Awesome, just awesome.
Great job Kimi and Massa! Ferrari looks strong. I still think Kimi will comfortably win tomorrow and if Massa can block out the pressure it will be a Ferrari 1,2!!
I'm curious to see whether Kimi is lighter than Massa. He said he made a mistake in turn 1, so he theoretically could have been faster, but does that mean he's lighter? For Massa to beat Kimi to pole at Monaco with a heavier car would be an accomplishment. Even more props to Massa if that is the case. He was so giddy in the press conference. Reminded me of an excited child. Gave me a good chuckle. But seeing as it will rain, we probably won't find out, and Kimi will win. Don't take this as Massa bashing, because I sure as hell can't do what he does and he's doing really well this year, but don't forget his record in the rain...
I don't think by much -- Kimi was only 0.4 off his Q2 time, while Phil was 0.6 slower that Q2. But Kubi was 1.6s off Q2: probably the first of the 1-stop cars. Given that neither Phil nor Ferrari has had great fortunes with Monaco in recent years, I think he was surprised to be up front. I've seen his record in the rain. And it's not that bad. I'm almost hoping for rain, so Phil can show what he can do. (But I worry about team strategy -- Kimi may still have choice of pit times, due to leading the championship. If it rains, and Kimi takes over lead on the pit rotation, the bashers will still be saying "bad in the rain".) I just hope the red cars don't get tangled up at T1. But I think everyone but the Ferraris and the Macs will be on a one-stop, so the leaders have to be hoping for an SC or two. And a few of the one stop cars must be betting on an SC period, as well, since a lot of 'em (like Alonso) just don't seem to like the option tires. A real one stop means half the race on options. Unless it rains. Did Hamilton have a hand brake installed for the Casino hairpin? (Nice handbrake turn.) And that settles it: DC is now F1's official crash test dummy. But I was surprised to see the yachts pulled up close to the swimming pool chicane. Don't they usually move them out of that area? (Granted, none of the F1 cars have gone swimming, lately. But you never know ... especially if it rains. And then there are the GP2 cowboys.)
+1 That was a nice save! Who would have thought watching re-runs of Dukes of Hazzard would come in handy eh?
Great job by Massa! I don't care who's lighter or heavier...what matters is that Massa got the pole which is extremely important in Monaco.
I for one hope it does not rain....but if it does, don't count Felipe out at all. Many here do not give him his due IMHO. Kimi has probably one lap more fuel if you look at the previous race strategies.
Massa was third in 2007, same lap as winner Alonso, and second place Hamilton. Kimi was one lap down at the end in 8th. I do not believe that anyone can predict this race. I was thinking Alonso would be faster, was wrong. Massa is on a roll, his body language vs Kimi's suggests that he wants the win and the WDC more than Kimi. I am thinking the race will be in Massa favor, even in the rain. Felipe did very well in the rain at the end of 2007, remember that pass on Heikki? If Massa wins, the ramifications within Ferrari could be very serious.
IMO looking at Q2 and Q3 times it seems that Massa is heavier than Kimi. Heaviest of all would be Rosberg,Kubica and Heikki. Should be an awesome race tomorrow. Forza Ferrari ..!!
Makes for a much more interesting race. No passing in Monaco, so if there is no rain, the podium will simply be: Massa, Kimi, Hami. With rain, all bets are off and we might see something different than a procession "race".
Qualifying was good fun to watch as usual. This year watching the cars snake about in the exit of corners made it real fun. If it rains tomorrow, it will be dynamite (or it could be an absolute carnage). Rosberg looked really great as well. Kovy seemed to be quietly efficient. WTF happened to Heidfeld? His season is going to pot. Excellent job by Massa. He looked ordinary on Friday morning but he did a great lap where it counted. I think Kimi is slightly heavier and it will be interesting to see what happens after the first stop. Thaaaaaaat's if Kimi and Hamilton don't get into each other into Ste. Devote in the first lap.
Why do you think it will be easier to pass when it's raining? Or do you think certain drivers can't cope with the rain and will crash out? Otherwise I don't see the difference between a dry and a wet procession.
I see where your heading with this, but let's just assume it's add excitement to a sometimes boring race and it add's another element of driving skill and gives us value for money, because they will have to earn theirs. And let the best driver win.
Forza Ferrari! Kudos to Kubica for a great time as well. Quick Nick is going to lose some sleep tonight.
Before the qualifiers I was hoping for it to rain on Sunday as I expected the Mclarens to be ahead of Ferrari and I thought that rain might help close the gap. However, now that the F-cars are 1st & 2nd I REALLY hope it doesn't rain. I'd rather see Ferrari dominate a boring race than loose an exciting one. Off course, if they come out victorious in an exciting one...all the better.
....UUUUUUUhhahahahahhehehehehee...McLaren should bepissed this time around...they gave it all to qualifying and Ferrari was keeping it quiet and staying out of the all quick lap...hehheheee... Massa putted a great lap, what a fast guy this is...I couldnt care less how´s heavier than who...is going to be all RED this time around in Monaco... Great Lap By Raikonnen too...we can speculate Massa was a lap of fuel lighter so he´ll have his shot at winning... Forza Ferrari!...what a slap was that for McLaren...and wait to see if BMW is capable of smaking too... ...on a side Note...This Alonso is really good...he managed to make it into the top ten and I hear him on the radio complainig about rear end grip, what a drive he did...Picket is keeping the engine warm for the next big thing...
With rain all bets are off and even somebody like Kubica might win it. I'm always hoping for rain at any race, but particularly at this one where passing is impossible. Heck, I was hoping for rain during qualifying, but no. Without rain, Monaco is the most boring race in the calendar.
I hope for rain for this one too. Not a huge downpour mind you, but just enough to shake things up a bit.
Exactly. Right after the first pit window opened. Then stop it and with 15 laps left another one. Just enough to make everybody come in for different tires, throw all fuel strategies out the window and mix the field up a couple of times.
I had thought that Heidfeld would have done better in the BMW. RK seems to be just shattering him this year. Big disappointment. Congrats to Massa and Kimi.
