Any thoughs on Ferrari's chances for F1 this year?

ianlow32 · #1 01-14-2004, 02:56 AM

Now that McLaren and Williams have unveiled totally radical cars for this season, I am just wondering if Rory Byrne and team will be doing something radical as well?

Based on past seasons, Rory rarely likes to redesign a car to such an extent as the Williams, and Ferrai cars tend to be more evolutionary than revolutionary.

But Ross Brawn has mentioned in an interview, that Ferrari needs to take a stronger, more aggresive approach this year, so Jan 26th could prove to be very interesting indeed.

Also, has Bridgestone at least closed the gap to Michelins in the dry? Dont expect them to overtake, but at least make it competitive enough to take it to the Michelin runners and dont have a repeat of last year's Hockenheim and Budapest fiasco.

I do not doubt Schumi's ability though, and I strongly believe he can be very competitive, even in an inferior car. And I have doubts Montoya will be his biggest challenger this year. Kimi seems stronger in every aspect to take it to Schumi.

What do you guys think?

Gilles27 · #2 01-14-2004, 06:51 PM

In the end, what's going to matter is reliability and consistency. While Williams seems to be in the spotlight at the moment, I get the feeling McLaren is going to be the thorn in Ferrari's side. Think how long they have had to develop this car, and they seem to be playing it kind of low key and cool right now. I would also think that the benefits of the new Williams nose, if it IS in fact for real, would vary depending on the type of circuit. We shall see...

**sindo308qv** · #3 01-14-2004, 08:00 PM

I agree,the challenge will be from Kimi/McLaren.Montoya is too much of a hothead and also Frank Williams is not going to devulge all tech aspects to him.

Drew Altemara · #4 01-14-2004, 09:12 PM

I think Bridgestone will again be the chink in the armor for Ferrari.

I think its its close between McLaren, Williams, Ferrari and maybe even Renault.

This year, together with a carryover of last year's points system will keep it close.

This should be fun.

Drew

ferrarigr · #5 01-14-2004, 10:55 PM

On a ferrari forum...I dont think I can right that BMW will win.
Beeing Ferrari formula 1 fun for the past 10 years,
I WILL SAY AND I WILL ALWAYS SAY
FORZA FERRARI TILL I DIE

**tifosi12** · #6 01-15-2004, 10:14 AM

Four factors:

- The Mc Laren and Williams are fast. But I think the new Ferrari will be fast too.

- The season will be heavily influenced by the new reliability rules regarding the engines. Ferrari might have the upper hand here.

- Schumi IMHO is the best, but Kimi and Ralf know their business too. And if Montoya cools down, he has a good chance as well.

- Tires. Currently the Bridgestones are allegedly two seconds per lap slower. And they had all of 2003 to develop better ones and still haven't. Do we really think they're gonna find the magic bullet within the next two months? I don't think so.

Ergo: A battle between Mc Laren and Williams.

Hope you all enjoyed the past few years. I think the party is over.

beast · #7 01-15-2004, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tifosi12

Hope you all enjoyed the past few years. I think the party is over.

Andreas;

I would not say that the party is over i just think it will not be quite as enjoyable as 2002 was for Ferrari. Other than a few mid season races and the last 3 races the 2003 party was not all that great.

Rob

**tifosi12** · #8 01-15-2004, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beast

Andreas;

I would not say that the party is over i just think it will not be quite as enjoyable as 2002 was for Ferrari. Other than a few mid season races and the last 3 races the 2003 party was not all that great.

Rob

Rob, two remarks:

- The party will continue in my house: I might not be celebrating to many Ferrari victories this year, but most likely a nailbiter of a season. And I take that any time over a 2002 season.

- I'm glad you correctly remembered 2003. At the end we got lucky with the weather. It wasn't about Ferrari being so superior. That's another reason why I'm pessimistic. Ferrari was really on a down hill curve towards the end of the season, Schuey the Regenmeister masked that with his freakish talent.

beast · #9 01-15-2004, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tifosi12

- The party will continue in my house

Andreas;

The Party will also be at my house every GP weekend except for the USGP, where the party will be live for the 5th year in a row

Rob

**tifosi12** · #10 01-15-2004, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beast

Andreas;

The Party will also be at my house every GP weekend except for the USGP, where the party will be live for the 5th year in a row

Rob

And I hope to see some of that buddy!

