Wizzie's GP4 Career (2005-2008)

[dr-baker]

What happened to Kimi? A shocking start to the year!

I have no idea

He was in last place at the real grand prix

Just looked this real-life Grand Prix on Wikipedia and Kimi had a rear wishbone failure, and Ralf Schumacher was caught out by the red flag after Räikkönen's accident and failed to set a competitive time.

[TomWazzleshaw]

Round 2: Malaysia

Qualifying:
Defending World Champion Daniel Melrose showed Formula 1 and the World yet again why he's the best driver in the world by scoring the 10th pole of his career at the same track he was so pathetic at last year. Heikki Kovaleinen ran him close hoever and came within 0.058s of scoring his maiden pole position. It was a grid where many teamamtes were separated by great distances with the only top team close to each other was Williams with Fisichella 6th and Webber 7th. Sammy Jones however had an even tougher time than he had at Bahrain by qualifying 13th. Meanwhile at the back of the grid Super Aguri keep pulling rabbits out of a hat as Sato and Ide qualified 17th and 18th respectively

Grid:
1. D. Melrose (BMW)
2. H. Kovaleinen (Renault)
3. J. Button (Honda)
4. M. Schumacher (Ferrari)
5. J. Pablo Montoya (McLaren-Mercedes)
6. G. Fisichella (Williams-Cosworth)
7. M. Webber (Williams-Cosworth)
8. K. Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes)
9. F. Alonso (Renault)
10. D. Coulthard (RBR-Ferrari)
11. J. Trulli (Toyota)
12. N. Heidfeld (BMW)
13. S. Jones (Honda)
14. R. Schumacher (Toyota)
15. F. Massa (Ferrari)
16. S. Speed (STR-Cosworth)
17. T. Sato (Super Aguri-Honda)
18. Y. Ide (Super Aguri-Honda)
19. R. Doornbos (STR-Cosworth)
20. V. Liuzzi (RBR-Ferrari)
21. T. Monteiro (MF1-Toyota)
22. C. Albers (MF1-Toyota)

Race:
Championship leader Daniel Melrose scored a fairly safe 3rd after the Heikki Kovaleinen led home a Renault 1-2 to take his debut win. How the top 3 came about however was by far the bigger story of the day.

Yet again Melrose had lost the start and got swamped by Kovy and Button. Melrose tried to outbrake them going into one but only achieved hitting the Honda and losing half a front wing in the process. However he stayed in 2nd until the sweepers of 5 and 6 when Button and Melrose collided again. Michael Schumacher came barreling through, collected Button and retired on the spot while forcing Button to take a trip to pitlane. Meanwhile Fisichella hit debris from the Schumacher crash while Coulthard ran into the back of Fisichella. This was the beginning of a bad day for Williams.

Somehow at the end of lap 1 Kovy was leading from Alonso with Jones in a podium position and both Toyotas, McLarens and Webber filling out the remaining points positions. However both McLarens collided at turn 4 while Webber speared off at 6 whiche promoted Massa, Albers, Heidfeld and the STR cars into points contention.

Melrose meanwhile was making light work of the midfield as he was up to 11th by lap 4 and back in the points by lap 10. However Button took alot longer to get into the points and was only promoted to 8th when Heidfeld retired with suspension failure.

In the middle stint Melrose made several clinical passes on both Toyotas, Massa and Jones and used traffic and his superior pace to find a way around the drivers but the Renaults were by this points already well clear of the pack.

In the end Massa finished 4th after leapfrogging both Toyotas and Jones at the final pitstop leaving the trio to finish 5th (Trulli), 6th (Schumacher) and 7th (Jones) while Button finished a lapped 8th.

Results:
1. H. Kovaleinen (Renault): 1h 30m 00.376s
2. F. Alonso (Renualt): +32.839
3. D. Melrose (BMW): +1:04.851
4. F. Massa (Ferrari): +1:21.526
5. J. Trulli (Toyota): +1:29.395
6. R. Schumacher (Toyota): +1:30.795
7. S. Jones (Honda): +1:35.846
8. J. Button (Honda): +1 LAP
9. J. Pablo Montoya (McLaren-Mercedes): +1 LAP
10. R. Doornbos (STR-Cosworth): +1 LAP
11. S. Speed (STR-Cosworth): +1 LAP
12. K. Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes): +2 LAPS
13. C. Albers (MF1-Toyota): +2 LAPS
14. M. Webber (Williams-Cosworth): +2 LAPS
15. T. Monteiro (MF1-Toyota): +3 LAPS
16. D. Coulthard (RBR-Ferrari): +3 LAPS
17. T. Sato (Super Aguri-Honda): +3 LAPS
18. Y. Ide (Super Aguri-Honda): +4 LAPS
DNF. N. Heidfeld (BMW)
DNF. G. Fisichella (Williams-Cosworth)
DNF. V. Liuzzi (RBR-Ferrari)
DNF. M. Schumacher (Ferrari)

Pole: D. Melrose (BMW): 1:34.000
Fastest Lap: F. Alonso (Renault): 1:34.223
Leaders: H. Kovaleinen: 1-19, 25-56 (Total: 51)
F. Alonso: 20-24 (Total: 5)

