What a fantastic summary - This kind of stuff what the reason I wanted to start FormulaOneTalk -Where Fans Report. I have been just too busy with other projects I do want this forum to go somwehere some day. Maybe at some point we can get press passes for our top reporters.
Those were some great observations and I am embarrassed with my Nico Kimi joke as I take pride in being such neutral fan of the sport.
(but those two performances where impressive and one can only imagine where they would have ended up without their mishaps)
Kimi mishap - YEs leave to uncle RON
to be the last one to catch on that it is important to limp into round 2 early and not go out with 5 min left when a lap takes 1.5 min and has to be completed before flag.
Typical McLaren.
Nicos only realmistake happened already in second round of quali - not race imo. His spin there left him two spots out of to 10 round. Without it could have had a good chance qulaifying higher _ HE HAD THE SPEED - but instead he was right jamm packed in the middle of the field of his debut start - and really had no where to go when Nick came closingin for the turn 1 - BUT Nico smartly took the blame. Yes he will go very very far - I was so impressed with him. I knew he was fast and mature but hey - Fastest lap. Up to 7th. And his Come from behind rush was not just last place it was a WAY last place. It probably took some 10 laps to catch up with the back markers first... His pass on DC and Klien were top notch - clutch situation passing ala Kim over Fisi 2005.
Yeah - It was almost nice to see Ferrari back. Massa undid himself. He cannot afford many of those this year. Ferrari wont have it. Too mcuh good talent out there.
Alonso is an amazing guy. So impressive in so many ways -- And I think we havent ever really seen him yet - HE hasnt been in many do or die situations where he have had to spectacular things. Maybe this year he will have really show what hes got. (And I suspect a lot more - evenmore than kimi - in reserve that is)
JV drove cleanly - except for some touching with fellow bumper car racing series driver Ralf - no biggie. But he showed he is one of the hardest drivers to pass and kimi had to sit behind him for a long time.
I too was impressed that there no technical retirements to speak of. And so few mistakes as well by rookies.
Speed had a great first race.
Hats off to Williams getting both cars in points - fastest lap - despite losing engines last year. Cosworth always seem to have an engine ready no matter what. Keeping 06 arch rivals Red Bull ferrari and Sauber BMW will be their main objective.
Sauber/Thiessen have downplayed their chances this year - probably just to escpae pressure and get more ink when they do get some success. That package should work as well as any other package since everything is new thisa year and many teams have new suppliers be it tires engines or both.
Honda was a dissappointment - especially rubiño. And toyota. Should have kept Salo... They must be hurting. I thouhg tsmaller engines would have been right up their alley. well maybe at least not yet.
Fantsatci to have the season off to a great start. Yeah It will be a fantastic year and a good race for the championship with Alonso Kimi and Schumi - Contenders/pretenders - Button - Montoya.
Sorry massa fisi Rubens. Nico you'll have to wait a few years for a better Williams package. Mercedez..?
to be the last one to catch on that it is important to limp into round 2 early and not go out with 5 min left when a lap takes 1.5 min and has to be completed before flag.