F1:CE "Driver Diaries": The 2006 Season

Contained within this thread are the personal accounts of the 2006 Formula One season from the perspective of the drivers who participated. As you might expect, it takes time and alot of behind-the-scenes skullduggery to get hold of these valuable and at times highly intimate and personal documents, therefore I shall be posting the accounts as and when I get hold of them!

Please feel free to leave any comments, suggestions/requests, or questions for the drivers, and I'll see what I can do to get a response for you!


1. Alonso (Renault) - 125 •••••
2. Massa (Ferrari) - 116 ••••
3. Fisichella (Renault) - 90 •••
4. M Schumacher (Ferrari) - 85 ••
5. Montoya (McLaren) - 58
6. Räikkönen (McLaren) - 55 •
7. Button (Honda) - 52 ••
8. Barrichello (Honda) - 39
9. Trulli (Toyota) - 21
10. Rosberg (Williams) - 9
11. Heidfeld (BMW) - 8
12. R Schumacher (Toyota) - 3
13= Villeneuve (BMW), Liuzzi (Toro Rosso) - 1

• = Race Win


Constructors Championship:

1. Renault - 215
2. Ferrari - 201
3. McLaren - 113
4. Honda - 91
5. Toyota - 24
6= Williams, BMW - 9
8. Toro Rosso - 1

Introduction

Guten tag, my friends and inferior drivers!... It's the first race of the 2006 Formula One World Championship, not one of my favourite circuits (despite winning here 6 times in the past), but I love coming to Barcelona - except for 2001, when I ate a dodgy paella after Friday practice and the marshalls had to wave red and yellow striped flags around my underwear. Here's what happened this weekend...

Qualifying

Qualifying Session 1 was bad. Very bad. The set-up of the car just wasn't working and I struggled to a pathetic "Call Yourself A Schumacher?!" 16th place, just scraping into Session 2. I remember passing Coulthard's pit garage and I swear he flipped me the bird - Scottish dumbkopf. Session 2 and I was panicking slightly. I was a bit quicker, but on my second run, that obnoxious Australian man (I forget his name, Markus Webfoot or something) doesn't see me coming down the home straight and he is travelling very slowly out of the pits, and ruins my lap. I need a banker lap in the top 10 otherwise it's Goodnight Barcelona. Finally, some clear track and I put the "pedal to the metal", but still the lousy car is fighting me every step of the way, and I can only muster 9th - but it's good enough. IN ZE FACE, Coulthard you stricher! Final session and I place a lousy 8th on the grid - Both Renaults are on the front row, followed by Barrichello in the Honda, then the McLarens. I am not happy with Felipe. he has out-qualified me, despite our little chat in the jacuzzi last night. "Felipe", I told him, "If you out-qualify me again this season, I will not be inviting you to Switzerland for the ski-ing and the fondue parties!" He thought I was joking... I was not joking.

The Race - 14 Laps - Grid Position: 8th; Strategy: One Stop (end Lap 7); Weather: Good (Difficulty: Medium, Penalties/Damage: On)

Starting 8th... so it's No More Mr. Nice Michael Barrichello muttered something at me on the grid, so I have crossed him off my fondue party list too. (That's the list down to just me, Ralf and the girls now ) Anyway, I get off to a text-book start and late-brake my way straight into 6th place into Turn One. Montoya is slow through Turn Two and I pass him going into Turn Three. 5th place already - is gut, ja? By the end of Lap One, I am closing in on Raikkonen and pass him into Turn One of Lap Two.

I start to pull away in 4th and am starting to catch Barrichello, who is some way off the lead pair (the two Renaults). I pass Barrichello on Lap 5, and I can feel that my tyres are starting to suffer. I set the fastest lap of the race (and easily my fastest of the weekend - a 1:17.9xx) and things are looking good. Fisichella pits end of Lap 5 and Alonso end of Lap 6, and I take the lead. (I am thinking that they may be on a two-stop strategy, in which case I am looking in great shape!!)...

