2006 Prediction Thread

[JeremySmith]

2006 Champion....Michael
2006 Constructors Champions.....Ferrari

Possible Surprise Driver...Trulli
Possible Surprise Team.....Williams
Possible Surprise Engine Package....Cosworth

Biggest Possible Disappointment..... Ralf/ Lack of overtaking.

Post 2006 Unemployment......JV-Retiring

[OZ_HCR32]

2006 Champion - Montoya , id like to revisit this one after two races, otherwise Kimi

2006 Constructors Champions - McLaren

Possible Surprise Driver - Trulli
Possible Surprise Team - Toyota
Possible Surprise Engine Package -Toyota Will it be a surprise? I expect them to be strongest in the engine dept. If Honda make a good one i will be surprised

Biggest Possible Disappointment - Massa Will make Rubens look good. Most likely to continue to disappoint- Webber, Button and Ralf

Post 2006 Unemployment Line - JV, Fisi and Klien Even though Klien did well this year, i think he will get dropped by RBR as 2007 they will be looking for a driver capable of winning WDC

I was outclassed by my team mate - Ralf and Button

[EERO]

2006 Champion Kimi Räikkönen
2006 Constructors Champions McLaren-Mercedes

Possible Surprise Driver Nick Heidfeld
Possible Surprise Team Toyota (Expect that elusive first win)
Possible Surprise Engine Package Cosworth (V10) Squadro Toro Rosso will embarrass a few people)

Biggest Possible Disappointment Felipe Massa* Special Note on Alonso who will still be fast but lack commited support from Renault and underacheive through no fault of his own.

Post 2006 Unemployment Line Monteiro, Albers, Klein, Villeneuve,

[LampCord]

2006 Champion Michael Schumacher
2006 Constructors Champions Ferrari

Possible Surprise Driver Fernando Alonso
Possible Surprise Team Toyota
Possible Surprise Engine Package Cosworth

Biggest Possible Disappointment Barrichello

Post 2006 Unemployment Line the usual collecion of hangers on.

No one expects FA to repeat????

[BSchneiderFan]

Originally Posted by LampCord

No one expects FA to repeat????

Well, historically, relatively few people pull off consecutive titles - off the top of my head, only Ascari, Fangio, Brabham, Prost, Senna, Schumacher and Hakkinen. I also think people might have reckoned that his eye will be on McLaren in 2007, thus providing a distraction.

[Kirk]

Ron is hoping so, but Alonso proved a lot to me last year and I think he can handle that extra distraction. On another note, it will be difficult for the Renault team to maintain their status but I underestimated them last year as well. If were a betting man I would bet against them with the real question being what team will take that top spot. Ferrari and McLaren, along with Renault being obvious favourites on paper, but I would not be surprised if one or both of Honda and Toyota were to contend strongly to start out and who knows, maybe throughout. I'm hoping for some unpredicability and seeing a variety of faces on the podium.

[Louis B.]

Post 2006 Unemployment Line

When read in the context of some of his/her other posts, the initiator of this thread is apparently not missing a chance to put a bait to JV fans. I have so far been able to ignore him. Unfortunately, I am only human and some non-JV fans (nevertheless reputable members of this forum) are swallowing the bait eventhough they are generally so adamant to complain when a thread turns into a JV thread.

If this thread is truly and genuinely about 2006 predictions as its title appears to indicate, then dealing with that line now is off topic. Otherwise, predictions about unemployment for 2007 are premature to say the least. I suspect that it is in fact aimed at setting afire this thread.

As you know, the heck in me is fascinated by fire...

[Nintendo]

Ok, lads, lay off Villeneuve. Think of the canadians!!!

[Louis B.]

Actually, please let momentarily in peace every f1 driver until we have had the chance to see how each of them does on the track in 2006. "Laissons la chance au coureur" as we say in French.

[Nintendo]

Originally Posted by Louis B.

Actually, please let momentarily in peace every f1 driver until we have had the chance to see how each of them does on the track in 2006. "Laissons la chance au coureur" as we say in French.

What he said

[NO1SPECIAL]

2006 Champion: Ralf
2006 Constructors Champions: Toyota

Possible Surprise Driver: Montoya
Possible Surprise Team: So do I put Toyota for both or what? OK, BMW.
Possible Surprise Engine Package: Cosworth

Biggest Possible Disappointment: McLaren

Post 2006 Unemployment Line: No matter what he does, probably Jacques. I don't think BMW will retain him unless he quadruples Heidfeld's points tally. And with the scarcity of spots in F1 and JV not getting any younger, it's unlikely he'd find another seat.

[OZ_HCR32]

Originally Posted by Louis B.

Unfortunately, I am only human and some non-JV fans (nevertheless reputable members of this forum) are swallowing the bait eventhough they are generally so adamant to complain when a thread turns into a JV thread.

Just quickly, I AM a JV fan, sad reality is even if he outdrives NH and does a better job (im hoping and believe he can, actually expecting him to early on) F1 is simply far too political...and BMW investing in too many youg drivers in feeder series to have him in the team.

