Once again, I am getting antzy in anticipation of the upcoming F1 season. Here are some random thoughts. Please comment. Nick Heidfeld was supposed to show some great promise, but never quite had the car to do anything. I hope he gets to drive for Williams and can finally show what he's got. Do you think he will finally live up to the speculation that surrounded him when he first joined F1? I think he will pleasantly surprise many people. What do you think? I really didn't expect to see David Coulthard on any team in anything other than a testing role. Has he overstayed his welcome? I think so. I am very happy to see Villeneuve back in F1. I just hope that he can regain his form and make the Sauber perform better than what is expected. He does have a very talented teammate who will not make it easy for him. Will JV outdo Massa over the entire duration of the season? My bet's on JV.... Toyota, with Ralf, will have the ability to show how good their car really is. They have been quick to blame their drivers for lack of performance, but now they have nowhere to hide. Will they finish in the top 5 of the Constructor's Championship? Will Ralf come out ahead of Trulli at year's end? Kimi vs. Montoya. I think this will be the matchup of the year. Hopefully we will get to see shades of Senna vs. Prost, and have some action-packed racing between the 2 McLaren aces. I think that they are so closely matched that I dare not venture to say whom I think will come out on top. Who do you pick? Jenson and BAR; I think Jense is beyond all of the controversy now and can get on with the business of driving. I think he will do well, but don't count Sato out. He has impressed me many times last year, so I don't think Jense is an automatic lock. Who will come out on top? Will it be another Ferrari runaway? Geez, I hope not. I don't mind if they win again as long as we see some close racing. Opinions? What will Renault do this year? Well, bring on the season! Please bring up any other interesting tidbits you can think of.
Agreed on every single one of your points. A few things I'd like to add: - Some folks on here are eager to see Webber in a good car. Let's see whether he's for real or not. - I'm looking forward to the Turkish GP. Will be interesting to see how that will turn out. - I'm hoping Sauber is going to have their best season ever coming in 5th overall. We'll see.
Dan, I very disappointed that Williams hasn't made a decision on Nick. He did well last week in testing and beat Pizza boy but no announcement has been made. I agree that Nick will impress at Williams assuming he gets the drive. My only worry is that Webber will destroy him mentally (Nick's too nice). Coulthard, will be like Frenzen was at Sauber in his last year, or Alesi at Jordan for his last season or Jos at Arrows in his last season. Decent driver in a bad bad car never makes any headlines. I know you are a JV fan, so I'll let that one alone. Toyota, sadly I think, will go nowhere. Ralph has never ever been known to be a fast driver in anything but a perfect car, and Jarno is the most over rated driver in F1. I doubt either of them will make any impact at all. Kimi vs. JPM. Here I think that Ron is playing a game to raise Kimi's driving to the next level (that of a Senna or Schumacher). I don't for one minute think that Ron ISN'T going to play favorites with Kimi his golden Finnish boy (much like Mika). I think he wants JPM to put the pressure on Kimi and raise his game, and in the process have JPM get more wins (constructors title). But we all know JPM and he will eventually self destruct like at Williams. I think this is Ron's plan. Have JPM get some wins, maybe even challenge MS and Ferrari (take MS out a few times) and raise Kimi's game. Ron will have to get the timing right and have JPM self destruct about the same time that Kimi starts beating MS. Then he will discard JPM like a dirty dish rag. Jensen and BAR.............hmmmmmmmm. I am not convinced they will be the same team they were this year. At a minimum the team will have been effected by Jenson's mutiny. Remember a large portion of the team is Japanese (even more so next season with the Honda buy in). In Japanese culture what Jensen did is beyond acceptable. Ferrari...........not even going to guess on this one. I think everyone was astounded at what they did this season releative to 03. I simply have no idea if they will dominate, struggle like 03 to win the title or maybe even lose the title. It's going to be exciting ! Regards, Jon P. Kofod www.flatoutracing.net
Webber has certainly shown potential, now it is crunch time for him. I am still not convinced he is World Championship material . It is now do-or-die.
Yeah, you figure Williams would make their minds up. I guess they have the luxury of taking their time to choose someone. Is Webber known for playing mind games? A very sad way to end a career. LOL.........I knew I opened the door on that one! Jarno does have the ability to drive very quickly, he is just inconsistent......perhaps a lack of motivation? I think Ralf will surprise you. I think Ron will just sit back and let them have at each other. They are both awesome talents.....why would you want to predetermine who will lead the team? Let the drivers figure that out omongst themselves. That is what he did with Senna and Prost. If one has an insurmountable lead over the other mathematically, then you maybe impose team orders, otherwise let the battle begin! It will be interesting to see how this plays out. Perhaps an even bigger factor will be a new team manager after having let Richards go. They really have no weaknesses. I think the only way another team will win is if they take some kind of huge leap forward in a certain area, be it power, aerodynamics, etc. At least let it be close!
I think Nick will be driving for Williams next year. My guess is that Frank wants Pizzonia but Mario Theissen and Mark Webber are going for Nick. Dunno what Head and Michael are thinking. Sauber I think 2005 will be their season ever but only if JV drives like in 96 and 97. And Massa we know he's fast but he oftens make mistakes. He will have to improve that. 3 or 4 podiums could be possible for Sauber. GO JV! Toyota....No doubt about it, Toyota will have their season in 05. With Trulli (very good in qualifying) and Ralf a very very fast driver when he feels like it. Kimi vs JPM.....Can't wait to see them go! Fisichella vs Alonso... First of all, I hope Renault are going to improve from last year. If the car performs like the 3 last races of 2004, then I'm counting Renault out of top 4 teams. And I hope Fisichella will be on top. Red Bull Coulthard as sign (its official) Who will be the 2nd driver: Klien or Liuzzi? We still don't know.
I think Alonso will outdo him much more often than not. To me, Fisichella is another driver that still needs to prove himself. A lot of hoopla surrounding his entrance into F1, but not a lot to back it up since then. Up to now, he reminds me a lot of Alesi. If he is able to outdo Alonso, then I will be convinced.
Pure speculation: Webber will edge out Heidfeld slightly, both are extremely talented and have something to prove. If Williams makes something on the car side they could have a double championship. Kimi will edge out JPM slightly in races. I think JPM will get the nod in qualifying though. Anyone remember 2002? Who knows though, Kimi has so much hype surrounding him. He gotten beaten by Heidfeld (although it was Kimi's first season), but racing with Coulthard for a few years hasn't helped him at all. Fisichella will beat down Alonso, nuff said.
Here are the main aero changes from 2004 to 2005. Also some testing photos showing the drivers in their new teams. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
BTW I noticed in the Wall Street Journal yesterday that BAR was listed as "for sale". The ad was confusing and I read it on the run but it appeared to me as if they were seeking to sell the entire team- and not just looking for investors. Did anyone else see it and could comment??? As I recall the listing asked those interested to contact Grant Thornton.
