The importance of practice
Over the two years I have been watching Formula One I have grown wary of basing too much on Friday and Saturday practice and have come to dismiss it as nothing more than a rough guide to both qualifying and the race. However, I sat up and listened when, driving out of Silverstone on Friday night(in the mighty Skoda), I heard an interesting interview of Anthony Davidson on BBC Radio Five.
Anthony was talking about the way drivers view practice and reminded us that, between team-mates, practice times are hugely important. As he said "it is important to be on top all the time." He noted that Heikki had out-performed Lewis in both sessions on Friday(as he did again in the rain affected session today).
He said if it was him on the losing side of this equation, he would spend all night with his head in a lap-top trying to work out where to save the time necessary to beat his team-mate and then set out the next morning with nothing more on his mind than an intention to "destroy" his rival on the time-sheets.
That's how it was between him and Takuma at the erstwhile Super Aguri outfit. Of course Anthony also reminded us that this is all done in a very sporting manner and that it is quite possible to be on good terms with your team-mate socially and then go out and drive like hell to beat him on the track.
So, yes, Heikki has got the initiative over Lewis this weekend so far and, on Anthony's analysis, Lewis will be feeling pretty miffed by now and will be looking for revenge once the real action starts. It is interesting how Heikki seems to do well in the build-up but then falls victim to ill-fortune, or just fades a little, when it matters. I still believe he is due a really good result but, with the forecast this weekend, you wouldn't want to predict anything too confidently.
In today's paper we have a long look at the state of "planet Lewis" and at the surprising decision to move the British Grand Prix to Donington. Below are Heikki and Lewis's respective times this weekend so far.
Friday morning
Heikki: 2nd fastest, 1:19.587, 15 laps
Lewis: 3rd, 1:19.623, 13
Friday afternoon
Heikki: 1st, 1:19.989, 35
Lewis: 3rd, 1:20.543, 31
Saturday morning
Heikki: 3rd, 1:21.266, 14
Lewis: 5th, 1:21.668, 14
Looking very smooth on ITV1 a few minutes after this post Mr Gorman :)
Posted by: Ray | 5 Jul 2008 12:34:45
I think you've got a bit of a typo at the end of your post Ed:
"the surprising decision to move the British Grand Prix to Silverstone."
Ed writes: Thanks Ray, I've sorted it
Posted by: Ray | 5 Jul 2008 12:36:41
And the link to the text "surprising decision" has one too many an "http://". Was it a late one last night? hehe
Ed adds: sorted this too...
Posted by: Ray | 5 Jul 2008 12:38:28
Ed Gorman: "Below are Heikki and Lewis's respective times this weekend so far. "
What about other driver?
Why are yo so biased?
Posted by: ELCROWLEY | 5 Jul 2008 13:43:08
Hamilton had a bad mistake... I actually thought he was going to do very well. But it's amazing what Webber is doing this year. DC can't even get to the next round and he finishes 2nd. It's a shame he's a bit old (I think he's over 30..., correct me if I'm wrong). Will be interesting tomorrow, which is predicted heavy rain...
Alonso seems to disappoint again... was hoping better from him, but maybe he will have a good race, I hope.
Posted by: Felipe | 5 Jul 2008 14:19:46
Well.. Ed you can now add to the list.. Heikki boy still looks good even after the qualifying... :)
Heikki: 1st, 1:19.957
Lewis: 4th, 1:20.288
Posted by: Liquid | 5 Jul 2008 14:27:49
Interesting grid and one that I would not have predicted. Webber 'confessed' to what we all must have guessed, that he was running a bit light on fuel, but even so. Second and first with seconds to go.
And Massa continues to surprise me. Is there damage to his car, or is it his confidence that's taken the pounding?
Whatever; after all the repulsive jockeying for position and influence amongst the high and mighty, we have a race to look forward to tomorrow and what appears, at least after qually, to be a fascinating one.
