FORCDA 2010 Season

[Wizzie]

Mr. Melrose, I have a question: is it true that it was more difficult than it first seemed?

It is because finding the right balance in the 2007 car is proving to be much harder than the 2006 car since the 07 car has more rear downforce. When it's perfect it's a rocketship but if it's only slightly off it's the best part of half a second slower than the top guys because of the understeer.

But that's nothing compared to the problems I'm having in Bahrain (Brake balance is totally wrong which means so far I'm stuck in the 15th-17th region in practice).

[Wizzie]

Round 3: Bahrain

Qualifying:
If Daniel Melrose's form over the weekend is anything to go by then the BMW F1.07 is harder to drive and possibly slower than the F1.06 but with some work on the brake bias Melrose hauled his car to within 3 tenths of pole as he took a front row spot alongside Felipe Massa. Jones beat Alonso for the first time this season on the second row while Kubica beat Raikkonen in 5th and 6th. Ralf Schumacher was the best of the rest in 7th while Webber, Rosberg and Trulli rounded out the 10. Coutlhard was simply awful as he powered his Red Bull to the back row of the grid.

Grid:
1. F. Massa (Ferrari)
2. D. Melrose (BMW)
3. S. Jones (McLaren-Mercedes)
4. F. Alonso (McLaren-Mercedes)
5. R. Kubica (BMW)
6. K. Raikkonen (Ferrari)
7. R. Schumacher (Renault)
8. M. Webber (RBR-Renault)
9. N. Rosberg (Williams-Toyota)
10. J. Trulli (Toyota)
11. H. Kovaleinen (Renault)
12. N. Heidfeld (Williams-Toyota)
13. J. Pablo Montoya (Toyota)
14. J. Button (Honda)
15. F. Zimmer (Super Aguri-Honda)
16. R. Barrichello (Honda)
17. T. Sato (Super Aguri-Honda)
18. S. Speed (STR-Ferrari)
19. N. Jani (STR-Ferrari)
20. D. Simpson (Spyker-Ferrari)
21. A. Sutil (Spyker-Ferrari)
22. D. Coutlhard (RBR-Renault)

Qualifying 2:

Grid:
1. D. Melrose (BMW)
2. F. Massa (Ferrari)
3. S. Jones (McLaren-Mercedes)
4. K. Raikkonen (Ferrari)
5. F. Alonso (McLaren-Mercedes)
6. R. Kubica (BMW)
7. J. Trulli (Toyota)
8. M. Webber (RBR-Renault)
9. R. Schumacher (Renault)
10. N. Rosberg (Williams-Toyota)
11. H. Kovaleinen (Renault)
12. N. Heidfeld (Williams-Toyota)
13. J. Pablo Montoya (Toyota)
14. F. Zimmer (Super Aguri-Honda)
15. R. Barrichello (Honda)
16. J. Button (Honda)
17. S. Speed (STR-Ferrari)
18. T. Sato (Super Aguri-Honda)
19. N. Jani (STR-Ferrari)
20. A. Sutil (Spyker-Ferrari)
21. D. Simpson (Spyker-Ferrari)
22. D. Coutlhard (RBR-Renault)

Race:
Daniel Melrose led the first 8 laps of the Bahrain Grand Prix. Then the rain came and by lap 35 his BMW F1.07 had turned into an evil handling beast and he decided to retire the car since he was running 22nd and last and was 1 and a half laps down on Sutil in 21st. Massa won the race after putting a move on Sammy Jones late in the race with Raikkonen doring a burn from the stern to finish 3rd after getting caught up in a tangle between himself, Kubica and Heidfeld early in the race. Rosberg finished 5th while Alonso, Kubica and Kovalainen rounded out the points.

Results:
1. F. Massa (Ferrari): 1h 41m 30.033
2. S. Jones (McLaren-Mercedes): +7.370
3. K. Raikkonen (Ferrari): +1:17.671
4. J. Trulli (Toyota): +1:30.113
5. N. Rosberg (Williams-Toyota): +1 LAP
6. F. Alonso (McLaren-Mercedes): +1 LAP
7. R. Kubica (BMW): +1 LAP
8. H. Kovaleinen (Renault): +1 LAP
9. R. Schumacher (Renault): +1 LAP
10. J. Pablo Montoya (Toyota): +1 LAP
11. F. Zimmer (Super Aguri-Honda): +1 LAP
12. N. Heidfeld (Williams-Toyota): +1 LAP
13. R. Barrichello (Honda): +1 LAP
14. N. Jani (STR-Ferrari): +1 LAP
15. D. Coulthard (RBR-Renault): +1 LAP
16. M. Webber (RBR-Renault): +1 LAP
17. J. Button (Honda): +2 LAPS
18. D. Simpson (Spyker-Ferrari): +2 LAPS
19. T. Sato (Super Aguri-Honda): +2 LAPS
20. S. Speed (STR-Ferrari): +2 LAPS
21. A. Sutil (Spyker-Ferrari): +2 LAPS
DNF. D. Melrose (BMW)

Pole: D. Melrose (BMW): 1:30.726
Fastest Lap: D. Melrose (BMW): 1:33.852
Leaders: D. Melrose: 1-8 (Total: 8)
S. Jones: 9-52 (Total: 45)
F. Massa: 53-57 (Total: 4)

Championship Standings:
Drivers:
1. D. Melrose (BMW): 20 points (2 wins)
2. K. Raikkonen (Ferrari): 20 points (1 2nd, 2 3rds)
3. F. Alonso (McLaren-Mercedes): 17 points (1 2nd, 1 3rd)
4. S. Jones (McLaren-Mercedes): 17 points (1 2nd)
5. F. Massa (Ferrari): 14 points (1 win)
6. J. Trulli (Toyota): 7 points (Best Result: 1 4th)
7. R. Schumacher (Renault): 6 points (Best Result: 1 4th)
8. N. Rosberg (Williams-Toyota): 6 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
9. R. Kubica (BMW): 5 points (Best Result: 1 6th)
10. H. Kovaleinen (Renault): 4 points (Best Result: 1 6th)
11. M. Webber (RBR-Renault): 1 point (Best Result: 1 8th)

