Formula 1 Season 2006

[MAD-MINI]

As the new season kicks off in 4 days I wanted to know what everyones take is for this year. I personally that Williams cosworth will be the dark horse this year and that Mclaren if they get the car reliable enough this year will be the dominating force. But these are my views and I would like to know yours.

[SFDMALEX]

As much as I want Ferrari to be on top I think they will do the same as last season :(


My money is on the Maccas

Renault a nanosecond behind them.

And Honda....And Toyota...

Hell who knows? I really dont know what its going to be like, but I sure as hell am excited for Bahrain :)

[Roger]

A really tough call..........

My heart WANTS Williams to be the dark horse; they could be, but there is not much showing at winter testing.

Honda look strong, Renault look very strong. I think McLaren are faster than they appeared to be.

The real dark horse?? I reckon Toyota & Trulli. They seem to have slipped into the background, but I just don't believe they are that far off the pace. I have a gut feel the could challenge for a win at Malaysia (race two - in two hot countries), solid reliability.............:sherlock:

No mention of Ferraris, simply because I believe they will be in the frame somewhere.

[Roger]

Just a thought - what MIGHT be fascinating is what happens to Bridgestone runners who qualify just outside the top ten places. These guys can take any fuel load into the race (unlike the top ten who start on their qualifying fuel load).

Now.....with Bridgestone seeming to be stronger at the end of longish stints (Ok not over a RACE like last year), will we see a pattern of Bridgestome mid-field teams leap-frogging towards the front by running long at the front end of a Grand Prix.........

[Roger]

First practise for Bharain is interesting (probably nothing more as it is day one....;)).

Honda - Michelin 1st, then a cluster of Bridgestone cars (2x Ferraris and Wurz's Williams) - Michelin runners filling the next slots and two Williams looking out of kilter with their times 13th ish...

Would we read that Bridgestone have good one lap pace? Or just working better on a green track :sherlock:

[SFDMALEX]

My money is on Schumi.

Take out the test drivers and ferrari is 1,2 in practice 2.

[Roger]

I must say it does look strong for Ferrari - don't forget they are using their race engines and are probably being a tad more careful than the Friday boys

[MAD-MINI]

The mclaren wont be running full race pace due to the engines reliability (or lack of) You wont see them peak till quali. But williams should be quick here aswell.

[Midi]

Forza Ferrari! :D

[SFDMALEX]

Great result!


Feel bad for Kimi though :(

[MAD-MINI]

Oh yeh I think he could of been in the top 4 easily. But now he can start with any fuel load he wants to. So mabe 1 stop on race day?

[Roger]

Good first race :up:

I must admit that I didn't want to see tyre changing back, but if it puts Alonso & MS together for a race, then I'm all for it.

Kimi was just amazing - how on earth :confused:

Did anyone notice Rosberg - top quality drive for a rookie

[MAD-MINI]

I saw Rosberg, I think DC was teaching him how to overtake at one point! But Kimi showed us how he can go in that car second fastest lap on old tires at the end of a 20 lap stint!!

[Roger]

Here's what puzzles me..........JPM is a helluva driver (I really believe that), but time and again Kimi mugs him in a race. Something wrong with JPM or is Kimi just a stunning talent?

[SFDMALEX]

Here's what puzzles me..........JPM is a helluva driver (I really believe that), but time and again Kimi mugs him in a race. Something wrong with JPM or is Kimi just a stunning talent?

JPM drives on feel alone. When he speaks he gives of an impression that technicaly he doesnt know anything about the car he is driving.
And thats what seperates guys like Schu from the rest. Schumaher knows the car underhim and knows how to speak to his engineers.

JPM is a dubmass whose conversation with engineers is something like this "I dunno mang, its pushing when I get in the corner, and rear end step out on exit mang"

He can put a helluva qual lap, but race managment seems too much for him to process.

Plus he is an idiot who makes stupid moves and mistakes on track.

[MAD-MINI]

Kimi has a degree in engernering (I think). And he works out what setups to use. Kimi has got amazing talent I dont think anyone could say otherwise and he has the ability to adapt to anything. Thats the thing that seperates JPM and Kimi. JP can put in a stella lap in qually but as the tires/conditions/fuel load changes he cant adapt were as Kimi can. These are purely my thoughts on it.

[Dan]

Kimi is just better than JPM and it shows in most races, apart from when JPM has the odd inspired drive

[Roger]

It guess the evidence supports that last barrage of posts........shame

[MAD-MINI]

I just cant belive the FIA is doing this. They are planning an engine freeze in F1 for Five years. An engine freeze is not what F1's about, The original idea of F1 was to be the cutting edge of technology and to showcase what each manufacture/team can do.

http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=35382

In my books cost cutting which the whole thing is about is important but why not reduce the costs by using 1 tyre supplier, capping drivers wages, and an enforced test limiting. These things would be a smart move but this I dont think will work.

[MAD-MINI]

Just found out that Alonso has just done a time around silverstone thats 1.3seconds faster than last years pole!! Were'nt the new areo and engine stuff meant to slow these guys down?