Heikki Kovalainen Fastest At Silverstone

Andrew DaviesJul 4, 2008

Heikki Kovalainen is fastest in the second practice session of the Santander British Grand Prix, along with Mark Webber of Red Bull Racing in second position and Lewis Hamilton coming third.

After watching the first session in the morning, Heikki was fast along with Massa and Hamilton. These are the drivers I think who will be competing for the victory on Sunday. Hamilton has looked very quick, but seems to be making a few errors here and there, finding the maximum of the car. Mainly he has been taking too much speed into turn 15, causing the car to slide and lose time because of this. On race day Hamilton will definitely be right up in the hunt for the race win im sure.

TOP NEWS

Nice to see Mark Webber in second position for the Red Bull Team. They do have good pace it seems, Mark Webber pulling out some great drives to score points in many races this year. Lets wait and see if Red Bull and Mark Webber can turn their practice form into qualifying. Im sure fuel was taking part in his effort though. Lets wait and see.

DC also managed 4th quickest in the second practice session, in his final British Grand Prix. Sad to see David retire, have been admiring him ever since his first race. He has had a great career, my most enjoyable moment coming from the year 2000 when he beat Michael Schumacher at Magny-Cours. Here’s to DC getting maybe some more podiums before the season is out.

Massa has shown good pace for Ferrari, although he did lose the car at heading into turn 7 during practice session one. This was due to Fernando Alonso's Renault spilling oil/water on to the track. Massa was braking and about to turn in to the corner as his Ferrari spun out of control on the Renault's trail of oil/water. He ends the day eighth fastest 0.954 behind Kovalainen.

Kimi Raikkonen is no where to be seen in the top ten of the second practice session. This im sure is a slight worry for the current world champion, as his team mate is ahead of him in this years points standings, and cant let Felipe get too far ahead. I believe Ferrari have the speed, but for some reason Kimi is off the pace.

Massa is definitely the man to beat in the Ferrari camp at the moment. But we all know that Kimi is quick, His race pace im sure will be quick. If Kimi can qualify in the top 4, I’ll consider him a race winning contender, after all he set the fastest race lap here last year. But if he fails to get near the front row, I think Massa or one of the two Mclarens will have it in the bag.

The BMWs don’t seem to be moving forward at the moment, which is a great shame. I really would like to see them battling with Mclaren and Ferrari in a straight dog fight for victory. Kubica could only manage 11th fastest in the second practice, with Heidfeld 13th. That’s one second off Kovalainens time.

Lets admit it, they were lucky to win at Montreal, fully deserved to of course, but they didn’t win on pace. And since then they seem to have lost that gap they had between them and the rest of the field. Now they have got Toyotas and Red bulls to contend with. Worrying times for Mario Thiessen.

The most impressive for me though, throughout these last few grand prix has been Seb Vettel. He reminds me of what Alonso used to do in a Minardi. He was 6th fastest in this second practice session. I hope he can have a clean race, then we will see what race pace he has, and what he can achieve. I am sure he will be taking DC's seat at Red Bull Racing next season.

But, as I say that, could we see Alonso in that car? Ill let you make your mind up about that one!

A few incidents this session, Jarno Trulli seemed to have a rear wing failure, this is yet to be confirmed however. But it looked that way on TV. I think he could have managed a top ten time if not for his crash. Kazuki Nakajima for Williams also had a crash, going slightly wide at turn 12 on to the kerbs. He lost the back end of the car and kissed the wall resulting in his car losing a front wing. Despite his misfortune he is 9th fastest just behind Massa. Nico Rosberg has looked quick, fastest during some points in the sessions. He finishes 5th fastest 0.759 behind Kovalainen.

Button was in the top 10, something I was not expecting. He was 7th fastest ahead of both Ferraris. Good speed from the Brit at his home Grand Prix then, I hope he can turn this into some decent point scoring in the race. Barrichello is in close contention to his team mate, he is 10th fastest for Honda.

At the back of the field the Force India of Sutil, with Nelson Piquet of Renault. Giancarlo Fisichella does well to go 16th fastest. Bourdais of Toro Rosso is 17th fastest, way off his team mate. Maybe it was the hare on track that slowed him down. Yes there was a hare running around on the track! Its better than a person I guess. Remember Silverstone 2003? ahh yes. Neil Horan. Fool.

I think we will see Heikki Kovalainen and Lewis Hamilton on the front row tomorrow, Hamilton was on pole last year of course. They have updated this car, and it shows, especially for Heikki Kovalainen. Can Maclaren convert their practice pace to race pace. I certainly hope so. Heikki Kovalainen deserve a good result-a win.

Lewis must win at all costs, he is way down behind Massa in the points, Lewis on 38, Massa on 48. Kimi will be there or there abouts. Lets see what he does in qualifying. I Would like to see the Red Bulls qualify 4th and 5th, it would be a nice change to the normal pecking order. It would give BMW a wake up call, one they definitely need! Im sure they know this, and are trying as hard as they can to be quick. But maybe someone knocking on the door will help push them even further.

Silverstone is a great track, fast and challenging on the cars and its tyres. Unfortunetly, it will lose the British Grand Prix, next year being its last race. From 2010 Donington will host the British Grand Prix, providing they update the track according to Bernies satisfaction im sure. Personally, im sad to see Silverstone go, but im a big fan of new tracks coming along, it creates a different buzz. Lets hope Donington provide us with a great show from 2010.

Practice Session 2 Times