2008 FORMULA 1 European Grand Prix

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Who will win the 2008 FORMULA 1 European Grand Prix ?

Poll ended at 24 Aug 2008, 16:50

Lewis Hamilton
21
28%
Kimi Räikkönen
29
38%
Felipe Massa
18
24%
Robert Kubica
4
5%
Nick Heidfeld
0
No votes
Heikki Kovalainen
0
No votes
Jarno Trulli
0
No votes
Fernando Alonso
3
4%
Mark Webber
0
No votes
Timo Glock
1
1%
 
Total votes: 76

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ScuderiaFan
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Re: 2008 FORMULA 1 European Grand Prix

Post by ScuderiaFan » 20 Aug 2008, 19:54

swca92 wrote:
ScuderiaFan wrote:The Ferrari team will arrive at Valincia tomorrow afternoon (Wednesday) .. they used to arrive at any grandprix thursday in the morning .. but due to first time the track hold a formula 1 race they will be there earlier to familiers the atmosphere there and begin working to the importent event
No offence but that's dull,trivial information that very few would care about.Only if your a Ferrari nut would you care.
Yes i'm a ferrari nut :D .. and i took this information from thier website as i do care of anything new from my favorite team :)
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Remember this one "A Formula 1 race without Ferrari cars is useless" ScuderiaFan

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Re: 2008 FORMULA 1 European Grand Prix

Post by shailf1 » 20 Aug 2008, 20:18

ITV F1 wrote: 1. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) – Ferrari

If the world champion walks off with a second consecutive world crown after Brazil, the success could be even more unfathomable than last year’s unlikely triumph given his results over the past four months. But despite failing to win since Spain, the Finn remains just five points off the pace and his string of fastest race laps suggests he remains a major title threat if he overcomes his qualifying problems.
Last five race results: 3rd / 6th / 4th / 2nd / R
(Most recent first)


2. Felipe Massa (BR) – Ferrari

The pint-sized Brazilian left his perennial critics aghast by his McLaren-beating performance in Hungary, before his Ferrari V8 cruelly gave up the ghost three laps from home. The harsh reality, however, was that he lost crucial ground to both his main rivals in the championship fight. He looked totally dejected afterwards and must ensure he has put that heartbreak behind him over the summer break.
Last five race results: R / 3rd / 13th / 1st / 5th


3. Nick Heidfeld (D) – BMW Sauber

The Hungarian GP wasn’t a good weekend for either Heidfeld or BMW, despite showing promising pace in the early practice sessions. The German driver knew his weekend would be a write-off after traffic on his crucial hot lap contributed to a depressing Q1 exit, prompting his angry reaction to Bourdais. Valencia can only be better.
Last five race results: 10th / 4th / 2nd / 13th / 2nd


4. Robert Kubica (POL) – BMW Sauber

The Polish ace never publicly rated his championship chances following his maiden win in Montreal, but nevertheless he probably didn’t anticipate quite the struggle that the following four races have provided. After tyre problems compromised his pace at the Hungaroring, however, a street race could lift his spirits and provide him with an increasingly unlikely chance to sparkle near the front this season.
Last five race results: 8th / 7th / R / 5th / 1st


5. Fernando Alonso (E) – Renault

Fernando matched his best result of the season last time out and Renault’s steadily improving form suggests he may still have a chance of making the podium this season. It could even happen in his second home race of the year at Valencia, as the track looks designed to throw up a few surprises. Expect the fired-up Spaniard to attack any such opportunity.
Last five race results: 4th / 11th / 6th / 8th / R


6. Nelson Piquet Jr (BR) - Renault

Nelsinho repeatedly played down the importance of his fortunate podium finish in Germany, yet it was clear to see that the 23-year-old had an extra spring in his step throughout the Hungarian weekend. It showed in his performance too; qualifying 10th and racing strongly to sixth. Renault now needs him to keep delivering consistently.
Last five race results: 6th / 2nd / R / 7th / R


7. Nico Rosberg (D) – Williams

The Hungaroring was meant to be the place where the FW30 finally came back on song – yet it didn’t pan out like that for team and star driver. A hydraulics problem put Rosberg out at the start of Q2 and it was always going to be difficult from there. The streets of Valencia should, on paper, also suit the team and could end Rosberg’s six-race points drought.
Last five race results: 14th / 10th / 9th / 16th / 10th


8. Kazuki Nakajima (J) - Williams

Poor qualifying form is compromising everything the Japanese rookie tries to do at the moment and that must change if he is to pick up any points on merit in the increasingly competitive midfield pack. Nevertheless, a brush with Fisichella aside, Nakajima raced solidly in Hungary and a similarly steady performance could pay dividends on the wall-lined streets this weekend.
Last five race results: 13th / 15th / 8th / 15th / R


9. David Coulthard (GB) – Red Bull Racing

Our star columnist will hope his vast experience will come in handy around Valencia’s sweeping streets, allowing him to cash in on a rare points finish if younger, and perhaps over-zealous rivals, come a cropper in the concrete. The circuit has been compared to Montreal, where DC of course scored his surprise podium finish.
Last five race results: 11th / 13th / R / 9th / 3rd


10. Mark Webber (AUS) – Red Bull Racing

Webber admitted RBR simply didn’t have the pace to score points in Hungary, a worrying performance that it hopes will prove a one-off. The team has lost major ground to Toyota and Renault in the race for fourth place in the constructors’ championship and will need to give Webber a more competitive package for Valencia to get back on the points-scoring trail.
Last five race results: 9th / R / 10th / 6th / 12th


11. Jarno Trulli (I) – Toyota

The Italian secured a useful couple more points for the Japanese squad last time out, yet his performance was entirely overshadowed by team-mate Glock’s stunning exploits. Out-qualified and outraced by the German, Trulli will be keen to resume normal service as the team’s lead-runner with another strong finish in Valencia.
Last five race results: 7th / 9th / 7th / 3rd / 6th


12. Timo Glock (D) - Toyota

For all the doses of both luck and misfortune than were being fired out in scatter-gun fashion at times at the Hungaroring, Glock’s second place was all hard earned and thoroughly deserved. It was a stunning comeback following his violent German GP accident and seems to have earned him a second year at Toyota. His next challenge is to match Trulli’s consistency.
Last five race results: 2nd / R / 12th / 11th / 4th


14. Sebastien Bourdais (F) - Scuderia Toro Rosso

The French rookie was running fairly strongly on his first visit to the Hungaroring until he was penalised, perhaps harshly, for impeding Heidfeld in qualifying. A fairly straightforward race followed, enlivened when his visor got splattered with foam while mechanics put out a flash fire on his car at his first fuel stop. Valencia could bring a better result with all drivers starting from the same baseline.
Last five race results: 18th / 12th / 11th / 17th / 13th


15. Sebastian Vettel (D) – Scuderia Toro Rosso

Frustrating weekends are already nothing new for the fresh-faced young star and he experienced another one in Hungary, with his STR3 experiencing technical problems in both practice and the race. Still, despite limited running, he showed his usual strong speed in flashes and could be an outside bet for another points finish at Valencia.
Last five race results: R / 8th / R / 12th / 8th


16. Jenson Button (GB) – Honda Racing

While visits to Budapest will always remind Jenson of the type of success he desperately craves again, he was still reasonably buoyant about Honda’s pace last time out after qualifying and finishing 12th. The performance of the car’s new rear suspension pleased him, leaving him optimistic for the remainder of the campaign.
Last five race results: 12th / 17th / R / R / 11th


17. Rubens Barrichello (BR) – Honda Racing

Like Coulthard, Barrichello will be looking to make the most of his experience at this weekend’s new venue and steal a march over some of the field. The last grands prix have been difficult for the Brazilian but, like Silverstone and Monaco, the possibility for unpredictability could allow him to rumble the top eight on race day again.
Last five race results: 16th / R / 3rd / 14th / 7th


20. Adrian Sutil (D) – Force India

A puncture, caused by a race-long brake problem, in Hungary brought up Sutil’s seventh retirement in 11 races this season – a record he and the team need to improve on in the season’s closing phase. After pushing Fisichella in recent races, the German fell back behind his veteran team-mate in qualifying last time but will attempt to match his sensational street-fighting form from Monaco this weekend.
Last five race results: R / 16th / R / 19th / R


21. Giancarlo Fisichella (I) – Force India

Still no sign of a points finish for ‘Fisi’ but that’s not left him despondent. In fact, he has expressed his faith in Force India’s potential to deliver a stronger car in 2009 and seems convinced that he won’t be seeing out his career cruising around at the back. Indeed his race pace in Hungary proved that he is very much still ‘on it’.
Last five race results: 15th / 14th / R / 18th / R


22. Lewis Hamilton (GB) – McLaren

Lewis knows a thing or two about punctures after several derailed his title challenge last season, but thankfully for him his latest one didn’t have the consequences it could have had after Massa’s late blow up. He heads into the run in with a five-point advantage and has the street racing pedigree to extend that in Valencia.
Last five race results: 5th / 1st / 1st / 10th / R


23. Heikki Kovalainen (FIN) – McLaren

It was one of the most fortuitous maiden victories you are likely to see, but Kovalainen nevertheless was thankful that some luck had come his way for a change. Now with that breakthrough achieved, he says he feels ready to become a consistent front-running challenger. McLaren needs him to do just that if it is to steal the constructors’ title away from Ferrari.
Last five race results: 1st / 5th / 5th / 4th / 9th

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JoostLamers
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Re: 2008 FORMULA 1 European Grand Prix

Post by JoostLamers » 21 Aug 2008, 10:28

thank shail, interesting ;)
<<<The flag Lew1s waved at
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Re: 2008 FORMULA 1 European Grand Prix

Post by Arrows_F1 » 21 Aug 2008, 10:41

The technical requirements of Valencia's street circuit
Formula1.com wrote:Aerodynamics:
The track layout means that the teams will run with relatively low levels of downforce, similar to those used in Montreal for the Canadian Grand Prix. This is possible as there are no high-speed corners and good straight-line speed is important down the long back straight. However, it won't be until free practice begins on Friday that the team will be able to finalise aero levels, which can depend on the grip offered by the tarmac.

