 |
| Brazilian GP 19th - 22nd October 2006 - Qualifying Report |
Length:
5.807 km |
| Some may say that, following qualifying here at Interlagos, it is all over bar the shouting. Michael Schumacher, having dominated, with team mate Felipe Massa, the proceedings for the first half hour knock out sessions, took to the track at the head of the queue for the final top ten shoot out, a front row place a certainty.
Half way around that lap he slowed, allowing the remaining nine cars to pass him, and the German veteran drove slowly back to the pits and into the garage, where the mechanics toiled in vain to get the stricken car back on track. It wasn’t to be, and the Ferrari sat out the final minutes, unable to set a time. At the time of writing Michael will, therefore, start tenth, but a further drop may be necessary should he have to change an engine. We will keep you informed. This mishap plays into the hands of Fernando Alonso, the Renault driver already needing only an eighth place finish to secure his second consecutive World Drivers title, and the pressure is well and truly off the Spaniard for tomorrows race. Pole position went, in style, to Felipe Massa, the Brazilian blitzing this undulating circuit in 1:10.680, having set similar times in all three sessions. He now plays the lead role in the Ferrari plan. Alongside Massa will be Kimi Raikkonen who had his McLaren hooked up nicely, with a time a full eight tenths slower than Massa. Pedro de la Rosa, in the second silver machine, failed to make it into the final ten and will line up in 12th or thereabouts. Toyota seemed to have found their earlier form again, Jarno Trulli finishing a fine third and Ralf Schumacher seventh, while local hero Rubens Barrichello will start an encouraging fifth. Jenson Button suffered a traction control glitch in the second session and will start back on the seventh row. Giancarlo featured sparsely and will start a lacklustre seventh, just ahead of the two BMW-Saubers of Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld. Mark Webber and Nico Rosberg disappointed in the Williams, setting 11th and 13th fastest times, and Robert Doornbos was the fastest of the Red Bull runners but will take a drop to the back of the grid. Bringing up the rear, as is customary, are the Toro Rosso, Super Aguri and Spyker crews, with nothing of note to report amongst them Schumachers failure may appear to detract from the race in prospect, but when one takes into account the sheer pace of the Ferrari it would be unwise to bet against the German carving through the field, should he start tenth or even twentieth. Alonso, meanwhile, simply needs to finish in eighth to secure the crown. |
This site is not an official Ferrari site. Ferrari™ is a trademark and copyright material of Ferrari S.p.A. Any type of publication, copying, broadcasting or retransmission of the information or pictures without prior permission of the copyright holder is prohibited. Copyright © 1997-2006 The Prancing Horse.