Constructors:
1. Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro: 34 points (1 win, 1 2nd, 2 3rds)
2. Vodafone McLaren Mercedes: 34 points (2 2nds, 1 3rd)
3. Petronas BMW Sauber F1 Team: 25 points (2 wins)
4. ING Renault F1 Team: 10 points (Best Result: 1 4th)
5. Panasonic Toyota Racing: 7 points (Best Result: 1 4th)
6. AT&T Williams Toyota: 6 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
7. Red Bull Racing Renault: 1 point (Best Result: 1 8th)

Next up is the beginning of the European season at Barcelona

[Wizzie]

The curse of the wrong race distance has struck again (This time it made the Grand Prix 15 laps longer) so I've had to do qualifying again.

[the Masked Lapwing]

It's amazing how Coulthard got a second chance and went precisely nowhere.

[ADx_Wales]

Attention all F1 Reject Forum members
who have the F1 2010 game and an xBox Live gold account.

An event is to take place in the next few months in collaboration with TORA (the online racing association), details will not be announced yet, but if you will be up for some (friendly) competition racing, please email me your xbox live gamertags in order to get some online practice with eachother.

[watka]

You've already got mine! I need to actually play the game though!

[Wizzie]

Race results for Bahrain now up. Feel free to rate my Felipe Massa impersonation

[the Masked Lapwing]

Melrose finally got a DNF! *cue celebratory music and partying*

[Phoenix]

Wizzie's driving abilities have reached a new nadir

[Wizzie]

Pre-Spain:

The beginning of the season began with the news that Daniel Melrose was doing his best to destroy rumours that a rift was starting to develop in the BMW team. However much bigger news came out of the McLaren team that apparently both drivers could be on the way out as neither Alonso or Jones are happy with each other or the team. Finally news Toyota's way and Juan Pablo Montoya could be on the way out after so far doing nothing to show he deserves his rumoured $25 million salary.

Round 4: Spain

Qualifying:

Daniel Melrose was in a very determined mood heading into Spain and he delivered with another pole to add to his CV. Massa completed the front row while Raikkonen beat Alonso to 3rd place by 0.001. Jones was the last of the leading quintet in 5th while Kubica disappointed in 8th. Red Bull had a massive form reversal with Coulthard in 9th while Webber had a shocker in 19th.

Grid:
1. D. Melrose (BMW)
2. F. Massa (Ferrari)
3. K. Raikkonen (Ferrari)
4. F. Alonso (McLaren-Mercedes)
5. S. Jones (McLaren-Mercedes)
6. J. Trulli (Toyota)
7. H. Kovaleinen (Renault)
8. R. Kubica (BMW)
9. D. Coulthard (RBR-Renault)
10. R. Schumacher (Renault)
11. N. Rosberg (Williams-Toyota)
12. T. Sato (Super Aguri-Honda)
13. R. Barrichello (Honda)
14. J. Button (Honda)
15. F. Zimmer (Super Aguri-Honda)
16. J. Pablo Montoya (Toyota)
17. N. Jani (STR-Ferrari)
18. N. Heidfeld (Williams-Toyota)
19. M. Webber (RBR-Renault)
20. A. Sutil (Spyker-Ferrari)
21. D. Simpson (Spyker-Ferrari)
22. S. Speed (STR-Ferrari)

Race:
Once again Melrose lost the start to the other person on the front row (In this case Massa) who then started pulling away over the first 11 or so laps. However between laps 12 and 20 Melrose reduced the gap from 7 seconds to virtually nothing before Massa's car had a puncture which put him out of the race and gave Melrose an easy win from that point on. Sammy Jones scored another podium in 2nd while Kubica in the other BMW scored a maiden podium in 3rd place. Alonso was 4th in the second McLaren while Coulthard proved to be a surprise in 5th place. Renault scored a 6-7 with Kovy ahead of Schumacher while Rosberg finished 8th. Raikkonen capped off what was a pretty bad day for Ferrari by finishing 9th and out of the points.

Results:
1. D. Melrose (BMW): 1h 23m 38.935
2. S. Jones (McLaren-Mercedes): +48.680
3. R. Kubica (BMW): +1 LAP
4. F. Alonso (McLaren-Mercedes): +1 LAP
5. D. Coulthard (RBR-Renault): +1 LAP
6. H. Kovaleinen (Renault): +1 LAP
7. R. Schumacher (Renault): +1 LAP
8. N. Rosberg (Williams-Toyota): +1 LAP
9. K. Raikkonen (Ferrari): +1 LAP
10. R. Barrichello (Honda): +1 LAP
11. T. Sato (Super Aguri-Honda): +1 LAP
12. J. Pablo Montoya (Toyota): +1 LAP
13. J. Button (Honda): +1 LAP
14. F. Zimmer (Super Aguri-Honda): +2 LAPS
15. M. Webber (RBR-Renault): +2 LAPS
16. N. Heidfeld (Williams-Toyota): +2 LAPS
17. D. Simpson (Spyker-Toyota): +3 LAPS
18. A. Sutil (Spyker-Ferrari): +3 LAPS
19. N. Jani (STR-Ferrari): +3 LAPS
20. S. Speed (STR-Ferrari): +3 LAPS
DNF. F. Massa (Ferrari)
DNF. J. Trulli (Toyota)

Pole: D. Melrose (BMW): 1:14.117
Fastest Lap: D. Melrose (BMW): 1:14.229
Leaders: F. Massa: 1-20 (Total: 20)
D. Melrose: 21-66 (Total: 46)

