| Author | Message | ||
| PSk (Psk)
Intermediate Member Username: Psk Post Number: 1049 Registered: 11-2002 |
Jean Todt really turned Ferrari around ... before then they were knocking on the door (Prost, etc.) but could never get the act together ... too much Italian infighting. While Jean did do it all, it takes a special kind of driver like MS to put up with growing pains ... most cannot do it, and this stuffs the team (ie. JV and BAR). Pete ps: Ferrari were never really a mid field team more likely the permanent 4th team ocassionally hassling McLaren, Williams and Lotus. | ||
| Frederick Thomas (Fred)
Member Username: Fred Post Number: 850 Registered: 2-2001 |
For years Ferrari was a mid pack team. Michael got there in 96 and was compeating for the title by 97 if I am not mistaken. | ||
| Rod Newman (Rocket)
New member Username: Rocket Post Number: 7 Registered: 9-2003 |
Guys, if you look back a few years, Ferrari wasn't so hot either. Yes they improved when they got Schumi but it wasn't until all the support positions were filled with Jean Todt, Ross Brawn, Rory Burne (?), that the Fcars really started to compete again. Not to take anything away from Schumi, who I think is easily the best driver of his time, but F1 is, without a doubt, a team sport. So to answer the question, no Schumi wouldn't win but it sure would be fun to watch him try. | ||
| PSk (Psk)
Intermediate Member Username: Psk Post Number: 1048 Registered: 11-2002 |
Heh guys it is nice to dream that MS is that good, and yes he would be the fastest ever Minardi driver, BUT remember he could not get Ferrari to win when he first started with them. It took many years of hard work to get them into a winning position and they were only say the 4th team not the last team. Yes I think he would score points but it would take atleast 5 years to become a serious team. Now that would be a challenge  Pete | ||
| Jack Habits (Ferraristuff)
Intermediate Member Username: Ferraristuff Post Number: 1171 Registered: 4-2003 |
Bart is absolutely right about the budget. Minardi is on the proverbal shoestring budget (in fact they weren't even sure if they would make it to the end of the season...). THE joke about Minardi in the pitlane: Ferrari's sticker budget is higher than Minardi's total budget. MS COULD bring people along who are higher qualified than the current staff at Minardi but I doubt if these people would want to work AT ALL for a "Minardi salary". Make the car better when there is hardly any money to keep it running? Nah... not a chance! Jack | ||
| Bart Boonacker (Sharky666)
Member Username: Sharky666 Post Number: 514 Registered: 9-2002 |
Robert, well, not exactly. They didn't blow any engines, but Jos only finished 10 out of 16. With the experience MS has, he would probably do better with Minardi then they do now. But when you don't have the resources to improve your car then you're stuck where you started (in the end) I'm sure MS wouldn't improve "his" Minardi over a season as much as he did with the Ferrari, just because they don't have the money. Off course, when he brings people with him, they'll do better, but then it's just another Ferrari-team under the Minardi flag. Just my 2 euro cents Najib, keep in mind, Ferrari can spend like 20 times more then Minardi. And that means a lot in racing. | ||
| Najib Amanullah (Najib)
Member Username: Najib Post Number: 260 Registered: 4-2001 |
He seems to get more speed, less wear and tear on a car than the others because of his smooth driving style. Maybe not win the drivers or constructors championship but he would certainly get quite a few points and vastly improve the car/team. After all he did help transform Ferrari in a short period of 3 years. | ||
| Robert Faber (F129b)
Junior Member Username: F129b Post Number: 82 Registered: 8-2003 |
Mitch- I don't recall seeing Minardi's blow-up much. They seem to finish most races, don't they? | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 6612 Registered: 12-2000 |
No, but he would slip in a few points. | ||
| Mitch Alsup (Mitch_alsup)
Intermediate Member Username: Mitch_alsup Post Number: 1203 Registered: 4-2002 |
Another thing Michael would bring to the party is teh confidence NOT to BREAK the equiptment (e.g. motors*). This alone would dramatically imporve Minardi's chances. *Ever notice the Rubens breaks motors at least 6 times more often then Michael? | ||
| Jay Grande (Jay)
Intermediate Member Username: Jay Post Number: 1555 Registered: 10-2001 |
I think Michael would immediately make changes for the better at Minardi. Alot of it comes from feedback from the driver in setting the car up. Remember Irvine? He couldn't come within half a second of Schumacher in the same car! MS has a great talent for finding speed and handling in a car that is less then great. Go Minardi! | ||
| rich stephens (Dino2400)
Member Username: Dino2400 Post Number: 634 Registered: 10-2001 |
I remember Schumarchers demonstration lap times were within the qualifying range when he drove the two-seater Minardi with Stoddart in back. Remarkable considering the Minardi drivers of the time had trouble qualifying their real cars at the time, ha! It'll never happen but my bet would be he could turn Minardi into at least the fourth best team within three years (if he could bring his people with him). That means getting better than anyone other than ferrari, williams and mclaren. | ||
| Jon P. Kofod (95f355c)
Intermediate Member Username: 95f355c Post Number: 1107 Registered: 8-2001 |
If we ignore all the money he would bring in and assume the Minardi would get the same low level of development it usually does. Michael could never fairly win a race. He could win a race due to sheer luck (cars dropping out) but that would be rare. Don't forget that Damon Hill nearly won the Hnugarian GP in an Arrows. He ulitmnately came in second when his gear box went with only three laps to go. It can be done but you need monumental luck. Regards, Jon P. Kofod 1995 F355 Challenge #23 www.flatoutracing.net | ||
| Andreas Forrer (Tifosi12)
Advanced Member Username: Tifosi12 Post Number: 2567 Registered: 10-2002 |
Kinda reminds me of "Da mini Ditka vs Da Bears". | ||
| A.Tonokaboni (Senna1994)
Junior Member Username: Senna1994 Post Number: 168 Registered: 9-2002 |
Rob, we have a better chance of going to Ferrari than Schuey does of going to Minardi. | ||
| Robert Faber (F129b)
Junior Member Username: F129b Post Number: 81 Registered: 8-2003 |
Michael would never win in a Minardi in my opinion. They are 2-4 seconds behind the field at every race. He would score more points than Wilson or Kiesa or Vestappen though. He would also 1.) Bring a hell of a lot more sponsorship/development money in. 2.) He would provide technical insights that would boost Minardi to mid-pack VERY quickly. What an interesting challenge that would be after retiring from Ferrari. He would of course be crazy to do it. | ||
| rob guess (Beast)
Member Username: Beast Post Number: 417 Registered: 5-2003 |
David; I would say that he could score points but as for winning it would be tough. The best part of having MS driving your car is the fact that you could get more money from sponsors. This will help the car to improve. The problem is the total package. Having the best driver in the world can only cover so many weaknesses of the car and motor. The Extra Money will result in a more capable engine. but no work on the chassis, and vice versa. Minardi will need better engineering staff, wind tunnels, engines.. Etc In order to improve. To do this they will need more money. Just my 2 cents worth. Rob Guess "The Other Rob" | ||
| David S (Djs308)
Junior Member Username: Djs308 Post Number: 176 Registered: 9-2002 |
Now that he is officially #1 again, and Minardi scored no points for the season, I was wondering, hypothetically what he could do driving in a "lesser" car. Would he score points driving a Minardi? Could he WIN a race in that car? Can ANYBODY? |