British GP qualifying as it happened

Tag : Split Ginger
1307: First indications of the relative pace of the cars - and it lookslike Ferrari are indeed more than competitive, Kimi Raikkonen andFelipe Massa clocking second and third fastest. Ron Weasley is inthe crowd! I don't know his real name but he's the ginger kid fromHarry Potter. He's no Jude Law, though, admittedly...
1306: Lewis Hamilton clocks the fastest lap of the day with a 1:20.228and then pits. Button, Barrichello, Fisichella, Sutil and Bourdaisin the bottom five as we stand.
1304: Fernando Alonso is the first driver under 1:21 with a time of1:20.998. Word in the paddock that Renault are uber-confident aheadof this race. Heikki Kovalainen comes in after his first lap.
1303: Lewis Hamilton is one of the earliest to complete a fast lap andhis time of 1:21.287 is the early pace-setter. He'll want to goquicker than that, but not a bad early marker.
1302: All 20 cars out and Nico Rosberg is impressing early on.
1300: We are under way people... Expect a few out early with rainthreatening overhead. A reminder that five cars will drop out afterQ1, five more in Q2 and then it's all to play for in Q3.
1258: A quick reminder that we've had a different pole sitter in thelast three races and a different championship leader at the lastfour. It's all to play for - can Lewis repeat the pole position hesecured here last year?
1255: Five minutes to go and the atmosphere is really building now. Theodd person seems to be jiggling about, pointing at the sky andchanting. I'm guessing they're not Ferrari fans. And WAIT! Wordfiltering through from a couple of you that the one and only JudeLaw is at Silverstone. I've been told I look a lot like the dashingactor by many a young lady. Honest. *Cough!*
"I'm with Ben (the Force India fan) - I'm getting so much stick forbeing a Webber fan! Webber for pole, Heikki second, rain in 20 minsplease."
Steven, Luffield via text
1248: "Conditions in qualifying are going to be very tricky for thedrivers. It's really quite windy out there now. It's blustery,rather than constant, and it's blowing across the track at thedifficult high-speed corners at Copse and Becketts. That playshavoc with the cars' behaviour."
BBC Sport's Andrew Benson at Silverstone
"Hamilton to win in a rain affected race! Massa and Kovalainen onthe podium."
Danny, Leics via text
1240: The teams go through their final preparations with Red Bull'sDavid Coulthard, preparing for his final British GP of course,attempting to break the sound barrier with his engine revs in thepaddock. I've still yet to see any celebrity faces at Silverstone -am I missing something? When I did the MotoGP the other week I haveScott Carson, Alan Davies and the legendary Ross Noble to gawp at.Where are the fair-weather F1 celebrity 'fans' looking to get theirmug in the papers? I was at least expecting a Big Brother cast-offor something.
"I'm at Silverstone on Luffield, and the only person here in ForceIndia gear. Sutil for pole, Hamilton second, Massa third."
Ben at Silverstone via text
"Can anyone suggest a suitable incantation for rain?"
Castor on 606
"Sam, its only set in stone until the page is banished forever tothe depths of the BBC archive - at best! You're not selling it wellenough!"
Aliah via text
(Come on people, have you not employed the use of oursecond-to-none search engine? Set in stone people, set in stone -SL)
1223: Our man Andrew Benson is out walking the paddocks at the moment.It's at moments like this that the big man really earns his wedge -no doubt he's getting the inside info, chatting to drivers and keyteam members, and doing his best to infiltrate the higher echelonstrackside to get the biggest and best stories. Me, I'd be chattingup the pit girls. Still, who's the mug huh?
"1.Massa 2. Kovalainen 3. Hamilton 4. Raikkonen 5. Alonso 6.Kubica. Can't wait for this - I think it will be a truly fantasticGrand Prix. I'd love to see Hamilton get pole but I don't think hewill be able to do it."
anythetoonfan on 606
"Massa for Pole, Hamilton 2nd, Raikkonen 3rd, Alonso 4th - but thenagain I got nil points in the last GP prediction league! Let's hopefor some more rain to mix the grid up a little bit... rain danceanyone?"