Championship Standings:
Drivers:
1. D. Melrose (BMW): 30 points (3 wins)
2. S. Jones (McLaren-Mercedes): 25 points (2 2nds)
3. F. Alonso (McLaren-Mercedes): 22 points (1 2nd, 1 3rd)
4. K. Raikkonen (Ferrari): 20 points (1 2nd, 2 3rds)
5. F. Massa (Ferrari): 14 points (1 win)
6. R. Kubica (BMW): 11 points (1 3rd)
7. R. Schumacher (Renault): 8 points (Best Result: 1 4th)
8. J. Trulli (Toyota): 7 points (Best Result: 1 4th)
9. N. Rosberg (Williams-Toyota): 7 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
10. H. Kovaleinen (Renault): 7 points (Best Result: 2 6ths)
11. D. Coulthard (RBR-Renault): 4 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
12. M. Webber (RBR-Renault): 1 point (Best Result: 1 8th)

Constructors:
1. Vodafone McLaren Mercedes: 47 points (3 2nds, 1 3rd)
2. Petronas BMW Sauber F1 Team: 41 points (3 wins, 1 3rd)
3. Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro: 34 points (1 win, 1 2nd, 2 3rds)
4. ING Renault F1 Team: 15 points (Best Result: 1 4th)
5. Panasonic Toyota Racing: 7 points (Best Result: 1 4th)
6. AT&T Williams Toyota: 7 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
7. Red Bull Racing Renault: 5 points (Best Result: 1 5th)

Next up is the crown jewel of the season at Monaco

[Wizzie]

Race Results for Spain now up.

[the Masked Lapwing]

Constructors:
7. Red Bull Racing Renault: 5 points (Best Result: 1 8th)

I'm sure they would have less than that if 8th was their best?

[Wizzie]

Constructors:
7. Red Bull Racing Renault: 5 points (Best Result: 1 8th)

I'm sure they would have less than that if 8th was their best?

Fixed.

[AndreaModa]

Championship Standings:
Drivers:
1. D. Melrose (BMW): 30 points (3 wins)
2. S. Jones (McLaren-Mercedes): 25 points (2 2nds)
3. F. Alonso (McLaren-Mercedes): 22 points (1 2nd, 1 3rd)

The championship challenge starts here! I'll have that title from you Melrose!!

[Wizzie]

In your dreams Mr Jones

[Phoenix]

Robert Kubica is only 19 points away...

[Wizzie]

Pre-Monaco:

Two rumours to report on before Monaco. The first is that Scott Speed may be on the way out at Toro Rosso since he is currently classified 22nd and last in the championship. Word has it that Sebastien Vettel will be the one who takes the American's seat and it may be as soon as the next race. The other rumour is that Frank Zimmer may be set to move up to the works Honda team but as to why he would go to the utter shambles that it is defies logic.

Round 5 - Monaco:

Qualifying:

Very rarely do drivers make a certain track their own personal playground. And it is even rarer for a driver to be such a specialist at one track that their pace advantage over the rest of the field defies the laws of physics. One such relationship is BMW's Daniel Melrose and the streets of Monaco. This time he took pole by over 2 and a half seconds from Felipe Massa with Ralf Schumacher and Mark Webber filling an unlikely second row. Melrose also lowered his qualifying lap record by half a second from last year in the process of his total domination. Elsewhere McLaren struggled with Jones 6th and Alonso 9th but that was nothing compared to the shocking performance Juan Pablo Montoya put in to plonk his Toyota in 21st.

Grid:
1. D. Melrose (BMW)
2. F. Massa (Ferrari)
3. R. Schumacher (Renault)
4. M. Webber (RBR-Renault)
5. N. Rosberg (Williams-Toyota)
6. S. Jones (McLaren-Mercedes)
7. R. Kubica (BMW)
8. D. Coutlhard (RBR-Renault)
9. F. Alonso (McLaren-Mercedes)
10. R. Barrichello (Honda)
11. K. Raikkonen (Ferrari)
12. N. Heidfeld (Williams-Toyota)
13. N. Jani (STR-Ferrari)
14. J. Trulli (Toyota)
15. J. Button (Honda)
16. H. Kovaleinen (Renault)
17. T. Sato (Super Aguri-Honda)
18. S. Speed (STR-Ferrari)
19. F. Zimmer (Super Aguri-Honda)
20. D. Simpson (Spyker-Ferrari)
21. J. Pablo Montoya (Toyota)
22. A. Sutil (Spyker-Ferrari)

Race:
If Bahrain a few races earlier was a crazy race that kick started the championship tussle then Monaco was the crazy race that killed off any chances anyone else had. Daniel Melrose was simply peerless as he won by a whopping 3 laps. However behind that all hell broke loose.

The first victim of the day was Nico Rosberg who hit the wall at La Rasscasse on lap 8 which required a new front wing. Then Robert Kubica had a massive accident at Tabac which put him out of the race. Meanwhile by the time of the first pitstops Renault took the oppertunity to repair an electrical problem on Ralf Schumacher's car. Meanwhile at the garage behind McLaren were repairing a brake problem with Fernando Alonso. This put both drivers well out of contention for any points. While this was happened Frank Zimmer found the wall at Anthony Noughes while Melrose was carving his way through the backmarkers.

During Melrose's sencond stint the world collasped in for his chief competitor for the race Felipe Massa when he and Jarno Trulli collided at Anthony Noughes while Massa was trying to lap the Italian putting them both out of the race. Meanwhile Nick Heidfeld had made his way up to podium contention. That was until about lap 35 when Sato ran into the back of the Williams when Heidfeld was exiting pitlane putting the pair out of the race. Just a few laps earlier Kimi Raikkonen in the other Ferrari did exactly the same thing on David Coulthard requiring a new front wing for the Ferrari.

