Wizzie's GP4 Career (2005-2008)

[Wizzie]

I've decided to jump on the bandwagon so here's to rejectdom (or not)
2005 Pre Season:
Rubens Barrichello goes out to the press saying that he's had enough of Ferrari and is promptly sacked. Ferrari then take what must be the gamble of the Century by putting Sauber tester Daniel Melrose in the number 2 Ferrari with a 1 year contract. Prior to Sauber Melrose has had some prior experience in the F1 Rejects World Championship.

Round 1. Australia
Qualifying:
So far is seems that Ferrari's gamble has paid off as Melrose hauls the Ferrari up to the Front Row alongside Fisichella. However this is taken with a grain of salt as the grid has been put through Clarkson's V8 Food Blender.

Grid:
1. G. Fisichella (Renault)
2. D. Melrose (Ferrari)
3. M. Webber (Williams-BMW)
4. J. Trulli (Toyota)
5. J. Villeneuve (Sauber-Petronas)
6. C. Klien (RBR-Cosworth)
7. D. Coulthard (RBR-Cosworth)
8. N. Heidfeld (Williams-BMW)
9. J. Button (BAR-Honda)
10. N. Karthikeyan (Jordan-Toyota)
11. P. Friesacher (Minardi-Cosworth)
12. T. Monteiro (Jordan-Toyota)
13. F. Alonso (Renault)
14. K. Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes)
15. J. Pablo Montoya (McLaren-Mercedes)
16. C. Albers (Minardi-Cosworth)
17. R. Schumacher (Toyota)
18. F. Massa (Sauber-Petronas)
19. M. Schumacher (Ferrari)
20. T. Sato (BAR-Honda)

Race:
Melrose makes a torrid getaway from the grid and is down to 4th but more than makes up for it by winning the latest of the late braking game and as a result holds the lead for the first 20 laps and does a remarkable job of holding it together with massive oversteer while holding up Fisichella (Who outbraked himself on lap 10, ran into the back of me, came in for a new front wing and did sod all for the rest of the afternoon), Webber, Coulthard, Trulli, Heidfeld and Kilen in that order. Meanwhile Montoya ran into the back of one of the Jordans on lap 1 and his day was done. Over the course of the first stint the 2 Schumachers and Massa made light work of most of the midfield and backmarkers and by the time most of the 2 stoppers were pitting they were running 7th (Michael), 8th (Massa) and 9th (Ralf) however Alonso, Raikkonen or Sato didn't make anywhere near the same progress.

The stops began thick and fast on lap 20 when Melrose, Coulthard and Heidfeld all pitted for the first of 2 stops and rejoined 8th, 10th and 11th. Webber pitted the next lap and nearly leapfrogged Melrose but was unsucessful as the Ferrari crew made light work of their pitstop. From lap 25 to 27 both Toyotas, Massa, Schumacher, Button and Klien all pitted on what turned out to be "Half-Three Quarter" stratagies. By the end of this sequence the order was Klien from Melrose who was holding up Webber, Trulli, Coulthard, Schumacher and Massa.

Lap 40 and again Melrose was the first to pit and rejoined 11th with Klien pitting again soon afterwards. Then on laps 47-51 a flurry of pitstops took place and Melrose went from 11th to 3rd in 5 laps with Webber leapfrogging Melrose this time around. Michael Schumacher was up to 4th by this point but fell to 8th by the end. Klien took the victory by 7 seconds from Webber who was a long way up the road from the Melrose Express.

Results:
1. C. Klien (RBR-Cosworth): 1h 26m 33.448s
2. M. Webber (Williams-BMW): +7.103
3. D. Melrose (Ferrari): +32.141
4. J. Trulli (Toyota): +32.827
5. J. Button (BAR-Honda): +33.254
6. F. Massa (Sauber-Petronas): +33.410
7. G. Fisichella (Renault): +34.107
8. M. Schumacher (Ferrari): +34.460
9. K. Raikkonen (McLaren): +34.681
10. D. Coulthard (RBR-Cosworth): +35.532
11. F. Alonso (Renault): +35.931
12. R. Schumacher (Toyota): +46.205
13. N. Heidfeld (Williams-BMW): +53.930
14. T. Sato (BAR-Honda): +55.285
15. T. Monteiro (Jordan-Toyota): +1 LAP
16. N. Karthikeyan (Jordan-Toyota): +1 LAP
17. J. Velleneuve (Sauber-Petronas): +1 LAP
18. C. Albers (Minardi-Cosworth): +2 LAPS
19. P. Friesacher (Minardi-Cosworth): +3 LAPS
20. J. Pablo Montoya (McLaren Mercedes): DNF

Pole: G. Fisichella (Renault): 1.26.142
Fastest Lap: F. Alonso (Renault): 1:26.760
Leaders: D. Melrose (Ferrari): 1-20 (Total: 20)
M. Webber (Williams-BMW): 21, 43-48 (Total: 7)
J. Trulli (Toyota): 22-26 (Total: 5)
C. Klien (RBR-Cosworth): 27-43, 52-58 (Total: 24)
M. Schumacher (Ferrari): 49-51 (Total: 3)

Championship Standings:
Drivers:
1. C. Klien (RBR-Cosworth): 10 points (1 win)
2. M. Webber (Williams-BMW): 8 points (1 2nd)
3. D. Melrose (Ferrari): 6 points (1 3rd)
4. J. Trulli (Toyota): 5 points (Best Result: 1 4th)
5. J. Button (BAR-Honda): 4 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
6. F. Massa (Sauber-Petronas): 3 points (Best Resilt: 1 6th)
7. G. Fisichella: 2 points (Best Result: 1 7th)
8. M. Schumacher: 1 point (Best Result: 1 8th)

Constructors:
1. RBR-Cosworth: 10 points (1 win)
2. BMW WilliamsF1 Team: 8 points (1 2nd)
3. Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro: 7 points (1 3rd)
4. Panasonic Toyota Racing: 5 points (Best Result: 1 4th)
5. Lucky Strike BAR Honda: 4 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
6. Sauber Petronas: 3 points (Best Result: 1 6th)
7. Mild Seven Renault F1 Team: 2 points (Best Result: 1 7th)

Oh and for those that are still reading the only driver aids I'm using are Automatic Gearbox, Traction Control and Launch Control and using Ace Difficulty Setting (Which is the hardest setting)

Now. Onwards to Malaysia.

[thehemogoblin]

Auto gearbox? Come on, Wizzlet, you can do better.*

*Not saying I could...

[Wizzie]

Auto gearbox? Come on, Wizzlet, you can do better.*

*Not saying I could...

The only reason I use Auto Gearbox is because I find it impossible to drive and change gear at the same time with the keyboard and I can't really get used to the wheel until I can find a way to fix it to the table so it won't move around. (It doesn't move much as it is but it just doesn't feel right)

[shinji]

2005-2008? Don't give away the ending in the title man.

[FullMetalJack]

It's not really rejectful if youre starting at Ferrari, even if it's 2005.

[Bleu]

Having a Jordan/Minardi and having Indy 2005 race similar as reality would have been great here.

[Wizzie]

It's not really rejectful if youre starting at Ferrari, even if it's 2005.

Problem is as I've mentioned several times no matter what team you drive for you're pretty much going to end up in roughly the same place.
Case of Point:
2001 Australia Grand Prix
Sauber: Qualified 11th, Finished 6th
Jordan: Qualified 5th, Finished 4th
Minardi: Qualified 9th, Finished 6th

And this other time I hauled a Super Aguri up to 2nd on the gird in the 06 mod at Bahrain (It was the only lap where I didn't spin at any point ).
That being said though I should have picked a lower team but meh.

[Wizzie]

Post-Australia:
Takuma Sato came down with a fever just days before the Malaysian GP and therefore BAR tester Anthony Davidson is filling in for him.

Round 2. Malaysia
(Keep in mind that the browser decided to quit on me just before I could post the results for this race a few days ago so I may not get the exact grid order or most of the times right. Therefore I won't post the gap between cars in the race)
Qualifying: It was a massive thud back to Earth for Ferrari's new recruit as Daniel Melrose put the car a lowly 14th in the monsoonal conditions.