Also the fact that internally BMW / NH relationship has some history...means the development of the car may not go in the direction that JV would like. I dont liek it, but thats what my crystall ball is telling me.

Ineteresting that ppl dont seem to think Toyota, more my thinking Trulli will spring surprises?

[Tf105]

2006 Champion: ?????
2006 Constructors Champions: Toyota

Possible Surprise Driver: Ralf - The new chassis takes a liking to him
Possible Surprise Team: Toyota - No surprise, the enevitable
Possible Surprise Engine Package: Mclaren

Biggest Possible Disappointment: Renault

I expect Midland F1 to improve alot also

[chunterer]

2006 Champion: Montoya (if Mclaren continue pace)
2006 Constructors Champions: Toyota

Possible Surprise Driver: Massa
Possible Surprise Team: Ferrari
Possible Surprise Engine Package:

Biggest Possible Disappointment: Mclaren (if they don't continue pace) or Nico Rosberg.

Post 2006 Unemployment Line: Ralfie, Fizzi, Klien, Sato, Albers, Villeneuve, Heidfeld,

[Kirk]

That's quite an unemployment line Chunterer, especially with Ralf and Heidfeld signed for '07. Anyway, for what's it worth:

2006 Champion: Kimi
2006 Constructors Champions: Ferrari

Possible Surprise Driver: Massa, Villeneuve, Fisi
Possible Surprise Team: BAR-Honda and Ferrari (if thats considered a surprise)
Possible Surprise Engine Package: Honda-BAR

Biggest Possible Disappointment: JPM

[N I Tram]

2006 Champion Kimi
2006 Constructors Champions McLaren-Mercedes

Possible Surprise Driver Alonso - judging by previous comments, 2nd to Kimi would be a surprise
Possible Surprise Team Williams (even Webber might win)
Possible Surprise Engine Package Ferrari

Biggest Possible Disappointment People are over-hyping Massa

Post 2006 Unemployment Line Monteiro, Albers, JV, Sato, Liuzzi

[Ingsy]

2006 Champion - Montoya
2006 Constructors Champions - McLaren

Possible Surprise Driver - Rosberg
Possible Surprise Team - Williams
Possible Surprise Engine Package - Cosworth

Biggest Possible Disappointment - Honda

Post 2006 Unemployment Line - Liuzzi, Villenueve

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by Kirk

That's quite an unemployment line Chunterer, especially with Ralf and Heidfeld signed for '07.

Thought Nick was on a rolling year by year deal?

But i reckon at least one of those 2 are going to have to seriously impress their bosses to prevent being replace by a top liner. BMW are just treading water for a year or 2 but if they find they're in the hunt by the end of next year they'll want a real challenger in there (i actually hope Nick does the job) With Ralf, well he's been around for years and if Toyota keep one of their current drivers it'll be Jarno (unless he walks, or they can't be bothered to pay Ralf off)

[nickyf1]

I think Montoya could win the championship this year.

[F.O.F.]

2006 Champion - kimi
2006 Constructors Champions - toyota

Possible Surprise Driver - JPM,fisi,trulli
Possible Surprise Team - bedbull,williams
Possible Surprise Engine Package - cosworth

Biggest Possible Disappointment - JPM

Post 2006 Unemployment Line - ralf,micheal,villeneuve, coulthard,liuzzi,monteiro,albers

[F.O.F.]

Originally Posted by nickyf1

I think Montoya could win the championship this year.

he could,he deserves it and i would personally love to see that

[Nintendo]

Maybe so, but the likelihood of monty outpacing raikkonen is pretty slim.

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by Nintendo

Maybe so, but the likelihood of monty outpacing raikkonen is pretty slim.

You reckon??!!

Based on how close they were for the last part of 2005, it would be daft to say either of them will have an advantage at the moment!

This could be the picture:

JPM fully fit and determined to keep his job for '07 and win his maiden (possibly only) title to boot goes up against a Kimi who may or may not know who he's driving for in 2007, therefore he maybe distracted by this and not fully on it, or, drives brilliantly to ensure he's the man in demand?

I'll go for the latter of those Kimi's possibilites...

Yep, this year we'll really see the fireworks between them - the Mclaren boys and us are in for a royal treat!!!

They might both end up driving to keep their seat - who dares wins!

[Kirk]

When comparing the 2 McLaren drivers, speed is not the issue. JPM is what, 30, yet he still strikes me as an immature driver. If he didn't learn last year that he must be more patient in the cockpit, then I'm afraid he may never learn. Kimi can be as aggressive as any driver but he also has displayed patience when needed and to date he has been better at choosing when to go for it. JPM must fine tune that tendency to overdrive in order to beat "The Iceman".

[Menelaos]

Originally Posted by chunterer

They might both end up driving to keep their seat[/B]

I think in Kimi's case it's more of a "building a car to have a chance to keep our driver next year" kind of thing. It's he who has the upper hand, not McLaren.