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This is some stats about the Australian Grand Prix:


Australian Grand Prix - 3 March 2002

Race Distance : 307.574 km / 191.118 m
Number of Laps : 58
Lap Distance : 5.303 km / 3.295 m
Lap Record : H. H. Frentzen 1"23'32
Qualifying : 13:00 - Mar 02/2002
Race : 14:00 - Mar 03/2002

It was a while since I posted on this thread. But now I´m here with fresh formation:


Barrichello: Ferrari still favourite for Oz win 21 Feb 2002


Rubens Barrichello has told Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport that he believes Ferrari will still be the favourite to take victory at the Australian GP. This is despite the team's decision to use last year's F2001 at the season opener.
"We have taken this decision, but we did not have any problems," Barrichello said. "I believe that in Melbourne we will still be favourites. We will know the performance and reliability of the car, unlike our opponents."

Ferrari's technical director Ross Brawn reinforced this, when he reminded fans how dominant the F2001 had been last year.

"At Suzuka we had the quickest car, and the F2001 has improved. But we do not know how much the other teams have improved this season," he added.


Ferrari continue to work on the F2002, and have yet to say which car model they will use at the Malaysian GP in three weeks' time.





You all know the source

Berger: Not bad idea to start with F2001 21 Feb 2002


BMW motorsport director Gerhard Berger has agreed with Ferrari's bosses that it is a good idea to start the season with last year's F2001.
"If you have the advantage Ferrari had last year, then it is not a bad idea starting with the old car," Berger told Gazzetta dello Sport. "In the first three races what counts isn't to be one second faster than anyone else, it is to get to the finish of the race."

However, the former F1 driver refused to talk up the BMW Williams team's chances. "Last year we won four GPs and finished third in the Championship," he said. "Our objective next season will be to get second place or, if you prefer, to beat at least one of the other teams, Ferrari or McLaren.

"The new BMW engine goes really well; it was ready before the Japanese GP, and since then we have already tested it for 20,000 kms. That is a lot more than what we achieved in the same period last year.


"Our drivers are great. They aren't best friends, but they work well together. Juan Pablo (Montoya) has lots of talent, and he is exceptional in the race.

"Maybe he's not as analytical as Ralf (Schumacher), maybe he's more emotional, but I'm really curious to see if he'll be able to start the new season the way he ended last.

"For sure in the tests he's been fast!"

Renault: We can challenge Sauber 21 Feb 2002


Renault's technical director Mike Gascoyne has told Autosport magazine that he believes the team is on a level with Sauber in terms of performance this year.
Last year the Benetton-Renault team had a difficult season, and was often fighting against the Arrows and Minardis in qualifying. Sauber, in contrast, had their best season ever and finished fourth in the constructors' championship.

This year in testing so far both Sauber and Renault have looked promising, setting fastest times and proving reliable, and as a result Gascoyne is confident that Renault will be able to challenge for points regularly in 2002.

"We were quicker than Sauber when they tested at Barcelona, so there is no reason why we cannot be right up there with them in qualifying," he said.


"Our target is to finish in the points. I can see the situation that there will be the top three teams, then Sauber and ourselves, and then the rest."

Benetton were seventh last season.

Panis confident of improvements this season 21 Feb 2002


BAR driver Olivier Panis has said that he is confident Bridgestone will step up their performance to match French rival Michelin in 2002.
As the first driver to secure a podium place on Bridgestone tyres, in 1997, he has a long history with the company.

"I'm very happy to be working with Bridgestone this year," he said. "I know the people there very well and they know me well too so it's a good relationship.

"It's important for me to work with a big tyre manufacturer like Bridgestone. I have confidence in them and that's important for me and the team. We are developing the tyres together too, which is very positive for us.


"Bridgestone had a really tough job (last year) because they had a competitor and there was a very high level of performance for both. Sometimes Bridgestone were better and sometimes their rival had the advantage at some circuits.

"The competition is at a very high level, which is good for Formula 1. I think that last year, Bridgestone learnt different things at different circuits, so I'm sure we'll improve together this year."

Looking back, Panis identified Brazil as a place that Bridgestone excelled at last season. This track is known to be difficult because of the very bumpy surface and the fact that it is one of the few run in an anti-clockwise direction.


