The Formula One Season 2005

Another coup for Bernie? Feel a bit disappointed in Ferrari today. Just wish for once they'll stick with their rival teams

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/4188525.stm

 

Jordan (no, not that one) taken over.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/4179003.stm

Edit: I've just realised, this is my 1000th post :mana:. Do I win a prize?, I feel like I've graduated to a higher level

 

I think that may require a bigger takeover bid

Seriously though,the only shock about this has to be how long it's been coming for.
He's had a few good years on and off,but never managed to capitalise on the momentum from one year to the next,and to keep things moving forwards...that and a little too much focus on the media rather than trying to win maybe...
But at least the grid will be the same size as last year's.

 

so, has there been any real change or is it still going to be the same parade with the red cars up front it's been for the last decade?
cheers


julian

 

The testing times upto this point (which generally tell you not a lot about true performance) would seem to indicate that next year will be business as usual for Schumacher and Ferrari. It's too early to tell though.

Michael.

 

The new McLaren looks like it was produced at Maranello to me

I suspect the new Ferrari will have something up it's sleeve though. What about being able to run the whole distance without a stop for fuel? Given the durability of the Bridgestones on the red cars, and the ability to get some grid positions in the bag by running on empty tanks on Saturday, maybe that will be the way to go in 2005?

Has anyone expanded their fuel tank capacities for the new regulations?

 

Anyone had a look at the offset lower front wing on the Ferrari testing this week, on F1racing.net?

Ian

 

Is it legal?

 

Looks ugly as hell but hey, if it works then I'm all for it. Here's a pic from Atlas F1 (not sure if you have to be a subscriber to see it or not):



Michael.

 

Where have you cleverly hidden the piccy Michael? I agree it look ugly. I'm wondering whether it is nothing more than a joke, (just to throw their competitors off), because the wing looks so low it seems it'll hit the bumps and won't last.

I need we need a better picture.

 

Looks like Williams had much the same idea, only without the WW I aircraft overtones.

 

Sorry if the pic is not available - as I said, it's from the AtlasF1 site so might only work if you have a subscription. Markus, with the WWI aircrafy overtones now people really will be able to call Schumacher "The Red Baron"

Michael.

 

That jokes what so obvious that I didn't dare make it.

 

:shame:

Michael.

 

From my brother in Belfast:

NEWSFLASH

The Ferrari Formula 1 Team fired their entire pit crew yesterday. The
announcement followed Ferrari's decision to take advantage of the
Northern Irish Government's FAS scheme and employ people from Ardoyne.
The decision to hire them was brought on by a recent documentary on how
unemployed youths from the North Belfast area were able to remove a set
of wheels in less than 6 seconds without proper equipment, where as
Ferrari's existing crew can only do it in 8 seconds with millions of
pounds worth of high tech equipment. It was thought to be an excellent,
yet bold move, by the Ferrari management. As most races are won and lost
in the pits, Ferrari would have an advantage over every team.
However....Ferrari got more than they bargained for . At the crew's
first practice session, not only were the Ardoyne pit crew able to
change the tyres in under 6 seconds, but within 12 seconds they had
re-sprayed, re-badged, and sold the vehicle over to the McLaren team for
8 bottles of Olde English, a kilogram of speed and some photos of
Coulthard's bird in the shower

 

Australia's looming ever closer. How about a few predictions for the season, so we can all look right silly by the end of the year?

Ferrari will be off the pace with the 2004M but will again be top dogs with the F 2005. However, Michael Schumacher will not be champion again this season as Renault and McLaren will dilute the podiums he can take so much that he cannot make up the points he lost in the first 4-5 races.

Toyota will have their first podium. It will be in a race with only three cars finishing. Ralf Schumacher will be beaten regularly early in the season by Jarno Trulli. He will complain to all and sundry that the car is not set up right for him. In the second half of the season, with the car having undergone a thorough re-design, he will beat his teammate.

BAR will struggle to retain their number 2 position and will finish 4th. Jenson Button will have to wait another year for his first win.

McLaren will be the new world champions. Kimi Raikkonen will take the driver's title.

And now for a very safe prediction: Williams will not be competitive in the first half of the season but will stage a remarkable comeback in the 2nd half. BMW sports director Mario Theissen will be quoted saying he really expects the team to be more competitive from the start next season.

 

My money's on Micky Shoes for Champion again, but this time he will win less than half of the season's GPs and it'll be a close-run thing at the end.

 

I'd agree with most of Markus's predictions. I think that Michael will just manage to clinch the championship though. Renault and McLaren will be the other main contenders.

Don't know if you guys are into fantasy F1 but I always join in at:

http://www.f1-management.nl/v32/index.html

The site is a bit clunky and the English is average (it's run by some Dutch guys) but it's totally free and a lot of fun. The name of my team over there is "Electrico28" allthough I haven't finalised it yet. Still deciding whether I should have a Ferrari element in there at the cost of having to make serious cuts elsewhere. btw the name Electrico28 refers to the electric tram that runs past my flat in Lisbon

Michael.

 

Well? did anyone see the race? (I was out).

 

I fell asleep during the best bit apprantly (well is was 4am) , when schumacher rammed heidfelt off the road in a blatant unsportman like move that he has doen so many times before, villneuve and hill????

DC did pretty dam well! the Renault justified the testing hype then!

I enjoyed watching that indian guy's (karthikeyan??)qualifying lap on saturday, he looked like he was really fighting the car!