Ralf to Toyota (says Coulthard)

[DriverT]

So apparently, according to David Coulthard, Ralf Schumacher is moving to Toyota in the next year.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/moto...ne/3708127.stm

Is it a good move for both RS and Toyota?

[Adam43]

and the Autosport Williams piece said that the deal only needs approval from Japan.

I guess DC might know a little about it as he has probably talks with Williams and Toyota. This one has more credibility than most rumours. I wonder if we'll here from Toyota (one way or another) soon?

[esorniloc]

Originally posted by DriverT
Is it a good move for both RS and Toyota?

Depends how good the 05 Toyota is

[DriverT]

Well, if it's as bad at this year's, then they might have equal car and driver

I think this rumour is true, as a lot of people have been writing about it for a long time. Now we'll see how good Ralf is.

[Super Tourer]

This story keeps on going around, with each version carrying an interesting add on.

In the Autosport piece they allude to the possibility that Ralf could be replaced at Williams when (or if I guess) the Toyota anouncement is made, enabling them to evaluate a replacement for 2005....

They also claim Da Matta is 'disillusioned' with F1 (which I have read elsewhere), which if true will mark another US 'experiment' that has come to nothing, and potentially effect Scott Dixon's F1 aspirations.

[Mr V]

Originally posted by DriverT


Is it a good move for both RS and Toyota?

I honestly don't think it is, especially from Toyotas point of view.

They want to move up the grid and they need a driver who can carry them through the bad times as well as the good.

Williams are a better team than Toyota and Rafe seems to be happily cruising around whilst his team mate is doing a better job.

If Toyota can produce a car that is quick out of the box in 2005 then Rafe might do ok, but if it's not, then they will struggle imo. The other thing is, Rafe (and Toyota) will be further back down the field, Rafes gonna have to overtake more often.

[gomick]

how would coulthard know where ralf is going - david just hopes that webber signs for williams so that he can get out of that crappy mclaren and into the #14 jag

[dcp2685]

Originally posted by Mr V
I honestly don't think it is, especially from Toyotas point of view.

They want to move up the grid and they need a driver who can carry them through the bad times as well as the good.

Williams are a better team than Toyota and Rafe seems to be happily cruising around whilst his team mate is doing a better job.

If Toyota can produce a car that is quick out of the box in 2005 then Rafe might do ok, but if it's not, then they will struggle imo. The other thing is, Rafe (and Toyota) will be further back down the field, Rafes gonna have to overtake more often.

I agree Mr V to a certain extent. The problem with ralf is getting his car setup. When the car is perfect he can be blistering quick (Europe and France last year). The problem is that 95% of the time the car is less than ideal and he can't drive a bad car. That fact coupled with the fact that Toyota hasn't produced anything to speak of does not bold well for little ralfy. JPM can drive badly setup cars and i'm willing to bet CDM can too. If they keep CDM on next year and the car is no better, look for CDM to show Toyota they make a costly ($$$) mistake.

As for the overtaking, i'm wondering how many races it's going to take before he starts realizing that he's actually being lapped and not merely overtaken.
That and how many front runners he's going to hit in the process of being "lapped"

[BSchneiderFan]

I think the real problem for Toyota and Schuey Minor - if this rumour turns out to be true - is that Ralf's motivation can waver drastically at times, which is the very last thing you need in a driver trying to pull a team up the grid. Someone like Schuey Major or Mark Webber is forever upbeat and working hard, never allowing adversity to blunt their speed. Can we say the same of Ralf? I'd say not.

[alesi95]

Ralf and Toyota are made for each other. One arrogant, not very successful driver and one arrogant, not very successful team.

[TeddyG]

Great move for Ralf, dumbest move ever for Toyota!

[grumpy1]

I said a while ago the deal was done.The biggest question which remains unanswered is who will sit in the second seat.From the info I have (that insider again)is Zonta will step up and Brisco will be named as the 3rd driver.

The Grumpy1