"I think that the tyre performance was really good for us in Brazil," he stated. "Also, in wet conditions, Bridgestone is very competitive. When we had damp conditions, the intermediates went very well last year. In general, we had some very good races but I'm sure Bridgestone also learnt a lot from the races where we didn't perform so well."

He also went against the call from drivers to return to slick tyres, saying he was happy with the current regulations governing this area of the car. However, he would not like to see any extra grooves added.

"To be honest I don't know if the best way to reduce the performance of the car is through the tyres because when the grip level is good, it's also good for safety. When we used grooved tyres for the first time, there was a very big difference," he commented.


"Now the tyres are much quicker. Maybe we could reduce the tyre performance for one or two years but after that the engineers would develop new things and we would go quicker again. I'm sure it's not easy for the FIA but I'd prefer to keep the tyres we have at the moment."

The Frenchman also outlined the amount of work in testing that was dedicated to the tyres. "I need to test a lot on new tyres before Melbourne but we have a very competitive car this year so I'm feeling positive. We need to learn as much about the new tyres as possible before then but we also need to test the Melbourne tyres as quickly as possible in order to prepare for Malaysia and Brazil."

Panis has just concluded BAR's final test in Paul Ricard.





Tyre manufacturers face Melbourne ban? 14 Feb 2002


Tyre manufacturers have been warned that their product will be banned if they take a radical new design to the first race in Australia.
At least one of the sport's two tyre manufacturers, Bridgestone and Michelin, are considering debuting an innovative new groove pattern and altered shoulders. But they are in dispute with the governing body over the exact interpretation of the regulations.

One leading source within the manufacturers says the rules are too vague and the FIA's stand had come too close to the first race.

FIA President Max Mosley did not make specific references to the tyre dispute but he acknowledged there are issues going on behind the scenes.


"There are certain controversial things being discussed for Melbourne, things we know about," he said. "But there is only one thing we think is illegal and we have told the people concerned. I hope they won't turn up with it in Melbourne."

Sources close to the FIA said there are concerns over proposals for asymmetric grooves and sloping shoulder designs on the drawing board.

"We think the grooves should be uniform across the tyre whichever way you look at them, but some people disagree," said an insider. "Some people think that if one shoulder slopes more than the other that would be alright. We don't."


Formula1.com sources have speculated that it could be Michelin due to the camber noticed on their new tyres in testing. This has not been confirmed by either manufacturer or the FIA.

A confrontation with the FIA at the first race in Australia, in three weeks time, could prove costly for at least one of the sport's leading teams.

Bridgestone supply champions Ferrari while Michelin supply the other two top teams McLaren and Williams.






Source: www.formula1.com

A rookie's view of tyres 21 Feb 2002


Formula1 newcomer Enrique Bernoldi gave the following interview, after a year spent adjusting to the various nuances of the sport. Tyres, in particular, are an important aspect of the car and the Brazilian was asked how he found Bridgestone's products last year.
Q: At what stage in your racing career did you begin to understand the importance of tyres?
EB: I understood this from the very beginning when I started karting as a nine-year-old. You can see the difference straightaway between old and new tyres in karting.

Q: What was your first impression of Bridgestone F1 tyres when you made your debut in 2001?
EB: I was most impressed with the grip level and the consistent performance. The grooved tyres move around a bit more but they have a lot more grip than the F3000 slicks I was driving on before I moved up to Formula 1.

Q: After one season do you feel better able to give useful feedback on tyres to your engineers?
EB: Yes, the more experience I gain, the easier it is to provide useful feedback. Also I now know my race engineer a lot better and, of course, my Bridgestone engineer! We are able exchange a lot more information.


Q: At which race in 2001 do you feel the tyres performed best for you in the Arrows car?
EB: I would have to say Indianapolis. I was able to balance the car very well with new tyres.

Q: How do you feel the tyres improved as the season went on?
EB: The qualifying performance got much better as the season progressed. In the races, I feel we got improved consistency and durability.

Q: How important are tyres to your personal performance, as well as that of the Arrows?
EB: They are very important as they help you balance the car better which, in turn, gives you more confidence as a driver.