I pit Lap 7, but the useless rabble of humankind that I call my pitcrew manage a lousy 12.1. I say in my helmet, "Hey Luigi, put down ze French bread pizza and change my bloody tyres", but it doesn't help. I feed back in to the mix in 5th place

I am now some way behind Kimi Raikkonen in 4th and Felipe is right on my ass (again!). He is really putting me under pressure and it's getting to be a hassle, but I pull the gap out from 0.9 seconds to over 2 seconds, until Sato's engine blows right infront of me coming into the penultimate turn, and I lose my advantage over Felipe. This incident means that I can no longer reasonably hope for 4th place, and now have to fight to keep 5th place. I make it to the last lap, the Renaults way off in the distance and Felipe still riding my ass like he is World Ass Riding Champion, 2006, and my tyres are starting to go again. I put in a lousy first sector and just after the second split towards Turn 10, I brake a bit too late and put the pedal down while my right tyres are on the rumble strip, and I spin. Felipe fires past me, and into 5th. I recover the spin just infront of Nick Heidfeld, who is closing fast. I regain my composure and finish 6th. Better than I thought after qualifying, but scant consolation after being in 3rd place-proper... 👎

Summary: A missed opportunity

Mood:

Until next time, stay beautiful, people 👍


Michael Schumacher

Epilogue: Back home now, after a long and not particularly satisfying weekend, I get out my filofax and score off Felipe Massa's name on my fondue party list. I'm considering calling Jean and Ross, and asking them if they want to come along, since I'm not sure if Ralf and I can handle 8 women each. Ross blotted his copy-book last year by eating all the fondue and knocking over the chocolate fountain after one too many dry Martinis (I have a picture of that somewhere, I'll try and find it!), and Jean made a complete tit of himself by trying to sing Bohemian Rhapsody in French on my karaoke machine - you can see why I didn't want to ask them back this year . Anyway, two weeks until the next race, better get cracking - so many phone calls to make!

Result:

1. Fisichella (Renault) - 10
2. Alonso (Renault) - 8
3. Barrichello (Honda) - 6
4. Raikkonen (McLaren) -5
5. Massa (Ferrari) - 4
6. M Schumacher (Ferrari) - 3
7. Heidfeld (BMW) - 2
8. Montoya (McLaren) - 1

Great write up, v.funny 👍

Introduction

G'day folks! Blow me if it isn't the most glamourous event on the F1 calendar, the Monaco GP. I dusted off the tuxedo and made my way to the Cote d'Azur, ready to do battle at the tightest and most testing track on the F1 circuit.

Qualifying

After a good couple of days setting up the car, the Williams felt well-balanced and was handling superbly around the demanding Monte Carlo streets. I was aiming for a top 10 grid position, and one my first hot lap I got just that, 10th spot, just 1.3 secs off the leader's pace. Session Two and I really hooked it up nicely, scoring 3rd place, just 0.2s off the leader, with a 1.16.461. I settled for that, and waited on the final session, confident of a good performance. Final qualifying session, I fuelled up for a one-stop strategy, 8 laps (50% race distance), and posted a 1:17.521, 0.4s off Pole, but good enough for 4th place, and the second row of the Grid. Massa took pole, with Alonso also on the front row. (n.b. Nico only managed a 1:17.721, starting only 14th on the Grid... who's your Daddy!? )

Race - 16 Laps - Grid Position: 4th; Strategy: One Stop (end Lap 8); Weather: Good (Difficulty: Medium, Penalties/Damage: On)

The first corner is always mayhem here at Monaco, but I got a nice clean start and was tight up behind Michael Schumacher coming into Casino. A slow exit of the Lowes haipin for Schumi gifted me the chance to pass, and I take 3rd place. Button also edges past Schumacher. Amidst our scrap for 3rd place, Massa and Alonso scamper off into 1st and 2nd, and build a lead of about 4 seconds, but I hold onto 3rd until it's time to pit.

A dreadful stop is made even worse by my penalty for crossing the line as I leave the pits. I'm already passed by Schumacher and Montoya and am now in 5th, with Trulli and Button close behind. I am pushing hard and get the fastest lap of the race, a 1.15.9xx, as I close the gap on Montoya in 4th to just two tenths of a second. I am holding off the challenge of the Toyota, until Lap 11, and coming out of the Rascasse, I slightly misjudge Anthony Noghes, and hit the armco hard on the entrance to the back straight. My right front suspension is gone and that's the end of the race


Summary: Atleast I didn't have far to walk back to the pits...

Mood:


Mark Webber


Epilogue: Well folks, Frank was well and truly pissed at me for throwing away a potential 5 World Championship points. I swear when he came charging into the paddock, he tried to run over my feet, but I managed to dodge out of the way just in the nick of time. I found out the next day that Frank had thrown a BBQ on his yacht but didn't even invite me. Infact he specifically told the rest of the team not to tell me about it, or he'd have them thrown overboard! . I only found out after I spotted some BBQ sauce on Nico's shirt the following morning... Oh well, it's his loss. When I got home to England I went to Morrison's and bought myself one of those disposable BBQ's and had my own 'After Race' party by myself.