Grid:
1. D. Coulthard (RBR-Cosworth)
2. R. Schumacher (Toyota)
3. J. Pablo Montoya (McLaren-Mercedes)
4. J. Button (BAR-Honda)
5. J. Trulli (Toyota)
6. M. Webber (Williams-BMW)
7. G. Fisichella (Renault)
8. M. Schumacher (Ferrari)
9. F. Alonso (Renault)
10. N. Heidfeld (Williams-BMW)
11. C. Klien (RBR-Cosworth)
12. K. Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes)
13. F. Massa (Sauber-Petronas)
14. D. Melrose (Ferrari)
15. J. Villeneuve (Sauber-Petronas)
16. N. Karthikeyan (Jordan-Toyota)
17. A. Davidson (BAR-Honda)
18. P. Friesacher (Minardi-Cosworth)
19. T. Monteiro (Jordan-Toyota)
20. C. Albers (Minardi-Cosworth)

Race:
For the second race in a row Melrose makes the most torrid getaway of them all but is up to an incredible 8th by turn 3 simply by taking the tightest line in turns 1 and 2. He then managed to gain 2 more places by going around the OUTSIDE of Button and Alonso into the hairpin at 9. However that's where the good things ended and Melrose spun on lap 4 after holding up everyone from 7th to 15th at the rate of 3-4 seconds a lap and did sod all for the rest of the afternoon. Up front Ralf Schumacher lead early on until Montoya found a way past and took an easy win from Ralf with Nick Heidfeld 3rd


Results:
1. J. Pablo Montoya (McLaren-Mercedes)
2. R. Schumacher (Toyota)
3. N. Heidfeld (Williams-BMW)
4. J. Trulli (Toyota)
5. D. Coulthard (RBR-Cosworth)
6. F. Alonso (Renault)
7. C. Klien (RBR-Cosworth)
8. M. Schumacher (Ferrari)
9. K. Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes)
10. G. Fisichella (Renault): + 1 LAP (I know for sure that everyone from 10th down was lapped atleast once)
11. M. Webber (Williams-BMW): +1 LAP
12. A. Davidson (BAR-Honda): + 1 LAP
13. J. Villeneuve (Sauber-Petronas): + 1 LAP
14. F. Massa (Sauber-Petronas): + 1 LAP
15. N. Karthikeyan (Jordan-Toyota): +1 LAP
16. D. Melrose (Ferrari): +2 LAPS (Yes I was properly pathetic this round)
17. T. Monteiro (Jordan-Toyota): +2 LAPS
18. C. Albers (Minardi-Cosworth): +3 LAPS
19. P. Friesacher (Minardi-Cosworth): DNF
20. J. Button (BAR-Honda): DNF

Pole: D. Coulthard (RBR-Cosworth): 1.51.846
Fastest Lap: N. Heidfeld (Williams-BMW): 1:34.625
Leaders: (Don't know)

Championship Standings:
Drivers:
1. C. Klien (RBR-Cosworth): 12 points (1 win)
2. J. Pablo Montoya (McLaren-Mercedes): 10 points (1 win
3. J. Trulli (Toyota): 10 points (Best Result: 2 4ths)
4. M. Webber (Williams-BMW): 8 points (1 2nd)
5. R. Schumacher (Toyota): 8 points (1 2nd)
6. N. Heidfeld (Williams-BMW): 6 points (1 3rd)
7. D. Melrose (Ferrari): 6 points (1 3rd)
8. D. Coulthard (RBR-Cosworth): 4 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
9. J. Button (BAR-Honda): 4 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
10. F. Alonso (Renault): 3 points (Best Result: 1 6th)
11. F. Massa (Sauber-Petronas): 3 points (Best Resilt: 1 6th)
12. G. Fisichella (Renault): 2 points (Best Result: 1 7th)
13. M. Schumacher (Ferrari): 2 points (Best Result: 2 8th)

Constructors:
1. Panasonic Toyota Racing: 18 points (1 2nd)
2. RBR-Cosworth: 16 points (1 win)
3. BMW WilliamsF1 Team: 14 points (1 2nd, 1 3rd)
4. West McLaren Mercedes: 10 points (1 win)
5. Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro: 8 points (1 3rd)
6. Mild Seven Renault F1 Team: 5 points (Best Result: 1 6th)
7. Lucky Strike BAR Honda: 4 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
8. Sauber Petronas: 3 points (Best Result: 1 6th)

The circus rolls on to Bahrain for the next round

[FullMetalJack]

As if Klien is top of the standings. If it really happened like that, he'd probably be doing better than HRT tester now.

[thehemogoblin]

Felipe Massa, Wizzie? Can't keep it on the track in the wet...

[Wizzie]

Felipe Massa, Wizzie? Can't keep it on the track in the wet...

Funnily enough the race was dry throughout (If it was wet I probably would have spun off into retirement somewhere)
I just can't get any sort of rhythm at Sepang.

Oh and CSM has decided not to work so I have to do a clean reinstall of just about everything on GP4 (including the game itself which I reinstalled last night because I kinda need it for the F1 Rejects World Championship) so it might be a while before I can do round 3

[Wizzie]

Post Malaysia:
Juan Pablo Montoya is injured in a tennis accident and as a result will miss the next 2 races. Pedro De La Rosa is filling in for him this round

Round 3: Bahrain
Qualy: Not much to report except for the second race in a row Ferrari Rookie Daniel Melrose has done bathplug all in qualy.

Grid:
1. M. Schumacher (Ferrari)
2. F. Alonso (Renault)
3. J. Trulli (Toyota)
4. K. Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes)
5. N. Heidfeld (Williams-BMW)
6. M. Webber (Williams-BMW)
7. P. De La Rosa (McLaren-Mercedes)
8. R. Schumacher (Toyota)
9. G. Fisichella (Renault)
10. C. Klien (RBR-Cosworth)
11. J. Button (BAR-Honda)
12. F. Massa (Sauber-Petronas)
13. T. Sato (BAR-Honda)
14. D. Coulthard (RBR-Cosworth)
15. D. Melrose (Ferrari)
16. J. Villeneuve (Sauber-Petronas)
17. T. Monteiro (Jordan-Toyota)
18. N. Karthikeyan (Jordan-Toyota)
19. C. Albers (Minardi-Cosworth)
20. P. Friesacher (Minardi-Cosworth)

Race: (Will fill in once race is finished)

[Phoenix]

I have a question: is it true that Daniel Melrose is trying to steal popularity off Chris Dagnall?

[Wizzie]

I have a question: is it true that Daniel Melrose is trying to steal popularity off Chris Dagnall?

Daniel Melrose is actually quite a big fan of Dagnall. Infact if it wasn't for him I wouldn't have had the inspiration to start my career in the first place. However I've not even come close to emulating the achievements of my virtual hero

Oh and also rumours flying around the paddock that BMW are looking to buy out Sauber with Melrose and Heidfeld as their drivers for next season.

[Phoenix]

You'd do better staying with Ferrari if possible.

[Wizzie]

And who could have guessed that GP4 has decided that I can't resume from where I left off. So not only do I have to do the race from scratch but I have to do Qualy again aswell

Why are computers so evil sometimes?

[MinardiFan95]

As if Klien is top of the standings. If it really happened like that, he'd probably be doing better than HRT tester now.

Nelson Piquet Jr is leading the standings in my rFactor championship...

[Wizzie]

ATTEMPT 2:

Round 3: Bahrain
Qualy: Compared to yesterday's session I found half a second in the car which I didn't think I would find (Partially because I was so inspired to make the most of the situation with the bad savegame and the like.) However not much happened

Grid:
1. F. Alonso (Renault)
2. J. Trulli (Toyota)
3. M. Schumacher (Ferrari)
4. N. Heidfeld (Williams-BMW)
5. P. De La Rosa (McLaren-Mercedes)
6. R. Schumacher (Toyota)
7. K. Raikkonen(McLaren-Mercedes)
8. M. Webber (Williams-BMW)
9. G. Fisichella (Renault)
10. C. Klien (RBR-Cosworth)
11. J. Button (BAR-Honda)
12. D. Melrose (Ferrari)
13. T. Sato (BAR-Honda)
14. F. Massa (Sauber-Petronas)
15. D. Coulthard (RBR-Cosworth)
16. J. Villeneuve (Sauber-Petronas)
17. T. Monteiro (Jordan-Toyota)
18. C. Albers (Minardi-Cosworth)
19. N. Karthikeyan (Jordan-Toyota)
20. P. Friesacher (Minardi-Cosworth)

Race: Another race, another Epic Start for Melrose. This time the young Australian went from 12th to 4th at the first corner. However this didn't last too long as by the time he came in for his stop he had already fallen to 12th. He then did sod all for the rest of the race and slipped, slid and spun his way into 13th. Meanwhile upfront Jarno Trulli took a commanding win in the Toyota from Fernando Alonso and Pedro De La Rosa finishing on the poduim.