*salti on 606
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1212: Fact time: Lewis Hamilton is aiming to become the 12th home winnerat Silverstone this season, following wins for Stirling Moss, TonyBrooks, Peter Collins, Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart, James Hunt, JohnWatson, Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill, Johnny Herbert and DavidCoulthard. Bootiful.
1207: A bit of a weather update for you - it's dry and bright again atSilverstone. With forecasts still suggesting rain tomorrow, howwill the teams handle qualifying in terms of fuel load? Howreflective will the grid be of the teams' speed?
"'Internet-famous'? That's nothing compared to my text being readout on the radio..."
Josh, Oxford via text
(Really? What if your mates weren't listening at the exact time itwas read out huh? Did you tape it? On the internet it is there, setin stone, forever. Forever. What would you prefer huh?? Not thatyou have to choose now of course, but still... SL)
1200: Right - it's prediction time people - name your grid fortomorrow's race...
"I'm rooting for Heikki for the win... he's looking good! But thenagain, with his rotten luck..."
pottiella on 606
"Jenson Button is still one of the best drivers out there. Give hima good car, partner him with Hamilton, and that would be veryinteresting!! Button you are a god good luck to all drivers.Coulthard you will be missed you are a legend."
shaneburney on 606
1130: I'm off to grab some grubbage... be good now, be back soon. Brewanyone?
"Alonso can't win it seems - damned if he's brutally honest anddamned if he's saying something positive. He is well and trulySchumi's successor; the driver everyone loves to hate!"
Aliah via text
"Can I be 'internet famous'? It's cool! On a side note, I hopeHeikki can get a good result today - I think he is due a front-rowstart!"
Oli, Birmingham via text
"'1101: Fernando Alonso tops the charts with a super late lap...' -Looks like the cosmos is ready to play its part. Never doubt thepower of the 'ohm', especially when its has a bit of the old yogiflying malarkey thrown in..."
left_toe_lace_ups on 606
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"Yes Alonso will say better things than Lewis. However Alonso hasno integrity and Lewis is handicapped by trying to give an honestresponse to a question."
Anon via text
(Come on people, don't be shy - leave your name when you text inand boast to your friends that you're 'internet famous' - SL)
1101: Renault's Fernando Alonso tops the charts with a super late lap -1:20.740 - Mark Webber of Red Bull second ahead of HeikkiKovalainen (McLaren) and Sebastien Vettel (Toro Rosso), withMcLaren's Lewis Hamilton in fifth with a 1:21.668. The Ferraris ofKimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa pick up where they left off secondpractice last night in finishing ninth and 12th - perhaps down to aheavy fuel load? - while BMW's Robert Kubica (surely a problem forhim, considering he put in 20 laps?) and David Coulthard of RedBull hold up the pack.
1059: Hamilton comes in, his work seemingly done, but then pops back outfor a flying lap to finish - looking to see how fast he can clockan 'out' lap come race time perhaps?
1057: Hamilton is ripping through the first sector, but appears to belosing time in the third... Kovalainen is looking really goodthroughout...
"Of course Alonso will talk up Kubica (see below) - they seem to begood friends. Funny how while Hamilton is talking himself up as thebest and fittest, Alonso - the two-time world champion - callsanother driver the best? Yet still Alonso is arrogant and Hamiltonis humble?"
Anon via text
1055: Triathlon rivals Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button go second andthird respectively, with Mark Webber fastest at the moment. HeikkiKovalainen is bottom of the charts, with Robert Kubica 19th, andwe're looking at a late mix-up in the charts, surely.
1048: Happy days for Sebastien Bourdais - he tops the charts with1:23.826. Time for a cheeky wager on the Frenchman? Maybe not...PBs from the drivers every lap now with the drys really making thedifference.
"Hello. I am at Silverstone watching the British Grand Prix. Couldyou please say hello to my mum and sister.
Tom via text
(Hello Tom's mum and sister. Ah, the sweet taste of 'celebrity' -SL)
1044: It could be dry tyre time - Nick Heidfeld roars round Silverstonein a best-of-the-day-so-far time of 1:27.300, beating FelipeMassa's previous best by four seconds. With 17 minutes remaining inthe session, it is this period that could give us the biggestindication of how the teams stand this weekend.