Result:

1. Massa (Ferrari) - 10
2. Alonso (Renault) - 8
3. M Schumacher (Ferrari) - 6
4. Montoya (McLaren) - 5
5. Trulli (Toyota) - 4
6. Button (Honda) - 3
7. Barrichello (Honda) - 2
8. Fisichella (Renault) - 1

DNF: Webber (Williams)

Standings (After 2 races):

1. Alonso (Renault) - 16
2. Massa (Ferrari) - 14
3. Fisichella (Renault) - 11
4. M Schumacher (Ferrari) - 9
5. Barrichello (Honda) - 8
6. Montoya (McLaren) - 6
7. Raikkonen (McLaren) -5
8. Trulli (Toyota) - 4
9. Button (Honda) - 3
10. Heidfeld (BMW) - 2

Constructors:

1. Renault - 27
2. Ferrari - 23
3. Honda - 11
3. McLaren - 11
5. Toyota - 5
6. BMW - 2

Introduction

It's the third round of the 2006 F1 Season, and it's off to Sepang with 3 pts under my belt from the first two races. The team has been performing well so far this season, but I'm still hunting my first ever GP victory. Honda are expecting great things from me and Rubinho this season - let's just hope we can deliver on the promise of 2005...

Qualifying

The car is set up very nicely, a slight oversteer problem seems to have been corrected during Friday practice, and I'nm confident of a good grid position. Session One goes really well, and I post the fastest time, a 1:35.731, some 0.6 s faster than Schumacher. I retire to the pits... Session Two, and I manage another fastest lap, but this time Schumi pips me with a 1:35.7 of his own. This is going to be tight for the final session! Final qualifying and I've fuelled for an early first stop, hopefully giving me an advantage on the Grid aswell. My gamble pays off, and I manage a 1:36.711, 4 tenths clear of Schumacher in 2nd and well in front of Rubens! So I will start the race on Pole! Could this be my first win??

Race - 12 Laps - Grid Position: Pole; Strategy: One Stop (end Lap 5); Weather: Good (Difficulty: Medium, Penalties/Damage: On)

The race begins and Schumacher has a good start - he dives down the inside and overtakes at Turn One Alonso is hot on his heels but I just stay ahead, as we almost touch into the very slow Turn Two... but I am on the inside and hold my nerve, and, more importantly, 2nd place. It's not long until I'm back under the rear wing of Schumacher and pushing for the lead. I've been fast through Turns 12-13 all weekend and I make it pay by taking the inside line against Schumi and forcing him to concede the lead as we take Turn 14... He slipstreams me down the back straight but I fend off the challenge into the final turn and complete Lap One in the lead of the race.

I have fuelled for a short first stint and build a lead of over 2.5 seconds before I pit. My stop is not bad, and I fuel to the end of the race. I feed back out in 8th, between Klein and Webber... but Schumacher is staying out. I am now stuck behind a relatively slow Klein and must get passed before I lose my advantage... however, Klein is hesitant through Turn 8 and I pass him on the straight towards Turn 9, and put the foot down. As I pass the pit lane at the end of Lap 7, I see Schumacher and Alonso emerge from the pits... they're behind! The gap has fallen slightly, but by the end of Lap 8 I am 2.3 seconds clear and it's looking great for a first career win... until disaster strikes on Lap 9 (well, almost!) I'm too hot into Turn 14 and spin! I manage to recover quickly, however, but Schumacher is right behind me now. Again, I have to drive defensively and fend off a challenge into the final turn, but I hold on to the lead somehow... I'm starting to notice the tyres are going, as I build my lead back up to 2.3 s by Lap 10. I'm very cautious of spinning again, and Schumacher is closing about 0.2-0.4 s per sector - but suddenly he's gone! His car pulls up somewhere in Sector 2 and he's out of the race! The pressure is off and I cruise home to a first ever GP win


Summary: A very successful weekend!

Mood:



Jenson Button


Epilogue: My first win and up to 4th in the World Championship! I'm pretty sure this means a bonus of some description. Last year, my bonuses were pretty lousy. I finished 3rd in Germany in 2005 and Nick Fry gave me a Turkish Delight (Atleast it was better than the Chinese burn he gave me after Silverstone ) Still, the Big Boss at Honda was happy, for once - Honda just 4 points off 2nd place in the Constructor's Championship

Result:

1. Button (Honda) - 10
2. Alonso (Renault) - 8
3. Massa (Ferrari) - 6
4. Fisichella (Renault) - 5
5. Barrichello (Honda) - 4
6. Trulli (Toyota) - 3
7. Raikkonen (McLaren) - 2
8. Montoya (McLaren) - 1

Standings (After 3 races):