Results:
1. J. Trulli (Toyota): 1h 27m 34.017s
2. F. Alonso (Renault): +7.032
3. P. De La Rosa (McLaren-Mercedes): +8.197
4. R. Schumacher (Toyota): +11.337
5. G. Fisichella (Renault): +54.742
6. M. Schumacher (Ferrari): +56.283
7. K. Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes): +1:09.132
8. C. Klien (RBR-Cosworth): +1:22.739
9. D. Coulthard (RBR-Cosworth): +1:26.806
10. F. Massa (Sauber Petronas): +1:27.821
11. M. Webber (Williams-BMW): +1 LAP
12. N. Heidfeld (Williams-BMW): + 1 LAP
13. D. Melrose (Ferrari): + 1 LAP
14. T. Monteiro (Jordan-Toyota): + 1 LAP
15. N. Karthikeyan (Jordan-Toyota): +1 LAP
16. J.Villeneuve (Sauber-Petronas): +2 LAPS
17. P.Friesacher (Minardi-Cosworth): +2 LAPS
18. C. Albers (Minardi-Cosworth): +3 LAPS
19. T. Sato (BAR-Honda): DNF
20. J. Button (BAR-Honda): DNF

Pole: F. Alonso (Renault): 1.29.447
Fastest Lap: K. Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes): 1:30.081
Leaders: J. Trulli: 1-19, 26-39, 44-57 (Total: 47)
F. Alonso: 20-21, 40-42 (Total: 5)
R. Schumacher: 22, 43 (Total: 2)
K. Raikkonen: 23-25 (Total: 3)

Championship Standings:
Drivers:
1. J. Trulli (Toyota): 20 points (1 win)
2. C. Klien (RBR-Cosworth): 13 points (1 win)
3. R. Schumacher (Toyota): 13 points (1 2nd)
4. F. Alonso (Renault): 11 points (1 2nd)
5. J. Pablo Montoya (McLaren-Mercedes): 10 points (1 win
6. M. Webber (Williams-BMW): 8 points (1 2nd)
7. N. Heidfeld (Williams-BMW): 6 points (1 3rd)
8. D. Melrose (Ferrari): 6 points (1 3rd)
9. P. De La Rosa (McLaren-Mercedes): 6 points (1 3rd)
10. G. Fisichella (Renault): 6 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
11. M. Schumacher (Ferrari): 5 points (Best Result: 1 6th)
12. D. Coulthard (RBR-Cosworth): 4 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
13. J. Button (BAR-Honda): 4 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
14. F. Massa (Sauber-Petronas): 3 points (Best Result: 1 6th)
15. K. Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes): 2 points (Best Result: 1 7th)

Constructors:
1. Panasonic Toyota Racing: 33 points (1 win, 1 2nd)
2. West McLaren Mercedes: 18 points (1 win, 1 3rd)
3. RBR-Cosworth: 17 points (1 win)
4. Mild Seven Renault F1 Team: 17 points (1 2nd)
5. BMW WilliamsF1 Team: 14 points (1 2nd, 1 3rd)
6. Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro: 11 points (1 3rd)
7. Lucky Strike BAR Honda: 4 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
8. Sauber Petronas: 3 points (Best Result: 1 6th)

Next Round is in Imola and marks the start of the European Season

[Enforcer]

Is there something with the '05 mod that's making you so much slower than in the standard game?

[Phoenix]

Whole Spanish Press rumouring that Daniel Melrose managed to delete the times for the Qualifying to get another chance to improve times after poor showing...

[Wizzie]

Whole Spanish Press rumouring that Daniel Melrose managed to delete the times for the Qualifying to get another chance to improve times after poor showing...

No. What happened was on the first attempt I saved it on lap 11 (Having gotten up to 5th on lap one. Lost a bucketload of positions on lap 9 by colliding with Ralf and then doing a similar pace to Villeneuve who was now ahead of me) but when I went to continue that race it would freeze 30 or so seconds after I started driving again rendering it useless. Since I used the same savefile for qually this made those results useless aswell.

This time I'm gonna create a different savefile for the race and just use the qualy results from the second attempt in another savefile should the race savefile fail again.

Is there something with the '05 mod that's making you so much slower than in the standard game?

Yeah. It's called massive turn-in oversteer

I have exactly the same problem with the 06 and 07 mods in relation to the oversteer but nowhere near the same extent. Must be the way I drive the cars.

[Phoenix]

Whole Spanish Press rumouring that Daniel Melrose managed to delete the times for the Qualifying to get another chance to improve times after poor showing...

No. What happened was on the first attempt I saved it on lap 11 (Having gotten up to 5th on lap one. Lost a bucketload of positions on lap 9 by colliding with Ralf and then doing a similar pace to Villeneuve who was now ahead of me) but when I went to continue that race it would freeze 30 or so seconds after I started driving again rendering it useless. Since I used the same savefile for qually this made those results useless aswell.

This time I'm gonna create a different savefile for the race and just use the qualy results from the second attempt in another savefile should the race savefile fail again.

No, I was just only simulating press notices to give it a bit more of realism

[Stramala]

Yeah. It's called massive turn-in oversteer

I have exactly the same problem with the 06 and 07 mods in relation to the oversteer but nowhere near the same extent. Must be the way I drive the cars.

It's because you use the keyboard that applies 100% steering lock the moment you start turning. With a steering wheel or gamepad with analog sticks that problem would go away by being more smooth in your steering application

[Wizzie]

Post - Bahrain:
In the driver rotation program at McLaren thanks to JPM's tennis elbow Alexander Wurz is driving the No. 10 McLaren this round. Also as part of Red Bull's driver rotation program Vitantonio Liuzzi will be replacing Klien for the foreseeable future

Round 4: San Marino

Qualifying:
Ferrari's rookie Daniel Melrose find some form from Australia and immediatly gets "hooked up" with the car and the Imola Circuit. It shows as in just his 4th race Melrose takes a dominating pole from Kimi Raikkonen by almost half a second. Championship Leader Jarno Trulli is 7th while Defending Champ Michael Schumacher is stranded in 14th.

Grid:
1. D. Melrose (Ferrari)
2. K. Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes)
3. F. Alonso (Renault)
4. J. Button (BAR-Honda)
5. A. Wurz (McLaren-Mercedes)
6. T. Sato (BAR-Honda)
7. J. Trulli (Toyota)
8. M. Webber (Williams-BMW)
9. F. Massa (Sauber-Petronas)
10. N. Heidfeld (Williams-BMW)
11. R. Schumacher (Toyota)
12. J. Villenueve (Sauber-Petronas)
13. G. Fisichella (Renault)
14. M. Schumacher (Ferrari)
15. D. Coulthard (RBR-Cosworth)
16. V. Liuzzi (RBR-Cosworth)
17. N. Karthikeyan (Jordan-Toyota)
18. P. Friesacher (Minardi-Cosworth)
19. T. Monteiro (Jordan-Toyota)
20. C. Albers (Minardi-Cosworth)

Race:
Ferrari's Daniel Melrose got the jump off the start at that was that as far as the race was concerned as Melrose and Wurz skipped away until lap 12 when Wurz speared off at the exit of Villenueve. Further down the field Alonso, Sato, Heidfeld, Liuzzi and Ralf Schumacher all had major moments off the track at Aqua Minerali affecting each driver to varying extents. In the end thanks to this Michael Schumacher, Fisichella and Karthikeyan climbed a bucketload of positions. Championship leader Jarno Trulli had a medicore race finishing 10th.

Results:
1. D. Melrose (Ferrari): 1:27:37.270
2. K. Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes): +22.846
3. M. Webber (Williams-BMW): +23.771
4. M. Schumacher (Ferrari): +32.944
5. G. Fisichella (Renault): +34.184
6. N. Karthikeyan (Jordan-Toyota): +36.519
7. J. Villeneuve (Sauber-Petronas): +41.016
8. R. Schumacher (Toyota): +56.553
9. F. Massa (Sauber-Petronas): +1:09.785
10. J. Trulli (Toyota): +1:09.906
11. T. Sato (BAR-Honda): +1:18.922
12. D. Coulthard (RBR-Cosworth): + 1 LAP
13. T. Monteiro (Jordan-Toyota): + 1 LAP
14. C. Albers (Minardi-Cosworth): + 3 LAPS
15. P. Friesacher (Minardi-Cosworth): +3 LAPS
16. V. Liuzzi (RBR-Cosworth): +5 LAPS*
17. N. Heidfeld (Williams-BMW): DNF
18. A. Wurz (McLaren-Mercedes): DNF
19. J. Button (BAR-Honda): DNF
20. F. Alonso (Renault): DNF

*Didn't finished but did 90% of race distance

Pole: D. Melrose (Ferrari): 1.21.606
Fastest Lap: T. Sato (BAR-Honda): 1:22.736
Leaders: D. Melrose: 1-21, 28-62 (Total: 56)
K. Raikkonen: 22-26 (Total: 5)
M. Webber: 27 (Total: 1)

Championship Standings:
Drivers:

1. J. Trulli (Toyota): 20 points (1 win)
2. D. Melrose (Ferrari): 16 points (1 win, 1 3rd)
3. M. Webber (Williams-BMW): 14 points (1 2nd, 1 3rd)
4. R. Schumacher (Toyota): 14 points (1 2nd)
5. C. Klien (RBR-Cosworth): 13 points (1 win)
6. F. Alonso (Renault): 11 points (1 2nd)
7. J. Pablo Montoya (McLaren-Mercedes): 10 points (1 win)
8. K. Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes): 10 points (1 2nd)
9. M. Schumacher (Ferrari): 10 points (Best Result: 1 4th)
10. G. Fisichella (Renault): 10 points (Best Result: 2 5ths)
11. N. Heidfeld (Williams-BMW): 6 points (1 3rd)
12. P. De La Rosa (McLaren-Mercedes): 6 points (1 3rd)
13. D. Coulthard (RBR-Cosworth): 4 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
14. J. Button (BAR-Honda): 4 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
15. F. Massa (Sauber-Petronas): 3 points (Best Result: 1 6th)
16. N. Karthikeyan (Jordan-Toyota): 3 points (Best Result: 1 6th)
17. J. Villeneuve (Sauber-Petronas): 2 points (Best Result: 1 7th)

Constructors:
1. Panasonic Toyota Racing: 34 points (1 win, 1 2nd)
2. West McLaren Mercedes: 26 points (1 win, 1 2nd, 1 3rd)
3. Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro: 26 points (1 win, 1 3rd)
4. Mild Seven Renault F1 Team: 21 points (1 2nd)
5. BMW WilliamsF1 Team: 20 points (1 2nd, 2 3rds)
6. RBR-Cosworth: 17 points (1 win)
7. Sauber Petronas: 5 points (Best Result: 1 6th)
8. Lucky Strike BAR Honda: 4 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
9. Jordan Grand Prix Toyota: 3 points (Best Result: 1 6th)

[Wizzie]

Post Imola:

In the post race weigh-in the stewards discover Takuma Sato's car to be underweight and is promptly disqualified. Under further inspection they found a fuel compartment in both cars which allowed the cars to run underweight during the race. Therefore both cars have been disqualifed from this round and have been banned for the next 2 races. As a result Michael Schumacher has been awarded the Fastest Lap of the race at Imola on a 1:22.972 and the new results are as follows:

1. D. Melrose (Ferrari)
2. K. Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes)
3. M. Webber (Williams-BMW)
4. M. Schumacher (Ferrari)
5. G. Fisichella (Renault)
6. N. Karthikeyan (Jordan-Toyota)
7. J. Villeneuve (Sauber-Petronas)
8. R. Schumacher (Toyota)
9. F. Massa (Sauber-Petronas)
10. J. Trulli (Toyota)
11. D. Coulthard (RBR-Cosworth)
12. T. Monteiro (Jordan-Toyota)
13. C. Albers (Minardi-Cosworth)
14. P. Friesacher (Minardi-Cosworth)
15. V. Liuzzi (RBR-Cosworth)
16. N. Heidfeld (Williams-BMW)
17. A. Wurz (McLaren-Mercedes)
18. F. Alonso (Renault)
DSQ. J. Button (BAR-Honda)
DSQ. T. Sato (BAR-Honda)

[Wizzie]

Sorry for the lack of racing action recently. (Half yearly exams take priority)

However I will more likely than not try to do the Spanish Grand Prix on Monday (long weekend ). However don't expect much as I'll be recovering from the effects of waking up at 2am to watch the Canadian Grand Prix the night before and I can't get a good rhythm around Barcelona (Well I'm better there than I am at most Tilkedromes . Infact the only Tilkedrome I would be even remotely competitive at would be the redesigned Hockenhiemring)

[Waris]

How does that driver rotation thing work in those mods? Also, what difficulty level do you play at?

[Wizzie]

How does that driver rotation thing work in those mods? Also, what difficulty level do you play at?

I load the races individually through CSM and run them as non championship races rather than do the entire championship through the one savefile.

Also I play at ace difficulty level.

[Wizzie]

Pre-Spain:
Juan Pablo Montoya returns to driving duties in the no. 10 McLaren. In other news Tonio Liuzzi has been confirmed in the Red Bull Car for this race and Monaco atleast.

Round 5: Spain

Qualifying:
Not much to report as Ferrari's Daniel Melrose and Michael Schumacher qualify 7th and 8th respectively. Kimi Riakkonen qualifies on pole but Mark Webber ran him close by coming within 0.012 of snatching the top spot. Championship leader Jarno Trulli puts a shocker at Imola behind him to qualify 3rd.

Grid:
1. K. Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes)
2. M. Webber (Williams-BMW)
3. J. Trulli (Toyota)
4. F. Alonso (Renault)
5. G. Fisichella (Renault)
6. D. Coulthard (RBR-Cosworth)
7. D. Melrose (Ferrari)
8. M. Schumacher (Ferrari)
9. J. Pablo Montoya (McLaren-Mercedes)
10. R. Schumacher (Toyota)
11. F. Massa (Sauber-Petronas)
12. V. Liuzzi (RBR-Cosworth)
13. J. Villeneuve (Sauber-Petronas)
14. N. Karthikeyan (Jordan-Toyota)
15. T. Monteiro (Jordan-Toyota)
16. C. Albers (Minardi-Cosworth)
17. P. Frieascher (Minardi-Cosworth)
18. N. Heidfeld (Williams-BMW)

Race:
Again not much to report as Melrose spent most of the race hanging around the lower end of the points before finishing 10th. Alonso won the race and with it moves up to 2nd in the championship behind Mark Webber. Former Championship leader Jarno Trulli had another shocker by falling out of the points early thanks to a mistake before retiring with a puncture. Polesitter Kimi Raikkonen finished 7th after a roller coaster ride of a race.

Results:
1. F. Alonso (Renault): 1h 27m 50.937s
2. M. Webber (Williams-BMW): +30.068
3. N. Heidfeld (Williams-BMW): +34.685
4. M. Schumacher (Ferrari): +37.931
5. G. Fisichella (Renault): +45.925
6. D. Coulthard (RBR-Cosworth): +56.290
7. K. Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes): +1:06.745
8. J. Pablo Montoya (McLaren-Mercedes): +1:17.521
9. R. Schumacher (Toyota): +1 LAP
10. D. Melrose (Ferrari): +1 LAP
11. V. Liuzzi (RBR-Cosworth): +1 LAP
12. J. Villeneuve (Sauber-Petronas): + 1 LAP
13. T. Monteiro (Jordan-Toyota): + 2 LAP
14. N. Karthikeyan (Jordan-Toyota): + 2 LAP
15. F. Massa (Sauber-Petronas): +2 LAP
16. P. Friesacher (Minardi-Cosworth): +3 LAPS
17. J. Trulli (Toyota): DNF
18. C. Albers (Minardi-Cosworth): DNF

Pole: K. Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes): 1.16.954
Fastest Lap: F. Alonso (Renault): 1:17.261
Leaders: F. Alonso: 6-66 (Total: 61)
J. Trulli: 1-5 (Total: 5)

Championship Standings:
Drivers:

1. M. Webber (Williams-BMW): 22 points (2 2nds, 1 3rd)
2. F. Alonso (Renault): 21 points (1 win, 1 2nd)
3. J. Trulli (Toyota): 20 points (1 win)
4. D. Melrose (Ferrari): 16 points (1 win, 1 3rd)
5. M. Schumacher (Ferrari): 15 points (Best Result: 2 4ths)
6. R. Schumacher (Toyota): 14 points (1 2nd)
7. G. Fisichella (Renault): 14 points (Best Result: 3 5ths)
8. C. Klien (RBR-Cosworth): 13 points (1 win)
9. K. Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes): 12 points (1 2nd)
10. N. Heidfeld (Williams-BMW): 12 points (2 3rds)
11. J. Pablo Montoya (McLaren-Mercedes): 11 points (1 win)
12. D. Coulthard (RBR-Cosworth): 7 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
13. P. De La Rosa (McLaren-Mercedes): 6 points (1 3rd)
14. J. Button (BAR-Honda): 4 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
15. F. Massa (Sauber-Petronas): 3 points (Best Result: 1 6th)
16. N. Karthikeyan (Jordan-Toyota): 3 points (Best Result: 1 6th)
17. J. Villeneuve (Sauber-Petronas): 2 points (Best Result: 1 7th)

Constructors:
1. Mild Seven Renault F1 Team: 35 points (1 win, 1 2nd)
2. Panasonic Toyota Racing: 34 points (1 win, 1 2nd)
3. BMW WilliamsF1 Team: 34 points (2 2nds, 3 3rds)
4. Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro: 31 points (1 win, 1 3rd)
5. West McLaren Mercedes: 29 points (1 win, 1 2nd, 1 3rd)
6. RBR-Cosworth: 20 points (1 win)
7. Sauber Petronas: 5 points (Best Result: 1 6th)
8. Lucky Strike BAR Honda: 4 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
9. Jordan Grand Prix Toyota: 3 points (Best Result: 1 6th)

The circus now moves on to the Principality for the next round of the championship

[Wizzie]

Pre-Monaco:
Down Red Bull way Liuzzi has been confirmed for the European Grand Prix as well as this weekend's race at Monaco before Klien returns for the North American leg and France atleast. Rumours have already sprouted in the paddock as to what is going on next year. The main one is BMW is rumoured to be looking to buy Sauber and run Melrose and Heidfeld as drivers. Massa would then fill the vacant seat at Ferrari according to this rumour. There are also rumours that Button may not be happy to go to Willams next year and wants to stay at BAR.

