Alonso on pole ahead of Raikkonen
Under a sunny sky and half an hour earlier than usual because of the world cup football, Fernando Alonso put in one more pole position and is joined on the front line by Kimi Raikkonen. Behind them are Michael Schumacher and the second Renault of Fisichella. All four are close to each other and as the race will be very tiring, we are in for an exciting race.
While Silverstone is now one of the toughest circuits for the engine with more to come several changes were made to ensure reliability during the Grand Prix. On the other hand, thanks to the high temperatures a lot of drivers complained of oversteering as it poses different stresses to the tyres. At warm weather it is especially the left rear tyre that is the limiting one.
Because of that change, Schumacher and Alonso were quickly on track, most likely aiming to test their cars and adjust the downforce settings to improve the car balance. Meanwhile as Trulli enters the pitlane after only 2 installation laps, his engine let go and filled the pitlane with white smoke. Knocked out after a quite peaceful first stage are Webber, Albers, Button, Sato, Montagny and the unfortunate Jarno Trulli. Jenson Button will obviously be disappointed as in front of his home fans he is outpaced by his teammate Barrichello. Takuma Sato will however lose some places as his car will be fitted with a new engine before the race.
Watching inboard cameras it is really stunning to see the Formula One cars go full throttle through cobbs and the first part of becketts. Even the second part of that complex as taken without really lifting the throttle. It appears as though the new rear wing of Honda seems to work better for Barrichello than Button as he gets through to the final session. The wing resembles the one used by Ferrari before they were asked to change it because it as constructed to close the gap between the elements while travelling at high speeds. The high speeds in the corners combined with the high temperatures will make this race particularly challenging to the drivers.
After once more a rather calm session, both Toro Rosso cars, both Red Bulls, Rosberg and Monteiro are knocked out. David Coulthard was visibly not pleased with something as he had lots to explain to the Red Bulls chiefs as he returned to the pitlane. During both sessions, Fernando Alonso came out quickest, and thus is in a good position for the final session.
As usual, then follows the fuel burning with after 7 minutes the drivers come in for a first new set of tyres. Villenueve is the first to do so. After the first series of quick laps Michael Schumacher is in front with only 0.042 seconds ahead of the world champion. 4 tenths further are Raikkonen and Fisichella. A bit later, Alonso improves very good and overtakes Schumacher for provisional pole. Kimi Raikkonen even managed to put in a second time while Fisichella will be aside of Schumacher on tomorrow's starting grid.
The results are as follows:
1 F. Alonso Renault 1:20.253
2 K. Räikkönen McLaren 1:20.397
3 M. Schumacher Ferrari 1:20.574
4 F. Massa Ferrari 1:20.764
5 G. Fisichella Renault 1:20.919
6 R. Barrichello Honda 1:20.943
7 R. Schumacher Toyota 1:21.073
8 JP. Montoya McLaren 1:21.107
9 N. Heidfeld BMW 1:21.329
10 J. Villeneuve BMW 1:21.599
11 D. Coulthard Red Bull 1:21.442
12 N. Rosberg Williams 1:21.567
13 V. Liuzzi Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:21.699
14 C. Klien Red Bull 1:21.990
15 S. Speed Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:22.076
16 T. Monteiro Midland F1 1:22.207
17 M. Webber Williams 1:23.129
18 C. Albers Midland F1 1:23.210
19 J. Button Honda 1:23.247
20 T. Sato Super Aguri 1:26.158
21 F. Montagny Super Aguri 1:26.316
22 J. Trulli Toyota no time
