Ron Dennis Promise a GP Win

Led ZeppF1 · 10 May 2004, 06:47 (Ref:966153)

McLaren is on deep problem this year. The MP4-19 car is not quick enough and its engine not powerful enough. But, Ron Dennis is still on positive thinking.

Andrew Benson, BBC's Motorsport editor at the Spanish GP, reports that Dennis came up to him the race and said: "Put money on us winning a Grand Prix this year."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/moto...ne/3699069.stm

903cc · 10 May 2004, 06:58 (Ref:966160)

...and pigs might fly..

There is just a great a chance of a Jaguar winning a race. Or a Minardi. The Macs are really slow.

Monaco could happen but then it would be a fluke in the Panis mould.

Don K · 10 May 2004, 07:39 (Ref:966186)

I'm not sure about this.

The only season in which Coulthard didn't win a race in a McLaren was in 1996.

Wrex · 10 May 2004, 07:47 (Ref:966194)

I would'nt rule it out, this is'nt some 2nd rate team afterall. While I would'nt put money on them, I would'nt put money against them either.

climb · 10 May 2004, 07:56 (Ref:966202)

Under the curent circumstances, ut could be a good business; betting a little amount on it, it could yield a very good return, in case of positive outcome

Led ZeppF1 · 10 May 2004, 07:57 (Ref:966204)

Quote:

Originally posted by Don K
I'm not sure about this.

The only season in which Coulthard didn't win a race in a McLaren was in 1996.

Yup, I think you are right.

fog_shadow · 10 May 2004, 08:48 (Ref:966238)

yes actually the odds of McLaren not winning a single race in 2004 are very low indeed. so the chance that they win at least one race are very good. and if the bettring odds are right as they should be given their performance, at least in theory one could make a lot of money on a relatively small investment.

because of the nature of the circuit, monaco is McLarens best chance imo, if only it came somewhere later in the year so that McLaren had more time to sort out some of the problems in the car.

13 races still to go, don't give up on Mclaren just yet. i haven't.

climb · 10 May 2004, 09:04 (Ref:966248)

IMO the past is not that relevant, there is no advantage they can get from 1997-2003 results.
More than numbers Dc and KIMI need a more powerful engine and a better car to drive.

Led ZeppF1 · 10 May 2004, 09:30 (Ref:966271)

Actually I just clarified the fact as Don K mentioned before. It is true that the only season in which Coulthard didn't win a race in a McLaren was in 1996.

So, I agree, wether DC will repeat 1996 or 1997-2003 is irrelevant.

DriverT · 10 May 2004, 09:34 (Ref:966276)

It is likely they will win a race this year. They are very slow at the moment, but as James Allen said yesterday, they are "pinning all their hopes on the new updated McLaren later in the year".

That's a ringing endorsement if ever I saw one

1200Datto27 · 10 May 2004, 10:03 (Ref:966313)

All it needs is for the maclarens to qualify in 9th and 10th, and have the top 4 teams in the 1st to 8th positions take each other out in the first corner.

**Peter Mallett** · 10 May 2004, 10:04 (Ref:966315)

Quote:

Originally posted by DriverT
It is likely they will win a race this year. They are very slow at the moment, but as James Allen said yesterday, they are "pinning all their hopes on the new updated McLaren later in the year".

That's a ringing endorsement if ever I saw one

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSS!!!

BootsOntheSide · 10 May 2004, 10:34 (Ref:966336)

It's not actually as unlikely as it sounds, considering that the update to the car could iron out most or all of their problems, and that Michael could have the title won with several races to spare, and might not compete quite as toughly. I hoenstly beleive that Kimi has been one of the drivers of the year so far, really doing the best with an inferior car, and he could be up the front again.

1200Datto27 · 10 May 2004, 10:42 (Ref:966341)

Yes, but isn't the -19 an update to solve all of the problems that they had with the -18?

**garcon** · 10 May 2004, 11:16 (Ref:966373)

What odds are the bookies taking right now on a Mac win sometime in 2004?

I might have a flutter.

I certainly wouldn't rule it out late in the year when they've had chance to get an update of the 19 out (and Ferrari have already tied up the Manufacturer's title and a 1-2 in the Drivers') ...

Gt_R · 10 May 2004, 15:19 (Ref:966595)

Aww...com'on Ron, you "promising" doesnt make it a certainty... IF it's that easy "I promise a win" and presto a win pops up...then nobody would spend the dollars..

What Ron have to really think hard is how much Mclaren can deliver the improvements...and how fast they can implement it. The focus now isn't to compete Ferrari this season..but rather, to get them onto equal footing before they start next year.

ralf fan · 10 May 2004, 16:34 (Ref:966656)

Nah... i wouldnt put money against them but it is highly unlikey... the finished 10th and 11th out of a total of 14 or was it 15 finishers..... not impressive.... they dont have oerall pace

Kicking-back · 10 May 2004, 16:58 (Ref:966678)

Ron's record since taking over McLaren has been impeccable.

He's also usually realistic about the team's chances - he's not going to build them up if he doesn't think they'll deliver.

McLaren always bounce back.

Knowlesy · 10 May 2004, 17:31 (Ref:966697)

I would happily put money on them having a strong end to the year. This is McLaren, a top team. They will get out of this disaster.

DriverT · 10 May 2004, 17:34 (Ref:966701)

Me too. I agree, Knowlesy.

903cc · 11 May 2004, 01:22 (Ref:967106)

I still disagree. Maclaren have not had much success with the last two cars the -18 and the -19. I am not convinced the updated version will give them much more. I think the old -17D would be just as competitive.

I say NO Maclaren will not win a race this year. It is now up to them to prove 903cc wrong.

freud · 11 May 2004, 04:26 (Ref:967179)

I would say Mclaren can do it. Didnt Jordan do it last year??

Gt_R · 11 May 2004, 06:55 (Ref:967246)

With that amount of money, with that technical depth, with the resources and facilities, of course Mclaren would bounce back...no way would Mclaren just drop into Minardi-league and decompose.

BUT they have been bouncing since last year and even further back...but they never managed to bounce back

Isn't Ron the man who said Mclaren would put Ferrari back into another 21 year drought after Ferrari clinched the title in 2000? So much for a realistic man...he gotta keep the team up - and get them back up - fast.

climb · 11 May 2004, 07:23 (Ref:967268)

The problem is, what has to happen to let Macs win?
IMO some conditions must be respected altogether:
1) Both Ferrari drivers fall asleep while driving cos of too much advantage
2) Alonso breaks the engine and Trulli remembers his real car-destroyer nature
3) Button is absent to purchase a new mansion, and Sato ate off sushi the evening before.
4) Ralf is refuelled with beer when pitting, and JPM has to serve a race ban for a guilty manoeuvre in the previous race
5) Webber has a bad day, Klien just normal
6) Fisi and Massa bump at each other
7) Jordan doesn't have a once-in-a-lifetime day

Under such circumstances Macs may be able to win a race

Andrew2001 · 11 May 2004, 07:27 (Ref:967275)

I have always been, and always will support the team that started in my home country.

The one thing Ferrari have done particularly well I think, is with reliability, Williams had 7-8 poles in 2001, and one or two wins, and none of those were from pole, McLaren had a ****e load of failures in 2001 with Mika's car, regrettably, when he was either leading or very close to the front on most occasions, and it gave up just where it didn't need to at Indianapolis '00 where he was reeling in Schumacher at a second a lap.....

They'll take a win a grand prix this year, or two.

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