Q: Have your discovered a preference for certain characteristics in the tyres, eg stiffer construction for sharper turn-in, the moving sensation of softer constructions etc?
EB: Personally, I prefer a stiffer construction that generally gives a sharper turn-in.

Q: How much input do you hope to have in tyre testing prior to the start of the season?
EB: I hope I will have the opportunity to try out different tyres and be part of the tyre development programme. The more experience I can get of the new tyres before the season starts, the better.

Q: If you could ask Bridgestone for one thing in 2002 what would it be?
EB: More grip!




Source: www.formula1.com

You must get lonely posting to yourself Sheva!

Whats the point copying from formula1.com? How about giving someone else the chance to post an opinion or news, besides yourself.

This looks like a pure 'increase my post total' thread....


Forza Schumacher & Ferrari

Ok, then I better say, you can find all this and more on www.formula1.com


But Andy!!!!


Lets say:



Forza Coulthard and Mclaren!

you've turned something that could've been interesting into a raise your post thread,how boring,although atleast i don't have to buy any new F1 mags for a while,THANX.

Eh....I knew already Andy is fan of 'Schumi and Ferrari All The Way'.......

Originally posted by Andy1899
You must get lonely posting to yourself Sheva!

Whats the point copying from formula1.com? How about giving someone else the chance to post an opinion or news, besides yourself.

This looks like a pure 'increase my post total' thread....


Forza Schumacher & Ferrari

That's the side effect of one who has so many times in his hand!!

And yes, forza Schummy and Ferrari!

(sorry I couldn´t be here with my comments earlier)


The first Grand Prix of the year is finished and M. Schumacher won it. The start crash was an important thing in the race and many drivers crashed. COulthard used the crash and took the lead. Schumi (Michael) used Trullis ´´whirl`` when the Safety-Car for the second time came out. Schumi could easy drive so he was in the back of Coulthard. And COulthard made his catastrofal misstake in the end of the Safety-Car face. He pressed full on the pedal in the last corner and drived out in the grass. Schumi and Montoya and Rakkonen used that and drove up in front of him. Coulthard got problems with his car and had a hard job to stay on the track. After a while he decided to quit the race. Now Mclaren hoped on Rakkonen. And Rakkonen made a good season start with a third place. Montoya was second and M. Schumacher first. The problems for many drivers in the start crash and later were used from for example Webber. A fantastic fifth place for the Australian. Also other ´´not top-drivers´´ used their chance. It was an exciting start of the season. But I´m sad that Coulthard didn´t make it in the first race.

Well we'll see if we can make this thread more interesting,Yes the Melbourne Grand Prix Schumy was to strong in last years car to although the incident at the start did shape the race in some context,the great German was in a class of his own as soon as he took the lead there was no stopping him.Full credit to Montoya and Raikkonen and also the Barbie(Webber)I think it was great for Formula 1 with the Aussie and Minardi team winning.
It looks like being an interesting season but I won't go past Schumy in getting a 5th championship he's to good,It was a sad start to the race and thankfully no-one was hurt.

But it'd better in seasons to come, Montoya didn't slip off the tongue said Schumi was making a big mistake using F2001.....

Drivers Championship:

Standings for 2002 Season
Pl Driver Team Pts
1 Schumacher M Ferrari 10
2 Montoya Williams 6
3 Raikkonen McLaren 4
4 Irvine Jaguar 3
5 Webber Minardi 2
6 Salo Toyota 1
7 Yoong Minardi 0
8 de la Rosa Jaguar 0
9 Coulthard McLaren 0
10 Villeneuve BAR 0
10 Frentzen Arrows 0
10 Barrichello Ferrari 0
10 McNish Toyota 0
10 Bernoldi Arrows 0
10 Trulli Renault 0
10 Heidfeld Sauber 0
10 Schumacher R Williams 0
10 Panis BAR 0
10 Massa Sauber 0
10 Fisichella Jordan 0
10 Button Renault 0



Constructors Championship:

Standings for 2002 Season
Pl Team Pts
1 Ferrari 10
2 Williams 6
3 McLaren 4
4 Jaguar 3
5 Minardi 2
6 Toyota 1
7 BAR 0
7 Renault 0
7 Jordan 0
7 Sauber 0
7 Arrows 0



Source: www.f1.com (www.formula1.com)