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Formula Sprint 2
Japanese Grand Prix
Suzuka International Racing Course
Tuesday 2nd of April 2024 19:00:00
More
April 09, 2004
Running order (based in reversed order from 2004 Malaysian Grand Prix Race)

Group 1 (5 cars) - Ryong, Cummings, Maple, Koski, Forausberger

Group 2 (5 cars) - Ponissi, Goodley, Aparicio, Harding, Brown, Mihalovic

Group 3 (6 cars) - Wagner, Lock, Hunt, Sleight, McConkey, Fretter

Group 4 (6 cars) - Irisarri, Loram, Loukasmäki, Elencevski, Jakonen, Whiteman

Intro:

Hello and welcome to follow live F1VWC Austrian Grand Prix qualifying. As running order is based on the previous race, Malaysian Grand Prix, results we have some very fast drivers out on the first group allready. But first we get the new drivers on the track Shiro Ryong made comeback to SCUM team and he will start this qualifying session. 2nd car on the track will be David Cummings who replaced Marek Liolias at the Puma F1 team. Then we will see Matt Maple and Kari Koski on the track. On last group we have both Mapes-VO cars and winner of both race of the season Scott Whiteman.

Lap around the track:

First car is on the track and it's number 1 of Shiro Ryong's SCUM Holden car, as he starts his outlap he can guide us around this 4.3 kilometer track. Ryong is last years champion and informed before 2004 season started that we will not take part for full 2004 season. Indeed he wasn't competiting at Melbourne or Sepang, but now he is back replacing Matt Hunt on that team. As pitlane exit is after the turn one we are able to see the 1st corner when Ryong takes it on his flying lap, but the first corner is very tricky Castrol Kurve. On the start/finish straight speed builds up over 300kph and it's very hard braking on uphill to this 2nd gear, about 130kph, right hand corner. Very easy to go too wide on the exit and loose speed to the long straight leading to turn 2, Remus Kurve. As we can see the Remus Curve is uphill hairpin where cars are approaching again over 300kph, down to 1st gear and about 70kph, this is the best overtaking place on this circuit. Still going to uphill until the hill changes to downhill on aproaching to turn 3, Gösser Kurve, altough this straight is much shorter than the turn one to turn two section before this downhill braking cars get to their top speeds, again over 300kph. Down to 2nd gear and Gösser Kurve is taken about 110kph. Flat out right hander, turn 4, building up the speed before dropping down few gears into Power Horse Kurve, taken on 4th gear and about 170 kph, short straight to next 4th gear left hander taken about 200 kph. Flat out turn 7, small right hander leading to uphill straight towards two final corners of the track. First Jochen Rindt Kurve, 4th or 5th gear, very fast corner, speed is over 200kph, on the right side is pitlane entry. Final corner, A1 Kurve, gear down to 3rd and about 170 kph, don't get too much on the inside curb and don't go too much over the exit curb either, very tricky corner where is really easy to loose the lap going too wide or even spin into walls. But if you get it right you can also win some time there and if you are brave enough and car works well. Now flat out over the line and new lap starts.

Group 1:

Ryong

SCUM

Ryong starts his flying lap, no problems on the Castrol Kurve, keeps it nice on the curb at the exit and heads down to the 2nd turn, Remus Kurve. Hard on the brakes and turns the car nicely in, good exit and over the split time point in time of 23.330 that is a good one. Now accelerating hard and going up the gears, downhill braking to turn 3, Gösser Kurve, small lock-up but gets the car in nicely, hard on gas again and approaching to Power Horse Kurve and over the 2nd split time point, 48.045, Ryong will set good time for the others to beat if he keeps it clean on last corners. Now into double right hander and no mistakes there either, over the line he goes and lap time is 1:09.794 soon we will see how good it actually is as next driver on his flying lap will be David Cumming and after Cumming we will see Maple and Koski trying to beat Ryong's time.

