Ferrari is screwed this year

[KidneyBoy]

Michelin tire cars are lapping at least 2 seconds faster then the bridgestone cars?? I heard this from someone... that true?

[M-technik-3]

So why is Ferrari screwed? Bridgestone will just tweak their rubber compound, and Ferrari will work on chassis tweaks.

[KidneyBoy]

So why is Ferrari screwed? Bridgestone will just tweak their rubber compound, and Ferrari will work on chassis tweaks.

Maybe i didnt make myself clear..... 2 seconds a LAP! If it were a few tenths of a seconds, alright, but not 2 whole seconds. thats quite a bit different

[whakiewes]

Keed in mind we are talking on a test track...for the most part it is true. It was something like 1.4 seconds faster per lap, but thats on a test track with no contenders. Shumacher is a driver, no matter how good Ferrari is backing him. There are other drivers as good, but he just has the knoledge and skill. Its going to be CLOSER this year, but I still predict that Ferrari will take a podium place.

Wes

[Erick]

Man this was a whole issue alone at the 2003 season because Bridgestone was trying to say that the Michelin tires werer illegal because of what they were made of.... I can't recall what ended up happening but I remember Bridgestone complaining their ass off because of the composition on their tires, mainly because of what was left of the tread after they were replaces in the pit stops.... they said it was illegal and dangerous.

But then again, it's not a surprise to see ppl whine and do anything in their power to remain on top.

[M-technik-3]

So why is Ferrari screwed? Bridgestone will just tweak their rubber compound, and Ferrari will work on chassis tweaks.

Maybe i didnt make myself clear..... 2 seconds a LAP! If it were a few tenths of a seconds, alright, but not 2 whole seconds. thats quite a bit different

Oh I read what you wrote but Like others wrote that was on a test track without traffic and pit stop stratagy and numerous other variables. To bad we can't post mark this till the end of next year to see what becomes of this. 8)

[Charlie]

They don't hand out trophies for top times in practice.

Schumi will take his 7th title this year. Kimi got lucky this past year when schumi had a slow start, not scoring points in a number of races. I don't think he's got the speed to keep up this next season. Tensions between Montoya and his team will come to a head, and he'll be out of the seat by mid season. Renault's handling advantage came from their unconventional engine setup, at the sacrifice of power. Going to a more "conventional" package is going to negate the chassis advantage they enjoyed.

-Charlie

[Jon325i]

I think that the boys in red stand a very good chance of successfully taking the championship title for 2004. Ferrari is in its prime right now.....good drivers, good engineers, good team management. There's a real synergy taking place with this team and until some of them decide to finally hang it up and move on, you will continue to see these guys on the podium race after race.

I personally think that their greatest threat for 2004 is the McLaren/Mercedes effort (Williams/BMW not far behind either). Their new car for the 2004 season (the MP4-19) is racking up some impressive initial testing results....one has to wonder just how much faster they will be once the car is sorted out. Also, DC and Kimi are both excellent drivers. DC is going to have to work exceptionally hard this season to set a good impression to other teams since he will be replaced by Juan Pablo Montoya for 2005 and DC has stated in recent F1 news releases that he has no plans to retire after this year.

Makes me wonder where he may wind up. 2004 will be his 9th season with Ron Dennis' gang.

Jon

[325 eta]

They don't hand out trophies for top times in practice. Schumi will take his 7th title this year. Kimi got lucky this past year when schumi had a slow start, not scoring points in a number of races. I don't think he's got the speed to keep up this next season. Tensions between Montoya and his team will come to a head, and he'll be out of the seat by mid season. Renault's handling advantage came from their unconventional engine setup, at the sacrifice of power. Going to a more "conventional" package is going to negate the chassis advantage they enjoyed.

-Charlie

[KidneyBoy]

Tire wear issue was that the Michilens were wearing and becoming wider... So yes, it was legal to have them wear in that fashion beacuse the FIA said that they would measure the width before and only before the races. But given all the shit that the FIA has done to slow schui down makes me not care that they called michelin out on this. Theres all sorts of bickering between team and all sorts of "bending of rules" in F1. To think that one team wouldnt call another team out is just stupid

Your looking forward to another Mclaren car.... the new one correct? Do you recall what happend last year with their "new car" of the time? What two races then its out... Significantly slower then last years car and the drivers didnt like it one bit. Now, whats not to say this will happen to anyone... ferrari dominated in "last years car" not too long ago. But mclaren better have a damn good car considering they have had a lot to learn from, if you care to put it in that terms... or as i like to say "They done fucked up"

As for the drivers championship... common #7. I hope Alanso does well this year. You say BS.. rather your little guy does, but whys that? Dont think Schui is good? Think its all the car? What.... come on, out with it

[MattE30]

They don't hand out trophies for top times in practice.

Schumi will take his 7th title this year. Kimi got lucky this past year when schumi had a slow start, not scoring points in a number of races. I don't think he's got the speed to keep up this next season. Tensions between Montoya and his team will come to a head, and he'll be out of the seat by mid season. Renault's handling advantage came from their unconventional engine setup, at the sacrifice of power. Going to a more "conventional" package is going to negate the chassis advantage they enjoyed.

-Charlie

I agree with everything, except that Montoya will be out of a seat in the middle of the season.

[M-technik-3]

I thought Ferrari was screwed this year? Everyone els as normal are back to Valencia and the test track.

[MattM20]

I thought Ferrari was screwed this year?

doesnt seem that way after Albert Park

[1990m3]

yeah no kidding, the boys in red looked pretty awesome in australia.

Or...maybe everyone else just looked like shit, but I think we all know the answer to that one already