Crazily indecisive !...

The first half of the season was largely thanks to Ferrari. McLaren counts only two victories (Australia and Monaco) against five for the Italian team. Only the Canadian sleeve isn’t in the colors of one of these two teams : Robert Kubiça won in Montreal. The tendency is reversed since Silverstone… The team of Woking seems better shape than “Red”. The “Silver arrows” offered themselves the perfect GP in Germany. They dominated the practices before taking away pole position on Saturday afternoon. In race, Lewis Hamilton was imperial by signing his fourth victory of the year. Ferrari makes some errors… If the leadership of the drivers’ championship is in Lewis Hamilton's ownership, that of the constructors stays widely in the camp of Maranello. The British account fifty eight points but he’s closely chased by Felipe Massa (54 points) and Kimi Räikkönen (51 points). On the contrary, Ferrari has nineteen lengthes beforehand on McLaren (3rd with 86 points). The second position is detained by BMW (89 points). The German-Swiss team isn’t capable of aiming at the victory. It misses competitiveness and reliability sometimes. Robert Kubiça took the influence on his team-mate. But Nick Heidfeld reacted... He’s the fifth just behind Polish (41 points). Toyota is the fourth in the championship but it’s fickle. Jarno Trulli, seventh, was classified in the top 8 on six occasions (Malaysia, Bahrain, Spain, Canada, France, Great Britain). Timo Glock, sixteenth, registered his first points in Montreal (5). The Japanese team misses obligatorily to defend effectively its position. In the fifth rank, we find Red Bull. The Austrian team progressed. RB4 is rather reliable and the results are for the meeting. On twenty four points, eighteen were acquired thanks to the regularity of Mark Webber (8th). Red Bull made a success of its beginning of season... Now, it has to confirm… Renault is the sixth (23 points). R28 misses competitiveness and seems fragile. Fernando Alonso is Renault’s rescuer (9th with 13 points). Nelsinho Piquet (11th with 10 points) met numerous difficulties of adaptation. Since the grand prix of Canada, he seems more serious… In France, he registered his first points and on Silverstone, the Brazilian sublimated his team. To Hockenheim, he offers them the podium. It’s the beginning of a new adventure, a second luck which they’ll know how to seize all together !... Williams appears only to the seventh place. The interseason had shown it in its best days… The confidence was acceptable after the third position from Nico Rosberg to Melbourne. But since, the team of Grove is invisible. An insufficient top speed and its German captain is condemned for the twelfth rank (8 points registered in Australia, in Bahrain and in Turkey). Kazuki Nakajima doesn’t feel at ease in qualifying but in race, he’s in net progress. He’s thirteenth equally of points with his team-mate. Honda is eighth with fourteen points but it’s still extremely disappointing. Toro Rosso, ninth (8 points), is an excellent surprise. Sebastien Bourdais realized a very beautiful entry to the F1 world by registering two points in Melbourne. Sebastian Vettel dominates him nevertheless. "Bubi-Schumi" dazzles the paddock at every grand prix. To Hockenheim, he took the advantage on his German fellow countrymen in qualifying. In race, he was exceptional !… All will have retained his result (8th) contrary to “Quick Nick”’s fourth position (logic for BMW driver) !… Force India the close the walking of the current classification with Super Aguri which withdrew after Barcelona.

In summary, McLaren and Ferrari can aspire to the coronation in both championships. BMW will pepper a little the end of season for lack of being able to win it… Renault and Red Bull can return on Toyota, fourth. Williams will still progress but will it exactly be rewarded for it ? Both teams Japanese are disappointing towards the budget which they have. The second half 2008 will be probably similar… Toro Rosso will assure the show sometimes by disturbing the usual hierarchy… Force India works with many seriousness… It would really deserve to reach points. But it seems rather utopian !…

Testing to Jerez (22-25/07/08) :

From 22 till 25 July, F1 teams belonged to Jerez to prepare the continuation of the season and on 2009. The drivers tested tires slick which will be reintroduced next year. Sebastian Vettel was imperative during the first day (1'19"844). Young German outstripped Gary Paffett's MP4-23 and Luca Badoer's F2008. Let us note that BMW’s mechanic received an electric shock try it to install the KERS on F1.08. The German-Swiss team suspended its testing of development of this system. On Wednesday, leader was the same (1'18"843). The top 3 is completed by Pedro de la Rosa and Kimi Räikkönen. Renault, BMW, Ferrari, Toyota and Force India exclusively concentrated on the preparation of the grand prix of Hungary and the races to come. Honda, Toro Rosso and Red Bull were in configuration 2009. Williams was also interested in it after a work of set-up for the next sleeve. On Thursday, Red Bull took the command with Mark Webber (1'19"176). Nelsinho Piquet occupied the second position in front of Kimi Räikkönen. McLaren enclosed the week at the head of the classification (1'18"385). Heikki Kovalainen is followed by Sébastien Bourdais and David Coulthard.

McLaren remained in the top 3 during four sessions of testing. A new front wing inspired by F1.08 will make its appearance in Budapest. Ferrari declared to have resolved its problems of Hockenheimring. A priori, "Red of Maranello" will be for the meeting this weekend. BMW was discreet but the results of Jerez aren’t absolutely significant. Renault is satisfactory of the realized work. The Bull seemed shape there during week… It’ll be interesting to follow its evolution on the circuit of Hungaroring. It’s difficult to pronounce concerning Williams and Toyota. Points risk to be inaccessible... Honda and Force India hope to progress in the classification. Good luck to all !...

The program of the weekend…

At this beginning of August, F1 has meeting in the capital of the romanticism, Budapest. Hungaroring is a track 4,381 km long. The drivers will have 70 laps to conquer the first walking of the podium. Under a smothering heat, the reliability will remain the key of this grand prix… The show isn’t guaranteed but it’s a rather pleasant destination before the holidays. Let us note that Ferrari is given favourite onto this circuit (Michaël Schumacher imposed upon it four times) but Lewis Hamilton won’t be allowed tell…

Friday:

Practice 1 : 10:00 am – 11:30 am

Practice 2 : 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm

Saturday :

Practice 3 : 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Qualifying : 2:00 pm

Sunday :

Race : 2:00 pm