Round 6: Monaco

Qualifying:
Not much to report except Ferrari's Daniel Melrose pulled out one of the best qualifying laps to put the car on pole 1.2 seconds faster than Kimi Raikkonen. Elsewhere Webber is 4th, Alonso 3rd, Trulli 7th and Michael Schumacher 9th. Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya are in all sorts of trouble qualifying only 17th and 18th.

Grid:
1. D. Melrose(Ferrari)
2. K. Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes)
3. F. Alonso (Renault)
4. M. Webber(Williams-BMW)
5. G. Fisichella (Renault)
6. N. Heidfeld (Williams-BMW)
7. J.Trulli (Toyota)
8. D. Coulthard (RBR-Cosworth)
9. M. Schumacher (Ferrari)
10. J. Villeneuve (Sauber-Petronas)
11. F. Massa (Sauber-Petronas)
12. V. Liuzzi (RBR-Cosworth)
13. T. Monteiro (Jordan-Toyota)
14. N. Karthikeyan (Jordan-Toyota)
15. P. Friesacher (Minardi-Cosworth)
16. C. Albers (Minardi-Cosworth)
17. R. Schumacher (Toyota)
18. J. Pablo Montoya (McLaren-Mercedes)

Race:

It was the careless act that shocked the world. Commentators around the world were stunned. Legends slammed the team, fans around the world swore at their TVs. The team? Ferrari. The incident? A massive pitlane bungle on Lap 40 of the Monaco Grand Prix. Michael Schumacher had pitted 8 laps prior for a routine pitstop when the team discovered an electrical fault. Over the next few laps they worked to fix the problem in the pitbox. Big mistake. When Melrose came in for his second of three stops on lap 40 Schumacher's routine stop had just begun after the repairs. Over the next half a minute Melrose sat in his car in shock as his 56 second lead dwindled to a little over 6 seconds when he rejoined the circuit. However this plus losing a front wing on the inlap of his first stop didn't deter him as he put in a simply stunning performance to finish a lap ahead of Kimi Raikkonen making his three stop stratagy work to perfection. (Before you ask no I didn't turn the difficulty setting down. I'm just that damn epic around Monaco). McLaren, Williams and Red Bull all had both cars in the points.

Results:
1. D. Melrose (Ferrari): 1h 40m 54.978s
2. K. Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes): +1 LAP
3. M. Webber (Williams-BMW): +1 LAP
4. F. Alonso (Renault): +1 LAP
5. N. Heidfeld (Williams-BMW): +1 LAP
6. J. Pablo Montoya (McLaren-Mercedes): +1 LAP
7. V. Liuzzi (RBR-Cosworth): +1 LAP
8. D. Coulthard (RBR-Cosworth): +1 LAP
9. R. Schumacher (Toyota): +1 LAP
10. F. Massa (Sauber-Petronas): +2 LAPS
11. J. Villeneuve (RBR-Cosworth): +2 LAPS
12. J. Trulli (Toyota): +2 LAPS
13. G. Fisichella (Renault): +2 LAPS
14. T. Monteiro (Jordan-Toyota): + 3 LAPS
15. N. Karthikeyan (Jordan-Toyota): +3 LAPS
16. C. Albers (Minardi-Cosworth): +5 LAPS
17. P. Friesacher (Minardi-Cosworth): +5 LAPS
18. M. Schumacher (Ferrari): +8 LAPS

Pole: D. Melrose (Ferrari): 1.14.781
Fastest Lap: D. Melrose (Ferrari): 1:14.940
Leaders: D. Melrose: 1-78 (Total: 78)

Championship Standings:
Drivers:

1. M. Webber (Williams-BMW): 28 points (2 2nds, 2 3rds)
2. D. Melrose (Ferrari): 26 points (2 wins, 1 3rd)
3. F. Alonso (Renault): 26 points (1 win, 1 2nd)
4. J. Trulli (Toyota): 20 points (1 win)
5. K. Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes): 20 points (2 2nds)
6. N. Heidfeld (Williams-BMW): 16 points (2 3rds)
7. M. Schumacher (Ferrari): 15 points (Best Result: 2 4ths)
8. R. Schumacher (Toyota): 14 points (1 2nd)
9. G. Fisichella (Renault): 14 points (Best Result: 3 5ths)
10. C. Klien (RBR-Cosworth): 13 points (1 win)
11. J. Pablo Montoya (McLaren-Mercedes): 14 points (1 win)
12. D. Coulthard (RBR-Cosworth): 8 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
13. P. De La Rosa (McLaren-Mercedes): 6 points (1 3rd)
14. J. Button (BAR-Honda): 4 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
15. F. Massa (Sauber-Petronas): 3 points (Best Result: 1 6th)
16. N. Karthikeyan (Jordan-Toyota): 3 points (Best Result: 1 6th)
17. J. Villeneuve (Sauber-Petronas): 2 points (Best Result: 1 7th)
18. Vitantonio Liuzzi (RBR-Cosworth): 2 points (Best Result: 1 7th)

Constructors:
1. BMW WilliamsF1 Team: 44 points (2 2nds, 4 3rds)
2. Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro: 41 points (2 wins, 1 3rd)
3. West McLaren Mercedes: 40 points (1 win, 2 2nds, 1 3rd)
4. Mild Seven Renault F1 Team: 40 points (1 win, 1 2nd)
5. Panasonic Toyota Racing: 34 points (1 win, 1 2nd)
6. RBR-Cosworth: 23 points (1 win)
7. Sauber Petronas: 5 points (Best Result: 1 6th)
8. Lucky Strike BAR Honda: 4 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
9. Jordan Grand Prix Toyota: 3 points (Best Result: 1 6th)

Next up is the world renowned Nurburgring for the European Grand Prix.

[Wizzie]

Before I continue I must say that it's probably been alot less rejectful than I thought it would. HWNSNBM has thrown several tonnes of flaming papayas at me as a result.

Pre-Europe:
The Silly Season just kicked up another notch as Daniel Melrose has confirmed he's considering his options after the pitlane bungle at Monaco making a straight swap between him and Massa more likely. Meanwhile ex Ferrari driver Rubens Barrichello is looking to secure a seat at BAR next season and down Sauber's way Jacques Villeneuve has been given an ultimatum to either pick up the pace of face replacement at the end of the year.

Round 7: Europe

Qualifying:
Not much to report except Daniel Melrose has continued his excellent European Season form by scoring his 3rd pole in 3 races although he wrote off his main car in an accident with Jarno Trulli at the exit of Veedol on the inlap of his first run and had a second, even bigger shunt with the other Toyota of Ralf Schumacher at Bit Kurve on the hotlap of his second run. Championship Leader Mark Webber is alongside the Ferrari in 2nd, championship contender Fernando Alonso is in 6th and Michael Schumacher is yet again upstaged by his rookie teammate to qualify 10th.

Grid:
1. D. Melrose (Ferrari)
2. M. Webber (Williams-BMW)
3. K. Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes)
4. J. Trulli (Toyota)
5. N. Heidfeld (Williams-BMW)
6. F. Alonso (Renualt)
7. J. Pablo Montoya (McLaren-Mercedes)
8. G. Fisichella (Renault)
9. R. Schumacher (Toyota)
10. M. Schumacher (Ferrari)
11. F. Massa (Sauber-Petronas)
12. V. Liuzzi (RBR-Cosworth)
13. J. Button (BAR-Honda)
14. D. Coulthard (RBR-Cosworth)
15. T. Sato (BAR-Honda)
16. J. Villeneuve (Sauber-Petronas)
17. T. Monteiro (Jordan-Toyota)
18. C. Albers (Minardi-Cosworth)
19. P. Friesacher (Minardi-Cosworth)
20. N. Karthikeyan (Jordan-Toyota)

Race:
The overtones of last season were ominous as Daniel Melrose romped home to take his 3rd win in 4 races in the torrential downpour at the Ring and takes the lead in the championship in the process. However the win was only possible when Ross Brawn had a say in Melrose's stratagy for the first time this season bringing him in at the same time at 2nd placed runner at the time Giancarlo Fisichella and switched him to a 2 stop stratagy from a 1 stopper due to tyre wear. Elsewhere Webber and Raikkonen both had absolute shockers and were left behind by most of the field as Webber retired early and Raikkonen became a non-event after spinning early on. Infact just about everyone had their oversteer moments and spins.

