Formula 1. Will things change next year?

[oliveros]

Im sure that Michael Shumacher is going to be champion this year, and im sure that most people, including the other pilots, agree. But there has been lots of movement in the teams lately (Button to Williams, Ralf to Toyota and Montoya to McLaren), and i think that things could change next year. THe last races have shown that McLaren has worked out some problems, and with a good effort from the engineers the can have 2 pilots fighting for the championship, which is much more than Ferrari can say where Shumacher is clearly number 1 and barrichello is just there to help. BAR, without Button is less likely to compete for the championship, but maybe Takuma, or the "Kamikaze" as some people call him, will surprise us with a good car and team to help him. Williams year has been terrible, and i dont think that next year it will be any different, specially when both pilots are leaving.

So, the way things are going, Maybe Mclaren will put up a good fight, and lets hope they do, because i wouldnt stand another boring championship.

[Jessica]

I hope so. It's dull as dirt this year.

I mean Michael's amazing and I don't want to take anything away from him, but it's realy boring that he wins by like 45 seconds every race.

I think we're coming into some good years - Alonso, Button, Raikkonen, Montoya - we've got some great battle coming up as they mature.

Maybe next year - they'll put some decent cars underneath them.

[Spikey]

Actually micheal is not THAT good its the car thats does most of the work. If you put any of the GREAT F1 drivers in that car they would of won as much no problem. Hell put the top drivers of today EG Alonso, Button, Raikkonen, Montoya in that car and they would too. micheal's IS nothing special. The car however is.

[v@sh]

I think Michael is clearly faster than anyone else on the current grid. But some of it pertaining to his car. If it was his car that made him better, than Barrichello would easily be up there as well but then well all know Michael gets the prefential treatment.

Anyway this year has been boring cos Michael has been out in front, but its more of the other teams failing to catch up to Ferrari.

Next year should be a cracker, provided that all the top teams catch up to Ferrari. Team-mate battles will be interesting Button vs. Webber (provided they sort out the contracts), Alonso vs. Fisi, Montoya vs. Kimi and doesn't really matter about the Ferrari pairing because thats pretty obvious.

And who knows if Gasgoyne's influence at Toyota is as big as he made Jordan in 97' and Renault in 03' then Toyota could spring up a surprise.

[Jessica]

I agree completely with v@sh - if it were just the car Barrichello would always be at least second.

One thing to realize though is that there are no other world champions in the field. It's Michael and a lot of younsters with potential.

[Lil Red Head]

Our household is full of David Coulthard fans, so I'm hoping he'll get a great setup one of these days. Here's hoping!

[Spikey]

Actually there has been until early this year. Jacque Vilenurve (sp?) WAS a World Champ and then look what happend he went to a team who at the time where NOT good (BAR) and has'nt won any points since. he's now quit (I think). I think that proves the point that its the car thats special NOT micheal.

[Picko]

You still have to have considerable talent to win the World Championship year in and year out. Does the car contribute to a proportion of his success? Sure, the thing never breaks down for one but Michael was still very competitive with the likes of McLaren a few years back when the Ferrari wasn't the best car in the field. For some reason I simply don't see any other rider in the field showing as much consistency in the same card i.e. no other writer would have as exceptional results.

[tantrix]

My cousin is a huge Coulthard fan.. I like Montoya on the other hand.. I think he will become the next champion pretty soon..

[GodricHollow]

Not helped by the fact that the FIA have rigged it every year so that that German tart can win, and then there's the fact that Bridgestone make the tyres for Ferrari... And it is the driver (much as I hate too admit it) becausse BAR blagged the Ferrari engine, as did Jaguar and some others, (Just pay attention to the commentry)

[Spikey]

You still have to have considerable talent to win the World Championship year in and year out. Does the car contribute to a proportion of his success? Sure, the thing never breaks down for one but Michael was still very competitive with the likes of McLaren a few years back when the Ferrari wasn't the best car in the field. For some reason I simply don't see any other rider in the field showing as much consistency in the same card i.e. no other writer would have as exceptional results.

