Hondas improving? Or low fuel load?
Nice one Kimi though.

Qualifying result at Hockenheim:

1. Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) McLaren - Mercedes one minute 14.070 seconds
2. Michael Schumacher (Ger) Ferrari 1:14.205
3. Felipe Massa (Brz) Ferrari 1:14.569
4. Jenson Button (GB) Honda 1:14.862
5. Giancarlo Fisichella (Ita) Renault 1:14.894
6. Rubens Barrichello (Brz) Honda 1:14.934
7. Fernando Alonso (Spa) Renault 1:15.282
8. Ralf Schumacher (Ger) Toyota 1:15.923
9. Pedro de la Rosa (Spa) McLaren-Mercedes 1:15.936
10. David Coulthard (GB) RedBull-Ferrari 1:16.326
11. Mark Webber (Aus) Williams-Cosworth 1:15.094
12. Christian Klien (Aut) RedBull-Ferrari 1:15.141
13. Jarno Trulli (Ita) Toyota 1:15.150
14. Jacques Villeneuve (Can) BMW Sauber 1:15.329
15. Nico Rosberg (Ger) Williams-Cosworth 1:15.380
16. Nick Heidfeld (Ger) BMW Sauber 1:15.397
17. Vitantonio Liuzzi (Ita) Toro Rosso-Cosworth 1:16.399
18. Christijan Albers (Ned) Midland-Toyota 1:17.093
19. Takuma Sato (Jpn) Super Aguri-Honda 1:17.185
20. Tiago Monteiro (Por) Midland-Toyota 1:17.836
21. Sakon Yamamoto (Jpn) Super Aguri-Honda 1:20.444
22. Scott Speed (US) Toro Rosso-Cosworth

 

Honda were pretty good on low fuel too.

Raikonnen must be running relatively light, other than that I think the results are probably fairly accurate. Renault don't look like being able to challenge for the win.

 

Renault beginning to look distinctly average a la 2004, and McLaren's usual mid-season ante up is starting. Expect a few wins before the end of the season (and a Paffett GP following DLR's performance today) before a slow start to '07.

 

I don't agree, I think he's got a fair bit of fuel onboard, as he still had fuel for at least 1 more run when he set it, maybe two if he hadn't made an arse of the unnecessary "defence" lap.

It's just McLaren's usual form to take a dramatic jump in performance from the late European season onwards.

 

Relatively light compared to how they usually run (i.e. heavy). I doubt he's going to stop after one lap or anything daft, but I think Raikonnen will be one of the earlier stoppers.

 

True, that's definitely what they're doing. It never does them any favours running long unless the car is perfect like Monaco last year, where having more fuel didn't have any speed defecit vs his rivals.

Here's hoping it works out though, I want to see Kimi bag a few wins this year.

 

Read something today that made me nod in agreement....

How much is Schumacher rueing his parking stunt at Monaco. If he starteed 2nd or even third he surely would have been either 1st or second.......

& 8 or 6 points closer to Alonso....making him a bit more nervous at the likes of Renault placing today......

 

It really is looking like MS has serious chance of overhauling Alonso now though - lots of other cars looking like they can get between Renault and Ferrari, and Alonso clearly beginning to feel the pressure - couldn't believe his radio to pits:

"Did you see what that big bully MS just did? " - pathetic!

Here is hoping the Honda quali performance actually translates into some real race pace

 

I have always wondered why McLaren have not run lighter and have Kimi at the front because running mid-pack has never worked for him or on very few occasions but if he could be up front I think he would be very quick and with a chance to win. I know that Ron has more experience than me and knows what he is doing but I have always felt running aggressive would have been better. This is why MS and FA do so well.

As to removing the dampers from the nosecone, it is stupid. It is a mechanical system that some have developed and gives them an advantage. This is about innovation and the pinnacle of motor sports and if another team hasn't developed it then it is an issue for them and not the ones running it. When will F1 ever become consistent for more than 1 week?

Although I am glad that BMW have been forced to remove those horrid vertical wings I can see BMW's anger. If it was legal until last week then the FIA should not be able to ban them because of aesthetics. However BMW should have also thought about how the car looked and the image it portrayed to the world about a BMW. Silly marketing exercise.

 

Bangle went apeshit they reckon