Results:
1. D. Melrose (Ferrari): 1h 57m 45.772s
2. D. Coulthard (RBR-Cosworth): +27.155
3. F. Alonso (Renault): +59.331
4. N. Heidfeld (Williams-BMW): +1:07.467
5. G. Fisichella (Renault): +1:40.207
6. N. Karthikeyan (Jordan-Toyota): +1:42.186
7. M. Schumacher (Ferrari): +1 LAP
8. V. Liuzzi (RBR-Cosworth): +1 LAP
9. J. Pablo Montoya (McLaren-Mercedes): +1 LAP
10. J. Villeneuve (Sauber-Petronas): +1 LAP
11. F. Massa (Sauber-Petronas): +1 LAP
12. R. Schumacher (Toyota): +1 LAP
13. T. Sato (BAR-Honda): +1 LAP
14. J. Trulli (Toyota): +1 LAP
15. J.Button (BAR-Honda): +1 LAP
16. C. Albers (Minardi-Cosworth): +2 LAPS
17. K. Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes): +2 LAPS
18. P. Friesacher (Minardi-Cosworth): +3 LAPS
19. T. Monteiro (Jordan-Toyota): DNF
20. M. Webber (Williams-BMW): DNF

Pole: D. Melrose (Ferrari): 1.39.958
Fastest Lap: D. Melrose (Ferrari): 1:52.712
Leaders: D. Melrose: 1-5, 16-22, 26-60 (Total: 47)
N. Neidfeld: 6-15, 23-24 (Total: 12)
T. Monteiro: 25 (Total: 1)

Championship Standings:
Drivers:

1. D. Melrose (Ferrari): 36 points (3 wins, 1 3rd)
2. F. Alonso (Renault): 32 points (1 win, 1 2nd, 1 3rd)
3. M. Webber (Williams-BMW): 28 points (2 2nds, 2 3rds)
4. N. Heidfeld (Williams-BMW): 21 points (2 3rds)
5. J. Trulli (Toyota): 20 points (1 win)
6. K. Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes): 20 points (2 2nds)
7. G. Fisichella (Renault): 18 points (Best Result: 4 5ths)
8. M. Schumacher (Ferrari): 17 points (Best Result: 2 4ths)
9. D. Coulthard (RBR-Cosworth): 16 points (1 2nd)
10. R. Schumacher (Toyota): 14 points (1 2nd)
11. J. Pablo Montoya (McLaren-Mercedes): 14 points (1 win)
12. C. Klien (RBR-Cosworth): 13 points (1 win)
13. P. De La Rosa (McLaren-Mercedes): 6 points (1 3rd)
14. N. Karthikeyan (Jordan-Toyota): 6 points (Best Result: 2 6ths)
15. J. Button (BAR-Honda): 4 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
16. F. Massa (Sauber-Petronas): 3 points (Best Result: 1 6th)
17. V. Liuzzi (RBR-Cosworth): 3 points (Best Result: 1 7th)
18. J. Villeneuve (Sauber-Petronas): 2 points (Best Result: 1 7th)

Constructors:
1. Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro: 53 points (3 wins, 1 3rd)
2. Mild Seven Renault F1 Team: 50 points (1 win, 1 2nd, 1 3rd)
3. BMW WilliamsF1 Team: 49 points (2 2nds, 4 3rds)
4. West McLaren Mercedes: 40 points (1 win, 2 2nds, 1 3rd)
5. Panasonic Toyota Racing: 34 points (1 win, 1 2nd)
6. RBR Cosworth: 32 points (1 win, 1 2nd)
7. Jordan Grand Prix Toyota: 6 points (Best Result: 2 6ths)
8. Sauber Petronas: 5 points (Best Result: 1 6th)
9. Lucky Strike BAR Honda: 4 points (Best Result: 1 5th)

Next up is the double header in Canada and America

[nikmondo]

You wrote off both chassis? Surely you can't use a 3rd car in qualy!?

[RejectSteve]

You wrote off both chassis? Surely you can't use a 3rd car in qualy!?

Daniel Melrose drives for Ferrari so he can do whatever he wants to do.

[Wizzie]

I swear the F2005 is lost at sea in the wet. On new tyres it's an oversteering b**** and on used tyres it's understeering like a boat with almost nothing inbetween.

[Wizzie]

Pre-Canada:
Red Bull's Christian Klien is back in the Number 15 Red Bull car for the next 4 races atleast. Down Minardi's way meanwhile rumours are floating about that Patrick Friesacher's sponsors haven't been paying up and his Minardi days are infact numbered. In other news the silly season kicked up another notch with Ferrari and Championship Leader Daniel Melrose officially called off any further negosations concerning Melrose's future at Ferrari which means that Melrose is more likely than not moving on next season and making a Massa/Schumacher combo at Ferrari more likely.

Round 8: Canada

Qualifying:
When you're hot, you're boiling. Melrose demonstrated that by taking his thrid pole in a row and his 4th in 5 races by qualifying just over 2 tenths faster than Jenson Button in the much improved BAR. Elsewhere Melrose's chief championship rival Fernando Alonso was 3rd and defending champ Michael Schumacher was 5th. However Melrose's session wasn't incident free as he became the first person this week to have a meeting with the wall of champions as he wrote off his race car at the final chicken on his second qualifying run.

Grid:
1. D. Melrose (Ferrari)
2. J. Button (BAR-Honda)
3. F. Alonso (Renault)
4. G. Fisichella (Renault)
5. M. Schumacher (Ferrari)
6. T. Sato (BAR-Honda)
7. J. Pablo Montoya (McLaren-Mercedes)
8. K. Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes)
9. J. Villeneuve (Sauber-Petronas)
10. J. Trulli (Toyota)
11. R. Schumacher (Toyota)
12. F. Massa (Sauber-Petronas)
13. D. Coulthard (RBR-Cosworth)
14. N. Heidfeld (Williams-BMW)
15. M. Webber (Williams-BMW)
16. C. Klien (RBR-Cosworth)
17. C. Albers (Minardi-Cosworth) (And he was only half a tenth away from Klien too)
18. N. Karthikeyan (Jordan-Toyota)
19. T. Monteiro (Jordan-Toyota)
20. P. Friesacher (Minardi-Cosworth)

Race:
Melrose won yet again but it wasn't without some difficulty. Having lost the start to Button he bided his time behind the BAR pressuring Button into a mistake on lap 7. Melrose took the oppertunity to pass Button and immediatly set 4 fastest laps in a row and that was as far as the race was concerned. The final order was mostly decided by whether you were behind Takuma Sato or not and if so for how long as he became a mobile roadblock for the entire afternoon. Fernando Alonso retired with a blown engine and Jarno Trulli's retirement was due to a accident with teammate Ralf Schumacher on pit exit.

Results:
1. D. Melrose (Ferrari): 1h 26m 27.337s
2. K. Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes): +32.438
3. J. Button (BAR-Honda): +53.074
4. M. Schumacher (Ferrari): +54.201
5. F. Massa (Sauber-Petronas): +54.513
6. G. Fisichella (Renault): +58.563
7. M. Webber (Williams-BMW): +1:03.023
8. D. Coulthard (RBR-Cosworth): +1 LAP
9. R. Schumacher (Toyota): +1 LAP
10. J. Villeneuve (Sauber-Petronas): +1 LAP
11. J. Pablo Montoya (McLaren-Mercedes): +1 LAP
12. C. Klien (RBR-Cosworth): +1 LAP
13. N. Heidfeld (Williams-BMW): +1 LAP
14. T. Sato (BAR-Honda): +1 LAP
15. T. Monteiro (Jordan-Toyota): +2 LAPS
16. P. Friesacher (Minardi-Cosworth): +2 LAPS
17. N. Karthikeyan (Jordan-Toyota): +2 LAPS
18. C. Albers (Minardi-Cosworth): +3 LAPS
19. J. Trulli (Toyota): DNF
20. F. Alonso (Renault): DNF

Pole: D. Melrose (Ferrari): 1:12.608
Fastest Lap: D. Melrose (Ferrari): 1:12.622
Leaders: J. Button: 1-6 (Total: 6)
D. Melrose: 7-70 (Total: 64)

Championship Standings:
Drivers:

1. D. Melrose (Ferrari): 46 points (4 wins, 1 3rd)
2. F. Alonso (Renault): 32 points (1 win, 1 2nd, 1 3rd)
3. M. Webber (Williams-BMW): 30 points (2 2nds, 2 3rds)
4. K. Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes): 28 points (3 2nds)
5. M. Schumacher (Ferrari): 22 points (Best Result: 3 4ths)
6. N. Heidfeld (Williams-BMW): 21 points (2 3rds)
7. G. Fisichella (Renault): 21 points (Best Result: 4 5ths)
8. J. Trulli (Toyota): 20 points (1 win)
9. D. Coulthard (RBR-Cosworth): 17 points (1 2nd)
10. R. Schumacher (Toyota): 14 points (1 2nd)
11. J. Pablo Montoya (McLaren-Mercedes): 14 points (1 win)
12. C. Klien (RBR-Cosworth): 13 points (1 win)
13. J. Button (BAR-Honda): 10 points (1 3rd)
14. F. Massa (Sauber-Petronas): 7 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
15. P. De La Rosa (McLaren-Mercedes): 6 points (1 3rd)
16. N. Karthikeyan (Jordan-Toyota): 6 points (Best Result: 2 6ths)
17. V. Liuzzi (RBR-Cosworth): 3 points (Best Result: 1 7th)
18. J. Villeneuve (Sauber-Petronas): 2 points (Best Result: 1 7th)

Constructors:
1. Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro: 68 points (4 wins, 1 3rd)
2. Mild Seven Renault F1 Team: 53 points (1 win, 1 2nd, 1 3rd)
3. BMW WilliamsF1 Team: 51 points (2 2nds, 4 3rds)
4. West McLaren Mercedes: 48 points (1 win, 3 2nds, 1 3rd)
5. Panasonic Toyota Racing: 34 points (1 win, 1 2nd)
6. RBR Cosworth: 33 points (1 win, 1 2nd)
7. Lucky Strike BAR Honda: 10 points (1 3rd)
8. Sauber Petronas: 9 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
9. Jordan Grand Prix Toyota: 6 points (Best Result: 2 6ths)

Next up is the American Grand Prix at the world famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway

[Wizzie]

Pre-United States:
Toyota's Ralf Schumacher has been complaining of back pain ever since his collision with teammate Jarno Trulli at the last round in Canada and as a result will sit out this round. In other news Partick Friesacher could be replaced by Minardi test driver Robert Doornbos as early as Silverstone as the sponsorship issue continues. Speaking of issues Christian Klien has a whole world of them trying to convince the team to keep him on for the rest of the season.

Silly Season news for 2006 now and BAR have kicked up the fire underneath Takuma Sato's seat another notch as Rubens Barrichello has officially started negosiations with the team for a seat there next year. Juan Pablo Montoya however might be looking for a get out clause in his McLaren contract as things haven't been all that rosy there. If he does leave McLaren he looks more likely than not to be heading to Red Bull alongside David Coulthard for 2006. Speaking of Red Bull there are some rumours floating about that they might be looking into buying a majority stake in the Minardi Team to help keep them afloat and rebranding it as the Red Bull B Team.

Round 9: United States

Pre-Qualifying: Toyota's Ricardo Zonta has a massive accident at turn 13 thanks to a suspected tyre failure on Friday. This is followed by a tyre failure for Felipe Massa later that day, an accident for Jenson Button at turn 13 again thanks to a suspected tyre failure and tyre failures for both McLarens on the Saturday. Many political ramblings follow but more on that later.

Qualifying:
2:10pm: Daniel Melrose officially enters a new plane of existance. Up to that point he had been up at the pointy end by wasn't quite on the pace. He was 5th and getting some incredibly bad breaks with traffic on his first 2 runs but he hadn't been that impressive all weekend so far anyway. However on his thrid run he pulled out a lap that was simply out of the top draw, found 1.3 seconds over his previous best and immediatly went to the top by half a second. There he remained as the Championship Leader continued on his quest to become the youngest ever world champion at 20 years of age (Yes I did add a few years to my real age ) and the first rookie to ever become world champion (Yes I know it's against the F1 Rejects spirit and I will soon be severely punished by HWNSNBM through the medium of Tilkedromes).

Grid:
1. D. Melrose (Ferrari)
2. J. BTrulli (Toyota)
3. K. Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes)
4. F. Alonso (Renault)
5. G. Fisichella (Renault)
6. F. Massa (Sauber-Petronas)
7. M. Webber (Williams-BMW)
8. J. Button (BAR-Honda)
9. T. Sato (BAR-Honda)
10. M. Schumacher (Ferrari)
11. J. Villeneuve (Sauber-Petronas)
12. J. Pablo Montoya (McLaren-Mercedes)
13. R. Zonta (Toyota)
14. C. Klien (RBR-Cosworth)
15. N. Heidfeld (Williams-BMW)
16. D. Coulthard (RBR-Cosworth)
17. T. Monterio (Jordan-Toyota)
18. C. Albers (Minardi-Cosworth)
19. N. Karthikeyan (Jordan-Toyota)
20. P. Friesacher (Minardi-Cosworth)

Pre-Race:
In an unbelieveable situation post qualifying it was discovered that the Michelin tyres that were brought to IMS were infact unsame. Much political debating and fighting followed and a compromise hadn't been reached.

Race:

No Michelin runners took to the grid or looked remotely like moving out of pitlane which left the surreal sight of 6 cars on the grid. Not that it help Melrose's problems lauching off the grid though as yet again he didn't get a good start. Infact it was by far his worst start of the season as Schumacher and Monteiro both got by. Melrose outbraked Monteiro into 1 but couldn't do anything about Michael as he spent the first 24 laps behind the sister Ferrari.

That was until the pitstops as in the first set of scheduled pitstops Schumacher lost the place to Melrose despite running one lap longer. He still had a chance... and then the rain came. Yes it had been drizzling since lap 9 but only picked up in intensity on lap 28 or so and by lap 33 Monteiro, Melrose and Albers all pitted for intermediates. Schumacher and Karthikeyan both got hung out to dry as they went the extra lap on the drys which meant that not only Schumacher had lost all chances at winning the race but had lost the place to Monteiro as well. Schumacher proceeded to do bathplug all for the rest of that stint lapping at the pace of the Jordans. Infact he didn't even look like getting second at all until the final few laps when everyone had put on wets at the second scheduled stops (3rd stops for the day) but failed to do so. In the end it was Melrose from Monteiro, Schumacher, Karthikeyan and Albers in what was one of the most surreal races in history.

Results:
1. D. Melrose (Ferrari): 1h 34m 58.302s
2. T. Monteiro (Jordan-Toyota): +21.667
3. M. Schumacher (Ferrari): +25.200
4. N. Karthikeyan (Jordan-Toyota): +36.061
5. C. Albers (Minardi-Cosworth): +1 LAP
6. P. Friesacher (Minardi-Cosworth): DNF

Pole: D. Melrose (Ferrari): 1:11.069
Fastest Lap: M. Schumacher (Ferrari): 1:12.294
Leaders: M. Schumacher: 1-25, 52-58 (Total: 32)
T. Monteiro: 26-27 (Total: 2)
D. Melrose: 28-51, 59-73 (Total: 39)

Championship Standings:
Drivers:

1. D. Melrose (Ferrari): 56 points (5 wins, 1 3rd)
2. F. Alonso (Renault): 32 points (1 win, 1 2nd, 1 3rd)
3. M. Webber (Williams-BMW): 30 points (2 2nds, 2 3rds)
4. K. Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes): 28 points (3 2nds)
5. M. Schumacher (Ferrari): 28 points (1 3rd)
6. N. Heidfeld (Williams-BMW): 21 points (2 3rds)
7. G. Fisichella (Renault): 21 points (Best Result: 4 5ths)
8. J. Trulli (Toyota): 20 points (1 win)
9. D. Coulthard (RBR-Cosworth): 17 points (1 2nd)
10. R. Schumacher (Toyota): 14 points (1 2nd)
11. J. Pablo Montoya (McLaren-Mercedes): 14 points (1 win)
12. C. Klien (RBR-Cosworth): 13 points (1 win)
13. N. Karthikeyan (Jordan-Toyota): 11 points (Best Result: 1 4ths)
14. J. Button (BAR-Honda): 10 points (1 3rd)
15. T. Monteiro (Jordan-Toyota): 8 points (1 2nd)
16. F. Massa (Sauber-Petronas): 7 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
17. P. De La Rosa (McLaren-Mercedes): 6 points (1 3rd)
18. C. Albers (Minardi-Cosworth): 4 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
19. V. Liuzzi (RBR-Cosworth): 3 points (Best Result: 1 7th)
20. J. Villeneuve (Sauber-Petronas): 2 points (Best Result: 1 7th)

Constructors:
1. Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro: 84 points (5 wins, 2 3rds)
2. Mild Seven Renault F1 Team: 53 points (1 win, 1 2nd, 1 3rd)
3. BMW WilliamsF1 Team: 51 points (2 2nds, 4 3rds)
4. West McLaren Mercedes: 48 points (1 win, 3 2nds, 1 3rd)
5. Panasonic Toyota Racing: 34 points (1 win, 1 2nd)
6. RBR Cosworth: 33 points (1 win, 1 2nd)
7. Jordan Grand Prix Toyota: 19 points (1 2nd)
8. Lucky Strike BAR Honda: 10 points (1 3rd)
9. Sauber Petronas: 9 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
10. Minardi Cosworth: 4 points (Best Result: 1 5th)

Next up is the French Grand Prix in the middle of nowhere

[watka]

I like the presumed deliberate use of "chicken" instead of "chicane" in the Canada GP review.

