LE GRAND PRIX FRANCAIS OFFICIEL AVEC LES BECQUETS

[thewave]

Just in case you've opened this and didn't realise

THIS IS THE OFFICIAL FRENCH GRAND PRIX WITH SPOILERS THREAD

Come on Hamilton




Seriously though, Ferrari will surely be rubbing their hands together on this one.

Will McLaren concentrate on Kovalainen and constructor points? Seems pointless to channel efforts into Lewis when his chances of a podium are diminished so much. Perhaps they will try something different strategy wise with Lewis, and hope for the best. PS I'm reading Hamilton's autobiography at the moment, interesting if you get a chance.

Anyway, what are your predictions?
2007
1st Kimi
2nd Massa
3rd Hamilton
4th Kubica

Got to fancy Kubica being strong in this one....

[E30M3SE]

1) KR
2) FM
3) RK
4) HK
5) LH


Weather could play a part.

Edited by E30M3SE on Thursday 19th June 10:53

[wiz 1]

thewave said:

Just in case you've opened this and didn't realise

THIS IS THE OFFICIAL FRENCH GRAND PRIX WITH SPOILERS THREAD

Come on Hamilton




Seriously though, Ferrari will surely be rubbing their hands together on this one.
PS I'm reading Hamilton's autobiography at the moment, interesting if you get a chance.

Anyway, what are your predictions?

I've read lewis hamilton my story is that the one you mean? my predictions are:

1 KR
2 FM
3 HK
4 RK
5 LH (as much as i want him to win )

[schmalex]

I'll throw the cat in amongst the pigeons with:

1: LH
2: RK
3: KR
4: PM

LH will start from 11th on the grid & go for one mother of a long 1 stopper to make the time up during the pitstop windows. KR will be so desperate for the win to stretch away in the points table that he will over drive & end up either binning it or letting RK through.

weather on my planet is quite nice today.

[wiz 1]

[quote=schmalex]I'll throw the cat in amongst the pigeons with:

1: LH
2: RK
3: KR
4: PM

LH will start from 11th on the grid & go for one mother of a long 1 stopper to make the time up during the pitstop windows. KR will be so desperate for the win to stretch away in the points table that he will over drive & end up binning it

lets hope so

[E30M3SE]

schmalex said:

weather on my planet is quite nice today.

It's a shame the race is not today then.

[Stuismyname]

1 KR
2 FM
3 LH
4 RK
5 HK
6 NH

I'll be very impressed if LH makes top 5 and I think his season could be defined by how he responds to this strange new experience of being criticised, even doubted. KR also has a point to make this weekend, and given his and Ferrari's form round here will be very tough to beat.

[thewave]

schmalex said:

I'll throw the cat in amongst the pigeons with:

1: LH
2: RK
3: KR
4: PM

LH will start from 11th on the grid & go for one mother of a long 1 stopper to make the time up during the pitstop windows. KR will be so desperate for the win to stretch away in the points table that he will over drive & end up either binning it or letting RK through.

weather on my planet is quite nice today.

I'd dearly love LH to win, but sadly I can't see it at all, he'll probably start around 15th as he'll need a decent wad of fuel on board, so pole will be out of the question.

Maybe Kovaleinen can get pole and hold up the pack until LH catches up

[wiz 1]

slightly off topic anybody off to bgp this year? we are it will be our 1st 1 so looking forward to it would be fantastic if lewis won

[wiz 1]

thunderstorms forcast for magny-cours sat and sun let's hope so rain will definately play into lewis 's hands

[E30M3SE]

wiz 1 said:

thunderstorms forcast for magny-cours sat and sun let's hope so rain will definately play into lewis 's hands

Maybe.... think back to the European GP last year.

[wiz 1]

True but then look back to fuji last season and monaco just gone think the prospect will be in his favour though

[Derek Smith]

I can't see any other strategy than running with a full tank for LH. If he does so then there's little chance of him even getting into qually 3 so that puts him at the back of the grid. He might as well start from the pit lane and set his car up for the day according to the forecast.

His only hope for a decent points finish is if it rains, but if it does so then the full tank might be no use to him whatsoever. The odds are very much against him. My feeling is that a podium's out of the target area for him.

I'd run on fumes, qualify on pole then start from the pit lane just to confuse people or else don't bother qualifying at all. Just run in the first session then rest the car and go for a pizza.

The fight will be between the BMW of Kubica, the remaining McLaren and the two Ferraris. My feeling is that the real pressure's on Kimi. These next two races might well be something of a watershed for him. That said, Massa might well feel that it would be a very good idea to beat his team mate.

I've got great hopes for this race. It should be edge of the seat stuff at the front.

Whilst a banzai rush for LH ight be on the cards, it would be sensible for him to start steadily, avoid the crush at the start, overtake when the opportunities present themselves and try and take advantage of the pace car. Any point will be a bonus. I can't see him putting in an exciting drive.

The good news is that a few friends run an on-line prediction game on the day and as I'm 4th out of 6th so I'm probably talking rubbish although if LH had not driven into the back of Kimi then I reckon I'd be second. But you know what Murray Walker always said: F1 spelt backwards if enoalumrof.

[thewave]

The full tank and safety car sentiments are my thoughts too, it's a big gamble, but could pay off. We've seen the safety car a lot recently, no reason not to think it could happen again, but it's a chance.

[wiz 1]

was'nt the last time a safety car was seen at magny cours 1999 or summat like that but then if we see some rain theres a chance it will come out,i reckon mclaren will fuel LH light,hope HK has a good race has'nt had a good season so far and they could do with the constructor points

[10 Pence Short]

With a 10 place grid penalty I would imagine Hamilton will be first in Q2, then fuel the car right up and not take part in Q3.

From there he's just got to hope that he can gain a few places before reaching the hairpin and take it from there.

[E30M3SE]

10 Pence Short said:

With a 10 place grid penalty I would imagine Hamilton will be first in Q2, then fuel the car right up and not take part in Q3.

From there he's just got to hope that he can gain a few places before reaching the hairpin and take it from there.

So he starts from 20th and last position, with a very heavy car.

[anonymous-user]

10 Pence Short said:

With a 10 place grid penalty I would imagine Hamilton will be first in Q2, then fuel the car right up and not take part in Q3.

From there he's just got to hope that he can gain a few places before reaching the hairpin and take it from there.

That doesnt make sense, he will get into Q3 easily, then fuel up and do his best, he could get a top 4 even with lots of fuel on board, then drops 10 places to 14th for example. Why would you want to start 20th when you could start 14th, or even 11th if you got pole?

[Rob P]

1. KR
2. LH
3. FM
4. HK

Kimi will win by a good margin. LH to go long on the first stint and nail some good laps when required. Rain will help too.

Thats my 2 euro-cents worth


Whats the first corner like at Le Grand Prix Francais? Le messy if Lewis gets caught up in le crowd?

[E30M3SE]

Rob P said:

Whats the first corner like at Le Grand Prix Francais? Le messy if Lewis gets caught up in le crowd?

http://www.formula1.com/races/in_detail/france_794/circuit_diagram.html