Championship Standings:
Drivers:
1. D. Melrose (BMW): 16 points (1 win, 1 3rd)
2. H. Kovaleinen (Renault): 10 points (1 win)
3. F. Massa (Ferrari): 10 points (Best Result: 2 4ths)
4. F. Alonso (Renault): 8 points (1 2nd)
5. M. Schumacher (Ferrari): 8 points (1 2nd)
6. J. Button (Honda): 7 points (1 3rd)
7. J. Trulli (Toyota): 4 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
8. M. Webber (Williams-Cosworth): 4 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
=9. K. Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes): 3 points (Best Result: 1 6th)
=9. R. Schumacher (Toyota): 3 points (Best Result: 1 6th)
11. J. Pablo Montoya (McLaren-Mercedes): 2 points (Best Result: 1 7th)
12. S. Jones (Honda): 2 points (Best Result: 1 7th)
13. G. Fisichella (Williams-Cosworth): 1 point (Best Result: 1 8th)

Constructors:
1. Mild Seven Renault F1 Team: 18 points (1 win, 1 2nd)
2. Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro: 18 points (1 2nd)
3. BMW Sauber F1 Team: 16 points (1 win, 1 3rd)
4. Lucky Strike Honda Racing F1 Team: 9 points (1 3rd)
5. Panasonic Toyota Racing: 7 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
6. WilliamsF1 Team-Cosworth: 5 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
7. Team McLaren Mercedes: 5 points (Best Result: 1 6th)

The next round of the championship is to be held at Albert Park, Australia where Daniel Melrose will be aiming for a win infront of his home crowd.

[DemocalypseNow]

Why is Sammy Jones so shite in this? He was (almost) as good as Chris Dagnall back in they day!

[Enforcer]

Yeah, go use the editor to put about 500 points onto his grip level...

[the Masked Lapwing]

What have you done to be so suddenly epic at Bahrain and Sepang?

[TomWazzleshaw]

What have you done to be so suddenly epic at Bahrain and Sepang?

It's a combination of the increased grip offered in the 2006 cars plus some minor setup work.

I'll post the race results for Sepang in about 15 minutes (Still got the final 7 or so laps to go)

[Phoenix]

What have you done to be so suddenly epic at Bahrain and Sepang?

It's a combination of the increased grip offered in the 2006 cars plus some minor setup work.

I'll post the race results for Sepang in about 15 minutes (Still got the final 7 or so laps to go)

Still waiting.

[TomWazzleshaw]

I posted them last night (I edit them into the same post with the qualifying results)

[the Masked Lapwing]

Well, since your Bahrain/Sepang races were opposites, are you about to complete a massive choke in Australia then?

[TomWazzleshaw]

Round 3: Australia

Qualifying:

Championship leader Daniel Melrose has been simply epic this season. He kept that trend going by putting the BMW Sauber on pole at his home race by over 7 tenths of a seconds. Kimi Raikkonen and Juan Pablo Montoya gave McLaren something to smile about by qualifying 2nd and 4th with Kovaleinen continuing his good form of late by ending up 3rd on the grid. The gap-spread over the grid however was simply shocking as there was 1.2 seconds between 6th and 7th and 1.5 seconds between 13th and 15th. Finally Sammy Jones struggled to a disappointing 15th while Super Aguri keep pulling off miracles by qualifying 19th and 20th.

Grid:
1. D. Melrose (BMW)
2. K. Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes)
3. H. Kovaleinen (Renault)
4. J. Pablo Montoya (McLaren-Mercedes)
5. J. Button (Honda)
6. F. Alonso (Renault)
7. M. Webber (Williams-Cosworth)
8. R. Schumacher (Toyota)
9. M. Schumacher (Ferrari)
10. J. Trulli (Toyota)
11. D. Coulthard (RBR-Ferrari)
12. R. Doornbos (STR-Cosworth)
13. N. Heidfeld (BMW)
14. V. Liuzzi (RBR-Ferrari)
15. S. Jones (Honda)
16. C. Albers (MF1-Toyota)
17. G. Fisichella (Williams-Cosworth)
18. T. Monteiro (MF1-Toyota)
19. Y. Ide (Super Aguri-Honda)
20. T. Sato (Super Aguri-Honda)
21. S. Speed (STR-Cosworth)
22. F. Massa (Ferrari)

Race:

Daniel Melrose scored the 9th victory of his career and his first win at home but he was pressured all the way by Kimi Raikkonen in the McLaren. Up front it wasn't the most exciting race ever as in the first 10 laps Raikkonen and Melrose skipped away at 2 seconds a lap from the rest of the field who were being held up by Kovaleinen and that was as far as the race was concerned for everyone else. However Raikkonen had got the jump at the start but Melrose was pressuring him all the way. Raikkonen pitted first on lap 19 and Melrose pitted a lap later, leapfrogged Raikkonen and it was game over. Montoya finished a distant 3rd in the other McLaren while Kovy and Alonso finished 4th and 5th for Renault. Schumacher finished 6th but was a lap down at the end while the sister BMW of Nick Heidfeld and Sammy Jones in the Honda rounded out the points. Williams had a horrible day as Webber retired early while in the point with an engine failure and Fisichella retiring with a throttle related issue.

