anyone know of any reason to bet on someone other than michael schumacher this weekend?
he's less than even money on sportsbook.com (as usual), which always sounds like a crappy proposition until the 5th lap or so and he has a 20 sec. lead.
don't say rubens, please. i think his real last name must be shleprock.

This race could turn out many ways.

New track, high tire temps, and tire wear factors all seem to be an unknown. If I had to pick a dark horse it would be Button in the BAR, but I'll be stunned if MS doesn't finish first again. Montoya currently looks good but I don't like his inconsistency.

I don't like the BMWs reliability, especially when you factor in the heat as you mentioned. I was thinking Button or Alonzo as long shots. The McLarens seem down on power, so I'm not considering Raikkonen. I suppose it will be more clear after qualifying, but so will it be to the oddsmakers as well.

I'd love to see Button and the BAR Honda take it.

Just watched qualifying and it appears the Ferraris are too strong. I was hoping one of the other cars would have better speed in the straights (easiest way to pass on that circuit it appears), but the BMWs and Ferraris were roughly equal and everybody else was a few mph off that. W/ the Ferraris just as fast down the straights, better balanced and easier to drive no one else has a chance (barring mechanical failures and driver errors). Oh well.

Williams might have managed the front row if their drivers didn't have the attention span of a 3 year old.

It will be very interesting to see how things sort themselves out on raceday. I'm hoping the red cars won't just wave goodbye and leave everyone else in the sandbox.

I think all we can hope is that the Williams' and the BAR's have a better race set up, which is compromising the single lap performance. Both Button and JPM have been quicker than Michael at other times during the weekend. Button in partucular was pretty unhappy at his qualifying time. I guess we'll just have to get up at 6am to see!!
I am lucky enough to be going to the next race at Imola - first live F1 fix of the year, can't wait.

Stuart

Imola? Wouldn't you have much rather spent this weekend in the sunny Middle East, instead?

Bahrain, Ferrari, Ferrari and BAR Honda (Button) Sato took 6th in his BAR Honda. Honda is back!