Ryong Finish Line 1

1:09.794

Cummings

Puma F1

2nd change on the lineup is that David Cummings has replaced Marek Liolias at the Puma F1 team. So Cummings is now starting his flying lap. Looks like he is taken things a bit easy, just avoiding the mistakes and his first sector time is 24.773 he is 1.443 seconds slower than Ryong there. 2nd sector is almost completed and this is not as fast as Ryong's lap. 50.696 is the time after 2 sectors and he is now 2.651 seconds behind, now into last 2 corners of the track and over the line he goes to take 2nd place at the moment, lap time 1:14.281 is 4.487 seconds slower than Ryong's lap.

Cummings Finish Line 2

1:14.281 +4.487

Maple

JTM

Maple starts his flying lap he is very good through the first corner. Maple should have small advantage on his works Ferrari engine compared to Ryong Holden power. Soon we will see does it help Maple on these long flat out parts like this long straight to turn 2. Hard on the brakes to Remus Kurve, as at the first corner this corner is as easy to make mistake under braking and loose time, but Maple keeps it nice and tidy trough there. Over the split time point 23.160 he is 0.170 seconds in front of Ryong's time. So far it's been 2 straights and 2 tight corners, on 2nd sector there are some faster corners too, we will see how well does the JTM car work there. Over the 2nd split time point 47.760, he has extended his lead to Ryong up to 0.285 seconds. Now the last corners, he looks good there, car looks to be very well balanced. Over the line and he takes p1 from Ryong, lap time 1:09.568, he lost some time on the last sector but takes the first place by 0.226 seconds.

Maple Finish Line 1

1:09.568 -0.226

Koski

FinOz Racing

Next one is FinOz Driver Kari Koski to make his flying lap. At Malaysia Koski started from 4th place on the grid but had to retire at the race from 4th place when his car transmission failed on high speed. Now we will see can he match Maple or Ryong's lap times. He also takes the first corner cleanly and doesn't use much the outside curb. Compared to works Ferrari engines customer models has about 15 bhp less. Hard on the brakes and small lock up but that shouldn't effect his time much as he gets the car in nicely to Remus Kurve. Over the line 23.170 he is only 0.010 seconds behind Maple, now to 2nd sector and some fast sweeping corners, specially the Power Horse Kurve is good test for the car setup. Over the 2nd split time point 47.601 and he is 0.159 in front of Maple after 2/3rds of the lap completed, can he hold on at the last corners as well. Over the line he goes? 1:09.345, new fastest lap for him and Kari takes the lead by 0.223 seconds to Maple and Ryong is now in 3rd place.

Koski Finish Line 1

1:09.345 -0.223

Forausberger

MMRT

5th driver to make his flying lap is Cristian Forausberger driving MMRT Mercedes outfit. Cristian starts his flying lap and he is good through turn one. Mercedes power should be quite evenly matched with customer Ferrari power plant. Remus Kurve goes nicely and over the first split time point?23.374, he is just 0.204 seconds behind Koski after 1st sector. 2nd split time point will tell much better about the lap time as 1st sector is just 2 corners and 2 straights. 2nd split time 48.363, he has lost some 0.5 seconds more and is now 0.762 seconds behind Koski, he will go to 4th place unless he can pull out something special on last few corners. Over the line and lap time is 1:10.679, that's 1.334 seconds slower than current P1 and 4th he goes.

Forausberger Finish Line 4

1:10.679 +1.334

So after first group of five cars the order is Koski, Maple, Ryong, Forausberger and Cummings, we will be right back after this short break, don't go away!

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Group 2:

Welcome back to follow the live coverage of the F1VWC Austrian Grand Prix qualifying where 2nd group is bout to start their qualifying runs and first car is Woods Racing driver Willy Ponissi. Ponissi

Woods Racing

Willy starts his flying lap, Willy's previous qualifying positions have been 17th at Melbourne and 22nd at Sepang. Over the first split time 24.467, he is 1.297 seconds down. Now to 2nd sector and we will see how well he can perform there. Over the 2nd split time point and time is 49.783, he lost some 0.9 seconds more and is now 2.182 seconds down on fastest driver so far, Kari Koski. Over the line and lap time is 1:13.621, he lost just over 2 seconds on last sector as well and his lap time is 4.276 seconds slower the fastest so far, Ponissi goes to 5th place.