"Anyone who thinks world champion Kimi Raikkonen lacks personalityshould read an interview with him in Saturday's Red Bulletin, themagazine Red Bull produce every day at a Grand Prix. In it, he isunusually loquacious, probably because he is asked about everythingbut Formula One - including some of his extra-curricular antics. Headmits that the notorious clip of him falling off the roof of aboat on to his head during a party is definitely him, and heconcludes the interview with a deliciously succinct summing up ofhis philosophy of life."
BBC Sport's Andrew Benson at Silverstone
"I love it when we get the Alonso knockers on 606, it's always goodfor a laugh. He is one of the top drivers and deserves a top car.Has nobody on this board changed jobs to better themselves? I knowI did."
Chilli_Burger on 606
1035: As expected, the times they are a-dropping. David Coulthard putsin a bit of a ripper to go second in the timings, flanked by FelipeMassa and Lewis Hamilton. BMW's Robert Kubica, meanwhile, currentlylies in 18th - yes, 18th - in the charts, despite having clocked upthe most laps so far. Alonso, by the way, claimed Kubica - and notLewis, Kimi, Fernando etc - is the most talented driver on thecircuit. Thoughts?
Join the debate on 606
"Heikki and Lewis are as good as each other, but I reckon Lewiswill out qualify Kovalainen. Still, it does seem inevitable thatthis weekend will be a red wash if Massa and Kimi show up."
BigBeatManifesto on 606
1030: Nakajima has a spin and Robert Kubica slides around Club, whileMassa, Button and Coulthard have also all had hairy moments aroundthe bends. Could be a bit of a thriller in qualifying.
1027: The track is definitely almost dry now, a combination of the carsand the bright sunshine hanging over Silverstone. Hamiltoncontinues to top the times, with Raikkonen and Massa following upand Mark Webber in fourth. On BBC Radio 5 Live sports extra Holly Samos declares "David Croft is not my type". The sound of David Croftlookalikes' hearts breaking across the world can be heard.
"Why would anyone want Fernando Alonso when he's going to threatento leave halfway through his first season with them?"
OllieWoods on 606
1020: Lewis 'If I weren't a racing driver would I have been able to pullthe lead singer of Pussycat Dolls?" Hamilton goes top of the timeswith a lap of 1:32.640.
"Sam - If you want to get the drivers psyched... just break out theall time F1 tune 'The Chain'. The sight of F1 cars snaking throughthe rain at full speed to the accompaniment of this Fleetwood Macclassic reaching its crescendo of volume was a major highlight ofmy F1 youth."
bournemouthhatter on 606
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1016: Fernando Alonso rips round in a time of 1:34.648 to go top of thecharts, followed closely Kimi Raikkonen, Heikki Kovalainen andLewis Hamilton. It would appear the track is not quite so wet now,with the cars drying out the driving line, so the times will dropand drop from now I would imagine.
"I am stood in the pits with Red Bull and I have to reveal thatDavid Coulthard's car is literally in bits. There are car partsscattered everywhere. The press officer is not saying why..."
Holly Samos on BBC Radio 5 Live sports extra
1011: Jarno Trulli posts the first lap time of the day with a 1:38.410.Uninspired.
1007: It's busy busy busy at Silverstone this morning - it may have itsfaults this track, but you've gotta love the atmosphere. The crowdsare braving the changeable weather without fuss and they'rewatching every car bar the Ferraris out on track now.
"As I emerged from my tent at Silverstone this morning - yes, I amdoing Silverstone properly again this year - it was hosing it down.If I were Lewis, for example, I'd be secretly pleased about that."
David Croft on BBC Radio 5 Live sports extra
1001: The McLarens of Kovalainen and Hamilton are first out on the track- the latter on intermediate wet tyres by the look of things. Asthe drivers pile out, it would appear Lewis is the only one on wets- I'll keep you posted. This session could be crucial in terms ofthe weekend, especially with rain forecast tomorrow.
0959: Moments away now - and you can follow the action (alongside mycommentary of course) on Radio 5 Live sports extra...
Radio 5 Live sports extra
"Alonso for BMW I reckon. With Heidfeld going backwards and theteam going forwards it would make sense. The ideal choice for a 5-or 6-way fight for the title in '09."
