMW pull that out of Heidfeld is supposedly the number one driver I kind of feel a little bit sorry for Jacques as he left just before this engine or whatever upgrade came out.

Once again, Alonso and Renault are screwed by the stewards or the FIA with phantom blocking and the mass damping issue

I want Schumi to win but I don't want it be like Indy 2005

Kimi had very good pace this weekend so there is hope for Alonso next year too although Kimi seemed out of it after the first pitstops.

 

...perhaps Michael will begin developing his own F1 team...a logical next step.

 

ok, so Schumi is out, Kimi is in. who's going to take Kimi's spot? PDR?

EDIT: or should I say, who's going to take JPMs spot? Of course, Alonso took Kimi's spot.

 

I recall hearing rumors about this a few months ago. I can't remember where I read them however. I'm not sure that he would want all the headache. Many drivers leave/retire from F1 to get away from the obligations and drive DTM or some other form just for fun (As Mika did).

I think they're going to take Lewis Hamilton (GP2 Champ). I'm not really sure who they're going to announce as the second full time racing driver.

Doornbos in for Klien at Red Bull

 

Man, I was in awe of Kubica... Can't wait to see what the future holds. Taking the same equipment they've had all year and delivering some impressive performances. And that other kid that they have wheeling their cars around is also seemingly quite fast!

 

Yes...except...I think Michael was nicely asked to remove himself...I think Michael still has a lot of love for this sport and for his "mates". I think he has some financial power, relative to what resources are required to run an F1 team, and he knows the sport. But as you questioned, does he posses the stamina to get an F1 team off the ground? Who would supply engines? A chassis? ...A huge challenge for sure.

I was a little tearfull during the post race interview and hope to see him stick around for a while...because he has passion.

 

It was emotional, but tearfull is a bit strong for my case. hahaha

I've been watching F1 for 7-8 years now. I've only known the sport with Michael in it. Back in the Eddie Irvine & MS days... Mika and DC. Back when Arrows was an actual team. The changing face of F1...

It's sad to see the legend go... despite what one thinks of Schumi.