Results:
1. D. Melrose (BMW): 1h 25m 49.539s
2. K. Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes): +7.889
3. J. Pablo Montoya (McLaren-Mercedes): +51.054
4. H. Kovaleinen (Renault): +1:07.171
5. F. Alonso (Renault): +1:07.220
6. M. Schumacher (Ferrari): +1 LAP
7. N. Heidfeld (BMW): +1 LAP
8. S. Jones (Honda): +1 LAP
9. R. Schumacher (Toyota): +1 LAP
10. R. Doornbos (STR-Cosworth): +1 LAP
11. J. Button (Honda): +1 LAP
12. S. Speed (STR-Cosworth): +1 LAP
13. D. Coulthard (RBR-Ferrari): +2 LAPS
14. F. Massa (Ferrari): +2 LAPS
15. V. Liuzzi (RBR-Ferrari): +2 LAPS
16. T. Monteiro (MF1-Toyota): +3 LAPS
17. T. Sato (Super Aguri-Honda): +3 LAPS
18. Y. Ide (Super Aguri-Honda): +3 LAPS
DNF. J. Trulli (Toyota)
DNF. G. Fisichella (Williams-Cosworth)
DNF. C. Albers (MF1-Toyota)
DNF. M. Webber (Williams-Cosworth)

Pole: D. Melrose (BMW): 1:25.754
Fastest Lap: D. Melrose (BMW): 1:26.529
Leaders: K. Raikkonen: 1-19, 41-47 (Total: 26)
D. Melrose: 20-40, 48-58 (Total: 32)

Championship Standings:
Drivers:
1. D. Melrose (BMW): 26 points (2 wins, 1 3rd)
2. H. Kovaleinen (Renault): 15 points (1 win)
3. F. Alonso (Renault): 12 points (1 2nd)
4. K. Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes): 11 points (1 2nd)
5. M. Schumacher (Ferrari): 11 points (1 2nd)
6. F. Massa (Ferrari): 10 points (Best Result: 2 4ths)
7. J. Pablo Montoya (McLaren-Mercedes): 8 points (1 3rd)
8. J. Button (Honda): 7 points (1 3rd)
9. J. Trulli (Toyota): 4 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
10. M. Webber (Williams-Cosworth): 4 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
11. R. Schumacher (Toyota): 3 points (Best Result: 1 6th)
12. S. Jones (Honda): 3 points (Best Result: 1 7th)
13. N. Heidfeld (BMW): 2 points (Best Result: 1 7th)
13. G. Fisichella (Williams-Cosworth): 1 point (Best Result: 1 8th)

Constructors:
1. BMW Sauber F1 Team: 28 points (2 wins, 1 3rd)
2. Mild Seven Renault F1 Team: 27 points (1 win, 1 2nd)
3. Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro: 21 points (1 2nd)
4. Team McLaren Mercedes: 19 points (1 2nd, 1 3rd)
5. Lucky Strike Honda Racing F1 Team: 10 points (1 3rd)
6. Panasonic Toyota Racing: 7 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
7. WilliamsF1 Team-Cosworth: 5 points (Best Result: 1 5th)

[Phoenix]

I posted them last night (I edit them into the same post with the qualifying results)

Read them. They weren't when I posted my comment.

[TomWazzleshaw]

Results for Australia have now been posted.

[TomWazzleshaw]

Pre-San Marino:

The Red Bull/Toro Rosso merry-go-round is already starting. David Coulthard and Vitantonio Liuzzi have been given a warning from the team that there are atleast 6 capable drivers in the Red Bull young driver program that will take over their drives at a moment's notice. Apparently Liuzzi would be the first to go as he's shown absolutely no pace this season compared to DC. If that does happen Doornbos would end up in the main team while Neel Jani or Michael Ammermuller will be given their debut in F1.

The only other major rumour is that Yuji Ide's sponsorship money is starting to run out already and this may be his last race.

Round 4: San Marino:

Qualifying:

Reigning champion Daniel Melrose returned to the track where he took his debut victory last year and took his 4th pole of the season by being over half a second quicker than 7 time world champion Michael Schumacher. Sammy Jones and Jenson Button in the British Dream team show some form for Honda by placing 3rd and 4th on the grid while Renault were struggling as Alonso was 5th but 1.3 seconds down on Melrose while Kovaleinen was stranded in 11th.

Grid:
1. D. Melrose (BMW)
2. M. Schumacher (Ferrari)
3. S. Jones (Honda)
4. J. Button (Honda)
5. F. Alonso (Renault)
6. R. Schumacher (Toyota)
7. K. Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes)
8. F. Massa (Ferrari)
9. J. Trulli (Toyota)
10. J. Pablo Montoya (McLaren-Mercedes)
11. H. Kovaleinen (Renault)
12. M. Webber (Williams-Cosworth)
13. D. Coulthard (RBR-Ferrari)
14. N. Heidfeld (BMW)
15. G. Fisichella (Williams-Cosworth)
16. R. Doornbos (STR-Cosworth)
17. V. Liuzzi (RBR-Ferrari)
18. S. Speed (STR-Cosworth)
19. Y. Ide (Super Aguri-Honda)
20. T. Sato (Super Aguri-Honda)
21. C. Albers (MF1-Toyota)
22. T. Monteiro (MF1-Toyota)

Race:

What do you get when you give an on-form Reigning World Champion a car that is not only increadibly quick but comfortable to drive while his rivals keep making mistakes? You get the situation that Daniel Melrose is in right now. He's done it all this season so far from breaking his Tilkedrome voodoo at Barhain to pulling off a burn from the stern at Malaysia to out-pacing and out-smarting McLaren in Australia to a dominating victory here at Imola while his chief rival in the race binned it not once but twice.

