Belgian GP - guessing game
Admin Alumni
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,143
Likes: 19
See Garage
Re: Belgian GP - guessing game
Originally posted by trench
pole (dry): JPM in 1m49.980s
pole (wet): MS in 2m20.770s
podium: MS-RB-KR
Cheers, BT
pole (dry): JPM in 1m49.980s
pole (wet): MS in 2m20.770s
podium: MS-RB-KR
Cheers, BT
My guess for this year:
pole (dry) JPM: 1:49.250 (guessing a 2 sec. improvement is too little on a 4.3 mile track)
pole (wet) MS: 2:15.250 (it's never wet all the way around)
podium (dry, hot): JPM, MS, RB (just wishful thinking + keep it interesting)
podium (wet): MS, RB, DC
I sure hope it's clear and dry this weekend. It wouldn't be typical for Spa, but it sure makes for spectacular speed and more fun to watch.
Last edited by MB-BOB; Aug 27, 2002 at 11:38 AM.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,465
Likes: 0
From: SF Bay Area
2002 C230 K
Guess no one else is going to play with us, MB-BOB.
I think you're right about my time, 2 seconds probably isn't enough of a reduction, especially at a track like Spa. I think the best case scenario pole time could be something like 3.5s quicker than last year (around 1'47.6"). I'll stick with my first time, though, I'll gamble that something weird happens (like a tiny bit of rain) to keep the maximum difference from happening.
By the way, I read that Bernie is threatening to remove Belgium from the calendar (maybe even as early as next year) because the poloticians there are remaining firm on imposing the tobacco sponsorship ban. That would most definately suck, as Spa is my favorite track.
Cheers, BT
I think you're right about my time, 2 seconds probably isn't enough of a reduction, especially at a track like Spa. I think the best case scenario pole time could be something like 3.5s quicker than last year (around 1'47.6"). I'll stick with my first time, though, I'll gamble that something weird happens (like a tiny bit of rain) to keep the maximum difference from happening.
By the way, I read that Bernie is threatening to remove Belgium from the calendar (maybe even as early as next year) because the poloticians there are remaining firm on imposing the tobacco sponsorship ban. That would most definately suck, as Spa is my favorite track.
Cheers, BT
Admin Alumni
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,143
Likes: 19
See Garage
trench, your predictions have beaten me at every track so far, so I'm not going to dispute you. I do wish more would play... Accord?
Yes, I heard about the tobacco furor in Belgium. I can't imagine they'd trash Spa... It's one of my favorites, too. If not the favorite. If it came to pass, I would call it short sighted. I recall that F1 is abandoning cigarette advertising within 4-5 years anyway, so why pull the plug on a popular and traditional venue over a moot point?
Yes, I heard about the tobacco furor in Belgium. I can't imagine they'd trash Spa... It's one of my favorites, too. If not the favorite. If it came to pass, I would call it short sighted. I recall that F1 is abandoning cigarette advertising within 4-5 years anyway, so why pull the plug on a popular and traditional venue over a moot point?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,261
Likes: 13
From: Afghanistan / South Florida / Camp Lejeune, NC
2008 BMW M6, 2008 Ducati 1098, 2008 Ducati Monster S2R1000, 1971 Ducati Scrambler
I'm going to go with 1:47.850 by RB.
My race predictions are MS, RB, DC.
My race predictions are MS, RB, DC.
Admin Alumni
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,143
Likes: 19
See Garage
Well, if today's practice is any indication, we are all way off the mark. Fastest time in (dry) practice: KR at 1:47.196. Wow!
Both McLarens held the top spots in practice, with MS leading the Ferraris a good .3 secs behind. Wonder if there is some sandbagging going on? Ferrari look noticeably unsettled... both MS and RB were jittery, and RB spun off into the tullies and didn't finish the session.
It appears that good portions of the track have been repaved, and they have widened the exit from the bus stop chicane.
So, anyone care to recast their pole predictions? My guess for dry qualifying is now 1:46.875, probably one of the McLarens or JPM. I'm thinking McLaren was nearly at qualifying trim today, while the others, who knows?
