|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
17 Mar 2006, 18:55 (Ref:1551347) | #1 | |
Racer
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 236
|
Not yet sold on Ferrari
I've been reviewing the first race results and I must say I'm still a little skeptical about whether Ferrari is back or not.
Now I'd like to point out that I am a Schumi fan and hope he wins the championship so this isn't coming from a hater, but consider this... On qualifying: The new format makes it much more difficult to sort out who has the fastest car. I know they took the entire front row, but I think they did the best job of all of the teams of timing out their runs so the car was at the optimal tire / fuel point right at the very end. Plus with Kimi out of the picture, its hard to know how that would have played. It will be interesting to see if other teams adjust their strategy tonight. On the race itself: It was clear to me that after the first stint, Alonso was faster. Schumi had a reasonable lead on somewhat less fuel after the first stint but in listening to comments after the race, I get the feeling that everyone assumed that Schumi had started on a very light load and I believe Alonso was saving his tires and engine for when Shumi pitted and he had clean air. I think Renault was surprised that Schumacher stayed out as long as he did. In the second and third stints, Alonso was his usual 'as quick as he needs to be' self and even though he was stuck in some pretty serious back marker traffic which cost him quite a bit of time, he still managed to just barely get out in front. From that point on, it didn't appear that Schumi could really pressure him despite the fact that he was running on warm tires compared to Alonso's cold tires. And then there's Kimi. What will happen when he doesn't have a mechanical failure knocking him to the back row? I still get the sense that its once again a 2 man race between Kimi and Alonso where reliability will probably be as big a factor as speed. I just hope I'm wrong. A pole and 30 second win by Schumi would alleviate my concerns. |
|
__________________
Racing is life. Everything that happens before or after is just waiting. |
17 Mar 2006, 19:17 (Ref:1551372) | #2 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 6,760
|
I think Renault certainly have the edge on Ferrari, but I am unclear with regards Mclaren.
I would say Bahrain certainly didn't show Ferrari to be right up there on the ultiamte pace, but it did show that the package is thereabouts. |
||
|
17 Mar 2006, 19:29 (Ref:1551388) | #3 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Dec 2000
Posts: 11,293
|
As much as it pains me to say it, but it looks like Ferrari will get lots of wins this year. With their resources, they can only improve the car. They already have a very quick car, after a few months development, they will have a grid killer.
I wonder whats going to happen regarding these rear wings however...? |
||
|
17 Mar 2006, 19:32 (Ref:1551391) | #4 | ||
Racer
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 396
|
Well lamp -- Although ferrari is not back to the degree they were a few years ago -- they're certainly closing in -- Also, I think Honda is moving slowly but surely toward powerhouse status -- this is going to be a great year because there are possibly four teams that could win this thing.
|
||
|
17 Mar 2006, 19:33 (Ref:1551394) | #5 | |
Retired
20KPINAL
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 22,897
|
I would add Williams to that list.
|
|
|
17 Mar 2006, 19:35 (Ref:1551398) | #6 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 6,760
|
I don't think Williams can hack the pace, which means they are going to struggle to remain where they are (let alone advance).
If Bridgestone made a big gain, well, then it is a possibility. |
||
|
17 Mar 2006, 19:39 (Ref:1551402) | #7 | |
Retired
20KPINAL
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 22,897
|
Aero gains will be much easier to find than engine power.And Cosworth seem to have the upper hand there.
|
|
|
17 Mar 2006, 19:43 (Ref:1551405) | #8 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 6,760
|
Well, one intepretation of that could mean it will be easier for the other teams to advance their engines than Cosworth (the gap can only reduce).
|
||
|
17 Mar 2006, 19:45 (Ref:1551406) | #9 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,799
|
I'd say Ferrari are about there. Michael was able to pull away from Alonso in the first stint of Bahrain, But I guess we won't really know if that was just a one off till after 2 or 3 more races.
|
||
__________________
Nuts on the road! |
17 Mar 2006, 19:48 (Ref:1551410) | #10 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 6,760
|
The extensive testing they did in Bahrain prior to the race must've made a difference, but how much is another matter.