The race calmed down until David Coulthard found the wall on about lap 45 while Melrose was trying to lap him for the second time this afternoon. Again this was at Anthony Noughes. About 5 laps later Rubens Barrichello in the Honda spun from what was a fairly safe 3rd place and didn't reenter the points for the rest of the afternoon. Meanwhile Heikki Kovaleinen had exactly the same problem Schumacher had earlier which mean he had to stop several laps and meant both Renaults were not classified. Sammy Jones was having a quiet afternoon before he too had the same brake problem as the sister McLaren which put him out of the race. Whatever fix McLaren put on Alonso's car didn't work as he careered into the side of Nico Rosberg at the harbourfront chicane putting both out of the race. This was particually heartbreaking for Rosberg as he had made his way back up to 5th amist the carnage.

In the end Melrose won the demolition derby from Mark Webber in the Red Bull. Jenson Button in the appauling Honda RA107 held off a recovering Raikkonen to finish 3rd while Scott Speed finished 5th. The feelgood story of the day had to be Dave Simpson as he and Adrian Sutil scored a double points finish in 6th and 8th with the pair being split by the simply pathetic Juan Pablo Montoya. Rubens Barrichello was 9th behind the Sutil/Montoya battle with Neel jani the last of the classified finishers.


Results:
1. D. Melrose (BMW): 1h 23m 38.935
2. M. Webber (RBR-Renault): +3 LAPS
3. J. Button (Honda): +3 LAPS
4. K. Raikkonen (Ferrari): +3 LAPS
5. S. Speed (STR-Ferrari): +3 LAPS
6. D. Simpson (Spyker-Ferrari): +4 LAPS
7. J. Pablo Montoya (Toyota): +4 LAPS
8. A. Sutil (Spyker-Ferrari): +4 LAPS
9. R. Barrichello (Honda): +4 LAPS
10. N. Jani (STR-Ferrari): +4 LAPS
NC. R. Schumacher (Renault)
NC. H. Kovaleinen (Renault)
DNF. N. Rosberg (Williams-Toyota)
DNF. S. Jones (McLaren-Mercedes)
DNF. F. Alonso (McLaren-Mercedes)
DNF. D. Coulthard (RBR-Ferrari)
DNF. N. Heidfeld (Williams-Toyota)
DNF. T. Sato (Super Aguri-Honda)
DNF. F. Massa (Ferrari)
DNF. J. Trulli (Toyota)
DNF. F. Zimmer (Super Aguri-Honda)
DNF. R. Kubica (BMW)

Pole: D. Melrose (BMW): 1:11.899
Fastest Lap: D. Melrose (BMW): 1:12.512
Leaders: D. Melrose: 1-78 (Total: 78)

Championship Standings:
Drivers:
1. D. Melrose (BMW): 40 points (4 wins)
2. S. Jones (McLaren-Mercedes): 25 points (2 2nds)
3. K. Raikkonen (Ferrari): 25 points (1 2nd, 2 3rds)
4. F. Alonso (McLaren-Mercedes): 22 points (1 2nd, 1 3rd)
5. F. Massa (Ferrari): 14 points (1 win)
6. R. Kubica (BMW): 11 points (1 3rd)
7. M. Webber (RBR-Renault): 9 points (1 2nd)
8. R. Schumacher (Renault): 8 points (Best Result: 1 4th)
9. J. Trulli (Toyota): 7 points (Best Result: 1 4th)
10. N. Rosberg (Williams-Toyota): 7 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
11. H. Kovaleinen (Renault): 7 points (Best Result: 2 6ths)
12. J. Button (Honda): 6 points (1 3rd)
13. D. Coulthard (RBR-Renault): 4 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
14. S. Speed (STR-Ferrari): 4 points (Best Result 1 5th)
15. D. Simpson (Spyker-Ferrari): 3 points (Best Result: 1 6th)
16. J. Pablo Montoyta (Toyota): 2 points (Best Result: 1 7th)
17. A. Sutil (Spyker-Ferrari): 1 point (Best Result: 1 8th)

Constructors:
1. Petronas BMW Sauber F1 Team: 51 points (4 wins, 1 3rd)
2. Vodafone McLaren Mercedes: 47 points (3 2nds, 1 3rd)
3. Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro: 39 points (1 win, 1 2nd, 2 3rds)
4. ING Renault F1 Team: 15 points (Best Result: 1 4th)
5. Red Bull Racing Renault: 13 points (1 2nd)
6. Panasonic Toyota Racing: 9 points (Best Result: 1 4th)
7. AT&T Williams Toyota: 7 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
8. Honda Racing F1 Team: 6 points (1 3rd)
9. Scuderia Toro Rosso Ferrari: 4 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
10. Etihad Aldar Spyker F1 Team Ferrari: 4 points (Best Result: 1 6th)

[tommykl]

Attention all F1 Reject Forum members
who have the F1 2010 game and an xBox Live gold account.

An event is to take place in the next few months in collaboration with TORA (the online racing association), details will not be announced yet, but if you will be up for some (friendly) competition racing, please email me your xbox live gamertags in order to get some online practice with eachother.

Does it have to be xBox Live Gold? Or can it just be simply xBox Live?

[shinji]

Attention all F1 Reject Forum members
who have the F1 2010 game and an xBox Live gold account.

An event is to take place in the next few months in collaboration with TORA (the online racing association), details will not be announced yet, but if you will be up for some (friendly) competition racing, please email me your xbox live gamertags in order to get some online practice with eachother.

Does it have to be xBox Live Gold? Or can it just be simply xBox Live?

Gold is the only one with online playing is it not?

[Wizzie]

I got F1 2010 yesterday for PC and I must say that I'm having a hard time not cutting corners (The feedback and sensitivity values are completely wrong for my driving style but I can't seem to find the option where I can change them)

[tommykl]

Attention all F1 Reject Forum members
who have the F1 2010 game and an xBox Live gold account.

An event is to take place in the next few months in collaboration with TORA (the online racing association), details will not be announced yet, but if you will be up for some (friendly) competition racing, please email me your xbox live gamertags in order to get some online practice with eachother.

Does it have to be xBox Live Gold? Or can it just be simply xBox Live?

Gold is the only one with online playing is it not?

I don't know. I just know that my dad isn't renewing our subscription...

[ADx_Wales]

Xbox Live's Gold offering means you can play online multiplayer games, which you cannot on the "free" version.

[tommykl]

I regret this, but I won't be able to take part in the series, then.

[Wizzie]

For anyone who's still bothering to check this race result for Monaco now up.

[Wizzie]

Pre-Canada:

Despite the surprise podium at Monaco, Jenson Button is making noises about how disappointing the Honda RA107 has been and rumours are starting to sprout up about the futures of Button, Barrichello and Honda in F1. Meanwhile Scott Speed may have saved his seat for now but the threat of being sacked looms large above his head. Finally McLaren has simply imploded on itself after an espionage case from Ferrari was filed against them and after their dismal performance at Monaco rumour has it that both Alonso and Jones may be looking for a way out.

Round 6: Canada

Qualifying:

Some have put it down to Melrose being a qualifying specialist. Melrose himself says it's down to him figuring out how to setup the F1.07 correctly. Some expert observers have even put it down to the goings on in his life outside of Formula 1 and translating the obvious fustration and anger he's feeling into raw pace and agression on track. Either way within 5 minutes of free practice on Friday he had already beaten his pole time last year by 7 tenths of a second. Even though he wasn't as fast in qualifying he was still well over half a second faster than last year and well over a second clear of the field. Infact Sammy Jones in the McLaren was the only driver who could get within 1.5 seconds of the Australian. Ralf Schumacher was best of the rest in 6th place while Takuma Sato and Neel Jani proved to be the surprises of qualifyin in 10th and 12th.


Grid:
1. D. Melrose (BMW)
2. S. Jones (McLaren-Mercedes)
3. K. Raikkonen (Ferrari)
4. F. Alonso (McLaren-Mercedes)
5. F. Massa (Ferrari)
6. R. Schumacher (Renault)
7. N. Rosberg (Williams-Toyota)
8. R. Kubica (BMW)
9. M. Webber (RBR-Renault)
10. T. Sato (Super Aguri-Honda)
11. J. Trulli (Toyota)
12. N. Jani (STR-Ferrari)
13. R. Barrichello (Honda)
14. D. Coulthard (RBR-Renailt)
15. J. Button (Honda)
16. F. Zimmer (Super Aguri-Honda)
17. S. Speed (STR-Ferrari)
18. J. Pablo Montoya (Toyota)
19. N. Heidfeld (Williams-Toyota)
20. H. Kovaleinen (Renault)
21. D. Simpson (Spyker-Ferrari)
22. A. Sutil (Spyker-Ferrari)

Race:
What happens when you have a dual World Champion who's in a bad mood for the first half of the race, in a fast car and has finally unlocked the secret to its pace? You get the performance Daniel Melrose put in around Montreal to win by over a lap from Sammy Jones and Fernando Alonso. Ferrari were 4th and 5th with Raikkonen ahead of Massa with Nico Rosberg the best of the rest in 6th. Renault powered cars filled out the points with Webber 7th and Schumacher 8th. Spare a thought for poor Robert Kubica though after he was lapped 3 times by his teammate during the course of the afternoon but it still was a commendable effort considering he was driving with a fracture in his left hand after his accident at Monaco and was on painkillers all weekend. However nothing could excuse Toyota's lack of pace as Jarno Trulli finished dead last while Montoya retired with a handful of laps to go.

Results:
1. D. Melrose (BMW): 1h 27m 13.455
2. S. Jones (McLaren-Mercedes): +1 LAP
3. F. Alonso (McLaren-Mercedes): +1 LAP
4. K. Raikkonen (Ferrari): +1 LAP
5. F. Massa (Ferrari): +1 LAP
6. N. Rosberg (Williams-Toyota): +1 LAP
7. M. Webber (RBR-Renault): +2 LAPS
8. R. Schumacher (Renault): +2 LAPS
9. T. Sato (Super Aguri-Honda): +2 LAPS
10. R. Barrichello (Honda): +3 LAPS
11. R. Kubica (BMW): +3 LAPS
12. H. Kovaleinen (Renault): +3 LAPS
13. J. Button (Honda): +3 LAPS
14. N. Heidfeld (Williams-Toyota): +3 LAPS
15. S. Speed (STR-Ferrari): +3 LAPS
16. D. Simpson (Spyker-Ferrari): +3 LAPS
17. D. Coutlhard (RBR-Renault): +3 LAPS
18. N. Jani (STR-Ferrari): +4 LAPS
19. F. Zimmer (Super Aguri-Honda): +4 LAPS
20. A. Sutil (Spyker-Ferrari): +4 LAPS
21. J. Trulli (Toyota): +4 LAPS
22. J. Pablo Montoya (Toyota)

Pole: D. Melrose (BMW): 1:12.968
Fastest Lap: D. Melrose (BMW): 1:13.478
Leaders: D. Melrose: 1-70 (Total: 70)