1. Alonso (Renault) - 24
2. Massa (Ferrari) - 20
3. Fisichella (Renault) - 16
4. Button (Honda) - 13
5. Barrichello (Honda) - 12
6. M Schumacher (Ferrari) - 9
7. Montoya (McLaren) - 7
7. Raikkonen (McLaren) - 7
7. Trulli (Toyota) - 7
10. Heidfeld (BMW) - 2

* ( TM - 13 Pts )

Constructors:

1. Renault - 40
2. Ferrari - 29
3. Honda - 25
4. McLaren - 14
5. Toyota - 7
6. BMW - 2

Introduction

Dear diary... why is my life so dull? Nothing ever happens except the same old same old. I arrive in Sydney (my plane had an emergency landing there after an engine failure) and Yuji and I are picked up by a Honda team rep. Unfortunately, our driver had a seizure midway through our journey and our car careered off the road, and so Honda had to send us another driver to take us to Melbourne. And here I am at Albert Park, sitting here in the darkness (our generator was knocked out by a lightning strike), and I'm looking forward to another boring race. Ho hum...

Qualifying

I'm quite happy with the set up of the car and I'm quicker than Yuji. But Session One doesn't go very well. I had hoped to make it through to Q2 but can only manage a 1:34.2xx, good enough for 18th, but 0.3 s off Mark Webber in 17th and a full 1.1 s off Q2 pace. Yuji is 21st with a 1:35.1, however, so 17th is a respectable position...

Race - 12 Laps - Grid Position: 17th; Strategy: One Stop (end Lap 6); Weather: Good (Difficulty: Medium, Penalties/Damage: On)

It's a great start, and I pass a Toro Rosso and a Red Bull off the Grid, but it's not long before the tussling starts! I'm shunted from behind into Turn 3 and hit Mark Webber fairly hard, damaging the nose of my car. The damage is quite bad, but it's not affecting my speed too much, however the suspension is also slightly damaged and handling is slightly affected. However, I make my way past Webber and Rosberg to take 13th place! - but Rosberg is quicker and we swap places several times, until finally on Lap 5 he tags me heavily on the exit of Turn 6 and I spin, losing two places...

However, I pit next lap and despite a quick stop, I come out back in 20th, which, after the pit stops shake-up, works out at 18th... The incident with Rosberg has effectively cost me 5 places, and I'm now behind Ide, with about a 3 second margin between us. This means trouble for me... it also means Yuji will get to sit in the front on the way back to the airport

But the rest of the race is going OK, and I catch Yuji on Lap 9, and pass him coming into the home straight after a much quicker exit on the final turn. I hold him off for the rest of the race, but Coulthard is too far away for me to contemplate 16th place. I finished 17th, with teammate Yuji Ide in 18th... all in all, not a bad performance - both Super Aguris finishing the race, and for once, an accident that wasn't my fault

Summary: I'm alive!

Mood:


Takuma Sato

Epilogue: 4 races into the 2006 Season and still the Super Aguri team haven't scored a point To add insult to injury, that British arse Jenson Button won his first GP last time around, and Honda are now clear third in the Constructors' Championship But not to worry... I happen to know of a little plan to scupper them for next season - Aguri Suzuki wants to swap Barrichello for Yuji... that should do it! 👍

Result:

1. Massa (Ferrari) - 10
2. Alonso (Renault) - 8
3. Fisichella (Renault) - 6
4. Barrichello (Honda) - 5
5. Trulli (Toyota) - 4
6. Button (Honda) - 3
7. Montoya (McLaren) - 2
8. Heidfeld (BMW) - 1

17. Sato (Super Aguri)

Standings (After 4 races):

1. Alonso (Renault) - 32
2. Massa (Ferrari) - 30
3. Fisichella (Renault) - 22
4. Barrichello (Honda) - 17
5. Button (Honda) - 16
6. Trulli (Toyota) - 11
7. M Schumacher (Ferrari) - 9
7. Montoya (McLaren) - 9
9. Raikkonen (McLaren) - 7
10. Heidfeld (BMW) - 3

* TM - 13 Pts : M Schumacher (3), J Button (10)

Constructors:

1. Renault - 54
2. Ferrari - 39
3. Honda - 33
4. McLaren - 16
5. Toyota - 11
6. BMW - 3

Keep them coming TM

OMG! Someone else posted (Thanks! )

Although these race reports are as accurate as I can make them without being even more boring than they already are, I have to confess that they are not entirely as 'straightforward' as they first appear.

In my race as Button (which I went on to win), I actually got as far as the pit stop before I realised I didn't know exactly where the pit entrance was, and in my haste I managed to drive straight into the pit entrance wall and it was GAME OVER - but I elected that this was an 'unrealistic' error not in-keeping with what would have happened in real life, so I restarted...