Ponissi Finish Line 5

1:13.621 +4.276

Goodley

Woods Racing

After Ponissi next driver will be Ponissi's teammate Chris Goodley. Goodley starts his flying lap, Ponissi's first sector was 24.467, soon we will find out what Goodley can do. 23.880, he is over half of a second quicker than Ponissi there, and he is 0.710 seconds behind Koski's sector time. 2nd sector, Ponissi's time was 49.783, can Goodley make more advantage to his teammate on 2nd sector ? 49.029, not much but some tenths still, he is now 1.428 seconds behind Koski, this lap could get Goodley to 5th place in front of Ponissi and Cummings. Over the line and lap time is 1:11.688 yes indeed he goes to 5th place being 2.343 seconds slower than current p1 holder Koski.

Goodley Finish Line 5

1:11.688 +2.343

Aparicio

Simsoa

Next driver is Javier Aparicio driving Simsoa Cosworth outfit. At the season opener Aparicio was 14th on the qualifying and at the Sepang he qualified to 18th. First sector is 23.726, that's 0.556 seconds slower than Koski but faster than both Woods Racing drivers did. 2nd sector time will tell quite much what the lap time will be. 2nd sector time is 48.769, he lost some 0.6 seconds more and is now 1.168 seconds behind Koski but still in front of both Woods Racing drivers, this could be 5th place at the moment for Aparicio. Over the line, 1:11.186 is the lap time, that's 1.841 seconds of the leaders lap time and gets him to 5th place.

Aparicio Finish Line 5

1:11.186 +1.841

Harding

SCUM

Next we see 2nd SCUM Holden car on flying lap, Peter Harding. Shiro Ryong is currently on 3rd place and Hardings earlier qualifying positions are 11th and 21st so hard to say what he can do now, in about 1min 10 seconds we will see? First sector, no problems at Castrol or Remus corners and sector time is 23.570, that's exactly 4 tenths slower than Koski's sector time, 2nd sector and no problems there either, 48.527 gap is still under 1 second, 0.926 to be exact, this could be 5th place for him if he can hold on at the last corners, Forausberger who is currently in 4th was some 0.164 seconds in front after 2 sectors. Over the line and he goes to 4th! Great last sector for him and lap time 1:10.656, that's 1.311 seconds slower than Koski, but he beats Forausberger by 0.023 seconds, that was a close one! I think he will be happy with that.

Harding Finish Line 4

1:10.656 +1.311

Brown

Simsoa

Last driver in 2nd group is David Brown driving in 2nd Simsoa car. Brown's teammate Aparicio is currently in 6th place. Brown starts his flying lap, through Castrol corner without any major drama, kicks up the dust on the outside of the corner, but nothing too serious there. 1st sector, 23.495, that's good time only 0.325 seconds behind Koski at that point and in front of Harding for example. Brown's earlier qualifying positions are 20th and 15th. 2nd sector time is 48.282, still pretty good lap so far, he is 0.681 seconds off Koski's pace, but still in front of Harding and his team mate Aparicio. This could be close with Harding and Forausberger. Now into final corners, oh, maybe a bit wide on the last corner, that could cost him some speed and time, over the line and he goes to 6th, 1:10.682, wow that's only 0.003 seconds off Forausberger's lap time, very, very close there.

Brown Finish Line 6

1:10.682 +1.337

10 drivers have done their qualifying lap, 12 to go, order is, Koski, Maple, Ryong, Harding, Forausberger and Brown, covered in 0.026 seconds, Aparicio is 7th, then Goodley, Ponissi and Cummings completing the top-10.

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Group 3:

Mihailovic

MMRT

Miodrag Mihailovic will start the 3rd group of 6 cars, Mihalovic is Forausberger's teammate at the MMRT team. Forausberger is currently on 5th place so this will be interesting to see what he can do. His earlier qualifying positions are 13th and 17th. First sector without problems and time is 23.511, he is 0.341 seconds behind Koski and slower than Forausberger and Brown earlier. 2nd sector time is 48.234, he has picked up the speed and lost only 0.292 to Koski and is now 0.633 seconds behind the FinOz driver, he is now also faster than Harding, Forausberger or Brown, so he could go to 4th place with this pace. Over the line and yes, he goes to 4th place, lap time 1:10.337 is 0.992 seconds slower than today's fastest lap so far and clearly faster than Harding, Forausberger and Brown's laps. Good sector times from him to all 3 sectors.