Championship Standings:
Drivers:
1. D. Melrose (BMW): 50 points (5 wins)
2. S. Jones (McLaren-Mercedes): 33 points (3 2nds)
3. K. Raikkonen (Ferrari): 30 points (1 2nd, 2 3rds)
4. F. Alonso (McLaren-Mercedes): 28 points (1 2nd, 2 3rds)
5. F. Massa (Ferrari): 18 points (1 win)
6. M. Webber (RBR-Renault): 11 points (1 2nd)
7. R. Kubica (BMW): 11 points (1 3rd)
8. N. Rosberg (Williams-Toyota): 10 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
9. R. Schumacher (Renault): 9 points (Best Result: 1 4th)
10. J. Trulli (Toyota): 7 points (Best Result: 1 4th)
11. H. Kovaleinen (Renault): 7 points (Best Result: 2 6ths)
12. J. Button (Honda): 6 points (1 3rd)
13. D. Coulthard (RBR-Renault): 4 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
14. S. Speed (STR-Ferrari): 4 points (Best Result 1 5th)
15. D. Simpson (Spyker-Ferrari): 3 points (Best Result: 1 6th)
16. J. Pablo Montoyta (Toyota): 2 points (Best Result: 1 7th)
17. A. Sutil (Spyker-Ferrari): 1 point (Best Result: 1 8th)

Constructors:
1. Petronas BMW Sauber F1 Team: 61 points (5 wins, 1 3rd)
2. Vodafone McLaren Mercedes: 61 points (4 2nds, 2 3rds)
3. Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro: 48 points (1 win, 1 2nd, 2 3rds)
4. ING Renault F1 Team: 16 points (Best Result: 1 4th)
5. Red Bull Racing Renault: 15 points (1 2nd)
6. AT&T Williams Toyota: 10 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
7. Panasonic Toyota Racing: 9 points (Best Result: 1 4th)
8. Honda Racing F1 Team: 6 points (1 3rd)
9. Scuderia Toro Rosso Ferrari: 4 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
10. Etihad Aldar Spyker F1 Team Ferrari: 4 points (Best Result: 1 6th)

Next up is the United States Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

[Wizzie]

Results for Canada now up.

[Wizzie]

Pre-United States:

Rumour has it that Dave Simpson may be running out of money to pay for the Spyker seat despite scoring some much-needed points at Monaco. Meanwhile Robert Kubica decided that sitting out this weekend due to the accident at Monaco was a good idea so Timo Glock will be super-subbing in the second BMW

Round 7: United States

Qualifying:
Daniel Melrose looked set to control the United States Grand Prix with his pace. Then a rare steering failure led to a massive accident at Turn 13 which meant Melrose would be starting last on the grid. Up front it was the McLaren and Ferrari show with Alonso and Jones locking out the front row with Massa and Raikkonen in row 2. Glock did a super job to put the second BMW in 5th place.


Grid:
1. F. Alonso (McLaren-Mercedes)
2. S. Jones (McLaren-Mercedes)
3. F. Massa (Ferrari)
4. K. Raikkonen (Ferrari)
5. T. Glock (BMW)
6. H. Kovaleinen (Renault)
7. R. Schumacher (Renault)
8. M. Webber (RBR-Renault)
9. D. Coutlhard (RBR-Renault)
10. J. Pablo Montoya (Toyota)
11. J. Button (Honda)
12. N. Rosberg (Williams-Toyota)
13. R. Barrichello (Honda)
14. J. Trulli (Toyota)
15. N. Heidfeld (Williams-Toyota)
16. N. Jani (STR-Ferrari)
17. T. Sato (Super Aguri-Honda)
18. S. Speed (STR-Ferrari)
19. A. Sutil (Spyker-Ferrari)
20. D. Simpson (Spyker-Ferrari)
21. F. Zimmer (Super Aguri-Honda)
22. D. Melrose (BMW)

Race:
It was almost as if Melrose had to be placed at even greater odds to not dominate a Grand Prix. At the start Melrose and Zimmer from the back row made the two best starts of the the season to end up 12th and 14th by the end of sector one. Melrose then picked off the 11 cars ahead of him one by won until he pressured Alonso into a mistake and took the lead on lap 14. From there Jones only provided light competition as Melrose won by over a minute from Jones and the Ferrari duo of Massa and Raikkonen. Timo Glock did a fantastic job to finish 5th while Kovalainen, Trulli and Alonso rounded out the points. Honda had a shocking day with Button retiring with an engine failure while Barrichello was 20th and the last runner. To rub salt into the wound Frank Zimmer was miles faster than the pair of them in what is effectively last year's Honda.

Results:
1. D. Melrose (BMW): 1h 28m 03.813
2. S. Jones (McLaren-Mercedes): +1:03.830
3. F. Massa (Ferrari): +1 LAP
4. K. Raikkonen (Ferrari): +1 LAP
5. T. Glock (BMW): +1 LAP
6. H. Kovalainen (Renault): +1 LAP
7. J. Trulli (Toyota): +1 LAP
8. F. Alonso (McLaren-Mercedes): +1 LAP
9. R. Schumacher (Renault): +1 LAP
10. N. Rosberg (Williams-Toyota): +1 LAP
11. M. Webber (RBR-Renault): +2 LAPS
12. F. Zimmer (Super Aguri-Honda): +2 LAPS
13. N. Heidfeld (Williams-Toyota): +2 LAPS
14. A. Sutil (Spyker-Ferrari): +2 LAPS
15. S. Speed (STR-Ferrari): +3 LAPS
16. J. Pablo Montoya (Toyota): +3 LAPS
17. T. Sato (Super Aguri-Honda): +3 LAPS
18. N. Jani (STR-Ferrari): +3 LAPS
19. D. Simpson (Spyker-Ferrari): +3 LAPS
20. R. Barrichello (Honda): +3 LAPS
DNF. D. Coutlhard (RBR-Renault)
DNF. J. Button (Honda)

Pole: F. Alonso (McLaren-Mercedes): 1:10.987
Fastest Lap: D. Melrose (BMW): 1:10.589
Leaders: F. Alonso: 1-13 (Total: 13)
D. Melrose: 14-25, 28-73 (Total: 58)
S. Jones: 26-27 (Total: 2)

