French Grand Prix (Alonso wins)

Ed · Post by Ed » Sat Jul 02, 2005 9:46 pm

And only manages 4th with a 1:14.572

Again we don't know the fuel loads!

Ed · Post by Ed » Sat Jul 02, 2005 9:49 pm

So Fernando Alonso grabs Pole position ahead of Trulli and Kimi Raikkonen. Michael Schumacher, Takuma Sato, Rubens Barrichello, Giancarlo Fisichella and Jenson Button make the top 8.

Due to Raikkonen's engine failure, he will start from 13th and those behind him will move up a place.

Full results

Julian Mayo · Post by **Julian Mayo** » Sat Jul 02, 2005 9:50 pm

Ed wrote:And only manages 4th with a 1:14.572

Again we don't know the fuel loads!

An interesting grid! Look out for fireworks at turn one!

Ed · Post by Ed » Sat Jul 02, 2005 11:39 pm

Pole setter Fernando Alonso quote following qualifying

I am delighted to be on pole, for the second time at this circuit, which I love. Even more, I am very pleased do it here in France for the team and all our supporters. The car has felt really good all weekend, after our work in testing last week in Jerez, and the balance was very stable on my lap, so I could attack all the way without any mistakes. Looking to tomorrow, I know that we have a good chance to improve the situation in the championship as Kimi will be starting quite far back, so I will be trying to score as many points as possible ? but I also expect Ferrari, Toyota and McLaren to be very fast. This weekend, there are 6,000 people here from all over Renault, so it will be an important race. I hope we can deliver a good performance!

Full Renault team quotes

Ed · Post by Ed » Sat Jul 02, 2005 11:45 pm

Kimi Raikkonen quote (3rd but starting 13th due to engine change)

It will be a tough race starting from 13th as a result of my penalty due to an engine change. The lap was OK. The car is working well, and there is really nothing more to do than wait for tomorrow to see what we can achieve in the race. I'm confident that we have a competitive package and a strong strategy, so points and even a podium are not out of reach

Full McLaren team quotes

Ed · Post by Ed » Sat Jul 02, 2005 11:48 pm

Michael Schumacher quote (4th but will start from 3rd)

We felt we could do well here and I will now be starting from
third on the grid which is a good position, even though I had hoped to be fighting for pole. Even so, this is a better position than we have found ourselves in at most of the races so far this season. The important thing is that we are looking good in race trim and so I expect we will have a strong pace tomorrow afternoon. It will be a tough race and it will be interesting to see how the various strategies work out. Let?s wait and see.

Full Ferrari team quotes

Ed · Post by Ed » Sun Jul 03, 2005 12:01 am

Jarno Trulli quote (starting from 2nd)

It's great to be starting on the front row again. I'm very happy with my lap because it was very clean and very quick. The car has been handling well all day, which I have to say was a bit of a surprise. Yesterday I wasn't very happy with my set-up, and we were struggling. But we changed that all around this morning, found a new direction and found a much stronger grip level. The car is working well now. This morning we were quite competitive on the long runs too so I think we can be strong in the race. Everything is certainly looking good so far

Full Toyota team quotes

Ed · Post by Ed » Sun Jul 03, 2005 1:26 am

All the team quotes following Qualifying at Magny Cours are now available here

Ed · Post by Ed » Sun Jul 03, 2005 1:49 am

FIA post qualifying press conference now available here

JayVee · Post by **JayVee** » Sun Jul 03, 2005 11:48 am

Well done Alonso The Cute

I really thought Michael and Rubens would have a chance here as they went out last but they couldn't.

Hard luck for Raikkonen

but that is typical McLaren sorry!!

Alonso looks set to extend his lead

I reckon the Ferraris are lighter than the Renault

Michael next to Sato, that will be worrying!!

Julian Mayo · Post by **Julian Mayo** » Sun Jul 03, 2005 12:17 pm

Anybody know who got pole ?

Ed · Post by Ed » Sun Jul 03, 2005 9:57 pm

Formation lap in 5 minutes.

Fernando Alonso starts from Pole with Jarno Trulli alongside him.

Michael Schumacher starts from 3rd following Kimi Raikkonen's penalty due to engine change. Takuma Sato starts alongside him.

The weather forecasts have been pretty accurate. It is sunny with air temperature at 30 degrees while track temperature is at 51 degrees.

This is the hottest it has been all weekend!

Ed · Post by Ed » Sun Jul 03, 2005 10:00 pm

The grid is being cleared for the start of the formation lap!

Ed · Post by Ed » Sun Jul 03, 2005 10:00 pm

And the cars are away

Ed · Post by Ed » Sun Jul 03, 2005 10:02 pm

The very high track temperature will prove challenging to the teams as they haven't practiced here under similar conditions. Tyre wear will be a major concern