|
||
|
17 Mar 2006, 19:50 (Ref:1551413) | #11 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 7,618
|
well . they are looking well so far in Sepang too . with Massa just behind Alonso .. so it's not bad pace wise .. it seems they have some engine problems .. but those might go away arriving in Europe ..
|
||
__________________
Apocalypse becomes creation / Gor-Gor shall erase the nation Before you leap into his gizzard / Fall and worship Tyrant lizard Ciao Marco |
17 Mar 2006, 21:55 (Ref:1551493) | #12 | |
Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,979
|
Uhm... is there a GP this weekend??
|
|
|
17 Mar 2006, 22:38 (Ref:1551510) | #13 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 936
|
No - it's next week-end ASCII Man. Off you go - back to sleep - sweet dreams! (keep quiet ya'll- let him dream on!!).
Lots of ponderables here Lampcord and I agree with most of your observations. Methinks it is going to take a couple more races to sort out the men from the boys this season. My instinct though, is that this years championship will go to the driver/team with the best stratergy, from beginning to end. Good thread |
||
__________________
I would engage you in a battle of wits, but it is against my moral code to attack the unarmed!!! |
17 Mar 2006, 22:45 (Ref:1551515) | #14 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 936
|
Sorry - double post!
|
||
__________________
I would engage you in a battle of wits, but it is against my moral code to attack the unarmed!!! |
18 Mar 2006, 00:49 (Ref:1551602) | #15 | |||
Veteran
Join Date: Sep 2000
Posts: 11,402
|
Quote:
|
|||
|
18 Mar 2006, 15:57 (Ref:1551904) | #16 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Sep 2001
Posts: 13,000
|
I'm quite cynical about how truly competitive Ferrari are right now. Alonso didn't really shoot for pole in Bahrain and was still close, making full use of his extra tyres in race conditions. They had an advantage from having tested there beforehand as well. Based on Bahrain and Malaysia qualifying, I'd say the top 5 are fairly close, with Renault slightly ahead. and Honda probably behind Ferari/McLaren/Williams based on their overall performance.
|
||
|
18 Mar 2006, 16:15 (Ref:1551919) | #17 | |
20KPINAL
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 29,853
|
They are there-ish....but not class leaders by any stretch.
This, however, is a major improvement on last year! |
|
|
18 Mar 2006, 16:18 (Ref:1551924) | #18 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 7,618
|
but i belive they have a big margin of improvement .. not sure about the others. .
we'll see .. they look like they want to stay as close as possible to the leaders for now .. |
||
__________________
Apocalypse becomes creation / Gor-Gor shall erase the nation Before you leap into his gizzard / Fall and worship Tyrant lizard Ciao Marco |
18 Mar 2006, 17:30 (Ref:1551978) | #19 | |||
Veteran
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 13,211
|
Quote:
|
|||
__________________
That's so frickin uncool man! |
18 Mar 2006, 17:32 (Ref:1551981) | #20 | |||
Veteran
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 13,211
|
Quote:
|
|||
__________________
That's so frickin uncool man! |
18 Mar 2006, 17:41 (Ref:1551987) | #21 | |||
Veteran
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 7,618
|
Quote:
but those two things . aren't correct .. it was 4 laps . and 1 =/= 5 . Michael had 5 seconds over Alonso when he pitted .. |
|||
__________________
Apocalypse becomes creation / Gor-Gor shall erase the nation Before you leap into his gizzard / Fall and worship Tyrant lizard Ciao Marco |
18 Mar 2006, 17:48 (Ref:1551995) | #22 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,006
|
I think Renault and McLaren have the best cars at the moment, closely folowed by Ferrari, Williams and Honda. But at least there are many teams challenging for the win at any given race and I hope the season will be very interesting!!
|
||
|
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
306 supercar SOLD | peespeed | Rallying & Rallycross | 16 | 12 May 2006 21:41 |
BOC Sold! | XW GT | Australasian Touring Cars. | 6 | 8 Mar 2006 12:18 |
TVR has been sold | Tuscan 6 | National & Club Racing | 15 | 3 Aug 2004 20:58 |
BSB Sold | pixie | Bike Racing | 6 | 14 Feb 2004 00:32 |
00 Sold? | 00 XR8 | Australasian Touring Cars. | 9 | 23 Dec 2003 23:03 |