10 Tenths have spoken: Michael Schumacher is firm favourite to take 2001 WDC

[R]

Following the closing of registration for predicting the end-of-year top 6, I've calculated a summary of the predictions, based on the 10-6-4-3-2-1 points system for 1st to 6th placings respectively.

The results were as follows:

1. Michael Schumacher 365
2. Mika Hakkinen 263
3. David Coulthard 184
4. Rubens Barrichello 103
5. Ralf Schumacher 62
6. Jacques Villeneuve 50
7. Juan Pablo Montoya 36
8. Heinz-Harald Frentzen 21
9. Jarno Trulli 15
10. Jean Alesi 10
11. Jenson Button 4
11. Olivier Panis 4
13. Jos Verstappen 1

Out of the 43 participants, 28 predicted TGF to win the title, 9 predicted Mika to win it, and the remaining 6 predicted DC to take his maiden title. Nobody predicting a major upset for the title then, we can safely say.

[Gerard]

Thanks R, for taking the effort to calculate this.
Well there's hardly a surprise there then.

[Liz]

In other words, BORING BORING BORING.

The real interest this season will be from P5 back. I hope we are spared an entire season of watching TGF circulate alone.

However, when the local guy suggested that TGF might, if he passed Prost's record for championships, be considered "The greatest driver who ever lived" it was a relief to hear Gerald Donaldson immediately extinguish that idea. And for the right reason: because he has for most of his career had no effective competition. The man is a good pilot and has certainly had every possible aid and comfort in his quest; however, considering that he has essentially had only one man to fight against in any one year, one could hardly call him "the greatest driver that ever lived."

[Sparky]

I was greatly relieved to see the Australian director focusing on the Frentzen - Heidfeld battle for fifth while Schumi was circulating away up front.

I think that there's plenty to see further down the field, it's just down to what 'they' want us to see...

(Also good to get some decent 'in-car' shots, dont you think!? )

[Liz]

Montoya moves his F1 wheel a lot more than he moved his Champ Car wheel. I wonder if that is just because he's still learning how it feels? I was also glad to see in-car shots from the Sauber and look forward to having graphics like we get in the BTCC with the pilot's face and name off to one side as we get the in-car.

What happened to Trulli?

[ireshad]

Apparently his engine was mis-firing from the start and just went downhill. Bit ironic really since general attitude seemed to be that Jordan had to up the reliability of the car to match that of the Honda engine.

[RussianFriend]

So many optimist of us belive that DC may win titul this year? Not in this life!!!!

[Raoul Duke]

I hope DC or Mika wins the title, but I remain pessimistic about it. I think that, Once again it will be another year dominated by MS(or TGF as he is reffered to here).

[kuchi]

Funny, none of the Sauber drivers is in the list, and may be they got luck in Ozzy, but if it wasn't luck, then they can be at the top 8 this season, interesting now not only williams and the two honda powered teams are going to be fighting all year long, the suiss team comes in the frenzy.