Our sister site, Chicken Dinner, thinks Lewis will win on Sunday. We disagree, but we’re not going to kick off or anything
The betting experts over at Chicken Dinner list 11 reasons why they think Lewis will win this weekend. Their evidence is compelling, even if we disagree (we say lewis will finish second; and judging from the above photo, taken today at Silverstone, the McLaren star agrees with us): read the story
Grid Crasher previews this weekend’s race at Silverstone
1. It will rain on Sunday afternoon That’s what the expert weather folks say, and who are we to doubt them. A wet GP is an unpredictable GP - but that’s not going to stop us from making another nine rash predictions…
More fuel for the anti-McLaren conspiracy theorists
Part of Kimi Raikkonen’s exhaust fell off during the French GP, but should he have been allowed to drive round with it hanging off in the first place? It could have flown off in any direction. Worst case scenario: it hits another driver, or a steward, or a spectator.
Okay, the chances of that happening are very slim indeed, but why do we get the nagging feeling that had it been a McLaren, then different action may have been taken? Hmm… (strokes beard pensively)
Charlie Whiting should have at least ordered a black-and-orange flag, forcing Kimi into the pits; some might say the Ferrari driver deserved to see a full black flag.
Nick Heidfeld and Bobby Kubica enjoy a cheese and wine tasting session. Nick, in particular, seems to be having a fine time. Question (we have asked it before): why do the poor BMW drivers always get to do the shittiest PR set-ups? You wouldn’t catch Kimi Raikkonen sat in a field before a GP, with a wooden tray of brie and grapes laid out in front of him.
A poor performance by both McLaren drivers in yesterday’s qualifying session for today’s French GP means that a Ferrari 1-2 is almost inevitable, reliability permitting. Kimi Raikkonen (pole) and Felipe Massa (second) did a solid job in locking down the front row, but they were put under no pressure from Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen. Hamilton was fastest of the non-Ferrari cars, but he ran wide and could have possibly grabbed a vital pole. He later apologised to his team, saying “I didn’t do a good job at all”.
With Hamilton already pushed down the grid, this was seen as a chance for Kovalainen to step up and put some heat on Ferrari, but he did an average job, qualifying only sixth-fastest. At this rate, we’d be surprised if McLaren hang on to him for 2009.
Felipe Massa, Kimi Raikkonen (back row), Lewis Hamilton and Robert Kubica (front row) look delighted to be stuck in Thursday’s pre-race press conference.
Grid Crasher decodes pre-race quotes from the key drivers
Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari) “I think that things will look really different at Magny-Cours, compared to the last GPs. The smooth surface of the French track, its demanding corners and the quick changes of direction will underline the characteristics of the F2008.It was here in France last year that my season practically started all over again; and this is what I need now, after the two races with no points. I like this track and I think that it’s perfect for our car. I think we’ll be competitive and that we can go for the maximum result.” What he really means: “Not even Lewis is going to stop me winning this time.”
Felipe Massa (Ferrari) “I hope we will be very competitive this weekend. I like Magny-Cours: I came second here last year, having started from pole, but then I lost a bit of time in traffic and I also came third in 2006. It’s a good track for me. Let’s hope we can repeat last year’s one-two finish, but maybe in a different order!” What he really means: “I hope Ferrari lets me compete with Kimi on even ground.”
Get to know Magny Cours before this Sunday’s French GP
Watch Kimi take on Magny Cours in the 2006 McLaren (one of the most beautiful F1 cars in recent years).
It’s a tricky, fast circuit, notable for the very quick first corner, taken at 170mph, the tricky Estoril right-hander, which comes soon after, and the unsighted Imola chicane.
BONUS VIDEO! Watch Martin Brundle describe a Fernando Alonso pole lap below…
Kimi Raikkonen has questioned Lewis Hamilton’s view of their accident in Canada.
The Finn said: “I can’t believe somebody can hit you when you are standing in front of a red light and side by side with another car.
“I can’t believe he did not see the red light, and more than that, the two stationary cars. He knows there was a red light. Accidents happen, but not with two cars that have stopped.
Ferrari world champ voices support for disgraced FIA boss
Kimi came out in support of Max von Mosley in Canada this week, making him pretty much the only F1 driver to publicly back the FIA pariah.
When asked about Mosley’s win in the FIA vote of confidence, the Finn said: “For me it doesn’t really matter. I think it is his personal life and really has nothing to do with F1.”