Other news: Toyota is losing both its drivers for '03. They gave both McNish and Salo the boot, and Salo has since surprised with an announcement that he is retiring! Olivier Panis is moving over from BAR to take McNish's seat. (What does that say about BAR's prospects for improvement...Panis must feel Toyota will improve faster). So, that suddenly leaves one seat open at both BAR and Toyota... Now, what was that talk about an American coming over?
Both McLarens held the top spots in practice, with MS leading the Ferraris a good .3 secs behind. Wonder if there is some sandbagging going on? Ferrari look noticeably unsettled... both MS and RB were jittery, and RB spun off into the tullies and didn't finish the session.
It appears that good portions of the track have been repaved, and they have widened the exit from the bus stop chicane.
So, anyone care to recast their pole predictions? My guess for dry qualifying is now 1:46.875, probably one of the McLarens or JPM. I'm thinking McLaren was nearly at qualifying trim today, while the others, who knows?
Other news: Toyota is losing both its drivers for '03. They gave both McNish and Salo the boot, and Salo has since surprised with an announcement that he is retiring! Olivier Panis is moving over from BAR to take McNish's seat. (What does that say about BAR's prospects for improvement...Panis must feel Toyota will improve faster). So, that suddenly leaves one seat open at both BAR and Toyota... Now, what was that talk about an American coming over?
Last edited by MB-BOB; Aug 30, 2002 at 10:25 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,261
Likes: 13
From: Afghanistan / South Florida / Camp Lejeune, NC
2008 BMW M6, 2008 Ducati 1098, 2008 Ducati Monster S2R1000, 1971 Ducati Scrambler
I am going to guess 1:46.920 for the pole by either KR or DC.
McLaren has a fantastic chance to win on Sunday, I just hope they don't screw it up tomorrow.
McLaren has a fantastic chance to win on Sunday, I just hope they don't screw it up tomorrow.
Trending Topics
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
From: Ashland, Ohio
ex-C32
I think your on to something Accord. At least David Hobbs mentions that McLauren has made a nice turn around since the beginning of the season. Hobbs even mentioned how much he enjoyed the AMG road cars at the AMG Challenge at Summit Point(I was there!) and Fontana.
Go McLauren!
Norm
Go McLauren!
Norm
Originally posted by Accord
I am going to guess 1:46.920 for the pole by either KR or DC.
McLaren has a fantastic chance to win on Sunday, I just hope they don't screw it up tomorrow.
I am going to guess 1:46.920 for the pole by either KR or DC.
McLaren has a fantastic chance to win on Sunday, I just hope they don't screw it up tomorrow.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,465
Likes: 0
From: SF Bay Area
2002 C230 K
Rather surprised to see the McLaren's at the top of the time sheets today. Unfortunately, I think that McLaren is going to hold to this season's form and for some reason be slower tomorrow and then fast again on Sunday. Surprising that the Sauber's were so slow today - mixed it up with the Minardis today. The Jags didn't go to badly either - they were supposed to have some new aero bits for this race, guess they worked.
I'll stay with my original pole driver JPM, but with an updated time of 1m 44.590s; although it would be cool if Kimi got his first pole tomorrow (I'm not going to pick him to avoid jinxing him
). I guess the repaving has a lot to contribute to the impressive increase in times from last year. McLaren could finish well on Sunday.
Go McLaren!
BT
I'll stay with my original pole driver JPM, but with an updated time of 1m 44.590s; although it would be cool if Kimi got his first pole tomorrow (I'm not going to pick him to avoid jinxing him
). I guess the repaving has a lot to contribute to the impressive increase in times from last year. McLaren could finish well on Sunday.Go McLaren!