Busy for the next few nights, unfortunately, so probably won't get round to Round Five until Sunday or Monday... I'm thinking perhaps Heidfeld at the Nurburgring for that one...

Introduction

Greetings. It's the "Ice Man" here, allegedly. I've never understood why they call me that. I hate ice - I have very sensitive teeth. I think it's because I come across as a bit of a stick-in-the-mud before and after the race, but in actual fact, it's all a bit of an act - psychology and all that. Anyway, here's some details from my notes after Round Five of the 2006 F1 World Championship in Bahrain.

Qualifying

Q1 and Q2 were very smooth, and the car was feeling very good. Comfortably made the last 10 shootout, setting a new lap record in the process (1:35.271). Final Qualifying, and after a slight spin, I abandon Attempt One and try again. I manage to take Pole by almost a full second from Felipe Massa. Alonso and Schumacher make up Row 2.

Race - 12 Laps - Grid Position: Pole; Strategy: One Stop (end Lap 6); Weather: Good (Difficulty: Medium, Penalties/Damage: On)

A good start, but Massa is also very quick of the line and has the inside line on me into Turn One. I go round the outside of him and we are wheel to wheel into Turn Two and I edge infront, however Massa passes me into Turn Four. It's a close race already, with me in an uncomfortable Ferrari sandwich. Massa is slow through Turn 13 and I pass smoothly and lead going into Lap Two... however, the Ferrari is much faster in a straight line and Massa retakes the lead before Turn One - but once again it's wheel-to-wheel and this time we touch and I come off best... I maintain the lead and start to eek out a reasonable gap until it's time to pit, and I'm 3.5 seconds in the lead.

I re-emerge after a quick stop in 3rd - but Alonso (lead) and Coulthard (2nd) both need to pit... Massa and Schumacher are still a good 3 seconds behind and starting to fight with each other, giving me a chance to escape (Massa clearly hasn't read his contract this year!!! ) Alonso benefits from his extra laps and leapfrogs Schumi into 3rd, but I am now free and clear - all I have to do is avoid a few hazards on track (plenty of oil!) and the race is mine!

Summary: A very good weekend!

Mood:


Kimi Räikkönen

Epilogue: Delighted with the win, and finally got a bit of credit from the boss! Have leapfrogged JPM too, so that should wipe the smile off his chubby little face Next day, I get a letter from Ron, which I've decided to let you guys see since I'm such a big fan of GTPlanet What a grovelling bastard, honestly. Anyway, best get ready - I'm off to "Luca's Place" tonight, for some pasta and ragu, and hopefully a bit of afters as well


Result:

1. Räikkönen (McLaren) - 10
2. Massa (Ferrari) - 8
3. Alonso (Renault) - 6
4. M Schumacher (Ferrari) - 5
5. Fisichella (Renault) - 4
6. Montoya (McLaren) - 3
7. Barrichello (Honda) - 2
8. Trulli (Toyota) - 1

Standings (After 5 races):

1. Massa (Ferrari) - 38 (Countback: 2 wins)
2. Alonso (Renault) - 38
3. Fisichella (Renault) - 26
4. Barrichello (Honda) - 19
5. Räikkönen (McLaren) - 17
6. Button (Honda) - 16
7. M Schumacher (Ferrari) - 14
8. Trulli (Toyota) - 12
8. Montoya (McLaren) - 12
10. Heidfeld (BMW) - 3

* TM - 23 Pts : M Schumacher (3), J Button (10), K Räikkönen (10)

Constructors:

1. Renault - 64
2. Ferrari - 52
3. Honda - 35
4. McLaren - 29
5. Toyota - 12
6. BMW - 3

Introduction

Round Six of the 2006 F1 World Championship and it's off to Montreal. With my team-mate Ralf having scored zero points in the championship so far, it has been left up to me to fly the flag for Toyota this season, apparently... Here's what happened in Montreal..

Qualifying

After a productive set-up session, I was very happy with the handling of the car and comfortably made the final 10, clocking the 2nd quickest time in Q2, only 3 tenths off the pace of provisional pole sitter, Massa. But fully laden with fuel, the handling went to hell for the final session and I struggled to a disappointing 8th on the grid, and was well off the pace set by the Ferraris and Renaults who occupied the sharp-end of the grid - again!

Race - 14 Laps - Grid Position: 8th; Strategy: One Stop (end Lap 7); Weather: Good (Difficulty: Medium, Penalties/Damage: On)

I got off to a sublime start (even if I do say so myself ), passing both McLarens on the outside and braking deep into Turn One - I dived down the inside, hugging the rumble strip and pushed infront of Fisichella to claim 4th spot - a leap of 4 places in the first few turns!