Championship Standings:
Drivers:
1. D. Melrose (BMW): 60 points (6 wins)
2. S. Jones (McLaren-Mercedes): 41 points (4 2nds)
3. K. Raikkonen (Ferrari): 35 points (1 2nd, 2 3rds)
4. F. Alonso (McLaren-Mercedes): 29 points (1 2nd, 2 3rds)
5. F. Massa (Ferrari): 24 points (1 win, 1 3rd)
6. M. Webber (RBR-Renault): 11 points (1 2nd)
7. R. Kubica (BMW): 11 points (1 3rd)
8. N. Rosberg (Williams-Toyota): 10 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
9. H. Kovaleinen (Renault): 10 points (Best Result: 3 6ths)
10. J. Trulli (Toyota): 9 points (Best Result: 1 4th)
11. R. Schumacher (Renault): 9 points (Best Result: 1 4th)
12. J. Button (Honda): 6 points (1 3rd)
13. D. Coulthard (RBR-Renault): 4 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
14. S. Speed (STR-Ferrari): 4 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
15. T. Glock (BMW): 4 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
16. D. Simpson (Spyker-Ferrari): 3 points (Best Result: 1 6th)
17. J. Pablo Montoyta (Toyota): 2 points (Best Result: 1 7th)
18. A. Sutil (Spyker-Ferrari): 1 point (Best Result: 1 8th)

Constructors:
1. Petronas BMW Sauber F1 Team: 75 points (6 wins, 1 3rd)
2. Vodafone McLaren Mercedes: 70 points (5 2nds, 2 3rds)
3. Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro: 59 points (1 win, 1 2nd, 3 3rds)
4. ING Renault F1 Team: 19 points (Best Result: 1 4th)
5. Red Bull Racing Renault: 15 points (1 2nd)
6. Panasonic Toyota Racing: 11 points (Best Result: 1 4th)
7. AT&T Williams Toyota: 10 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
8. Honda Racing F1 Team: 6 points (1 3rd)
9. Scuderia Toro Rosso Ferrari: 4 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
10. Etihad Aldar Spyker F1 Team Ferrari: 4 points (Best Result: 1 6th)

Next up is the trip back across the Atlantic for the French Grand Prix

[Phoenix]

Melrose may lose the race

[the Masked Lapwing]

I have a feeling Zimmer may want some revenge for Monaco.

[AndreaModa]

What did I say? Jones for 2008 WDC

Then again knowing Melrose, he'll pass everyone on the first lap to go into turn 1, lap 2 in the lead, and then proceed to win by 25 laps!

[Wizzie]

Then again knowing Melrose, he'll pass everyone on the first lap to go into turn 1, lap 2 in the lead, and then proceed to win by 25 laps!

Other than your numbers being off that was exactly what happened

[AndreaModa]

Then again knowing Melrose, he'll pass everyone on the first lap to go into turn 1, lap 2 in the lead, and then proceed to win by 25 laps!

Other than your numbers being off that was exactly what happened

Surprise surprise!

Well if you're just gonna bugger off into the distance every sunday afternoon, I'll be happy with second overall, and McLaren taking the WCC thanks!

[the Masked Lapwing]

Then again knowing Melrose, he'll pass everyone on the first lap to go into turn 1, lap 2 in the lead, and then proceed to win by 25 laps!

Other than your numbers being off that was exactly what happened

Surprise surprise!

Well if you're just gonna bugger off into the distance every sunday afternoon, I'll be happy with second overall, and McLaren taking the WCC thanks!

Eventually Zimmer might spring a surprise - if he can finish 12th from virtually last, imagine what he can make his Super Aguri do if he gets further up the grid! That, or he crashes and burns.

[AndreaModa]

Eventually Zimmer might spring a surprise - if he can finish 12th from virtually last, imagine what he can make his Super Aguri do if he gets further up the grid! That, or he crashes and burns.

Only cos you've paid Melrose to fiddle about with the AI performances to give Zimmer a massive speed boost, I know what you convicts are upto!

[tommykl]

You hit the wall in quali? Does that mean you finally turned the difficulty up to 20%?

[Phoenix]

You hit the wall in quali? Does that mean you finally turned the difficulty up to 20%?

Yeah, but it was too much for him and lowered it before the race

[Wizzie]

Pre-France:

The big news story heading into the French Grand Prix was the rapidly deteriorating mental state of dual world champion Daniel Melrose. It got to the point where on his birthday the Monday before the French Grand Prix he announced that he is considering retiring from the sport altogether after this season. It pushed the espionage scandal involving Ferrari and McLaren off the front page but overall it was a pretty crappy 2 weeks for Formula One in general.

In other news two drivers under pressure are Scott Speed and Dave Simpson. Speed apparently doesn't like the Red Bull management at all and may be NASCAR bound before the end of the season. For Simpson his problems are much more straightforward as rumour hasn't he hasn't been paying up since his points finish at Monaco. Finally after his performance at Indy, Timo Glock may be heading to Toyota next season to replace a frankly disappointing Juan Pablo Montoya.

Round 8: France

Qualifying:

If Daniel Melrose was to retire at the end of this season he's making the most of his time as he put it on pole by quite some margin. Felipe Massa was the only driver to get within a second of the Australian. In his first race back Robert Kubica put his BMW 5th on the grid while Fernando Alonso was a disappointing 9th.