It was a Melrose v Schumacher battle off the start and once Melrose won that battle it was game over. Schumacher may have been faster but he wasn't particually harrying the 20 year old BMW driver and once he binned it for the first time on lap 17 it only confirmed Melrose's victory. Schumacher was on track for a comfortable 2nd until he binned a second time with less than 10 laps to go which put him out of the race. 2nd place was inherited by Fernando Alonso but he was over a minute behind Melrose at the end. McLaren confirmed their recent upturn in pace with Raikkonen scoring another podium in 3rd and Montoya scoring a point in 8th. Massa and Button salvaged results for Ferrari and Honda by finishing 4th and 5th respectively while Webber and Williams returned to form in 6th place. Kovaleinen finished 7th in the sister Renault.

Results:
1. D. Melrose (BMW): 1h 27m 37.089
2. F. Alonso (Renault): +1:04.096
3. K. Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes): +1:08.219
4. F. Massa (Ferrari): +1:14.805
5. J. Button (Honda): +1:14.961
6. M. Webber (Williams-Cosworth): +1:17.211
7. H. Kovaleinen (Renault): +1:17.626
8. J. Pablo Montoya (McLaren-Mercedes): +1:19.094
9. S. Jones (Honda): +1 LAP
10. R. Doornbos (STR-Cosworth): +1 LAP
11. D. Coulthard (RBR-Ferrari): +1 LAP
12. S. Speed (STR-Cosworth): +1 LAP
13. G. Fisichella (Williams-Cosworth): +1 LAP
14. N. Heidfeld (BMW): +2 LAPS
15. V. Liuzzi (RBR-Cosworth): +2 LAPS
16. T. Monteiro (MF1-Toyota): +2 LAPS
17. C. Albers (MF1-Toyota): +3 LAPS
18. J. Trulli (Toyota): +3 LAPS
19. T. Sato (Super Aguri-Honda): +3 LAPS
20. Y. Ide (Super Aguri-Honda): +5 LAPS
DNF. M. Schumacher (Ferrari)
DNF. R. Schumacher (Toyota)

Pole: D. Melrose (BMW): 1:22.000
Fastest Lap: D. Melrose (BMW): 1:23.377
Leaders: D. Melrose: 1-21, 23-62 (Total: 61)
M. Schumacher: 22 (Total: 1)

Championship Standings:
Drivers:
1. D. Melrose (BMW): 36 points (3 wins, 1 3rd)
2. F. Alonso (Renault): 20 points (2 2nds)
3. H. Kovaleinen (Renault): 17 points (1 win)
4. K. Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes): 17 points (1 2nd, 1 3rd)
5. F. Massa (Ferrari): 15 points (Best Result: 3 4ths)
6. M. Schumacher (Ferrari): 11 points (1 2nd)
7. J. Button (Honda): 11 points (1 3rd)
8. J. Pablo Montoya (McLaren-Mercedes): 9 points (1 3rd)
9. M. Webber (Williams-Cosworth): 7 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
10. J. Trulli (Toyota): 4 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
11. R. Schumacher (Toyota): 3 points (Best Result: 1 6th)
12. S. Jones (Honda): 3 points (Best Result: 1 7th)
13. N. Heidfeld (BMW): 2 points (Best Result: 1 7th)
14. G. Fisichella (Williams-Cosworth): 1 point (Best Result: 1 8th)

Constructors:
1. BMW Sauber F1 Team: 38 points (3 wins, 1 3rd)
2. Mild Seven Renault F1 Team: 37 points (1 win, 2 2nds)
3. Team McLaren Mercedes: 26 points (1 2nd, 2 3rds)
4. Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro: 26 points (1 2nd)
5. Lucky Strike Honda Racing F1 Team: 14 points (1 3rd)
6. WilliamsF1 Team-Cosworth: 8 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
7. Panasonic Toyota Racing: 7 points (Best Result: 1 5th)

The next race is the European Grand Prix at the world-renowned Nurburgring.

[Phoenix]

How is Yuji Ide that good at this?

[watka]

Go go Honda (living the earth dream!)

[FullMetalJack]

Doornbos outqualifying Liuzzi, can't be good for him.

[TomWazzleshaw]

Race results for Imola are up and all I can say is it's not getting any better for Tonio

[the Masked Lapwing]

Leaders: K. Raikkonen: 1-21, 23-62 (Total: 61)
M. Schumacher: 22 (Total: 1)

Hmm, that can't be right...

[TomWazzleshaw]

Leaders: K. Raikkonen: 1-21, 23-62 (Total: 61)
M. Schumacher: 22 (Total: 1)

Hmm, that can't be right...