But my great start was a bit of an illusion - it quickly became apparent that I was lacking speed, and by the end of lap One there was a small queue behind me. Fisichella made a lunge at me into the final chicane and almost took me out, as we collided. Fisi would later retire from the race, possibly as a result of our collision. From this point on I could feel the car pulling to the left, so I definitely sustained some sort of damage too - dropping to 5th in the process.

Anxious to avoid more collisions at the final chicane, I took too much of the run-off area in Lap Three and was penalised, costing me 3 places. I pitted in 8th and came out in 9th, as team-mate Ralf took track position on me Despite pushing hard to catch him, I remained in 9th for the rest of the race, holding off a dogged challenge from Heidfeld - but it was a forlorn effort (for both of us), as we both ended the day with nothing to show 👎

Summary: Disappointed

Mood:



Jarno Trulli

Epilogue:

Immediately after the race, I stormed over to confront that putz Fisichella about his lunge that damaged my car and cost me 4th spot. Unfortunately, he wasn't there... it turned out he was angry at me, and he had stormed over to my pit garage to have a word with me!! In our anger, we managed to storm straight passed each other without noticing. Anyway, while I was in his pit garage, I took the opportunity to spit in his cappuccino Ralf got his first point of the season, and was unbearably smug. The patronising git even had the nerve to ask me if I wanted to come to his brother's fondue party... as if!

Result:

1. Massa (Ferrari) - 10
2. Alonso (Renault) - 8
3. M Schumacher (Ferrari) - 6
4. Montoya (McLaren) - 5
5. Räikkönen (McLaren) - 4
6. Barrichello (Honda) - 3
7. Button (Honda) - 2
8. R Schumacher (Toyota) - 1

9. Trulli (Toyota)

Standings (After 6 races):

1. Massa (Ferrari) - 48
2. Alonso (Renault) - 46
3. Fisichella (Renault) - 26
4. Barrichello (Honda) - 22
5. Räikkönen (McLaren) - 21
6. M Schumacher (Ferrari) - 20
7. Button (Honda) - 18
8. Montoya (McLaren) - 17
9. Trulli (Toyota) - 12
10. Heidfeld (BMW) - 3
11. R Schumacher (Toyota) - 1

* TM - 23 Pts : M Schumacher (3), J Button (10), K Räikkönen (10)

Constructors:

1. Renault - 72
2. Ferrari - 68
3. Honda - 40
4. McLaren - 38
5. Toyota - 13
6. BMW - 3

Massa wins his third race of the season, but is still only 2 points clear - the battle for third spot is getting much tighter, and Ferrari close the gap in the Constructors to just 4 points...

Click to expand...

Thats what you get when 2 Italians crash in to each other

Yes, indeed! It was 'handbags at ten paces', I can tell you.

In the interest of balance, I've managed to procure a screenshot of an email that Fisi sent to Jarno after the race...

Good ones, keep 'em coming! +Rep flying you way.

Brilliant Thread Touring Mars!

+REP 👍👍

EDIT:

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Touring Mars again.

Click to expand...

Cheers guys, glad you're enjoying the thread 👍

I'm going to be doing the rest of the season in tandem with the real races from now on. Also, when I come round to doing races with the better drivers, I may bump the race length up a bit from the standard 20% which I have been using thus far. The next race, therefore, will be next weekend at Indianapolis, possibly in a BMW or a Red Bull... I wish F1:CE allowed me to do the race with only 6 cars in it, and I could watch the virtual crowd throw virtual bottles on to the circuit and then demand their virtual money back...

You go Mars and im glad that this thread is getting more recognitions 👍

That means we can expect another bit of brilliancy after Sunday?

of course

Fancied a read, glad I did, great stuff, especially the email to Trulli haha

+ Rep

Good write-up 👍

Almost as eventful as the real event!

Just discovered this thread, so you've got a PS3 eh? How do you like it?

Anyway, I love these write-ups, especially with all the photos and signatures and all that stuff. Also, that e-mail gave me a good laugh, +Rep for that write-up Chris


*EDIT*

What's up with the "spread" thingy, I've got 3 posts now waiting for Rep...

Thanks for the positive feedback, guys 👍

I'm loving the PS3, Bram... I'm sorely tempted to get myself an HDTV to enhance the experience, but I have other financial commitments which take priority for the time being! I originally planned to buy loads of different games, and branch out a bit from my usual driving game collection, but nothing that is available right now has grabbed my attention, so I decided to get into F1:CE a bit more.

I played it online a bit but was pretty frustrated by it, to be honest - either people racing dirty (where's sukerkin when you need him?!) or having races with no collisions (which is fine for beginners, but not ideal for a proper race...) So I decided to do a full season on my own, which I can do in my own time and at my own pace...