[Wizzie]

Pre-France:
In response to the previous race Michilen have to face the World Motorsports Council and explain themselves on the Tuesday before the next race at Silverstone. Ralf Schumacher is back in the Toyota for this race and the foreseeable future. Meanwhile at Red Bull Christian Klien has secured the driver until the end of the European season and the smart money is on him seeing out the season.

Silly season news and it's offical. BMW and Williams have split in what was one of the biggest PR wars in a long time and in a heartbeat BMW confirmed they're buying Sauber and taking Heidfeld with them. Ferrari rookie superstar Daniel Melrose has confirmed that he will not be staying at Maranello next season making a Heidfeld/Melrose pairing at BMW more likely than ever. The new big rumour that has sprouted in the paddock is Jacques Villeneuve may be aiming for the second Red Bull seat and even a seat at BAR which incidentally is the same seat Rubens Barrichello is reportedly looking at.

Round 10: France

Qualifying:
If his qualifying lap at Indianapolis was something out of the top drawer then Daniel Melrose's effort here to put himself on the front row was probably THE BEST lap of his career so far. Up to that point he hadn't been in the top 10 all weekend but by delivering a perfect lap in qualifying he held provisional pole for most of the session until Takuma Sato went 0.023 better and scored his first pole position. Fernando Alonso was 3rd only 0.057 behind Takuma showing the tightness of the field. Infact the top 13 were covered by less than a second.

Grid:
1. T. Sato (BAR-Honda)
2. D. Melrose (Ferrari)
3. F. Alonso (Renault)
4. G. Fisichella (Renault)
5. J. Button (BAR-Honda)
6. J. Trulli (Toyota)
7. M. Schumacher (Ferrari)
8. J. Pablo Montoya (McLaren-Mercedes)
9. K. Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes)
10. J. Villeneuve (Sauber-Petronas)
11. F. Massa (Sauber-Petronas)
12. M. Webber (Williams-BMW)
13. R. Schumacher (Toyota)
14. N. Heidfeld (Williams-BMW)
15. D. Coulthard (RBR-Cosworth)
16. C. Klien (RBR-Cosworth)
17. N. Karthikeyan (Jordan-Toyota)
18. P. Friesacher (Minardi-Cosworth)
19. T. Monteiro (Jordan-Toyota)
20. C. Albers (Minardi-Cosworth)

Race:

Everyone knew that Melrose's run of form was going to end at some point. What nobody could predict however was when it would end and how spectacular it would be. Off the start and once again Melrose's medicore lauches off the line had an effect and Alonso sweeped by around the outside heading into one while the Fisichell and Button where looking for a way down the inside. Melrose however was the latest of the late brakers heading into Estoril and nearly went from 3rd to 1st in a heartbeat. However he just wasn't late enough and slotted into a temporary 2nd behind Sato.

I say temporary because Alonso blasted past Melrose on the run to the Adelaide hairpin on lap 2 and set off after Sato as Melrose fell into the clutches of the chasing pack. The race result at that point looked like it would be decided by how long you spent behind Melrose and your position in the Melrose Express (As demonstrated by Montoya who was 7th before the first pitstop, pitted first and emerged 3rd behind Alonso and Sato). Back to the front and the Sato dream was on until lap 12 where Alonso shoved Sato out of the way at the Adelaide hairpin in what would be one of the many incidents in the race.

And then the rain came. Everyone had made the first of three scheduled pitstops (Melrose was the only frontrunner who converted to a two stopper by running several laps longer but was forced back onto an effective three stopper as the track got wet enough for wet tyres around the 2nd stops for the 3 stoppers) where Melrose emerged 7th (which became 6th once Sato retired. By the time he had retired he had already lost his chance to win (At the first stops he had pitted one lap eariler than Alonso and emerged behind Melrose whereas Alonso came out infront of Melrose) but still had podium aspirations in sight. ) and spent the rest of the race in an epic duel between himself, Red Bull, Trulli and later on Michael Schumacher, Webber and even Monteiro such was Melrose's lack of pace.

Melrose's lack of pace was also annoying the front runners as he was a being a nuisance whilst being lapped (He even punted Alonso off twice and drove Raikkonen off the track which earnt him a meeting with the stewards along with Alonso for his part in the Sato incident). That being said Alonso and Montoya had less trouble than Fisichella, Raikkonen and Button lapping the Melrose Express which meant that Alonso had an easy win from Montoya, Fisichella, Button and Raikkonen. Melrose does a scrappy but reasonable salvage job to finish 6th while Klien and Trulli round out the points.

Results:
1. F. Alonso (Renault): 1h 38m 43.097s
2. J. Pablo Montoya (McLaren-Mercedes): +19.500
3. G. FIsichella (Renault): +57.683
4. J. Button (BAR-Honda): +1:11.360
5. K. Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes): +1:13.529
6. D. Melrose (Ferrari): +1 LAP
7. C. Klien (RBR-Cosworth): +1 LAP
8. J. Trulli (Toyota): +1 LAP
9. M. Webber (Williams-BMW): +1 LAP
10. M. Schumacher (Ferrari): +1 LAP
11. T. Monteiro (Jordan-Toyota): +1 LAP
12. D. Coulthard (RBR-Cosworth): +1 LAP
13. F. Massa (Sauber-Petronas): +1 LAP
14. N. Heidfeld (Williams-BMW): +3 LAPS
15. C. Albers (Minardi-Cosworth): + 3 LAPS
16. N. Karthikeyan (Jordan-Toyota): DNF
17. T. Sato (BAR-Honda): DNF
18. P. Friesacher (Minardi-Cosworth): DNF
19. J. Villeneuve (Sauber-Petronas): DNF
20. R. Schumacher (Toyota): DNF

Pole: T. Sato (BAR-Honda): 1:14.905
Fastest Lap: F. Alonso (Renault): 1:15.574
Leaders: T. Sato: 1-11 (Total: 11)
F. Alonso 12-71 (Total: 60)

Championship Standings:
Drivers:

1. D. Melrose (Ferrari): 59 points (5 wins, 1 3rd)
2. F. Alonso (Renault): 42 points (2 wins, 1 2nd, 1 3rd)
3. K. Raikkonen (McLaren-Mercedes): 33 points (3 2nds)
4. M. Webber (Williams-BMW): 30 points (2 2nds, 2 3rds)
5. M. Schumacher (Ferrari): 28 points (1 3rd)
6. G. Fisichella (Renault): 27 points (1 3rd)
7. J. Pablo Montoya (McLaren-Mercedes): 22 points (1 win, 1 2nd)
8. J. Trulli (Toyota): 21 points (1 win)
8. N. Heidfeld (Williams-BMW): 21 points (2 3rds)
10. D. Coulthard (RBR-Cosworth): 17 points (1 2nd)
11. R. Schumacher (Toyota): 14 points (1 2nd)
12. C. Klien (RBR-Cosworth): 15 points (1 win)
13. J. Button (BAR-Honda): 15 points (1 3rd)
14. N. Karthikeyan (Jordan-Toyota): 11 points (Best Result: 1 4ths)
15. T. Monteiro (Jordan-Toyota): 8 points (1 2nd)
16. F. Massa (Sauber-Petronas): 7 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
17. P. De La Rosa (McLaren-Mercedes): 6 points (1 3rd)
18. C. Albers (Minardi-Cosworth): 4 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
19. V. Liuzzi (RBR-Cosworth): 3 points (Best Result: 1 7th)
20. J. Villeneuve (Sauber-Petronas): 2 points (Best Result: 1 7th)

Constructors:
1. Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro: 87 points (5 wins, 2 3rds)
2. Mild Seven Renault F1 Team: 69 points (2 wins, 1 2nd, 2 3rds)
3. West McLaren Mercedes: 60 points (1 win, 4 2nds, 1 3rd)
4. BMW WilliamsF1 Team: 51 points (2 2nds, 4 3rds)
5. Panasonic Toyota Racing: 35 points (1 win, 1 2nd)
6. RBR Cosworth: 35 points (1 win, 1 2nd)
7. Jordan Grand Prix Toyota: 19 points (1 2nd)
8. Lucky Strike BAR Honda: 15 points (1 3rd)
9. Sauber Petronas: 9 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
10. Minardi Cosworth: 4 points (Best Result: 1 5th)

Next up is the British Grand Prix at the famous Silverstone Circuit

[MinardiFan95]

Grid:
1. T. Sato (BAR-Honda)

SATO TAKUMA POLE POSITIONNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[tommykl]

I predict a CRASHUUUUUUUUU!