http://f1.racing-live.com/f1/en/index.html What is the big deal about this guy (Webber), he's been outperformed by his team-mate (Heidfeld) all year long.
At first glance I'd say two #2 drivers swapping seats, no big deal. On second thought it does say a few things though: - Fisichella survives another year in F1 - Webber survives another year in F1 Too bad as neither deserves to. - Webber in the Renault would definitely loose all excuses if he continues to underperform the way he did in the Williams this year. So hopefully by 2007 he is driving DTM, ALMS etc. This being the silly season you have to take these with a grain of salt. Personally I hope neither driver will find a seat for 2006. They simply made too many crucial mistakes this year.
GF/MW swapping seats won't going to happen. (imo) I would be more worried about Kovalainen taking Fisico's place.We might see FA/HK at Renault and GF/MW at Williams. The best between GF/MW will get a drive in 2007 and we'll see Rosberg taking the other seat. (just guessing) About Kovalainen... Briatore has been involved in most of Kovalainen's career up to this point. In the italian sport magazine Briatore says that Kovalainen has to start his F1 career in the next season. "It`s clear that from the next year onward every year is thrown in vain for Kovalainen, if he doesn`t get a seat in F1." Peter Windsor comments: "If Briatore would be reasonable he would replace Giancarlo Fisichella with Kovalainen. Heikki is so rare talent that he is not only ready to race in F1, but he also could win a GP straight away. Maybe Flavio sells him straight away to Ferrari. It`s clear that this kind of talent has to get fast into F1. Everyone sees what kind of grand prospect is at stake." Also the Red Bull team (Christian Horner) said he would like to have Heikki in his team.
Your comment confuses me ... this would be a clear demotion for Webber from No. 1 at Williams to a No. 2 at Renault. Thus it makes perfect sense that Williams have seen that the light does not shine so bright AND Webber has managed to fnck up his only chance ... as an Aussie would say: Fncken brilliant you dip ****!!! ... now get out Pete
no Pete, what an Aussie would say is "give me a car, NOT this piece of **** " the Williams has had one good race all season where they finished 2nd and 3rd, other than that it has been a woeful season for them....and our boys in red haven't exactly set the world on fire either. I predicted 2 years ago that Renault would be at the top of the heap due to the huge resources they have and single-mindedness towards winning the championship so no surprises for me but if Webber goes to Renault, he's raced with them before (Benneton ??) and did very well, then he will have NO excuses for failing, even he knows that. And Fisi is a brilliant driver, he got that heap of poo Jordan home in first place ! He's been unlucky in my book
While I agree that the car is a piece of ****, I have to say that Webber has made so many mistakes and lost podium positions that I have to say he is NOT worthy of a number 1 seat anymore ... maybe not even a seat at all. He has none now and if he goes to Renault he HAS been demoted! Rubbish ... he WAS lucky that 75% of the field cr@pped out and thus he managed to be the next on the track. That win was a fluke for both Fisi and Jordan. Being unlucky does not last forever ... the guy has been in F1 for so long AND not delivered that he has to be below par. Pete
Ok then, if we're going to play hardball : this year's assessment Schumacher - rubbish, he only won a 6 horse race Barrichello - rubbish, he only comes second Alonso - good driver is a rubbish <cough> car Fisi - rubbish driver in a rubbish <cough> car Rakeincan - good driver, no personality, in fast but unreliable crapper Mantoy-ah - dangerous driver in fast reliable car Webber - good qualifier, poor raceraft in **** car Heidfeld - good racer in **** car Truly (as in he promises heaps but doesn't deliver) - average car/driver Shoemaker V2.0 - unreliable driver in average car Gilles V2.0 - wildly lucky driver to be even in F1 and even luckier to have won Massa - go kart driver, make an average NASCAR driver the rest - who cares, they're making up the numbers We all had great hopes for Webber in Oz but he seems to have blown his chances, even the women in the FCA here have said he's crap but I don't know how they meant that
Im just surprised that Flavio would want Webber after his performance compared to his team-mate. He might be demoted to #2 (but only if hes not outperforming Alonso), but would you rather be #1 at a crappy team or #2 at a World potential Championship team? Maybe we should ask Barichello ;-)
The best number two for Briatore to sign would be Barichello. Just imagine the competition with Rubens relieved of having to follow Michael around. His experience and professionalism would be a step up from Jeancarlo and could only help Fernando develop further. No doubt Michael would have to earn his way around Rubens when the opportunity presented itself and that would be fun to watch. As for Webber, I would agree he has made some awful mistakes this year but I ould not hang the car's performance solely on Williams. With BMW focused on their new team and new rules next year how much development of the current engine package do they want to undertake? Clearly they made no progress this year. I suspect they shut off the financial faucet and have their sights set on next year. This didn't help anyone driving a Williams.