Originally, I was going to do the whole season as Michael Schumacher, but then I realised that I could do a different driver for every race and hence experience a challenging race weekend using every car in the game... I'm also doing my own Career mode, but I'm not getting very far with it at the moment, since I only really play games on the PS3 once or twice a week, and most of that is doing these races you see before you and (of course) Gran Turismo HD (which is getting a bit boring now, to be fair!)...

Anyway, I really like the look of some of these FPS games, like MGS4 (or whatever it is), so I'll be purchasing atleast one of those when they finally come out, I also like the look of Assassin's Creed too - but I really would like to see GT5 Prologue or a little more content for GTHD while we wait on GT5...

Introduction

After a disappointing Montreal (no thanks to fellow countryman, Trulli ), I was starting to feel like the Championship was getting away from me. Not only did I need a strong performance to keep Flavio from busting my balls, but I also needed a little bit of luck to close the gap on Massa too. Here's what happened at Indy...

Qualifying

Comfortably made it into the final session, but didn't quite get the job done on the first attempt, running wide at Turn 11... I was then horribly balked by the traffic on my next attempt and needed to find a good 0.3 s to make the front row. However, I pulled it out of the bag on my last run, securing pole from Schumacher. Both Alonso and Massa failed to make the front two rows, so things are looking good...

Race - 15 Laps - Grid Position: Pole; Strategy: One Stop (end Lap 8); Weather: Variable (Difficulty: Medium, Penalties/Damage: On)

A nice clean start, but Schumacher is on top of me by the end of Lap One and we come wheel to wheel in Turns 1 & 2 on Lap Two. However, I hold my position and the drama is over. Schumacher is never more than 2.2 s behind me, but he pits a lap earlier, and I make the clear track and no pressure from the rear count on my in-lap... a good stop sees me come out still infront, but I get a running penalty for going over the run-off area and the end of the pits... This puts Schumi right on my tail, and a braking misjudgement into Turn 8 sees Schumi fly past me and into the lead...

However, I have been much faster in Sectors 1 & 3 (since I'm quicker in a straight line) and I out-brake Schumi into Turn 1 at the start of Lap 10, and re-take the lead. From here on in, it's very close, but Schumacher can't get close enough to make a challenge. Beginning the final lap, Schumi is just 1.1 s behind, but I hook it up very nicely on Lap 15 and clock a 1.11:5xx to beat the lap record by 0.2 s, and I take the chequered flag


Summary: In your face, Jarno!

Mood:



Giancarlo Fisichella


Epilogue:

I couldn't have asked for a better result... Fernando and Felipe both failed to finish, and so I'm right back in the Championship hunt . Flavio was delighted and he promised to buy me a drink after the race, but when I got to the bar, he was already there with Schumi (of all people!) Despite my win, I wasn't in a great mood because I had a slight toothache. My dentist said it was "too many Fisi drinks..." Anyway, atleast the disappointment of Montreal is behind me now, and I got one over on Jarno into the bargain. As my people say, "Revenge is a dish best served cold"... unlike spaghetti bolognese, which is disgusting cold.

Result:

1. Fisichella (Renault) - 10
2. M Schumacher (Ferrari) - 8
3. Montoya (McLaren) - 6
4. Räikkönen (McLaren) - 5
5. Barrichello (Honda) - 4
6. Heidfeld (BMW) - 3
7. Trulli (Toyota) - 2
8. Rosberg (Williams) - 1


Standings (After 7 races):

1. Massa (Ferrari) - 48
2. Alonso (Renault) - 46
3. Fisichella (Renault) - 36
4. M Schumacher (Ferrari) - 28
5. Räikkönen (McLaren) - 26 (Countback: 1 Win)
6. Barrichello (Honda) - 26
7. Montoya (McLaren) - 23
8. Button (Honda) - 18
9. Trulli (Toyota) - 14
10. Heidfeld (BMW) - 6
11= R Schumacher (Toyota) - 1
11= Rosberg (Williams) - 1

* TM - 33 Pts : M Schumacher (3), J Button (10), K Räikkönen (10), G Fisichella (10)

Constructors:

1. Renault - 82
2. Ferrari - 76
3. McLaren - 49
4. Honda - 44
5. Toyota - 15
6. BMW - 6
7. Williams - 1

Just found this thread! Have been in fits of laughter at some of the comments, the pictures, the letters & e-mails! Great effort, looking forward to more! +Repped the Indy report 👍
Well deserved methinks!

We want more

Cheers Diminutive-Equestrians 👍 Glad you like the race reports... it would be great if F1:CE had a photomode, but alas, it doesnt'...