Fixed. I was using the results template from the previous race and I forgot to change the name because Raikkonen led the first 19 or so laps at Australia.

[FullMetalJack]

Toro Rosso to score points before Red Bull, you heard it here first.

[AndreaModa]

Sniff...why is Button so much better than me?

[FullMetalJack]

Sniff...why is Button so much better than me?

Better car

[TomWazzleshaw]

Sniff...why is Button so much better than me?

Hey. Atleast take comfort in the fact that you've been comfortably in the top 10 for most of the laps raced so far. (You were running third for most of the first stint at Imola so there are some positives).

[Phoenix]

Sniff...why is Button so much better than me?

Hey. Atleast take comfort in the fact that you've been comfortably in the top 10 for most of the laps raced so far. (You were running third for most of the first stint at Imola so there are some positives).

Without Chris Dagnall, there are no positives.

[TomWazzleshaw]

Pre-Europe:

There are lots of reports to sift through. The first is that Yuji Ide's sponsorship money has run out and he is to be replaced by Franck Montagny (He of Jordan fame last season). Secondly the Red Bull Merry-Go-Round kicked up a notch as Tonio Liuzzi has been given an ultimatum: Either perform in the next 4 races or be replaced by Canada. However Red Bull hasn't specified who will replace him if he doesn't improve so Doornbos and Speed will be going at it to get the seat. Red Bull are also involved in the major rumour that it may be the destination of Juan Pablo Montoya or Mark Webber who are looking for a way out of their current teams. Finally Nick Heidfeld has been given notice saying he may not be at BMW at season's end considering he's scored 2 points to Melrose's haul of 36.

Round 5: Europe:

Qualifying:

If qualifying for the European Grand Prix was anything to go by then it may not be such a Melrose cakewalk afterall as Melrose, Schumacher and Alonso were all within 2 tenths of each other. Daniel did a great lap to put the BMW on pole where he wasn't feeling is best with a very sore throat and with a car that wasn't quite on the ultimate pace. The trio were well clear of the rest of the field which was lead by Sammy Jones who has been showing some good form as of late. Kovaleinen struggled yet again in 11th while Fisichella, Heidfeld and Webber were anonymous in 13th, 14th and 16th. Liuzzi's season keeps going down a very steep hill as he was on 17th and 1.6 seconds slower than teammate Coulthard who was 12th. He was also 1.1 seconds behind Doornbos who was 15th. Finally Franck Montagny in his return to F1 qualified 21st while Sato beat both MF1 cars in 19th place on the grid.

Grid:
1. D. Melrose (BMW)
2. M. Schumacher (Ferrari)
3. F. Alonso (Renault)
4. S. Jones (Honda)
5. F. Massa (Ferrari)
6. K. Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes)
7. J. Button (Honda)
8. J. Trulli (Toyota)
9. R. Schumacher (Toyota)
10. J. Pablo Montoya (McLaren-Mercedes)
11. H. Kovaleinen (Renault)
12. D. Coulthard (RBR-Ferrari)
13. G. Fisichella (Williams-Cosworth)
14. N. Heidfeld (BMW)
15. R. Doornbos (STR-Cosworth)
16. M. Webber (Williams-Cosworth)
17. V. Liuzzi (RBR-Ferrari)
18. S. Speed (STR-Cosworth)
19. T. Sato (Super Aguri-Honda)
20. C. Albers (MF1-Toyota)
21. F. Montagny (Super Aguri-Honda)
22. T. Monteiro (MF1-Toyota)

Race:
After 90+ minutes of racing the gap from first to second was only 2.5 seconds. The top 2 drivers were also on two completely different stratagies. However in the end 7 time World Champion Michael Schumacher collected his 83rd Grand Prix victory with a conventional 2 stopper while Reigning World Champion Daniel Melrose came within 2.5 seconds of making a 3 stop-stratagy work and claim an unlikely victory in the process. Kimi Raikkonen scored another podium while Renault scored a 4-5. Fisichella scored some more points for Williams in 7th. Red Bull were simply pathetic as Liuzzi finished 15th while Coulthard was in a simply abmysal 19th.

Results:
1. M. Schumacher (Ferrari): 1h 33m 17.603
2. D. Melrose (BMW): +2.452
3. K. Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes): +20.104
4. F. Alonso (Renault): +41.968
5. H. Kovaleinen (Renault): +1:21.039
6. R. Schumacher (Toyota): +1:31.281
7. G. Fisichella (Williams-Cosworth): +1:32.977
8. F. Massa (Ferrari): +1:34.191
9. N. Heidfeld (BMW): +1 LAP
10. J. Pablo Montoya (McLaren-Mercedes): +1 LAP
11. J. Trulli (Toyota): +1 LAP
12. S. Speed (STR-Cosworth): +1 LAP
13. S. Jones (Honda): +1 LAP
14. J. Button (Honda): +1 LAP
15. V. Liuzzi (RBR-Ferrari): +2 LAPS
16. M. Webber (Williams-Cosworth): +2 LAPS
17. C. Albers (MF1-Toyota): +2 LAPS
18. T. Monteiro (MF1-Toyota): +2 LAPS
19. D. Coulthard (RBR-Ferrari): +3 LAPS
20. T. Sato (Super Aguri-Honda): +3 LAPS
21. F. Montagny (Super Aguri-Honda): +3 LAPS
DNF. R. Doornbos (STR-Cosworth)