Also my house party for the Spanish GP will be on site. Caramba!

beast · #11 01-15-2004, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tifosi12

Also my house party for the Spanish GP will be on site. Caramba!

No live Canadian Party this year andreas? eh!

**tifosi12** · #12 01-15-2004, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beast

No live Canadian Party this year andreas? eh!

You're paying attention. Frightening...

The jury is still out on that one. Maybe, ey. Three GPs live in a year would be a new personal best. Or worst for my travel budget...

beast · #13 01-15-2004, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tifosi12

You're paying attention. Frightening...

The jury is still out on that one. Maybe, ey. Three GPs live in a year would be a new personal best. Or worst for my travel budget...

Andreas;

I am still deciding myself if i do go to Canada i will try to fund it on OPM (Other Peoples Money

) Hopefully in a few weeks i will know if i will be doing the double myself.

**F1racer** · #14 01-15-2004, 05:44 PM

This year we will see a very interesting battle between McLaren, Ferrari and Williams. Just looking at what Williams did at Jerez with their new car is quite impressive. McLaren started strong when they unveiled the MP4-19 with Coulthard driving it and the De la Rosa and remember on january the 11 Kimi set a new record at Jerez. (Note..I heard many complaints about not being entirely comfortable in the small cockpit of the new MP4-19)

Ferrari...lets wait january the 26 went they will launch the new car and for future test. ( Bridgestones are not looking good)

After the new Sauber C23 being released, Fisichella thinks it will be a Renault vs Sauber fight.
I hope he's right!

**tifosi12** · #15 01-15-2004, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John T

This year we will see a very interesting battle between McLaren, Ferrari and Williams. Just looking at what Williams did at Jerez with their new car is quite impressive. McLaren started strong when they unveiled the MP4-19 with Coulthard driving it and the De la Rosa and remember on january the 11 Kimi set a new record at Jerez. (Note..I heard many complaints about not being entirely comfortable in the small cockpit of the new MP4-19)

Ferrari...lets wait january the 26 went they will launch the new car and for future test. ( Bridgestones are not looking good)

After the new Sauber C23 being released, Fisichella thinks it will be a Renault vs Sauber fight.
I hope he's right!

Actually Sauber is now concerned to end up 8th in the constructors championship, just because of the tires.

Whatever Ferrari is going to come up with, I can't see how it possibly could be 2 seconds faster. At which point they would be on par with Williams, not even past it.

**F1racer** · #16 01-15-2004, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tifosi12

Actually Sauber is now concerned to end up 8th in the constructors championship, just because of the tires.

Whatever Ferrari is going to come up with, I can't see how it possibly could be 2 seconds faster. At which point they would be on par with Williams, not even past it.

Always those damn Bridestones messing everything up.

Fisi thinks it will be a Renault vs Sauber but I think he forgot that he still has those Bridestones tires.

**tifosi12** · #17 01-15-2004, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John T

Always those damn Bridestones messing everything up.

Fisi thinks it will be a Renault vs Sauber but I think he forgot that he still has those Bridestones tires.

Regardless, I want to see Fisi in a Ferrari. And soon please. Not that I'm a Fisico fan, just to see somebody else test drive it, that's all.

And something tells me I might get my wish...

**F1racer** · #18 01-15-2004, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tifosi12

Regardless, I want to see Fisi in a Ferrari. And soon please. Not that I'm a Fisico fan, just to see somebody else test drive it, that's all.

And something tells me I might get my wish...

Thats what I like to hear from other people!
I agree with everything you said ...except I'm a Fisico fan!

**tifosi12** · #19 01-15-2004, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John T

Thats what I like to hear from other people!
I agree with everything you said ...except I'm a Fisico fan!

Hehe. In May I'm going to visit the Sauber factory and gift shop in Switzerland. Maybe I can get you something?

ianlow32 · #20 01-15-2004, 08:16 PM

Nah, i really doubt so .. it will be close and tense as 2003, and reliability will be key this time.

Think back, Ferarri last had a engine failure in 2001! And the bigggest question mark over Williams isnt the car, but the team itself. The 2 drivers are not exactly helping each other, and Ralf is consistently inconsistent. Montoya? Well, when will he keep his cool and racecraft intact?

Kimi to me is still the biggest challenge, and MP4/19 looks to be a better car in my view ... The tusk wing of FW26 may just be hot air until it really races and we know for sure.

I think Schumi and Todlt and Co. still have too much passion to let this slip away. They may not win, but they will not drop so far down the order either.