Do you realistically think MS can come back?

Its too late in the season, plus 19 points is hard to make up. Too bad for Ferrari. But we can keep praying for a Ferrari win.

 

I think he may lose by the few points he gave away with the Monaco mistake. How many was it-4 or 6? A race he may have won otherwise.

 

Maybe if JPM gives Alonso some "Moto-Tennis" lessons, ...

 

no

 

He can, but he will need help.

Funny how everyone forgets of the Goodyear/Michelin tire wars of the 80's.

 

It is not pessimism, it is realism:

Forget the points gap, that can be dealt with. What is really important is the trend and the trend is negative for Ferrari: Ever since Spain Renault has been dominating and Ferrari couldn't catch them. Indy was just a fluke because of the special tire situation.

Or to look at it the other way round: Had MS been beating Alonso since Spain I would believe in him clinching the title despite the points gap, simply because the trend is up. But it is the opposite. The Renault is faster.

 

That was more Michelin concession than Bridgestone domination. It's widely acknowledged that Michelin brought a conservative tire to Indy to avoid any potential wrecks on the heels of last year's U.S. debacle. BS did an excellent job, no doubt, this past weekend but you have to be leery of what Michelin may have held back.

I'd love to see Ferrari repeat the feat at Magny Cours. I don't think it'll happen, but if it does then we definitley have a more compelling championship race under way.

 

they had special tires??? what do you mean??

 

Because of the FIAsco of last year, Michelin didn't have any test data of the track. Also they played it safe this year. So BS had the advantage and Ferrari could dominate. That was a unique situation and won't be repeated in any of the remaining races.

 

Until proven otherwise, the USGP was just a hiccup for Renault. If BS can develop a tire equal to Michelin for the handling circuits, things could change but it's difficult to envision that happening this far into the season. Could happen, probably won't.

 

FA did not have the evolution engine at Indy. Only Fisi had it and was running with restriction and still managed to out preform FA.
FA will be getting the full potential of the new engine at Magny-cours.

 

Correct. Scary...

 

thanks for clearing that up

 

He certainly has his work cut out for him.

I think his only shot would be if the Renault suffers some DNFs. If the Renault keeps up this incredible reliability, Alonso is a smart enough driver to do whatever he needs to do to secure the WC. He so rarely makes mistakes.

 

True.

However there is another way: If all the FChatters pull together and throw some cash my way, I will make it my duty to attend all remaining GPs so MS can win.

Why? Well it turns out, that I have a spell on Alonso: Last year I went to Montreal and this year to Indy.

PS: My magic power used to work in the opposite direction in the past, whenever I visited a race my fav driver won hands down. Somebody should hire me.

 

I wasn't saying FA had the newest evolution; but that his evolution couldn't keep itself after being pushed hard at montreal. I dont know how the new evolution, which Fisi was running will do for a pair of weekends if they are pushed as hard as Ferrari seem to be pushing them...

 

I am still sure Alanso is going to come of .....maybe with a little help

 

So what FA has a faster car? A true champion will find a way to win, even with a slower car.

Bad for MS is that FA does not make many mistakes, has a reliable and faster car. This season will test whether MS deserves the great accolades bestow upon him.

 

for my 2 cents worth... I think Schumacher has a very slim chance ... its really up to Bridgestone... if it can narrow the tyre gap. most likely it will be Alonso.... but if anybody can make up the gap its Schumacher & Ferrari.... but it will be Very Very close!

 

I put MS up there with Lance Armstrong as an athelete and super hero with alot of fight left and alot to show, so paint a big "S" on his chest and watch him surprize the few who have considered him minimalized.

 

well actually it's 19 points. alonso needs a couple DNF's to make it a realistic chance. if he's on the podium for the remaing eight races, it's nearly impossible.

just my $0.02

joe

 

I think people are overstating the advantage that Renault has. Yes, they have come out on top, but the gap is narrow enough that the DRIVER has made the difference between the top three teams. Consider: Alonso, Schumacher, and Raikonnen have outperformed the Fisi, Massa, and Montoya. If the car advantage were decisive, you'd be seeing them come home two by two.

It's very close among the top three teams, and all are working flat out to develop chassis, engines, and tires. McLaren are out of the title hunt, but not out of the running for race wins. ALonso is smart, fast, and consistent, but a couple of unlucky days and tyhings could change drastically. If he wins the championship, it will be well-deserved, but I'm betting Ferrari make him work for it.

 

Right on Scott, couldn't have said it better. I personally would like to see the championship go down to the last corner of the last race of the season.

 

MS has a shot but I agree Alonso must have a mishap or two to help out. He's due one since he's been so good for so long.

 

This article might put a twist on this topic...

from http://f1.racing-live.com...

http://f1.racing-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/060705145035.shtml


Michelin found a solution this year


Michelin only narrowly avoided a disastrous repeat of the 2005-style 'Indy-saga' at the venue last weekend.

Auto Motor Und Sport in Germany reports that, although it was kept impressively quiet, the French supplier noticed damage on its 2006-spec tyres after free practice sessions at Indianapolis.

Last year, the marque had to order all seven Michelin-clad teams to retire their cars after the US GP formation lap.

In 2006, to prevent a repeat, Michelin reportedly told five of its six partner teams - all except McLaren - to use the 'soft' option, after the hard tyre showed some signs of damage.

This could explain Renault's uncharacteristic lack of pace; Fernando Alonso reportedly wanted to use the hard tyre but was ordered not to.


Auto Motor Und Sport also reveals that Bridgestone were wary of tyre damage at Indianapolis and - as a back-up plan - brought its 2005-spec tyres to America.

The FIA, too, had an emergency plan; if Michelin had found itself in strife this year, the governing body would have painted a line on the troublesome Indy banking, with one 'lane' for fast cars and one for cars restricted to a 250kph limit.

Source GMM
CAPSIS International