I'm not saying he's not talented just that he's not the god most peolple seem to think he is. I'm pretty sure that had Senna NOT been killed micheal would of been lucky to win 2 championships. if the Car gives you a second a lap over the others how much skill does it REALLY need to use it ?

[oliveros]

My cousin is a huge Coulthard fan.. I like Montoya on the other hand.. I think he will become the next champion pretty soon..


ME TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! how would i not support him?? BTW, im colombian. What he did in the Kart championship was amazing, that shows what he can do with a good car. he has matured a lot in these last years, and if McLaren can give him a decent car, i bet he wont let Shumi win so easily. Remember that time in Brazil in Montoyas 3rd race where he passed shumi?? that was soooo cool. Of all the pilots, hes the one that has really shown that he wants to put up a good fight for the championship

[michaela]

I'm a Coulthard fan, I think he should win. I'm just fed up of Michael Schumacher winning. (Can't spell his surname)!

[Hermione's Twin]

My Dad works for BAR and we've been to Silverstone these past 2 years. I was really thinking how good Button was doing with us, getting more and more points and now hes gone and stitched us for Williams, I'm really dissapointed in that.

[Jessica]

I am too. I think it's poor form. Not to mention that BAR has been a much better car than Williams this year!

What does your dad do for BAR?

[Hermione's Twin]

He works on tech support for the computers and fixes all the bosses computers at thier houses. I've met Button and told him I was loving his work at BAR and he seemed really loyal to us. And like you said, BAR have been performing alot better than Williams, we have a better car, I just don't get it.

[reinigt]

Its nice to meet Harry potter fans that are F1 fans. I really am of the belief that Kimi Raikkonen is the only man out on the grid tyhat will be able to take it to Schumacher in the future. But a Kimi and Montoya pairing...what a contrast. GOOOOOOOOO KIMI!!!!!!! :tu:

[emma_jennrie]

Listen here Michael *shoemaker*, you must quit or else? Kimi Raikkonen is my favourite!! Just look at my siggy! I'm a big fan of Formula one and I'm a girl :evil: . My family think I'm not normal :p . Oh well, Kimi Raikkonen is my Idol!! Go!! Kimi!!! *yeehaa*!

[reinigt]

Hey emma....you rock...KIMI RAIKKONEN IS THE CHRONIC. He will surely take it to "shoemaker" next season. :rotfl:

[Tim the Wiz]

You'll probably hate me for this, but I'm a big Michael Schumacher fan. Although I don't like how cocky he's gotten lately. Statistically 2002 was his greatest year of F1 victory, while I still believe the years where he faced off against his two rivals - Damon Hill and Hakkinen - were his finest hours.

My second favourite would be Montoya, one to watch when Schumacher does finally retire. I still don't doubt that he'll win next year, by the way.

[emma_jennrie]

Tim The Wiz, I'm not that cruel to Michael Shoemaker. It's fine,different people having their own favourite drivers. Lol, go Kimi! I heard that FIA wants to reduce the speed limit. Speaking of Mika Hakkinen, I heard that he is pursueing his career as a driver..*yippee*

[Jessica]

Mika is going DTM next year.

I want to see Bourdais in F1.

[Liselle]

I really do hope that things change next year as quite frankly the last year and a half have been very very boring and can not have done the sport any favours.

The movement of drivers has to be a good thing :tu:

[Goldberry]

Well, how about Fisichella yesterday, eh? Nice finish for Renault! The new tire rules definitely make things more interesting. I was rooting for Webber, since it's Australia and now that he's with McLaren (right?) he had a good chance. Oh well.