Pole: D. Melrose (BMW): 1:30.214
Fastest Lap: D. Melrose (BMW): 1:31.323
Leaders: D. Melrose: 1-14, 26-30, 44 (Total: 20)
M. Schumacher: 15-23, 31-43, 45-60 (Total: 38)
K. Raikkonen: 24-25 (Total: 2)

Championship Standings:
Drivers:
1. D. Melrose (BMW): 44 points (3 wins, 1 2nd, 1 3rd)
2. F. Alonso (Renault): 25 points (2 2nds)
3. K. Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes): 23 points (1 2nd, 2 3rds)
4. M. Schumacher (Ferrari): 21 points (1 win, 1 2nd)
5. H. Kovaleinen (Renault): 21 points (1 win)
6. F. Massa (Ferrari): 16 points (Best Result: 3 4ths)
7. J. Button (Honda): 11 points (1 3rd)
8. J. Pablo Montoya (McLaren-Mercedes): 9 points (1 3rd)
9. M. Webber (Williams-Cosworth): 7 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
10. R. Schumacher (Toyota): 6 points (Best Result: 2 6ths)
11. J. Trulli (Toyota): 4 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
12. S. Jones (Honda): 3 points (Best Result: 1 7th)
13. G. Fisichella (Williams-Cosworth): 3 point (Best Result: 1 7th)
14. N. Heidfeld (BMW): 2 points (Best Result: 1 7th)

Constructors:
1. BMW Sauber F1 Team: 46 points (3 wins, 1 2nd, 1 3rd)
2. Mild Seven Renault F1 Team: 46 points (1 win, 2 2nds)
3. Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro: 37 points (1 win, 1 2nd)
4. Team McLaren Mercedes: 32 points (1 2nd, 3 3rds)
5. Lucky Strike Honda Racing F1 Team: 14 points (1 3rd)
6. Panasonic Toyota Racing: 10 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
7. WilliamsF1 Team-Cosworth: 10 points (Best Result: 1 5th)

The next Grand Prix is to be held on the Iberian Peninsula for the Spanish Grand Prix

[TomWazzleshaw]

Qualifying results are now up.

[TomWazzleshaw]

Results for Europe are now online

[the Masked Lapwing]

I told you you should've gone for a two-stopper, but no.

[TomWazzleshaw]

I told you you should've gone for a two-stopper, but no.

Problem was either way I would ended up roughly where I was except without the pace advantage of the 3-stopper.

Anyways onto the next round:

Pre-Spain:
Nick Heidfeld has been told that he may not see the season out considering how well Melrose has been doing in exactly the same car. Robert Kubica has told the press that he'll get a drive for the final flyaways of the season but BMW won't confirm this. Meanwhile the Spanish Grand Prix may be the last race for Tonio Liuzzi while David Coulthard may not even see out the season. Robert Doornbos has been simply brilliant this season and he's expected to step up. Finally rumour has it that Rubens Barrichello may be driving a Midland for the North American leg and the final flyaways to close off the season.

Round 6: Spain

Qualifying:

Daniel Melrose has always considered himself more of a qualifying specialist rather than a racer's racer even after that supurb burn from the stern in Malaysia. He proved his point as he scored pole by such a margin that only Renault were able to get within 1.5 seconds of the World Champion. Michael was nowhere in 9th place while Takuma Sato pulled out the lap of his career by placing the Super Aguri 17th on the grid.

Grid:
1. D. Melrose (BMW)
2. H. Kovaleinen (Renault)
3. F. Alonso (Renault)
4. F. Massa (Ferrari)
5. J. Trulli (Toyota)
6. S. Jones (Honda)
7. R. Schumacher (Toyota)
8. K. Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes)
9. M. Schumacher (Ferrari)
10. J. Button (Honda)
11. M. Webber (Williams-Cosworth)
12. J. Pablo Montoya (McLaren-Mercedes)
13. G. Fisichella (Williams-Cosworth)
14. V. Liuzzi (RBR-Ferrari)
15. N. Heidfeld (BMW)
16. R. Doornbos (STR-Cosworth)
17. T. Sato (Super Aguri-Honda)
18. D. Coulthard (RBR-Ferrari)
19. S. Speed (STR-Cosworth)
20. T. Monteiro (MF1-Toyota)
21. F. Montagny (Super Aguri-Honda)
22. C. Albers (MF1-Toyota)

Race:
Last season Daniel Melrose showed the paddock and the world that he had more than enough pace to become World Champion. This season he's going even faster than he was last year but he's added alot more consistancy to his driving. Afterall he his leading the championship by a whopping 27 points after just 6 races as he claimed his 4th win of the season. Felipe Massa proved to be Melrose's nearest rival as he finished second while Heikki Kovaleinen scored 3rd place to leap back ahead of Alonso in the standings. Michael Schumacher was 4th while Honda and Williams scored double points finishes. McLaren had a shocking day with Raikkonen retiring early and Montoya being genuinely crap in 17th

Results:
1. D. Melrose (BMW): 1h 24m 06.323
2. F. Massa (Ferrari): +16.953
3. H. Kovaleinen (Renault): +35.637
4. M. Schumacher (Ferrari): +47.077
5. J. Button (Honda): +49.174
6. S. Jones (Honda): +1:08.135
7. M. Webber (Williams-Cosworth): +1 LAP
8. G. Fisichella (Williams-Cosworth): +1 LAP
9. N. Heidfeld (BMW): +1 LAP
10. J. Trulli (Toyota): +1 LAP
11. D. Coulthard (RBR-Ferrari): +2 LAPS
12. V. Liuzzi (RBR-Ferrari): +2 LAPS
13. R. Schumacher (Toyota): +2 LAPS
14. S. Speed (STR-Cosworth): +3 LAPS
15. T. Sato (Super Aguri-Honda): +3 LAPS
16. C. Albers (MF1-Toyota): +3 LAPS
17. J. Pablo Montoya (McLaren-Mercedes): +3 LAPS
18. F. Montagny (Super Aguri-Honda): +5 LAPS
DNF. T. Monteiro (MF1-Toyota)
DNF. F. Alonso (Renault)
DNF. K. Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes)
DNF. R. Doornbos (STR-Cosworth)

Pole: D. Melrose (BMW): 1:13.723
Fastest Lap: D. Melrose (BMW): 1:14.838
Leaders: D. Melrose: 1-22, 25-44, 51-66 (Total: 58)
F. Massa: 23-24, 45-50 (Total: 8)

Championship Standings:
Drivers:
1. D. Melrose (BMW): 54 points (4 wins, 1 2nd, 1 3rd)
2. H. Kovaleinen (Renault): 27 points (1 win,1 3rd)
3. M. Schumacher (Ferrari): 26 points (1 win, 1 2nd)
4. F. Alonso (Renault): 25 points (2 2nds)
5. F. Massa (Ferrari): 24 points (1 2nd)
6. K. Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes): 23 points (1 2nd, 2 3rds)
7. J. Button (Honda): 15 points (1 3rd)
8. J. Pablo Montoya (McLaren-Mercedes): 9 points (1 3rd)
9. M. Webber (Williams-Cosworth): 9 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
10. R. Schumacher (Toyota): 6 points (Best Result: 2 6ths)
11. S. Jones (Honda): 6 points (Best Result: 1 6th)
12. J. Trulli (Toyota): 4 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
13. G. Fisichella (Williams-Cosworth): 4 point (Best Result: 1 7th)
14. N. Heidfeld (BMW): 2 points (Best Result: 1 7th)

Constructors:
1. BMW Sauber F1 Team: 56 points (4 wins, 1 2nd, 1 3rd)
2. Mild Seven Renault F1 Team: 52 points (1 win, 2 2nds, 1 3rd)
3. Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro: 50 points (1 win, 2 2nds)
4. Team McLaren Mercedes: 32 points (1 2nd, 3 3rds)
5. Lucky Strike Honda Racing F1 Team: 21 points (1 3rd)
6. WilliamsF1 Team-Cosworth: 13 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
7. Panasonic Toyota Racing: 10 points (Best Result: 1 5th)

Next up is the trip up the French Riviera for the Monaco Grand Prix

[TomWazzleshaw]

Pre-Monaco:

Red Bull have officially had enough with Tonio Liuzzi's underperforming and have made a direct switch between him and Robert Doornbos and the situation will remain like that for the next 4 races. This has implications for Scott Speed because if he doesn't out-race Liuzzi then his seat next season could be up for grabs. Meanwhile BMW's Daniel Melrose signed a contract extention with BMW meaning he will remain there until the end of 2008 with the option for another extension till the end of 2010. Finally Michael Schumacher has neither confirmed nor dismissed rumours of retirement by saying that he won't make an announcement concerning his future until Monza in a few months time and that the championship is far more important right now.

Round 7: Monaco

Qualifying:
There are a few drivers that have made the streets of Monaco a speciality for them. Graham Hill is known as "Mr Monaco" all around the world, Ayrton Senna has been the most successful driver in history at Monaco and Mark Webber has hauled crapboxes around that place to positions it had no right to be in. But all that pales in comparison to what Daniel Melrose did in Qualifying. In a week where Dr Mario Theissen admitted to the press that the BMW Sauber isn't the outright fastest car on the field and Melrose is dragging the car to places it doesn't deserve to be, Daniel Melrose did the seemingly impossible in the modern F1 climate and went 2 seconds (yes, 2 seconds) faster than anyone else in Qualifying to secure the easiest yet most impressive pole of his career. Fernando Alonso planted the Renault alongside Melrose while Mark Webber and Kimi Raikkonen occupy the 2nd row. Red Bull experienced an upturn in pace with David 10th and Robert Doornbos putting Liuzzi to shame by qualifying 7th. Ferrari on the other hand were simply pathetic as Massa was 18th and Schumacher 20th. Finally 2 more bits of news from the back of the grid. Firstly Liuzzi absolutely smashed Scott Speed by qualifying 14th while the American was stranded in 22nd while Super Aguri continue to be more epic than God himself as Montangy qualifed 16th and Sato 19th.

Grid:
1. D. Melrose (BMW)
2. F. Alonso (Renault)
3. M. Webber (Williams-Cosworth)
4. K. Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes)
5. H. Kovaleinen (Renault)
6. S. Jones (Honda)
7. R. Doornbos (RBR-Ferrari)
8. R. Schumacher (Toyota)
9. J. Trulli (Toyota)
10. D. Coulthard (RBR-Ferrari)
11. J. Pablo Montoya (McLaren-Mercedes)
12. G. Fisichella (Williams-Cosworth)
13. J. Button (Honda)
14. V. Liuzzi (STR-Cosworth)
15. N. Heidfeld (BMW)
16. F. Montagny (Super Aguri-Honda)
17. C. Albers (MF1-Toyota)
18. F. Massa (Ferrari)
19. T. Sato (Super Aguri-Honda)
20. M. Schumacher (Ferrari)
21. T. Monteiro (MF1-Toyota)
22. S. Speed (Ferrari)

Race:
There was a collective sigh from the paddock as they packed up at Monaco. For some like Mark Webber, Sammy Jones and Toyota it was a sigh of relief but for the majority it was a sigh of fustration as Daniel Melrose ran away with yet another victory but this time it was by a whopping 2 laps over Mark Webber and Kimi Raikkonen who rounded out the podium. The pair were in turn another lap ahead of Jones in 4th while Toyota finished 5th and 6th. Jenson Button finished 7th while Felipe Massa scored a lucky point in 8th after Kovaleinen and Fisichella found the wall at various stages and Robert Doornbos had a heart-breaking puncture with just a handful of laps to go. Michael Schumacher crashed early at Anthony Noughes with Albers clouting the barrier right behind while Toro Rosso recorded a double DNF as Speed and Liuzzi both had an acquaintance with the wall.


Results:
1. D. Melrose (BMW): 1h 36m 52.286
2. M. Webber (Williams-Cosworth): +2 LAPS
3. K. Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes): +2 LAPS
4. S. Jones (Honda): +3 LAPS
5. R. Schumacher (Toyota): +4 LAPS
6. J. Trulli (Toyota): +4 LAPS
7. J. Button (Honda): +4 LAPS
8. F. Massa (Ferrari): +4 LAPS
9. N. Heidfeld (BMW): +4 LAPS
10. D. Coulthard (RBR-Ferrari): +4 LAPS
11. T. Monteiro (MF1-Toyota): +4 LAPS
12. F. Montagny (Super Aguri-Honda): +5 LAPS
13. G. Fisichella (Williams-Cosworth): +7 LAPS*
14. J. Pablo Montoya (McLaren-Mercedes): +7 LAPS
15. R. Doornbos (RBR-Ferrari): +8 LAPS*
DNF. F. Alonso (Renault)
DNF. H. Kovaleinen (Renault)
DNF. S. Speed (STR-Cosworth)
DNF. V. Liuzzi (STR-Cosworth)
DNF. T. Sato (Super Aguri-Honda)
DNF. M. Schumacher (Ferrari)
DNF. C. Albers (MF1-Toyota)

*Didn't finish race but completed over 90% race distance

Pole: D. Melrose (BMW): 1:12.447
Fastest Lap: D. Melrose (BMW): 1:12.372
Leaders: D. Melrose: 1-78 (Total: 78)

Championship Standings:
Drivers:
1. D. Melrose (BMW): 64 points (5 wins, 1 2nd, 1 3rd)
2. K. Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes): 29 points (1 2nd, 3 3rds)
3. H. Kovaleinen (Renault): 27 points (1 win,1 3rd)
4. M. Schumacher (Ferrari): 26 points (1 win, 1 2nd)
5. F. Alonso (Renault): 25 points (2 2nds)
6. F. Massa (Ferrari): 25 points (1 2nd)
7. M. Webber (Williams-Cosworth): 17 points (1 2nd)
8. J. Button (Honda): 17 points (1 3rd)
9. S. Jones (Honda): 11 points (Best Result: 1 4th)
10. R. Schumacher (Toyota): 10 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
11. J. Pablo Montoya (McLaren-Mercedes): 9 points (1 3rd)
12. J. Trulli (Toyota): 7 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
13. G. Fisichella (Williams-Cosworth): 4 point (Best Result: 1 7th)
14. N. Heidfeld (BMW): 2 points (Best Result: 1 7th)

Constructors:
1. BMW Sauber F1 Team: 66 points (5 wins, 1 2nd, 1 3rd)
2. Mild Seven Renault F1 Team: 52 points (1 win, 2 2nds, 1 3rd)
3. Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro: 51 points (1 win, 2 2nds)
4. Team McLaren Mercedes: 38 points (1 2nd, 4 3rds)
5. Lucky Strike Honda Racing F1 Team: 28 points (1 3rd)
6. WilliamsF1 Team-Cosworth: 21 points (1 2nd)
7. Panasonic Toyota Racing: 17 points (Best Result: 1 5th)

The next race is to be held on a Northhamptonshire Airfield in Silverstone.

[TomWazzleshaw]

Race results for Monaco have been posted and they may be the last results posted on this thread before I move to the thread ADX Wales created.