Anon via text
0952: By the way, a quick thanks to *salti and *jollysilverking who are busting out some top tunes on 606 - I wonder what thedrivers listen to to get themselves revved (ey fank yaow) up forthe race? Come on, there has to be some top puns to exploitthere...
0949: "With around 10 minutes to go before the start of the finalpractice session, the rain has stopped at Silverstone. The sun hasbeen out, and the clouds are breaking up, but the track still looksdamp. It will be interesting to see which tyres the drivers choosefor their first laps of the hour-long session. With unsettledweather predicted for the rest of the weekend, the information theteams learn in the damp this morning could be very valuable."
BBC Sport's Andrew Benson at Silverstone
0943: There's been plenty happening off the track this week - DoningtonPark being handed the British Grand Prix from 2010 onwards, LewisHamilton chickening out (sorry, withdrawing for professionalreasons) of a charity triathlon against Jenson Button and the22-year-old then being named F1's biggest ever playboy (EddieIrvine might have something to say about that)...
British GP will move to Donington
Hamilton pulled from charity race
Hamilton voted F1's top playboy of all time
...and now the future of two-time world champion Fernando Alonsohas hit the back pages. The Spanish Renault driver has said he willdecide upon his future after September's Italian Grand Prix - andalready the world and his mother have been linked with a move forhim. What do we think? Ferrari would probably be his choice, butsurely they will keep faith with Raikkonen and Massa? Call mecrazy, but I have a sneaking suspicion he wouldn't be welcome backat McLaren, so what is he left with? Toyota? Honda? Red Bull? Letus know your thoughts.
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0939: "The sun's out now. It could be one of those days..."
BBC Sport's Andrew Benson at Silverstone
0937: In practice yesterday, there was little to choose between Ferrariand McLaren - Felipe Massa dominating the morning session despite acrash at Stowe and Heikki Kovalainen came out on top in theafternoon.
McLaren & Ferrari set Friday pace
Lewis Hamilton - Britain's great hope for this weekend - was thirdin both sessions, and after two dismal races in Canada and Francehe'll be desperate to impress on his home ground.
Elsewhere, David Coulthard and Jenson Button will both have beenhappy with second practice on Friday - finishing 4th and 7threspectively - but may have to hope for a little help from theweather if they are to earn a podium finish on Sunday.
The BMWs, meanwhile, of Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica lookedsurprisingly uncompetitive - it will be interesting to see if theycan turn things around this morning in final practice - while theWilliams of Nico Rosberg did almost enough late yesterday tosuggest it may not be a two or three horse race tomorrow.
As with yesterday, we have our F1 guru Andrew Benson trackside, we have David Croft and Maurice Hamilton on Radio 5 Live and Radio 5 Live sports extra , we have my good self pulling it all together and providing my own unique/alternate takeon things, and I want you to get involved as much as possible via 606 or text on 81111 .
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0932: "Quite a contrast with Friday this morning - Silverstone isblanketed in low, grey clouds, and it's raining - at first not thathard, but now it's tipping it down. This could turn into a blessingin disguise for those wishing for a Lewis Hamilton victory.
"The general view is that Ferrari are favourites in a dry race -despite the pace shown by McLaren in Friday practice. (One engineerfrom a rival team told me on Friday he thought it looked as if"McLaren were trying quite hard to look quick"). But Hamilton issuper-fast in the wet, as he proved in Japan last year, and a wetrace could play into his hands.
"A quick reminder of the forecast... apparently, it will continuelike this for the rest of the weekend."
BBC Sport's Andrew Benson at Silverstone
0930: "Let's get ready to rumble. Watch us reck the mic, watch us reckthe mic, watch us reck the mic... psyche!"
Ah, the inimitable words of Ant and Dec. Who'd have thought tworather bad child actors from Byker Grove would go on to dominatethe charts, Saturday night TV and Britain's light entertainmentindustry in general?
Anyway, those famous lyrics from the Brit Award nominated(seriously) single, are meant to signify that we've hit thebusiness end of proceedings in this monster weekend of F1.
Silverstone may have learned only yesterday that it will not playhost to the British Grand Prix from 2010 - that honour will go toDonington Park - but for now, it's all about Stowe corner, HangarStraight and Becketts Outside.