NE1 following F1 during the offseason?

[Jon325i]

I've been keeping tabs on what's been happening with the teams....particularly the last 6 weeks as teams have been bringing out their new cars and initiated testing programs. 2004 looks like its going to be quite a season. McLaren and Williams have got some fast cars based on their testing results. Renault and BAR seem to have significantly better cars too for the upcoming season.

It all starts this weekend with practice & qualifying and the big race on Sunday. I can hardly wait.

Jon

[MattM20]

ive been checking the headlines at filive.com daily :) this does look like its gonna be a awesome season. mclaren is going into it in bad shape with a few engine reliability problems that may or may not be fixed until melbourne. williams is having a little trouble with the gearbox, but have still been setting top times during testing. the f2004 doesnt look too much different than last years car, and its probably safe to say ferrari will be extremely strong right from the beginning. renault have gotten rid of the wide angle v10 and made good improvements which will hopefully allow them to run with the top 3 teams all season. out of those 4 teams all are using michelins except for ferrari, which could really hurt them if bridgestone cant catch up in time. i think mercedes reliability is going to cost kimi the championship, and its gonna come down to williams vs ferrari. i cant narrow it down further than that cause anything could happen, and i could be totally wrong about mercedes.

[Tuff240]

No I wasn't keeping up with the off-season, but thanks for the updates guys!
Looking forward to this weekend. :D

Just curious, who's your favorites?

I'm a MS fan, but hate Ferrari with a passion. I wish he would move to Williams/BMW. :roll:

I'm always rooting for Minardi too, gotta give our love to the hopeless underdog. ;)
Be nice to have Benneton up front more often for a 4 way battle this year.

Kimi.... good driver, no doubt, just waiting to see how good.
I'll miss JV, he was a great character and had some of his fathers qualities.
JPM.....hate his arrogant ass although the boy can drive.
RS....under-rated and having a hard time in MS's shadow in my opinion.
DC....time to give up old mate...it was a good run.
Button....right guy, wrong team.
Webber.... will be watching him do better than his equipment should again this year.
RB....poor guy has it worse than RS. Talk about a shadow.
MS....My favorite driver but he is in trouble this year with Bridgestones IMO.

We need an american to cheer for! Anyone listening?

[Jon325i]

Who are my favorites?

I like Juan Pablo Montoya a lot.....been following his racing career since he stormed onto the CART scene with the Target Team group and he made his impression felt. He is fearless and talented as ever. The fact that he's racing for BMW is a moot point, when he goes to McLaren/Mercedes next year I'll probably still be cheering him on.

MS - I have much respect for the "rain-master." Six titles is a great accomplishment, no question. I don't know how much longer he plans to race, but by F1 standards, he's approaching "geezer" status. He still is an amazing driver who seems to defy F1 racing as we know it. One or two more years and he will likely hang up his helmet. Nothing beats going out when you're on top of your game!

Kimi - The Ice Man. This is the guy to watch. Although young, he's a good driver....damn good. When he gets paired up with JPM next year these two are going to be great to watch on race day. Ditto on qualifying day too.

The two other rising stars in F1 to watch are Jenson Button in the BAR/Honda and Fernando Alonso in the Renault. Both of these teams have been proving themselves as contenders in off-season winter testing. Their cars are reportedly vastly improved over last year. Of course, when the red lights go out and the race gets underway this Sunday, the men from the boys will be quickly sorted out. I would keep an eye on these two as well.

Jon

P.S. And yes, F1 needs an American driver in their ranks. Bernie Eccelstone knows the US market is a great resource to tap into. With an American racing in F1, the popularity of the sport in this country will rise.

[Tuff240]

The two other rising stars in F1 to watch are Jenson Button in the BAR/Honda and Fernando Alonso in the Renault. Both of these teams have been proving themselves as contenders in off-season winter testing. Their cars are reportedly vastly improved over last year. Of course, when the red lights go out and the race gets underway this Sunday, the men from the boys will be quickly sorted out. I would keep an eye on these two as well.

I knew there was someone I was watching last year that I forgot to list.

Fenando is very fast, but I don't think he has the brains to go all the way. Hope he proves me wrong.

[MattM20]

No I wasn't keeping up with the off-season, but thanks for the updates guys!
Looking forward to this weekend. :D

Just curious, who's your favorites?

I'm a MS fan, but hate Ferrari with a passion. I wish he would move to Williams/BMW. :roll:

I'm always rooting for Minardi too, gotta give our love to the hopeless underdog. ;)
Be nice to have Benneton up front more often for a 4 way battle this year.

Kimi.... good driver, no doubt, just waiting to see how good.
I'll miss JV, he was a great character and had some of his fathers qualities.
JPM.....hate his arrogant ass although the boy can drive.
RS....under-rated and having a hard time in MS's shadow in my opinion.
DC....time to give up old mate...it was a good run.
Button....right guy, wrong team.
Webber.... will be watching him do better than his equipment should again this year.
RB....poor guy has it worse than RS. Talk about a shadow.
MS....My favorite driver but he is in trouble this year with Bridgestones IMO.

We need an american to cheer for! Anyone listening?

i wouldnt mind seeing webber take JPM's position at williams, button re-signed with BAR for a while, i think, so he's out of the question. alonso is a great driver, i think he'll take a couple victories but this isnt his year