@ appie, I'm now doing the races in 'real time' - so the next update will be sometime around July 1 and will be the French GP.

Another great write-up 👍

Digital-Nitrate

Brilliant Thread Touring Mars!

+REP 👍👍

EDIT::

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Touring Mars again.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Went back looking for posts where it didn’t allow me to +REP at the time... and voila! You are officially +REPed now.

Great effort as always! 👍


BTW: How convenient was it to have a Mars avatar available to choose from for your PSN ID?!?!?

I had to settle for "Clank" as the closest choice to my GTP avatar.

Thanks alot I wish you could use your own avatars on the PS3 but the one I'm using does look remarkably like my GTP avatar anyway. Spooky.

Anyway, due to a combination of factors - busy weekends and thumb injury - the French GP is now way overdue, but I can now reveal (exclusively here at GTPlanet) that the French GP (2006) diary has been obtained from Nick Heidfeld and the race itself promised to be a 'Battle Of The Beards', with a very unusual front row of the grid containing Heidfeld and Button of all people. Could art imitate life once more and a British driver win a second GP in the first 8 races of the season? Find out tomorrow when I post up the result! (Silverstone will follow at the weekend...)

Introduction

Race Eight of the 2006 Season and my beard is coming along nicely. With three points scoring finishes this season, I'm not doing too badly, but could really use a good result here. Unfortunately, that Britisher swine, Jenson Button, is doing better than I this year so far - but his beard is nowhere near as well-developed as mine, since I have been pubic now for 3 years more than he.

Qualifying

Never been a big fan of this circuit and so the car set-up was a bit tricky. Although I was in a BMW, the car felt more like a Williams - Venus Williams However, in Q1 I managed a good 4th place, with Button already ahead. Q2 was nearly a disaster - I binned it at Imola on my first run, and then did the exact same thing on my second run. With just 5 minutes to go, I had one more attempt and nailed a great lap, comfortably making Q3. Aswell as Imola, I was also having trouble at the final chicane, immediately before the finish line. I spun it on my first run in Q3, but then regained my composure, taking 4th slot and then, with my final run of the session, claiming a shock Pole Position!! Stitch that, JB! Jenson managed the front row as well, making it a straight fight between the beards. 👍

Race - 14 Laps - Grid Position: Pole; Strategy: One Stop (end Lap 7); Weather: Variable (Difficulty: Medium, Penalties/Damage: On)

Jenson and I are side by side coming into Estoril for the first time. He forces me slightly wide but I get a better run into Golf and retain the lead. A clean first lap sees me with a 1.3 second advantage over the Honda, and a good second lap sees me increase the gap to the rest of the field.

However, as I put in another good lap on Lap 3, I come to the final complex or corners and take a bit too much of the rumble strip into the final chicane and I spin it at high speed, crashing violently into the wall on the back straight I can only watch, from my car which is facing the wrong way and missing several crucial parts of body work and wheels as JB races past me. It's all over - after a very promising start, this is going to be hard to swallow

Summary: I don't want to talk about it.

Mood:

Nick Heidfeld


Epilogue: I am gutted. Not only did I throw away a golden opportunity to win my first F1 race, Mario is also not talking to me. He promised to buy me fish and chips at Silverstone if I got a good result here. I guess that's not going to happen now. In the meantime, Jenson Button grabbed his second win in eight races - who would have thunk it? He will now surely win 'BBC Sports Personality of the Year', and I will have sit in the crowd and clap like a schnook.

Result:

1. Button (Honda) - 10
2. Schumacher (Ferrari) - 8
3. Räikkönen (McLaren) - 6
4. Alonso (Renault) - 5
5. Montoya (McLaren) - 4
6. Barrichello (Honda) - 3
7. Massa (Ferrari) - 2
8. Fisichella (Renault) - 1

DNF Heidfeld (BMW Sauber)

Standings (After 8 races):

1. Alonso (Renault) - 51
2. Massa (Ferrari) - 50
3. Fisichella (Renault) - 37
4. M Schumacher (Ferrari) - 36
5. Räikkönen (McLaren) - 32
6. Barrichello (Honda) - 29
7. Button (Honda) - 28
8. Montoya (McLaren) - 27
9. Trulli (Toyota) - 14
10. Heidfeld (BMW) - 6
11= R Schumacher (Toyota) - 1
11= Rosberg (Williams) - 1

* TM - 33 Pts : M Schumacher (3), J Button (10), K Räikkönen (10), G Fisichella (10)

Constructors:

1. Renault - 88
2. Ferrari - 86
3. McLaren - 59
4. Honda - 57
5. Toyota - 15
6. BMW - 6
7. Williams - 1