F1 INDY - predictions - Page 2

magista · #16 (**permalink**) 10-01-2003, 11:06 AM

Watching Ferrari and Schumi win is like watching the Bulls or the Yankees win. It's almost a no brainer. Of course if they don't win then they go straight to the FIA and b*tch about some rule "waah, wah, wah...their tires were different or you have to outlaw that new engine material because we were denied exclusive use of it and another team got the rights so now we are saying there is a health concern..." Yeah...whatever. Big babies.

Not to say he isn't a great driver and they aren't a great team because that's obvious...but how many times do you wanna watch the same results...well...aside from this season which stressed them out a bit. Of course, at the same time, I always want Ferrari to win. I'm a *****.

I can't wait to see how Montoya does next season. Should be interesting.

Mr. C. · #17 (**permalink**) 10-01-2003, 02:41 PM

Ferrari design and build their entire race car and get deeply invloved in the tire design.
Ferrari has produced a car that the press agree is the best looking car on the track.
Ferrari's car is very well balanced.
The Ferrari is as reliable as a race car can be.
Ferrari have the best driver in the world today.
Ferrari's number two driver is at least in the top five in the world.
The Ferrari pit crews are excellent. As good as any in the sport.

So I guess those who wish to put Ferrari down have to find something !

**nizam** · #18 (**permalink**) 10-01-2003, 02:41 PM

Hmm, I don't know about you guys, but I didn't think Schuey had the win handed to him. He had to work pretty hard to get from 7th all the way to 1st.

He had three pit stops, while a number of others only had two. The third was necessary because he put on the wrong tires and had to come back in! (at that point, my buddies and I thought, that's the end of it!)

With a little bit of luck, and a lot of skill and consistency, he picked off one car at a time. I wouldn't say this season had been easy on Ferrari. Other teams have caught up and are doing just as well. Look at the points spread. Ferrari is only 3 points ahead of Williams/BMW.

The race was so gripping that I watched both the live telecast AND the replay later that day to pick out stuff I missed. Things like JP's 3-second penalty (it's debatable if it was avoidable, but hey, it's racing!), the fuel stop fumble on JP's car and the BAR Hondas blowing up.

Now Schuey has to finish in the points to win the championship. Can it be done? Sure! But Barrichelo has had mechanical issues in the past ... there is no reason why it couldn't also hit Michael. Heard of a guy named Murphy?

As for the other makers/drivers, Kimi Raikkonen drove a faultless race, but he wasn't as lucky with tire choices what with the unpredictable weather that afternoon at Indy. Kimi could still win the championship if he gets the chequered first, and Michael DNF's or finishes out of the points.

Suzuka will be awesome. Hopefully, Ferrari will win.

Nizam

magista · #19 (**permalink**) 10-01-2003, 02:53 PM

Mr. C, go back and read my post.

Sure Ferrari is this and that, blah, blah, blah...we all know that.

How about this...sometimes watching Ferrari win was like watching Mike Tyson fight. Booooooring. You knew who was gonna slaughter the other. Of course, as I previously said, it hasn't quite been like that this year which is great.

I hope they win too but a part of me wants someone else to take it this year.

**papajam** · #20 (**permalink**) 10-01-2003, 07:14 PM

One thing that could be added to Mr. C.'s list is that it would appear that Ferrari and MS are also the most popular team and driver. And with that popularity comes influence and favoritism. Even with the FIA. As an example, Montoya receives a drive thru penalty for an incident that Rubens admitted was his own fault. Or Michael's questionable pass under yellow. Or Ferrari's violation of rule 79 which states "The Championship will be contested on grooved tyres". The rear tires on Michael's car after the 2nd stint were completely grooveless. Why don't the boys in red receive the same penalties as everyone else? Hmmm....