[reinigt]

God ...I don't know about the rule shake up. It is already encouraging the teams to pull their cars in before the race even ends if they are not in the points.
I myself am a big kimi fan and was very dissapointed to see his performance.
At least "shoeklucker" didn't score a point. :tu:

Webber drives for Williams BMW...Juan Pablo Montoya and Kimi Raikkonen drive for Mercedes McLaren. :tu:

[v@sh]

The new rules are in shambles and you can blame Max Mosley (Head of FIA) for that. New qualifying system is ridiculous, one engine for two weekends is stupid, one tyre for the race and qualifying is as bad. However, considering how the first race went and how good Renault went, it should be a much more interesting season than the past few seasons. New driver pairings, new teams, and it looks to be much closer especially between Renault/Ferrari/Mclaren. Williams should eventually catch up. Look forward to some decent racing - hopefully this season. At least it won't be a Ferrari procession :p

[tarachristwen]

renault did a great job yesterday...i have to say...

too bad j.p montoya and kimi raikkonen didn't do so well.. :upset: :upset:

hope they will perform well in sepang.malaysia(my homecountry!!) :p

what happen to trulli's hair??
he looked like a hippie with his shaggy long hair...

[Deevo]

Well after watching the race I've a few comments to make.

Schumacher:
Firstly for those earlier in this thread who slammed Michael Schumacher for having an easy ride remember that the Ferarri is (or was last year) the best car in the field because of him. He's put a lot of work getting them to where they are and though he didn't figure prominently in Melbourne the second Ferarri in the hands of Barachello pulled off a remarkable eleventh to second drive so I wouldn't go writing them off just yet.

New rules:
One engine for two meetings, what a load of shash. Those three cars that had apparently retired toward the end of the race, Schumacher and the two BAR Hondas, are going to be able to start the next round in Malaysia with new engines because of that. As long as that loophole exists in the regulations we're going to see cars that are having a rough run in one race pull out and be given an unfair advantage in the next. Make it one meeting one engine if you must guys but not more than that.

One set of tyres per race, for me the jury is still out on that one. I'll wait till we see how they handle a hot race first. I think it'll become a safety issue though as well as a competition issue. Those of you who remember the earlier years before refuelling was reintroduced will recall that F1 races became economy runs with a very processional look about them. This is a bad thing and might be something that'll resurface as drivers may be reluctant to push their cars for fear of damaging their tyres prematurely. Tyre changing in the race is a relatively easy process and adds another element to the GP.

Paul Stoddart's stunt:
I'm relieved he backed down here for had it gone ahead it could have well cost this country a number of prominent international sporting events.

Mark Webber:
Despite what he thought I considered his performance on the day to be good and workmanlike. He did really well with an unfamiliar car and at the end of the day was beaten by four exceptional drivers.
:clap: :clap: :clap: Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi :clap: :clap: :clap:

The rookies:
As ever these guys got a pasting from the media and some of their fellow competitors including Webber, something I feel was a bit unfair. Both minnow teams, Minardi and Jordan, did pretty well to put their cars out there and both Jordans and one Minardi finished the race and the Minardi that didn't had nothing to do with a driver error.

In Summary:
All up I'm really looking forward to this year's racing. It's a pleasant change to have one of our own in a front running car to cheer for and I hope Webber is up to the job. Time will tell I guess.

[reinigt]

I felt bad for Paul Stoddard at first but then I realized rules need to be rules so I could understand Ferrari's stance on the matter. I agree with Deevo on the fact that this year could be very exciting...I am NOT looking forward to the F2005 debut in April. :tu: :td:

Also...If it is one thing I have learned in F1 it is not to write off the Ferrari's if they have 1, 2, 3, or even 4 terrible races...they will come back...and that is usually when they get their new car = F2005 ...case and point...the 2003 season. I totally thought Kimi had it. :td:

[v@sh]

The Ferrari is actually competitive, about 0.5 secs behind the Renault but about par with the new Mclaren. I just wonder how much more of a improvement the new Ferrari 2005 is. The Williams rear end is shocking, their TC works like mad but then they've said their having wind tunnel problems.

I couldn't care less about Paul Stoddart no more. At the start of the weekend I sympathised with him but once he took the matters to the court and endangered Australia's motorsport future I had enough of him. The FIA are stupid themselves to think they are above the law. So both parties are to blame. But what I don't understand is why Stoddart didn't conform his cars to 05' spec when he did it in one night as opposed to the 5/6 months he had. If he wants to fight the FIA on the legality of the rules, it should be not shown in public at a grandprix. The new rules are a farce to me particularly 1 engine for 2 race weekends.

Anyway from the race Alonso, Fisi, Coulthard, Barri :tu: