8 replies to this topic

[monza gorilla]

The eagerly awaited Qtel Masters of Qatar got underway on Wednesday with a two- hour Free Practice session at what drivers have described as one of the best motor racing circuits on the world stage. The scorching desert heat generated a midday track temperature of 46-degrees and with temperatures expected to rise even further ahead of Saturday’s race, the demanding and unforgiving climate is the only concern at what is an exceptionally challenging, quick and rewarding driver’s circuit.

All the Masters (except Arnoux who arrived last night) were in action today undertaking familiarisation laps and understanding how best to set-up the 600bhp cars ahead of this weekend’s first-ever four- wheeled motor race in Qatar.

“This is a truly world-class facility and one which we are extremely proud to be racing at and more so given that it’s Qatar’s first ever four-wheeled motor race. It’s extremely fast, technically demanding and is complimented with what can only be described as state-of-the-art infrastructure and facilities,” said Nigel Mansell. “Today’s free practice has been about re-acquainting ourselves with these cars and understanding the set-up variables as we prepare for tomorrow’s further two free practice sessions.”

Located 10km outside the capital city of Doha, the Losail International Circuit is surrounded by desert landscape. Built in record time, the track was today met by the immediate approval of the Grand Prix Masters drivers not only for the excellent safety features (the run off areas are more than adequate in an area where space is not an issue) but also for the challenge it proposes.

The track has only one true straight, measuring 1068m followed by a series of varied corners which are all linked together and give drivers little chance to rest in the searing heat. A distinctive feature of the track is the sequence of three fast right corners. Another characteristic is how difficult it is to overtake – not because there aren’t enough suitable points but because of the danger of running off the racing line, due to the conditions of the track.

“As one would expect, we were greeted by extremely slippery and dusty conditions given that the last race here was the Moto GP a couple of weeks back,” added Christian Danner. “This made finding a balance quite challenging on the car and understeer was a problem for everyone today. As the rubber was laid down, however, the handling characteristics of the car improved considerably and have provided a lot of food for thought as we go into what has to be one of the hottest places on earth to race Grand Prix cars.”

“We certainly didn’t expect a circuit this fast or challenging but I am really excited about what this Losail circuit has to offer. It was designed with two-wheeled action in mind as opposed to four but nonetheless it offers a wonderful blend of fast corners, undulations and an extremely long straight,” added Emerson Fittipaldi. “Understeer was unfortunately the biggest issue during today’s opening session but we have worked towards improving that and as more rubber gets laid down, the grip factor will improve and allow for what I am sure will be a spectacular race come Saturday.”

Times from day one:

Mansell 1:49.315 23

Johansson 1:49.348 22

Danner 1:49.501 25

de Cesaris 1:49.973 28

Warwick 1:50.336 25

Stuck 1:50.586 19

Martini 1:50.770 28

Patrese 1:51.047 25

Salazar 1:51.047 29

Fittipaldi 1:51.064 19

Lammers 1:51.425 19

Cheever 1:52.775 21

Tambay 1:53.094 28

van de Poele 1:54.672 11

Caffi 1:55.709 5

[pumpdoc]

Cool, nice to see Nige on top of the time sheet   

[aussief1]

pumpdoc, on Apr 28 2006, 10:55 PM, said:

Cool, nice to see Nige on top of the time sheet   

Still some speed in the old fella....

[Autumnpuma]

Go Nige! So, how does he look out there? Nobody's broadcasting this in the States...

And I'm happy to see Cheever bringing up the rear. Good job, Eddie!

Edited by Autumnpuma, 29 April 2006 - 05:41 AM.

[monza gorilla]

Former Formula 1 world champion Nigel Mansell kept his 100% record in the Grand Prix Masters series by taking pole position for the season opener, which takes place at Qatar on Saturday.

The British racing hero set a lap time nearly nine seconds faster than the Moto GP bikes managed at the same track last month.

It was Mansell’s second pole in the category, having dominated the old-timer’s showcase race at Kyalami in South Africa last November.

“I am of course delighted to be on pole for tomorrow’s race but it got a bit worrying out there today for a moment as one of my earlier best laps was aborted because of a red flag,” he said.

“In the end, however, it came to me and it was simply awesome.

The heat, however, was something else! It will be one hell of a race tomorrow, especially when you consider how close the lap times today were with just under a second being the difference between P1 and P6.”

Joining Mansell on the front-row will be German commentator Christian Danner while starting from third will be another British star Derek Warwick.

“You come here for only one thing and that is pole position but starting from the second row will do me,” said the former Renault and Arrows racer.

“I will simply have to chase Nigel into the first corner and hope for an opening somewhere. Nigel did a stunning job today to set that pole time and even though the grip level was somewhat worse than this morning, this track really is up there as one of the most demanding we have ever seen.”

Emerson Fittipaldi, the only other F1 world champion in the field, starts sixth on the grid of 15 runners.


Grid positions for the GP Masters race in Qatar

1. NIGEL MANSELL       1m46.926s
2. CHRISTIAN DANNER    1m47.281s
3. DEREK WARWICK       1m47.342s
4. RICCARDO PATRESE    1m47.445s
5. PIERLUIGI MARTINI   1m47.717s
6. EMERSON FITTIPALDI  1m47.822s
7. EDDIE CHEEVER       1m47.894s
8. STEFAN JOHANSSON    1m48.208s
9. ANDREA DE CESARIS   1m48.343s
10. HANS STUCK         1m48.423s
11. ERIC VAN DE POELE  1m48.711s
12. ELISEO SALAZAR     1m49.832s
13. JAN LAMMERS        1m49.920s
14. RENE ARNOUX        1m50.514s
15. PATRICK TAMBAY     1m50.516s

[pumpdoc]

Is it good or bad when you remember every name on that list and other than Danner have seen them all race

[cavallino]

pumpdoc, on Apr 29 2006, 11:44 PM, said:

Is it good or bad when you remember every name on that list and other than Danner have seen them all race

All I know is its good when you immediately know more than half the names and have only been following F1 since '97

Who's the dutch guy with a funny name

[monza gorilla]

He drove for Brabham and Fondmetal in 1992. Didn't qualify for most of them.

[Autumnpuma]

pumpdoc, on Apr 29 2006, 06:44 AM, said:

Is it good or bad when you remember every name on that list and other than Danner have seen them all race

It's good. It gives us perspective...or something...

I think Danner was one of those Sato-kinda guys...broke into F1 and never did anything impressive, then faded away...early 80's I think

So,  where is Prost? I remember reading he declined to participate, but I was never sure of the reason why. He would give Mansell a run for his money, eh?

Thanks for posting the update, monza.