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United States GP predictions by the Quali-flyer |
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Download the NewsOnF1.com | Last year at Indianapolis it was Ferrari, McLaren, then the two Williams. Well, it was until they took away Hakkinen’s best time and relegated him to 4th for a pit lane infringement during the warm-up. DC was back in 7th behind Barrichello and Heidfeld. Last year at Indianapolis it was a Bridgestone benefit with only the 2 Williams BMW’s putting Michelin within a second of Schumacher. Hakkinen on Bridgestones was the only driver within a quarter of a second of him and Button back in 10th was the next best Michelin runner. This year Michelin will be much quicker. Interestingly Alonso put a Minardi up in 17th in front of Villeneuve’s BAR, Enge in the Prost and both Arrows. This year there are no Prosts, no Arrows (unconfirmed at this time) and Villeneuve should have a better run than he did last year in his second worst result ever (at the time it was the worst but a 19th at the Nurburgring this year pipped that record). Webber will be driving well this year to put his Minardi close to the back of the Honda cars and Yoong will again be lucky to finish his 12 qualifying laps in the hour provided. Sauber and Jordan did well last year but that was when Bridgestone made tyres for all their teams. This year they don’t, so they won’t! Even with Frentzen in the second Sauber they will not make the top ten. Now, if it rains … For Indianapolis 2002, Schumacher will take full advantage of Ferrari’s ability to deliver a Monaco slow chassis for the infield and a Monza fast engine for the quick bits. That should be enough to put him at the pointy end again. BMW will again provide enough power during qualifying to launch the space shuttle and with the Williams running on velcro made by Michelin, Montoya should come within a gnats whisker of pole number 8. Indy does reward the brave and I suspect that Raikkonen will put his McLaren up with Rubens and Ralf on the second or third row. The real dilemma this year is the green cars. Monza showed that Ford (Cosworth) power is not as bad as it used to be, can the chassis do the job down in the infield? I suspect it can and anticipate another good showing in the top 10. Now, if it rains …gee, I wish it would.. Want to submit any comments you have on this section ? We'd love to hear from you. Fill in the form below.
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