BT
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 603
Likes: 0
From: NY
ML 500 Sport
I don't think JPM is going to get poll...he looked really bad this morning...i will not guess at times but poll will be between MS and DC...and Kimi is going to get his first race win...it's a stretch I know but what the hell...I think MB finally has real motor in that car!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,261
Likes: 13
From: Afghanistan / South Florida / Camp Lejeune, NC
2008 BMW M6, 2008 Ducati 1098, 2008 Ducati Monster S2R1000, 1971 Ducati Scrambler
Originally posted by Norm C32
Hobbs even mentioned how much he enjoyed the AMG road cars at the AMG Challenge at Summit Point(I was there!) and Fontana.
Hobbs even mentioned how much he enjoyed the AMG road cars at the AMG Challenge at Summit Point(I was there!) and Fontana.
.
Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
C230 K coupe Orion blue, Evo, prem leather roof, premium sound and cd changer, auto.
Belgian Grand Prix qualifying times
Looks like MS blew away last years qualifying results. Kimi was phenomenal. DC's time at McClaren will be tough to justify. They should pick up Heidfeld or Massa. JPM was no where in qualifying. I'm happy to see that Ralph is bettering JPM. My picks for tomorrows final results stand at MS, RB, RS/KR(if he doesn't break the car).
1 M.SCHUMACHER_ Ferrari____ __1m43.726s
2 RAIKKONEN__ __ McLaren Mercedes___ 1m44.150s
3 BARRICHELLO__ Ferrari____________ 1m44.335s
4 R.SCHUMACHER_ Williams BMW_______ 1m44.348s
5 MONTOYA___ ___ Williams BMW_______ 1m44.634s
6 COULTHARD__ __ McLaren Mercedes___ 1m44.759s
7 TRULLI____ ___ Renault____________ 1m45.386s
8 IRVINE___ __ __ Jaguar __ 1m45.865s
9 SALO____ _____ Toyota_____________ 1m45.880s
10 BUTTON___ ____ Renault____________ 1m45.972s
11 DE LA ROSA_ __ Jaguar ___ 1m46.056s
12 VILLENEUVE_ __ BAR Honda__________ 1m46.403s
13 MCNISH__ _____ Toyota_____________ 1m46.485s
14 FISICHELLA__ _ Jordan Honda_______ 1m46.508s
15 PANIS________ BAR Honda__________ 1m46.553s
16 SATO________ _ Jordan Honda_______ 1m46.875s
17 MASSA___ _____ Sauber Petronas____ 1m46.896s
18 HEIDFELD__ ___ Sauber Petronas____ 1m47.272s
19 WEBBER__ _____ Minardi Asiatech___ 1m47.562s
20 DAVIDSON___ __ Minardi Asiatech___ 1m48.170s
1 M.SCHUMACHER_ Ferrari____ __1m43.726s
2 RAIKKONEN__ __ McLaren Mercedes___ 1m44.150s
3 BARRICHELLO__ Ferrari____________ 1m44.335s
4 R.SCHUMACHER_ Williams BMW_______ 1m44.348s
5 MONTOYA___ ___ Williams BMW_______ 1m44.634s
6 COULTHARD__ __ McLaren Mercedes___ 1m44.759s
7 TRULLI____ ___ Renault____________ 1m45.386s
8 IRVINE___ __ __ Jaguar __ 1m45.865s
9 SALO____ _____ Toyota_____________ 1m45.880s
10 BUTTON___ ____ Renault____________ 1m45.972s
11 DE LA ROSA_ __ Jaguar ___ 1m46.056s
12 VILLENEUVE_ __ BAR Honda__________ 1m46.403s
13 MCNISH__ _____ Toyota_____________ 1m46.485s
14 FISICHELLA__ _ Jordan Honda_______ 1m46.508s
15 PANIS________ BAR Honda__________ 1m46.553s
16 SATO________ _ Jordan Honda_______ 1m46.875s
17 MASSA___ _____ Sauber Petronas____ 1m46.896s
18 HEIDFELD__ ___ Sauber Petronas____ 1m47.272s
19 WEBBER__ _____ Minardi Asiatech___ 1m47.562s
20 DAVIDSON___ __ Minardi Asiatech___ 1m48.170s