One last thing (I hope) about the Michelin tires. Rule 77 (c) stated, in part, that the front tires, when new, cannot exceed 270mm. The rule said nothing about used tires. So Michelin designs a tire that gets slightly wider than 270mm as it wears down which, IMO, is a brilliant interpretation of the rules. So, despite a tire that's been legal for 1 1/2 years, and with the championship slipping away, Ferrari cries 'mommy' and gets a rules change that renders the once legal tire illegal. All this despite rule 77 (f) which states " Tyre specifications will be determined by the FIA no later than 1 September of the previous season.
Once determined in this way, the specification of the tyres will not be changed during the Championship season without the agreement of the Formula One Commission."

Now THAT'S influence!!

Mr. C. · #21 (**permalink**) 10-02-2003, 06:15 PM

Papajam,

The fact that Montoya hit Rubens may have been Rubens fault BUT after hitting Rubens and spinning him, Montoya pushed him BACKWARDS off the track. That is what the penalty was about.

You seem to be searching hard to find fault with a team that has done it all. Your arguements are beginning to sound sort of stretched. Ferrari will not dominate for ever but they sure do now.

**papajam** · #22 (**permalink**) 10-02-2003, 06:44 PM

I'm neither searching for fault nor arguing, Mr. C. Just stating my interpretation of the facts.

Azzurri GTV · #23 (**permalink**) 10-02-2003, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mr. C.
Papajam,

The fact that Montoya hit Rubens may have been Rubens fault BUT after hitting Rubens and spinning him, Montoya pushed him BACKWARDS off the track. That is what the penalty was about.

alfist · #24 (**permalink**) 10-03-2003, 09:35 AM

Yes, I think Montoya makes too many mistakes (Jack Villeneuve said same thing recently). I don't hate or dislike him, but he needs a lot more experiences and should be quiet a little (he talks like he has several championship in f1). Some people compare him with Nigel Mansell, but he is not even close to Mansell.

Maybe in several years, he will be driving Ferrari with experiences who knows...

mezzeta · #25 (**permalink**) 10-03-2003, 10:04 AM

I too think JP and Kiki are the future, I also think that there is currently so much new blood in F3 now that will eclipse the underdogs (another word for losers & also-rans) when they are promoted. You can see more real 'racing' and emotional driving talent in F3 than you will ever see in F1. When the cream from that crew moves up watch out...
But for now Shumie and Ferrari are the gold standard and everyone else should be feel privileged to be competeing on the same stage.
To be sure it will change...sometime in the future.

just my opinion

**italcarguy** · #26 (**permalink**) 10-03-2003, 05:46 PM

Velocess · #27 (**permalink**) 10-05-2003, 01:44 PM

Mr. C

Great to hear you made it to an F1 event. I am sad to report my last F1 race was back in 1997 in Buenos Aries, Argentina. That was when Minardi had those high wings coming off of the sidepods for downforce. Later they were illegal but now they exisit on a smaller level. I believe MS won the race.

Do have any plans to go to Monza or San Marino next year?

Velocess

Mr. C. · #28 (**permalink**) 10-05-2003, 04:35 PM

Velocess
How did you know about Italy next year !
I have put the question of who among my five sons would be interested in Monza next year. I figured a quick fly over to Milano
and a stop in Modena to see friends then to Monza and then home. It would be best if my eldest son Dave was with us because he has the best knowledge of the country and the language. He cannot commit because of his being signed up as team manager for a Ferrari 333SP. The others want to go if I pay.
Three of my daughters in law say they MUST go and both daughters are also lined up. This could cost more than a hotel room at Indy. The whole crew is on the phones planning, I think the trip is 4 weeks minimum if we do as they want. No way.
I think I will sneak away to Silverstone with just my cute little Irish wife.

Velocess · #29 (**permalink**) 10-05-2003, 06:29 PM

Mr. C

I'm voodoo like that! Italy has been calling my name for a few years. I need to see my relatives in Calabria and attend an F1 event as well. Which is a better race; Monza or San Marino? Which do you see yourself going to?

Velocess

Mr. C. · #30 (**permalink**) 10-06-2003, 06:55 AM

Hi Velocess,

Monza is high speed and can therefore be more fun to watch. It attracts a million local tifosi or so it seems. San Marino is a more technical track and the location is more upscale. All in all either one is great and your decision can be made based on other factors such as when is best for you to be in Calabria, best airfare and so on.