BERNIE ECCELSTONE'S PICK FOR 2007 WDC

Knowing how he hates to be wrong....I guess he'll just keep changing the rules until Messa wins. Like no more racing in the rain, too dangerous

 

Rich
Oration
Fantastically
Laudible

Thanks,
Senna3xWC
that's the nicest thing you've ever said to me.

 

Well he was also kicked out by Jean Todt !

 

Bernie is normally on the money with these things, and I wouldn’t disagree with people betting on Massa. He's my favourite before the circuit hit Europe.

 

I give no additional weight to someone like Lauda's comments over the weight I give to much of the comments/predictions here in the racing section. Well, I give more weight to those that agree with me, but thats another thread

Seriously, Lauda is still in the business of F1. Being talked about is key to a guy like him. If you're talked about, then you're relevant and your opinion is listened to. When your opinion counts and people listen to you, then you have a shot at making $$$. Thats why authors love to go on talk shows and espouse their 'expert' opinions.

No offense to Lauda, but it's in his best interest to keep his name out there. I don't know why people care so much what he thinks, but his name gives him a voice in many authors' columns, and he's smart enough to know that his name being in print on a regular basis is nothing other than good for his continued career and involvement in F1.

So when Lauda speaks out, I don't think he's been oh-so-moved to give an opinion, or that he feels so confident about something he must speak out - I think he does it just to keep his name from fading away. After all, he may have been a good driver but that alone wouldn't keep him relevant these past years.

Same with Bernie. IMO a couple of attention-wh*res.

 

I tend to agree with Bernie's forecast - Massa knows the car and I do believe he's more loyal to Ferrari than Kimi. It's already been out that he provides more valuable info about the car - he had a terrific teacher. I've seen Massa in action with fans last October at Monza for the Finali Mondiali - he's very people friendly. I still maintain Kimi is over-hyped . . . . .

Carol

 

Wouldn't you have expected Irvine and Rubens to perform better in their post-Ferrari career? Both of them proved disappointing since leaving the team, why do you suppose that is?

I am not being argumentative, I think you have a point. I would assume being able to analyze MS's telelmetry should show the other drivers where they are losing speed and how to adjust their driving style accordingly.

 

I think this whole enthusiasm thing is way overrated. At least I hope that's the case: I regard the Scuderia as a highly professional team that tries to do the best by its own standards and goals and not because they got a cheerleader as a driver.

I don't think MS was much of an enthusiastic cheerleader either. He motivated the team simply by being the best: They knew that if they wouldn't win with him, it was not the driver's fault but theirs.

That's why I foresee Kimi succeeding at Ferrari (as would have Alonso had he joined): The team again knows they got the fastest boy on the grid and if he doesn't win, it is the cars/team's fault not the drivers. Not something btw I'd say about Massa.

 

It would be interesting to see a comparison between Rubens performance relative to Button and his performance relative to MS.

I believe that, of all MS co-drivers, Rubens had the best record in terms of closeness to qualifying and fastest lap times, IIRC. It may simply be my perception but he doesn't appear to be as competitive with Button as he was with MS.

 

I'm with Ron on this one. I think that the relationship between Irv the Swerve and RB had soured when they left. In addition, they didn't go to a team of the same caliber (apologies to the Honda Folks). I think Massa and MS definately had a more bonding relationship, considering that MS was leaving and Massa would have bent backwards to help get him that 8th Title.

 

Bernie is full of malarkey...the 2007 WDC will belong to Alonso at McLaren.

 

I hear you Ron, yet I don't want to believe you (I know that MS thanked the pit crew in Japan etc). The picture you're painting reminds me too much of Disney's "Small World" or some other politically correct BS. Maybe I've become too much of a cynic, but I really hope that you're wrong. Not because I want to be right, but it makes me gag to think that Mr. DoGood is what it takes to motivate the team. I want them to be professionals and the driver to be just a part of the team. I hate to think that a modern F1 driver has to be a cheerleader. Please don't let this be true. Please.

PS: I love arrogant drivers who don't give a damn about their teams. Seriously. JPM and Alonso are the best.

 

Chianti's not hard enough for Kimi; he'll need some good grappa.....

 

I like Alonso - or did during his unibrow days Then he started getting all serious and pouty everywhere - but he hasn't got a prayer with McLaren. He must go home and kick his cat every night for signing that deal...

I agree with many here and expect to see Massa on top this year followed by Kimi in 2008, barring any astounding performance breakthroughs by other teams.

Still laughing ...

 

Ask Scott Pruett if he thinks JPM is a team player. He's not kissing @ss, he's hitting his teamate in the @ss...with a race car.

 

How is a 2-time WDC who beat Schumacher straight up in two title fights over-hyped??

 

In 2005 Ferrari/Bridgestone weren't competitive and FA was lucky to beat KR due to MB's inability to produce a reliable motor; in 2006 Ferrari/Bridgestone weren't competitive out of the box; 2nd half of the season they came on too late and were let down by the motor in Japan. The fact that Ferrari and Renault won all but one race tells me the rest of the field was ****-quite sad when you think about all the $$$ spent. I'm surprised no one is diving on swords at Toyota and Honda.....Christ some of these teams are real clusterfcuks...

I think FA's very good but he's got his work cut out at McLaren; reliablility will be a lingering question and Hamilton will give him a much harder time than Fisi ever did....

Should be an interesting year with RK, LH, HK and a possibly resurgent NR/Williams...I just want to see at least 4/5 teams win this year......

 

As you guys say, when comparing Senna to Schumacher, if ifs and buts where chips and nuts we would all have a party. But seriously Ron, the reason I think that Alonso is absolutely not over hyped are as follows, dominated every teammate, including Fischella who was no slouch and dominated his teammates (think Massa, Ralf, Button, etc.)

In addition, when Alonso had the WC nailed in 05, he showed both what he and the R25 could do in winning the final race and giving the constructors to Renault. Even during periods of intense stress during the latter half of 06, he never threw away any races. He may have talked crap out of the car, but he always delivered in the car. He reminds me a lot of Prost, he can win a race in the slowest manner without taking too much out of the car.

By the way, great article on Kimi in the new Autoweek.