Mihailovic Finish Line 4

1:10.337 +0.992

Wagner

Puma F1

Next flying lap will be performed by Andreas Wagner driving in Puma F1 team. Wagner's earlier qualifying positions are 22nd after disqualification and 14th at the Malaysian Grand Prix. His new teammate David Cummings is currently 11th place. Wagners lap looks to be clean so far and 1st sector time is 23.755, that's 0.585 seconds off leaders sector time and just slower than Aparicio's sector time, Aparicio is currently on 8th place. 2nd sector is now completed in time of 48.747 seconds, he is now 1.146 seconds off Koski's fastest lap time, but now in front of Aparicio. Over the line and he goes to 8th taking that place from Aparicio, lap time 1:11.084 is 1.739 seconds slower than current leader Kari Koski's lap time. He lost 0.585, 0.561 and 0.593 seconds on each sectors, very consistent lap in that way.

Wagner Finish Line 8

1:11.084 +1.739

Lock

JTM

Next on flying lap is JTM driver Toby Lock, I have to say I've been disappointed to his results so far, qualifying places at Melbourne and Sepang were 8th and 7th, race results haven't been any better as he has been 13th and 11th on the first to races so far and hasn't scored any points yet. Maybe he can fix that on A1-Ring, I'm sure he hopes to do just that. First sector 23.347, good start as he is 0.177 seconds off Koski's lap time. 2nd split time is 48.039, he lost 0.261 seconds more and is now 0.438 seconds behind Koski, but very close to Ryong's sector time and he is fighting for 3rd place with Ryong at the moment behind Koski and his teammate Maple. Over the line and lap time is 1:10.290, he lost over 0.5 seconds on last sector and goes to 4th, not good last sector, not at all.

Lock Finish Line 4

1:10.290 +0.945

Sleight

MMC Racing

Paul Sleight and first of MMC Racing cars is next on flying lap. Sleight was on pole at the season opener and at Sepang qualifying he was 9th quickest, but we have to remember the race strategies effects the qualifying results much, at Malaysian Grand Prix Sleight was using 2 stop strategy where fastest on qualifying were using 3 stopper. Anyway, Sleight has already completed his first sector here at A1-Ring while I'm remembering the old qualifying sessions. And what a sector it was, 23.096 and he is 0.074 seconds quicker than Koski holding the P1. Sleight is really pushing hard getting all possible out of the car, 2nd sector time is 47.575, he has lost some of his advantage as he leads now by only 0.026 seconds, this one will be very close, can he take the lead from FinOz driver? Some understeer at the final corner, or did he just try to go too fast? Over the line and he goes 2nd! Koski still holds the lead by 0.095 seconds. Sleight's final sector time was 0.121 seconds slower than Koski did, maybe there were small mistake on the final corner.

Sleight Finish Line 2

1:09.440 +0.095

McConkey

MMC Racing

Next is 2nd of MMC cars, Ryan McConkey. McConkey was on superb speed during winter tests, but first 2 events hasn't gone so well, at Melbourne qualifying he was 4th but at the race he dropped down to 10th place. At Malaysia he started from 9th place and finished 8th. Our source from pitlane told us that Ryan would be using hard compound Bridgestone tyres, he would be only one using hard compound this weekend, that could also mean we would be on 2 stop strategy. 1st sector time is 23.528, that's only 0.358 seconds off P1 time. If he can hold on to that and it's true that he will be on heavier car this could be very good effort from him. 2nd sector 48.881, he has lost 0.922 seconds more and is now 1.280 seconds behind leader's lap time. 48.881 is close to Wagner's and Aparicio's lap times. Over the line, lap time is 1:11.688 and he goes to 11th, Ryan has some work to be done at the race I'm sure.

McConkey Finish Line 11

1:11.413 +2.068

Fretter

Phoenix F1

Adam Fretter driving Phoenix F1 car will complete the 3rd group. Fretter have been 18th and 12th at the qualifyings so far. First sector for him 23.697, that's 0.527 off Koski's time. 2nd sector 48.575, he is now 0.974 off the p1 time, but fighting with Harding for 7th place, Harding's time was 48.527. Final corners for Fretter and over the line he goes, lap time is 1:10.906, he lost quite much time on last sector and looses to Harding and also to Forausberger and Brown and he goes to 9th place at the moment.