Grid:
1. D. Melrose (BMW)
2. F. Massa (Ferrari)
3. S. Jones (McLaren-Mercedes)
4. K. Raikkonen (Ferrari)
5. R. Kubica (BMW)
6. H. Kovaleinen (Renault)
7. R. Schumacher (Renault)
8. J. Trulli (Toyota)
9. F. Alonso (McLaren-Mercedes)
10. J. Pablo Montoya (Toyota)
11. M. Webber (RBR-Renault)
12. J. Button (Honda)
13. R. Barrichello (Honda)
14. N. Rosberg (Williams-Toyota)
15. S. Speed (STR-Ferrari)
16. D. Coulthard (RBR-Renault)
17. N. Jani (STR-Ferrari)
18. T. Sato (Super Aguri-Honda)
19. F. Zimmer (Super Aguri-Honda)
20. N. Heidfeld (Williams-Toyota)
21. A. Sutil (Spyker-Ferrari)
22. D. Simpson (Spyker-Ferrari)

Race:
For the 4th race in a row Daniel Melrose let his driving do the talking as he simply drove away for yet another comfortable victory. Felipe Massa provided some challenge of the Australian but once Melrose broke the lap record he set last year by half a second it was game over. Melrose's job was made even easier when Massa speared off the track putting an early end to his afternoon. Kimi Raikkonen picked up the pieces to finish 2nd while Sammy Jones was 3rd. Jenson Button put in the drive of the day to pu the Honda 4th ahead of Fernando Alonso, Robert Kubica, Mark Webber and Heikki Kovaleinen. Ralf Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello were both running in minor points finishes with a few laps to go before errors at Estoril ruined their races.


Results:
1. D. Melrose (BMW): 1h 29m 09.936
2. K. Raikkonen (Ferrari): +1 LAP
3. S. Jones (McLaren-Mercedes): +1 LAP
4. J. Button (Honda): +1 LAP
5. F. Alonso (McLaren-Mercedes): +2 LAPS
6. R. Kubica (BMW): +2 LAPS
7. M. Webber (RBR-Renault): +2 LAPS
8. H. Kovaleinen (Renault): +2 LAPS
9. T. Sato (Super Aguri-Honda): +2 LAPS
10. N. Heidfeld (Williams-Toyota): +2 LAPS
11. D. Coulthard (RBR-Renault): +2 LAPS
12. J. Pablo Montoya (Toyota): +3 LAPS
13. R. Barrichello (Honda): +3 LAPS
14. F. Zimmer (Super Aguri-Honda): +3 LAPS
15. J. Trulli (Toyota): +3 LAPS
16. A. Sutil (Spyker-Ferrari): +3 LAPS
17. S. Speed (STR-Ferrari): +3 LAPS
18. N. Jani (STR-Ferrari): +3 LAPS
19. D. Simpson (Spyker-Ferrari): +4 LAPS
20. R. Schumacher (Renault): +6 LAPS*
DNF. F. Massa (Ferrari)
DNF. N. Rosberg (Williams-Toyota)

*Didn't finish but completed 90% race distance

Pole: D. Melrose (BMW): 1:14.528
Fastest Lap: D. Melrose (BMW): 1:14.388
Leaders: D. Melrose: 1-70 (Total: 70)


Championship Standings:
Drivers:
1. D. Melrose (BMW): 70 points (7 wins)
2. S. Jones (McLaren-Mercedes): 47 points (4 2nds, 1 3rd)
3. K. Raikkonen (Ferrari): 43 points (2 2nds, 2 3rds)
4. F. Alonso (McLaren-Mercedes): 33 points (1 2nd, 2 3rds)
5. F. Massa (Ferrari): 24 points (1 win, 1 3rd)
6. R. Kubica (BMW): 14 points (1 3rd)
7. M. Webber (RBR-Renault): 13 points (1 2nd)
8. J. Button (Honda): 11 points (1 3rd)
9. H. Kovaleinen (Renault): 11 points (Best Result: 3 6ths)
10. N. Rosberg (Williams-Toyota): 10 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
11. J. Trulli (Toyota): 9 points (Best Result: 1 4th)
12. R. Schumacher (Renault): 9 points (Best Result: 1 4th)
13. D. Coulthard (RBR-Renault): 4 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
14. S. Speed (STR-Ferrari): 4 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
15. T. Glock (BMW): 4 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
16. D. Simpson (Spyker-Ferrari): 3 points (Best Result: 1 6th)
17. J. Pablo Montoyta (Toyota): 2 points (Best Result: 1 7th)
18. A. Sutil (Spyker-Ferrari): 1 point (Best Result: 1 8th)

Constructors:
1. Petronas BMW Sauber F1 Team: 88 points (7 wins, 1 3rd)
2. Vodafone McLaren Mercedes: 80 points (5 2nds, 3 3rds)
3. Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro: 67 points (1 win, 2 2nds, 3 3rds)
4. ING Renault F1 Team: 20 points (Best Result: 1 4th)
5. Red Bull Racing Renault: 16 points (1 2nd)
6. Panasonic Toyota Racing: 11 points (Best Result: 1 4th)
7. Honda Racing F1 Team: 11 points (1 3rd)
8. AT&T Williams Toyota: 10 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
9. Scuderia Toro Rosso Ferrari: 4 points (Best Result: 1 5th)
10. Etihad Aldar Spyker F1 Team Ferrari: 4 points (Best Result: 1 6th)

Next up is the trip to Sammy Jones' home race for the British Grand Prix

[Phoenix]

I'm very sorry to hear Melrose is through a bad depression. But if he does retire, can I have his seat at BMW Sauber?

[Wizzie]

I'm very sorry to hear Melrose is through a bad depression. But if he does retire, can I have his seat at BMW Sauber?

You already have a foot in the door at Spyker if Mr Kolles has anything to do with is

[Phoenix]

I'm very sorry to hear Melrose is through a bad depression. But if he does retire, can I have his seat at BMW Sauber?

You already have a foot in the door at Spyker if Mr Kolles has anything to do with is

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!! YES YES YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 *rickrolls several times before falling to the ground*