Return of the Sleeping Giant
Michael Schumacher and Ferrari returned from it’s season long dream state to grab the pole for Sunday’s Hungarian Grand Prix. The pole is Schumie’s 64th and leaves him one shy of the late Ayrton Senna’s record.
Schumacher’s performance was impressive considering he lost all of the second practice session to alternator failure. With nearly a full second advantage over second place I suspect we’ll see the Ferrari make an early fuel stop and confirm he gained the pole on a light fuel load.
The McLaren’s of JP Montoya and Kimi Raikkonen looked to be odds on favorite to claim the front row as they consistently posted quick times throughout the four free practice sessions, but Kimi was hampered by being first out to qualify. The notoriously slippery tarmac of the Hungaroring took it’s toll and Raikkonen rolls off from fourth position Sunday. Teammate Montoya will start second on the grid.
Third place went to Jarno Trulli in the Toyota, in another fine qualifing effort that has been his trademark this year. His biggest problem may come on race day. With Kimi, Alonso and Barrichello all just behind, the biggest race of the day may be those three trying to jump past Trulli at the start, as we’ve seen before a bit of a backlog can build up behind him on track.
Renault is not on the pace it expected this weekend and BAR was not exactly speedy either, but a lot can happen over a race distance.
For the moment Michael is sitting pretty - it’s so difficult to overtake at the Hungaroring so pole position is exactly where you want to be. He has to be a good bet for the win if he can stay ahead at the start but that’s something the rest will be eager to change.
1. M.SCHUMACHER Ferrari 1m19.882s
2. MONTOYA McLaren 1m20.779s
3. TRULLI Toyota 1m20.839s
4. RAIKKONEN McLaren 1m20.891s
5. R.SCHUMACHER Toyota 1m20.964s
6. ALONSO Renault 1m21.141s
7. BARRICHELLO Ferrari 1m21.158s
8. BUTTON BAR 1m21.302s
9. FISICHELLA Renault 1m21.333s
10. SATO BAR 1m21.787s
11. KLIEN Red Bull 1m21.937s
12. HEIDFELD Williams 1m22.086s
13. COULTHARD Red Bull 1m22.279s
14. MASSA Sauber 1m22.565s
15. VILLENEUVE Sauber 1m22.866s
16. WEBBER Williams 1m23.495s
17. ALBERS Minardi 1m24.443s
18. KARTHIKEYAN Jordan 1m25.057s
19. DOORNBOS Minardi 1m25.484s
20. MONTEIRO Jordan no time
Schumacher over/under lap number, 9: Will he pit before or after 9 laps? My guess is after 9, but not much more. He slowed his car so quickly after his qualy lap I got the impression he was trying to conserve even the vapor in the tank.
michael’s strategy just doesn’t make much sense for us observers. maybe the team knows something we don’t. or maybe they are just going for the qualifying record as many suggested. whatever it is, i just can’t wait for the race!
Schumacher’s strategy makes perfect sense when you consider the Hungaroring is one or, if not the hardest, circuit to pass.
With a light load he scorches 8 or 10 very fast laps ducks in the pits and sits back and waits for the rest to pit. Don’t underestimate the Ferrari team on pit stop strategy, they have been masters at it.
20/20 hindsight: Ferrari have the driver and the car is getting better, but rubber is still the weak link. Watch Ferrari test their wheels off in the next three weeks, and get a win or two in the last six races. Even tho Ferrari have said they are no longer developing the F2005.
I thought the same thing. As the race reached the 30 lap mark the Bridgestones seemed to go away. After that second round of pitstops and Kimi came out ahead of Schumie it was all over.
BTW George, how was your heaping helping of “crow?” With Schumie going 4-5 laps longer than either of us thought it definately was a sign the Ferrari did gain in speed and not just a light fuel load.
My choice of crow was fried, with fries and sweet corn, if your wondering.
Like a man, with the feathers on and washed down with beer margharitas. Very tasty!