Fretter Finish Line 9

1:10.906 +1.561

After 16 drivers have done their qualifying laps and 6 still to go, the top-6 is: Koski, Sleight, Maple, Ryong, Lock and Mihailovic. How long can Koski hold on to p1 will the pole time be under 1:09? these questions will get answers very soon, but before that we will have short break, don't go away!

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Welcome back to follow Austria Grand Prix qualifying session. If you have just joined us the top-6 from Malaysian Grand Prix is still to go so the fastest drivers are yet to make their qualifying laps.

Group 4:

Antonio Irisarri will start the final group of 6 cars, after Irisarri we will see Ross Loram then Petri Loukasmäki and top-3 from Malaysian Grand Prix race in following order, Steve Elencevski then Mikko Jakonen and last man to do his qualifying run is 2 times winner and Malaysian poleman Scott Whiteman.

Irisarri

Phoenix F1

Irisarri's first sector went without any major drama and the sector time is 23.389, he is 0.219 seconds behind the current leader Kari Koski who still holds the p1, he was 4th driver on the track on today's qualifying session. Irisarri was 5th quickest at the Melbourne qualifying and to Sepang race he started from 8th place on the grid. 2nd sector is now completed and sector time is 48.191, he has lost some 0.371 seconds more to Koski is now 0.590 seconds behind. With that sector time he is just behind Lock after 2nd sector and in front of Mihailovic so this could be 6th place for him at the moment, but we have to wait until he crosses the line. Over the line he goes and lap time is 1:10.177, good last sector and he goes to 5th dropping Lock now to 6th place. He was over 0.7 seconds faster than his teammate Fretter who is now on 10th place.

Irisarri Finish Line 5

1:10.177 +0.832

Loram

EIRE

Ross Loram starts his flying lap, at the beginning I said that the Castrol Kurve is very tricky place and we can expect something to happen there, so far every driver has taken the corner nicely and so did Loram. 1st sector time for him is 23.261 very good sector and he is only 0.091 seconds behind Koski on that sector. Over the media there has been some questions about is Loram good teammate to Whiteman as Loram has scored only 4 points where Whiteman has won 2 races showing that the car is capable of winning the races. Anyway Loram is doing great job I would say and we can expect some very good results from him for sure. Now over the 2nd sector point and his time is 47.952 he is now 0.351 seconds behind Koski, this could be close to Ryong's time, Ryong is currently on 4th place. Loram crosses the line and his lap time is 1:09.908 and he goes to 5th place, 0.563 seconds slower than still p1 holding Koski. Still 4 cars to go?

Loram Finish Line 5

1:09.908 +0.563

Loukasmäki

Mapes-VO

Next driver to make his qualifying lap is Petri Loukasmäki driving Mapes-VO car. After 2 qualifying sessions you can say Petri isn't qualifying specialist as his starting places have been quite low on the grid, at Melbourne he was 10th quickest and Sepang he start from 16th place on the grid, but he has scored points from both races of the season and was 4th at the Malaysian Grand Prix. 1st sector and we can say he isn't going to start pole to the Austrian Grand Prix either. 23.653 that's 0.483 seconds off the fastest time so far, actually Sleight still holds the record time for this sector and his sector time was 23.096, so Petri is even more behind to the sector record time. 2nd sector for Petri 48.435 he is now 0.834 seconds off Kari's time, with that sector time he could be fighting with Mihailovic, Harding and Forausberger over the 7th to 10th places at the moment. Over the line and his lap time is 1:10.589, he goes to 8th place between Mihailovic and Harding. 1:10.589 is 1.244 seconds slower than still the p1 holding Koski did.

