Europe: Post race weekend review

By Huw Alban
May 9 2006

Have to admit - I was a little disappointed. After the euphoria of the free practice sessions on Friday I was really hoping for a stronger show on Sunday, but at least both cars made the flag and we got some good TV time!

The critics out there will say, "What did you expect Huw? Those Friday times were done on new tyres and low fuel." I know, I know, but it was so superb to suddenly see the team turn on some pace, can you blame me for hoping that this would translate into the race?

The first qualifying session mess up did not help the team at all, and I can't help but feel that we might have seen a stronger race performance if both drivers had been given the chance to go out and get a second fast lap run in. We've still not really had a satisfactory explanation in my opinion as to why a red flag indication was thrown, and why it was suddenly removed. If anything, the FIA or whoever it is that is responsible for such things, should deliver an explanation to the MF1 team as I feel it was they who were most disadvantaged by the whole event (but then I would say that wouldn't I?)

Williams' engine changes helped a little to our grid positions, but it was still a little worrying to see those Super Aguri cars put up such a good fight at the start of the race. BigPip has asked a question on the forum here wondering just how much help SA are getting from Honda, because those two cars are mighty quick off the grid. The first corner clash between the two Red Bull teams didn't help either, with both MF1 drivers slowing right down and negotiating the scene carefully.

It is just as well that they did too, as both cars made it to the flag at the end and you can't score points unless you actually finish the race. Here in the UK we saw several replays of Christijan Albers getting past Takuma Sato when the Japanese driver went too deep into turn one which was an awesome move. Personally it was great to see footage of Midland F1 actually being able to make competitive place gains (even if it was on a Super Aguri), and it marks a change in the behaviour of the media who up until now have largely ignore the exploits of this team.

One other positive to take from this race was that both Midland F1 cars only got lapped once during the race. Don't beleive me? Check out the official website at MidlandF1.com and you'll see it for yourself. Now whether that was due to pure performance, or just a characteristic of this circuit remains to be seen, but right now it's an encouraging statistic.

The only question left open now is what did Colin Kolles mean by the comment, "we will need to take more risks with our race strategy" ?

I aim to find out. Watch this space.

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