Midland's Potential

shugruah · 22 Feb 2006, 03:58 (Ref:1528729)

Now that we have more information on midland's potencial do you still think they are condemned to the back of the grid??

today in barcelona they were 1sec. slower than the best, 0.3 slower than red bulls car.

I think we have to wait to see how much they can improve, but knowing that they began testing later than the other teams and seeing how much they have improved ( 2weeks ago they were 4-5sec. slower than wiliams and mclarens), I can see them fighting regurarly for points.

flyingduck · 22 Feb 2006, 04:10 (Ref:1528731)

I think that they would love to be fighting for points but give them a year and they will do it

climb · 22 Feb 2006, 07:15 (Ref:1528763)

For this Year, given the organisational problems they had (and probably stil have), it's hard to predict a different season from Jordan 2005.

Suze · 22 Feb 2006, 08:05 (Ref:1528786)

agree with climb here - once they've got a season under their belt so to speak it'll be easier to judge but this year they still will be jordan-esque

Marbot · 22 Feb 2006, 08:44 (Ref:1528829)

The team seems to be pleased with progress so far.It's not a bad looking car,and all those winglets lead me to believe that it's spent a fair old time in the wind tunnel.It's got a decent engine and willing drivers.You never know,you just never know.http://www.f1racing.net/en/news.php?newsID=110077

Silk Cut Jaguar · 22 Feb 2006, 09:39 (Ref:1528882)

I don't think they will have a terrible season, in testing the car doesn't seem lightyears off the pace like the Jordan and Minardi always were which can only be a good sign. Providing they can maintain that speed and aren't dropped in the first lap by 3 seconds ala Jordan they should have a productive year.

It's also hard to imagine the Toyota engine not being reliable for them and in the steady hands of Monteiro they should be able to scrape a few points during the season.

**Bononi** · 22 Feb 2006, 10:17 (Ref:1528917)

Would it be cliché if I say "It's too early for predictions." ??? I guess I have made this comment in about ten other threads...

kipper · 22 Feb 2006, 10:21 (Ref:1528921)

I can't imagine that Midland will have better season than last year. Ultimatley testing times are not a reliable indicator of form and seem to be used by some of the smaller teams as a means of generating some positive publicity. Also, it needs to be considered that although Midland have a new car and a good engine, other teams will have also progressed as well as their being the threat posed by Toro Rosso.

BootsOntheSide · 22 Feb 2006, 11:58 (Ref:1528992)

Midland should be closer to the pace of the 'big 8' than they were before - unfortunately STR are likely to make even bigger strides, especially if Liuzzi can hit form and the V10 situation works in their favour. Reliability may work in their favour to get them a handful of points.

speedfreek · 22 Feb 2006, 16:58 (Ref:1529171)

I reckon Midland may still be near the back of the grid, but they will be a lot closer to the back of the midfeild, infact i expect them to get at least 4/5 points finishes this year.

Dutton · 22 Feb 2006, 18:16 (Ref:1529230)

I think we need to be careful about ascribing more than one, maybe two, points finishes to these kinds of teams (barring exceptional circumstances).

Ferrari, Honda, Mclaren, Renault, Toyota, Williams.

There are 12 contenders battling for 8 spots already.

**chunterer** · 22 Feb 2006, 18:28 (Ref:1529242)

I think Dutton's point is sound - Midland will have to have a seriously better car than last year to even move a couple of spots up the grid...

With SA popping up, Midland can be sure of not being at the back, as I suspect that they will be behind the STR's for a while at least.

Silk Cut Jaguar · 22 Feb 2006, 19:28 (Ref:1529273)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bononi

Would it be cliché if I say "It's too early for predictions." ??? I guess I have made this comment in about ten other threads...

Without idle speculation and predictions this forum would have about 5 posts during the off-season.

Dutton · 22 Feb 2006, 19:43 (Ref:1529282)

And not much more on-season,

.

Marbot · 22 Feb 2006, 19:59 (Ref:1529292)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silk Cut Jaguar

Without idle speculation and predictions this forum would have about 5 posts during the off-season.

That prediction is just idle speculation.

Gt_R · 22 Feb 2006, 20:05 (Ref:1529296)

Red Bull seems to have the financials, resources and most importantly, the talented people to keep the development of the car at a rate faster than Midland.

The strength of Midland lies in it's engine, which seems powerful and reliable. The car would be decent, if not as well-rounded to drive hard as the top teams. But there are so many quality front teams, it may still push a competitive Midland to the back.

They may score a couple of points in the first few races out of reliability, but unless the BS are superior to Michelins, i can't see Midland being ahead of RBR.

**Bononi** · 22 Feb 2006, 22:32 (Ref:1529383)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silk Cut Jaguar

Without idle speculation and predictions this forum would have about 5 posts during the off-season.

Nothing against idle speculation and predictions - otherwise this one wouldn't be open - so that's interesting how people can develop singular theories.

My post was only an observation over a common fact. But what's more interesting, is that a moderator's posts seems to sound like censoring or warning to most, instead just a commentary.

Maybe new tags would help like [Mod] or something...

About just 5 posts, during off or on-season... it's a sad definition to the level of our member's posts here.

Dutton · 22 Feb 2006, 22:36 (Ref:1529389)

Ah, no no!

You can have very good posts that remain predictions and speculation.

The reality is not many of us "know" anything.

safc_fan89 · 22 Feb 2006, 22:46 (Ref:1529399)

It's good to see that Midland have really made an effort this season regarding their car, and now that they have 2 decent drivers (sorry, but I don't rate Karthikeyan) they may do better this season. Or should do better at least.

shambles · 22 Feb 2006, 22:53 (Ref:1529413)

Well. I don't expect too much this year. I ifeel, they'll be back-enders (so to speak). But, I do expect improvements, and I shall not be surprised if they can be competitive backmarkers.

Marbot · 23 Feb 2006, 01:41 (Ref:1529510)

Quote:

Originally Posted by martin-1

Well. I don't expect too much this year. I ifeel, they'll be back-enders (so to speak). But, I do expect improvements, and I shall not be surprised if they can be competitive backmarkers.

"competetive backmarkers" what are they then?

Gt_R · 23 Feb 2006, 02:23 (Ref:1529531)

Instead of finding themselves in the midfield once every 19 races, they now experience it twice a season.

Dutton · 23 Feb 2006, 02:33 (Ref:1529537)

I'd consider it to mean being competitive with other back markers (i.e. the Jordan-Minardi battle meaning Minardi were competitive backmarkers).

Suze · 23 Feb 2006, 08:59 (Ref:1529667)

yep, minardi / jordan (or this year SA / midland) will be one...will toyota be dropping back there too...?

Marbot · 23 Feb 2006, 09:12 (Ref:1529671)

Unless one of the other teams has some really serious issues,i can only see SA as the obvious backmarker.None of the times for any of the teams have been that conclusive in testing (even Midland got to within almost a second of Renault) so it's still quite open as far as i'm concerned.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
potential new marshal	andrew_powell98	Marshals Forum	2	14 Oct 2004 08:35
Potential Scoop	Seton Fanatic	Australasian Touring Cars.	32	24 Jul 2004 12:15
a potential GT from Audi?	pitviper	Sportscar & GT Racing	2	22 May 2003 14:45
potential racer needing help	jimbocaruso	National & International Single Seaters	12	14 May 2003 22:44