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[McLaren Fan]

From F1 Live:

Eddie Irvine no fan of Fuji Speedway

Eddie Irvine, the former Ferrari driver and 1999 championship runner-up, has slammed F1's decision to strip Suzuka of its status as the permanent home of the Japanese Grand Prix.

Following two consecutive races at the Toyota-controlled Fuji Speedway, the sport will return to Suzuka next year and then annually alternate between the two Japanese venues.

But Irvine told Virgin Media that F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone should never have moved the race away from Suzuka simply because of money.

"To move it because of money to a very average circuit like Fuji is very disappointing," the Ulsterman said.

"To me, Fuji is a crap circuit.
It's a horrible, boring place in the middle of nowhere. The weather is usually horrible and it's just the worst possible place to have a Grand Prix.

"You have to say that Fuji does not add to Formula One."

Source: GMM
© CAPSIS International

You can always rely on the Irish (and Aussies) to tell things like they are.

[Denthúl]

I've always liked Irvine (and Jordan) for that exact reason.

[texasmr2]

I've always liked Irvine (and Jordan) for that exact reason.

X2 .

[7UpJordan]

There's never an occasion where whatever Irvine says fails to bring a smile to your face, even in difficult times for me.

[Besson]

is practice going to start in around 2 hours or am i crazy?

[bud]

1 hour and 42 minutes away! 11:30am Adelaide time

finally a race weekend thats in my time zone

[Besson]

1 hour and 42 minutes away! 11:30am Adelaide time

finally a race weekend thats in my time zone

it begins 2am uk time

at least its late enough that i can enjoy a couple of beers during for a change

[racechick]

What time is the race on?

[racechick]

Just found it in autosport Im out sat night so it looks like a no sleep night

[EwanM]

Just found it in autosport Im out sat night so it looks like a no sleep night

And you won't be sober either I bet

[racechick]

pretty safe bet there

[Rivelution]

The race comes on perfect time over here on the West coast!!

Its always cool to watch tomorrow's practice... today

[McLaren Fan]

Here are the times from autosport.com:

Practice Session I

Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:18.910 + 23
2. Massa Ferrari (B) 1:19.063 + 0.153 24
3. Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:19.279 + 0.369 20
4. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) 1:19.399 + 0.489 31
5. Alonso Renault (B) 1:19.473 + 0.563 30
6. Piquet Renault (B) 1:19.743 + 0.833 35
7. Vettel Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:20.121 + 1.211 30
8. Kubica BMW Sauber (B) 1:20.160 + 1.250 26
9. Bourdais Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:20.182 + 1.272 34
10. Nakajima Williams-Toyota (B) 1:20.217 + 1.307 25
11. Sutil Force India-Ferrari (B) 1:20.288 + 1.378 26
12. Rosberg Williams-Toyota (B) 1:20.350 + 1.440 28
13. Webber Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:20.620 + 1.710 24
14. Heidfeld BMW Sauber (B) 1:20.628 + 1.718 23
15. Trulli Toyota (B) 1:20.657 + 1.747 33
16. Barrichello Honda (B) 1:20.753 + 1.843 32
17. Button Honda (B) 1:20.769 + 1.859 27
18. Glock Toyota (B) 1:20.823 + 1.913 37
19. Coulthard Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:20.905 + 1.995 24
20. Fisichella Force India-Ferrari (B) 1:21.014 + 2.104 28

All timing unofficial

Practice Session II

Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. Glock Toyota (B) 1:18.383 44
2. Alonso Renault (B) 1:18.426 + 0.043 41
3. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:18.463 + 0.080 40
4. Massa Ferrari (B) 1:18.491 + 0.108 40
5. Raikkonen Ferrari (B) 1:18.725 + 0.342 39
6. Webber Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:18.734 + 0.351 39
7. Nakajima Williams-Toyota (B) 1:18.734 + 0.351 36
8. Vettel Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:18.761 + 0.378 23
9. Kovalainen McLaren-Mercedes (B) 1:18.803 + 0.420 32
10. Trulli Toyota (B) 1:18.863 + 0.480 45
11. Kubica BMW Sauber (B) 1:18.865 + 0.482 39
12. Piquet Renault (B) 1:18.888 + 0.505 43
13. Rosberg Williams-Toyota (B) 1:18.981 + 0.598 41
14. Bourdais Toro Rosso-Ferrari (B) 1:19.040 + 0.657 41
15. Barrichello Honda (B) 1:19.258 + 0.875 42
16. Sutil Force India-Ferrari (B) 1:19.287 + 0.904 41
17. Coulthard Red Bull-Renault (B) 1:19.327 + 0.944 36
18. Fisichella Force India-Ferrari (B) 1:19.482 + 1.099 44
19. Heidfeld BMW Sauber (B) 1:19.894 + 1.511 37
20. Button Honda (B) 1:19.999 + 1.616 42

All Timing Unofficial

Hamilton and Massa look pretty good. Kovalainen is no doubt flattering to deceive. He'll almost certainly have a poor race. Alonso looks very good and Piquet doesn't look as slow as he normally does - but this is not a tricky circuit, so there's not a lot he can do wrong. The Red Bulls are surprisingly poor. If the Renault team are looking reasonable, there's no reason why they should not as well. Their little sister is faster than them again! Internally, Webber is giving Coulthard another hiding! Maybe Red Bull are favouring Webber. Barrichello is looking much better than Button, the latter having his excuses lined-up early. There's always something wrong with Button's car. Let's just face facts: Barrichello has done a better job this season.

[AKR]

Hamilton and Massa look pretty good. Kovalainen is no doubt flattering to deceive. He'll almost certainly have a poor race. Alonso looks very good and Piquet doesn't look as slow as he normally does - but this is not a tricky circuit, so there's not a lot he can do wrong. The Red Bulls are surprisingly poor. If the Renault team are looking reasonable, there's no reason why they should not as well. Their little sister is faster than them again! Internally, Webber is giving Coulthard another hiding! Maybe Red Bull are favouring Webber. Barrichello is looking much better than Button, the latter having his excuses lined-up early. There's always something wrong with Button's car. Let's just face facts: Barrichello has done a better job this season.

If Ferrari are at least going to be a chance for the constructors championship, I am hoping that Kovalainen does poorly. If Lewis Hamilton can't be broken then at least if it is only one McLaren and 2 Ferraris at the top it gives the Scuderia a better chance. As for Massa vs Nighmare, it is going to be close but even if Massa beats Lewis Hamilton, someone else needs to get in between them, otherwise Lewis Hamilton is as good as won.........................

[EwanM]

Probably all that Beard hair, slowing Button Down