Race of Champions. - race a couple different cars (buggy, 360Chall, rally car) around a hopelessly small track in a stadium, tops from F1, WRC, NASCAR, etc. usually show up. Schumi won overall, HK won in a head to head shoot out or something though. The kid was seriously fast in that setting.
Whatever! - Race of Champions is an exhibition in a stadium - not true racing conditions, and certainly not F1. The kid may be quick but that doesn't mean anything until he is actually in an F1 racing wheel to wheel. Remember Frentzen was quicker than MS in F3 and Mercedes... where is Frentzen now?
From www.grandprix.com: Kovalainen is Champion of Champions The Race of Champions in Paris has been won by Heikki Kovalainen. The young Finn beat David Coulthard in the first round and then moved on to defeat Jean Alesi, who had previously dealt with American Casey Mears. Kovalainen thus ended up against Michael Schumacher, who had made it to the Racers final by defeating Felipe Massa and then Sebastien Bourdais (who defeated Kenny Brack). The Kovalainen- Schumacher battle resulted in the Finn winning by more than 10secs and took him into the Grand Final where he took on and beat World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb by 0.8sec. 10 seconds. Whatever, yeah right.
... yes he is SOOOOO good that he is able to take 10secs of the 7 time world champion in a 2mins race... No doubt he will embarrass all the F1 drivers next year! Did you watch the actual event? I am sure since you speak so assertively. I am sure you recall that Schumacher also lost on the first round..(but SURPRISE the marshals gave the Brazilian a penalty and awarded MS the victory so he would at least get some face time before the 190,000 spectators). HK is quick and versatile but lets not crown him world champion until he has actually competed in an F1 race ....
Nobody crowns him world champion. All I'm saying the guy is damned good and fast. You don't beat 4 great drivers in a duel if you don't know what you're doing. And yes, I did watch the event. And I enjoyed him beating MS, hehe. I have to agree though, that there was some fishy stuff going on with the judges eliminating or keeping drivers in the tournament. So yes, this can't be taken just at face value. And I also agree that only in a F1 car a F1 driver can be measured whether he is worth his salt. Still I was thoroughly impressed by this kid, whose name I haven't heard before.
Agreed.. haven't seen HK interviewed but I sure hope he has more personality than the other Finn the Mr "Iceman"... almost makes me long for JPM to win (yickes!)
I think it is a cultural thing. Mikka took years to "open up" and even then gave one syllable answers. At any rate, back to our regularly schedule discussion: Webber vs Fisico
Thread hijack- I predict HK will take GF place at Renault. F1 racer said "We might see FA/HK at Renault and GF/MW at Williams." I agree. F1 needs more drivers who can challenge. I think HK is that man.
I don't understand why Webber is getting such a bad reputation. He's driving a turd around the track, similar to basically every year he has been in F1. He's spun a few times and a lost positions...he's car didn't even deserve to be that high up to begin with! If Fisi hadn't crashed into him in Maylasia how he would have more points than Heidfeld.
Do you actually watch this event? It was clearly more of a media event than a serious "race". The significance of any of the final standings is nil.
Yeah some of what you have said I agree with ... but I have actually been impressed with Montoya in the last few races ... and Webber's qualifying has gone down hill too (but he has always beaten NH, if not he has had MORE fuel). I give Webber one more chance ... but that is it Pete