Loukasmäki Finish Line 8

1:10.589 +1.244

Elencevski

FinOz Racing

Now or never, if Elencevski can't beat his teammate lap time Kari have done a true surprise of this session or maybe he was running on very low fuel load. Sleight came close but just quite couldn't get the P1 from the fin. What can Steve do? Steve was 7th at his home grand prix season opener Melbourne Qualifying and 4th at the race there. At Sepang he started from front row after being 2nd quickest at the Qualifying, on race he was 3rd and scored teams first podium finish. So expectations will be high for him and for the team. 1st sector and NO, he is behind! 0.048 seconds is not much but still, he is behind! 2nd sector will give us much more realistic info about the car, setup and maybe the fuel load. Okay, this is much more what we expected 47.478 and is now 0.123 seconds in front of his teammate time after 2 sectors. Now if he keeps it nice and tidy on last corners as well he will take p1 from Koski. Over the line and yes, he goes to 1st place and new pole time is 1:09.155, he is 0.190 seconds quicker than Koski with that lap.

Elencevski Finish Line 1

1:09.155 -0.190

2 drivers to go and 1-2 for FinOz Racing, so both cars will be in the first 2 front rows for the Austrian Grand Prix, but who will be in pole? Elencevski? Jakonen? Or maybe it will be again Whiteman?

Jakonen

Mapes-VO

Jakonen starts his flying lap, his results from 2 earlier qualifying sessions are 6th and 3rd, on the races he has been 3rd and 2nd and he is currently on 2nd place at the drivers championship with 14 points. 1st sector for Mikko is 23.275, he is only 0.057 seconds behind Steve who is our new P1 holder. Mikko's teammate Loukasmäki is currently on 9th place. 2nd sector, 47.759 and new gap is 0.281 seconds to Steve, Mikko lost 0.224 seconds on that sector to FinOz driver, 47.759 that's 0.001 seconds faster than Maple did, but nearly 2 tenths slower than Sleight's sector time and this could be 4th place for him? Over the line and lap time is 1:09.561 and yes, he goes to 4th at the moment behind Sleight but pushing Maple down to 5th place.

Jakonen Finish Line 4

1:09.561 +0.406

Whiteman

EIRE

One to go and FinOz drivers are holding 1-2, will it be all blue'n'white front row? Maybe first pole position for Elencevski? Or will Whiteman spoil the FinOz party again as he did at Malaysia where Steve was on pole until Whiteman dropped him to 2nd place on the grid. 1st sector 23.149 he is in front! 0.069 seconds, that's not much as Steve had superb 2nd sector. Paul Sleight's 23.096 will be the sector record that is now sure. But who does care about sector records when there is fight over pole position going on? 2nd sector time for Scott is?47.595 he is behind! He has lost his lead and is now 0.177 seconds behind Elencevski, Steve did superb 2nd sector, but how good was his final sector and what can Scott do there, I'm sure this will be close, but 0.177 seconds is quite much to be gained over 2 corners, but now is Scott's turn to prove me wrong. Very nice and tidy through last corner and he crosses the line and HE GOES TO FIRST PLACE! 1:09.121 is good for pole position 2nd of the season and F1VWC champ leader will start from pole position for the Austrian Grand Prix. Steve Elecenvski will start from 2nd place as he did at Sepang 2 weeks ago. It was so close for Steve, only 0.034 seconds, he must be a bit disappointed now for not taking the pole, but nevertheless it was again very exciting qualifying session, who says single lap qualifying is booring?

Whiteman Finish Line 1

1:09.121 -0.034

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1 Whiteman 1:09.121

2 Elencevski +0.034

3 Koski +0.224

4 Sleight +0.319

5 Jakonen +0.440

6 Maple +0.447

7 Ryong +0.673

8 Loram +0.787

9 Irisarri +1.056

10 Lock +1.169

11 Mihailovic +1.216

12 Loukasmäki +1.468

13 Harding +1.535

14 Forausberger +1.558

15 Brown +1.561

16 Fretter +1.785

17 Wagner +1.963

18 Aparicio +2.065

19 McConkey +2.292

20 Goodley +2.567

21 Ponissi +4.500

22 Cummings +5.160

Poleposition development

Ryong Finish Line

1:09.794

Maple Finish Line

1:09.568 -0.226

Koski Finish Line

1:09.345 -0.223

Elencevski Finish Line

1:09.155 -0.190

Whiteman Finish Line

1:09.121 -0.034