Brakes:
The circuit is expected to be particularly demanding on the brakes and on a par with somewhere like Bahrain. There are frequent large stops from over 300km/h, such as turns 12 and 17, leading into tight second gear corners which will put high energy though the braking systems. Brake cooling will also need special attention with teams likely to use reasonably large cooling ducts.

General car set-up:
The drivers need a responsive and well-balanced car with good change of direction to deal with the high-speed kinks that are spread around the circuit. But, as always, this needs to be balanced with a supple enough suspension to give good mechanical grip in the low-speed corners. There are a few curbs that the drivers can use, mainly on the corner exits, but until the drivers take to the track it is difficult to predict what impact they will have on car set-up. Good braking stability is also important, especially at the end of the straights, to avoid locking wheels on a track where there is little margin for error.

Tyres:
Bridgestone will bring the soft and super-soft compounds from its 2008 range, just as it did for the Hungarian Grand Prix. The softest compounds from the range will offer good grip on what is likely to be quite a slippery track surface to begin with. However, like any temporary circuit, we can expect the track to begin the weekend very 'green' and gradually evolve, becoming faster with each lap as it rubbers-in. As yet, the teams have no tyre data and so evaluating tyres and assessing the abrasive qualities of the tarmac will be a priority during free practice.

Engine:
The mix of straights, low speed chicanes and hairpins means that the engine will be used in a very stop-start fashion. About 54 percent of the lap is expected to be spent at full throttle, which is below average for the season and so it will not be too severe a test for the engine. The key to a good lap time is therefore not peak power, but good torque to help launch the car out of the slow corners and onto the straights. Getting the car well balanced will therefore be of utmost importance to avoid understeer out of the low-speed corners to allow early application of the throttle.
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Re: 2008 FORMULA 1 European Grand Prix

Post by hannibal_rising » 21 Aug 2008, 11:28

There is one thing I don't understand. IF formula 1 management are so worried about safety, why are the two new circuits of this year by definition of the most dangerous type? I guess safety has a discrete second place after money....
Certainly Valencia is not as dangerous as others street circuits... but the walls are there and it is a faster circuit than Montecarlo... I just hope not to see serious accidents...

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shailf1
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Re: 2008 FORMULA 1 European Grand Prix

Post by shailf1 » 21 Aug 2008, 14:53

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:thumbsup:


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Last edited by shailf1 on 21 Aug 2008, 17:09, edited 1 time in total.

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phil1993
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Re: 2008 FORMULA 1 European Grand Prix

Post by phil1993 » 21 Aug 2008, 15:06

http://www.f1.com/photos/597x478/sutton ... eur508.jpg what happened to those lime green shorts! :p nice pics shail

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TwistedArmco
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Re: 2008 FORMULA 1 European Grand Prix

Post by TwistedArmco » 21 Aug 2008, 15:10

Great pictures Shail..
Look at Naka, enjoying his bikeride!
Nice shotrs, Seb.
No, I'm not calmer. Just more jaded.

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Re: 2008 FORMULA 1 European Grand Prix

Post by iceman1 » 21 Aug 2008, 15:19

Thanks shail69 For the Pics :)

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Re: 2008 FORMULA 1 European Grand Prix

Post by phil1993 » 21 Aug 2008, 15:26

iceman, whats with the sig! :p :n why, why, why!

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TwistedArmco
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Re: 2008 FORMULA 1 European Grand Prix

Post by TwistedArmco » 21 Aug 2008, 15:36

phil1993 wrote:iceman, whats with the sig! :p :n why, why, why!
OFFTOPIC: I've got a better picture of wrinkly Ron than that one, Iceman.. :p See below:

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No, I'm not calmer. Just more jaded.

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phil1993
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Re: 2008 FORMULA 1 European Grand Prix

Post by phil1993 » 21 Aug 2008, 15:44

TwistedArmco wrote:
OFFTOPIC: I've got a better picture of wrinkly Ron than that one, Iceman.. :p See below:

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he's just been told that Kovy beat Hamilton :p

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Re: 2008 FORMULA 1 European Grand Prix

Post by syafiqa » 21 Aug 2008, 16:00

phil1993 wrote:
TwistedArmco wrote:
OFFTOPIC: I've got a better picture of wrinkly Ron than that one, Iceman.. :p See below:

Image
he's just been told that Kovy beat Hamilton :p
Haha..noty.. :@:2
Thanks shail for da pics..
nice to see.. :roll::

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Re: 2008 FORMULA 1 European Grand Prix

Post by fclen » 21 Aug 2008, 17:18

The pics are great. I wish I could be there. :(

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Re: 2008 FORMULA 1 European Grand Prix

Post by Ali » 21 Aug 2008, 17:26

iceman1 wrote:Thanks shail69 For the Pics :)
Isn't it better for pictures to be on Pictures topic so that we can open up the race topic itself quickly? Otherwise, we have to wait so long for page to be ultimately loaded.

I guess a small commemoration will take place in the honor of those dead in the plane crash in Madrid, which they actually should do. It was a terrible crash.
"I don't want to achieve immortality through my work. I want to achieve it by not dying" -Woody Allen

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