Posted by: Derek Smith | 5 Jul 2008 14:35:24
Hello Ed,
Congratulations on your "Planet Hamilton" article - very honest. I imagine that for a 'sportsmanship' tradition of the likes of Hill, Stewart and Clark, observing a honest young man to be transformed into a celebrity aberration must hurt (a lot).
The only mystery is this revelations that Hamilton-team do not get on with key McLaren individuals, how can this happen? They attempted to destroy Alonso's career just because the rookie-champion dream... Do they feel betrayed by Hamilton? I am looking forward for more inside information...
Posted by: LUCAS | 5 Jul 2008 15:00:17
Well we see Hahamilton choking again, poor boy does he really think he is champion material?
Posted by: Paul | 5 Jul 2008 15:17:42
Well done to Heikki, hope he can follow through on Sunday. Mclaren really need the points. Must be disappointing for Lewis, but 4th is not the end of the world. He too needs all the points he can get, anywhere in the top 4 at Sunday end would be a good result for him. Good article Mr Gormon, might be difficult reading
for the Hamiltons, but never the less it hits the nail on the head. One would hope that regardless of the outcome on Sunday some reflection by the Hamiltons on the actions on and off the track, will be taking place. It just isn't going well for Lewis at the moment and the pressure will only get worse. Can Lewis be one of the greats? I think the answer is yes, but does he really want it? I'm not too sure that he does. It appears that the celebrity lifestyle, with it's glamour, money and glitter might have bitten.
And I'm a Fan.
Posted by: Marilyn | 5 Jul 2008 17:33:03
Last season I checked who topped the table in Friday-1 and Friday-2 practices, and checked, in which cases, if Friday practice leaders eventually earned the pole or won the race. I did it for the 1st 16 races, until China included.
The results are the following:
Friday-1 has been led by Raikkonen (7), Alonso (4), Hamilton (3), Massa (1) and Kubica (1)
Friday-1 leader has earned pole only 4 times (25% of the races). Interestingly Massa, Alonso, Hamilton and Raikkonen.
Friday-1 leader has won the race another 4 times. Alonso (2), Massa and Raikkonen
Friday-2 has been led by Alonso (7), Raikkonen (4), Massa (3), Hamilton (2)
Friday-2 leader was earned the pole 6 times (38% of the races): Massa (2), Alonso (2), Raikkonen (1) and Hamilton (1)
Friday-2 leader has won the race 5 times (31% of the races): Raikkonen (2), Alonso (2), Hamilton (1)
As a comparison, pole-sitter has won the race 11 times (69% of the races): Hamilton (4), Massa (3), Raikkonen (2), Alonso (2). In both Massa's and Hamilton's cases, all their victories have been preceded by poles. Alonso needed pole to win in half his victories (Monaco and Italy), and Raikkonen, in 40% (Australia and Belgium).
Interestingly, only one time in the whole season the same driver topped both practice sessions, qualifying, and race: it was Alonso in Monaco.
In China, Raikkonen topped both Friday sessions, and won the race, but pole was achieved by Hamilton.
In Malaysia, Massa topped both Friday sessions, and got the pole, but the race was won by Alonso.
In Bahrein, Massa topped both Friday sessions, but his teammate Raikkonen got pole and race.
In Canada and USA, Alonso topped both Friday sessions, but his teammate Hamilton got pole and race also.
A nice analysis, following Anthony Davidson's comment, would be to check performance vs teammate depending on performance on Fridays.
Regards
Augusto
Posted by: Augusto Baena | 5 Jul 2008 18:24:43
Ed,
"It is interesting how Heikki seems to do well in the build-up but then falls victim to ill-fortune, or just fades a little, when it matters"
you forget one more reason "...or Mclaren puts betwen 2 and 5 laps more of fuel in Heikki's car than Ham's car.
Ed, If you read this blog, every now and then, you should have notice that a few of us have been writing about how Heikki always seems to be in a heavier car for Q3 than lewis.
Posted by: Jordi | 5 Jul 2008 19:12:12