Calls for 2007 pre-season predictions

[mlittle]

Here are my predictions.............

.....for WDC(top-10)..........
1} Raikkonen
2} Alonso
3} Fisichella
4} Massa
5} Button
6} Barrichello
7} Schumacher
8} Trulli
9} Heidfeld
10} Hamilton

.....for Constructors.........
1st} Ferrari
2nd} McLaren
3rd} Renault
4th} Honda
5th} Toyota
6th} BMW-Sauber
7th} Red Bull
8th} Williams
9th} Super Aguri
10th} Toro Rosso
11th} Spyker

IMHO the questions as to who the 2007 WDC will hinge on the following.....1}we all know the McLaren's fast, but with all the myriad of reliability problems they've had in '05 and '06, if they can make the MP4-22 more reliable than the 4-21 or the 4-20 then Alonso could very well win a third cons. WDC.....if not, I think Raikkonen'll win....2}speaking of the Finn, his chances will hinge on whether he can gel with Ferrari as Michael Schumacher was able to(i.e. can he make Ferrari "his team" as Schumacher was able to do).

Then again, who knows what'll happen once the lights go out in Melbourne for the season opening GP............

[gkaytaz]

Well, lets see, on a mechanical basis, leaving driver ability to the side,......
IF the RB is quick out of the box, they could jump up a couple of rungs,
McLaren had a shocker by their standards, how quickly can they recover, they COULD slide a couple
Ant is setting some quick times in the SA, but its early days

If its the car SA Could jump way up,
Renault have a tried n true product.....if they meddle too much they could slide way down (if it aint broke don't fix it)
Ferrari have Bridgestone experience, that it will help in the first couple of races, and it could be a very tight comp
BMW will be way up there imho,
Toyota???? they shoot themselves in the foot too often, for my liking.
Williams will fight with Toyota, this must be make or break for SF, surely?

Maybe it would be easier to work out who will be last
I think an aspro and a little lay down are in order for me.

And Honda? What about them?

[Julian Mayo]

Well, lets see, on a mechanical basis, leaving driver ability to the side,......
IF the RB is quick out of the box, they could jump up a couple of rungs,
McLaren had a shocker by their standards, how quickly can they recover, they COULD slide a couple
Ant is setting some quick times in the SA, but its early days

If its the car SA Could jump way up,
Renault have a tried n true product.....if they meddle too much they could slide way down (if it aint broke don't fix it)
Ferrari have Bridgestone experience, that it will help in the first couple of races, and it could be a very tight comp
BMW will be way up there imho,
Toyota???? they shoot themselves in the foot too often, for my liking.
Williams will fight with Toyota, this must be make or break for SF, surely?

Maybe it would be easier to work out who will be last
I think an aspro and a little lay down are in order for me.

And Honda? What about them?

The entire team will commit seppuku when they see how fast Davo is in the Super Aguri

[<T-K>]

Constuctors:
1. Ferrari
2. Renault
3. McLaren
4. BMW
5. Honda
6. Williams
7. Toyota
8. Red Bull


Drivers
1. Raikkonen
2. Kovalainen
3. Massa
4. Alonso
5. Kubica
6. Fisichella
7. Hamilton
8. Button
9. Heidfeld
10. Barrichello
11. Webber
12. Rosberg
13. Wurz
14. Coulthard
15. Schumacher
16. Trulli

Your faith in the Finns is admirable BTW with both RBR drivers above their Toyota counterparts it is not very likely (except that they change drivers mid-season) that Toyota will finish above RBR in the constructors.

My mistake...

Swap RBR and Toyota around....

[gkaytaz]

The entire team will commit seppuku when they see how fast Davo is in the Super Aguri

Well, Sato maybe. I am not sure if Button or Chello can even spell seppuku

[Julian Mayo]

The entire team will commit seppuku when they see how fast Davo is in the Super Aguri

Well, Sato maybe. I am not sure if Button or Chello can even spell seppuku

It will be done for them

[JayVee]

Well, lets see, on a mechanical basis, leaving driver ability to the side,......
IF the RB is quick out of the box, they could jump up a couple of rungs,
McLaren had a shocker by their standards, how quickly can they recover, they COULD slide a couple
Ant is setting some quick times in the SA, but its early days

If its the car SA Could jump way up,
Renault have a tried n true product.....if they meddle too much they could slide way down (if it aint broke don't fix it)
Ferrari have Bridgestone experience, that it will help in the first couple of races, and it could be a very tight comp
BMW will be way up there imho,
Toyota???? they shoot themselves in the foot too often, for my liking.
Williams will fight with Toyota, this must be make or break for SF, surely?

Maybe it would be easier to work out who will be last
I think an aspro and a little lay down are in order for me.

So did the aspro work ?

You seem to think that RBR and BMW will improve while the rest may slide. So are you hinting that Ferrari may be competing with BMW for the championship with RBR not far behind ?
Personally I doubt that. I think BMW will improve in the points but not in position or move up just 1 at most. The drivers at BMW are their handicap. Heidfeld could have 1 good race and 5 bad ones while Kubica (yes I know you highly rate him) is still a rookie and will take time to be consistent.
RBR, I think it will be a pleasant surprise if they beat Toyota. I hope Webber does well with them. He will beat Coulthard a few times I am sure but Coulthard will be more conisistent. Slower but more consistent.

[Julian Mayo]

Well, lets see, on a mechanical basis, leaving driver ability to the side,......
IF the RB is quick out of the box, they could jump up a couple of rungs,
McLaren had a shocker by their standards, how quickly can they recover, they COULD slide a couple
Ant is setting some quick times in the SA, but its early days

If its the car SA Could jump way up,
Renault have a tried n true product.....if they meddle too much they could slide way down (if it aint broke don't fix it)
Ferrari have Bridgestone experience, that it will help in the first couple of races, and it could be a very tight comp
BMW will be way up there imho,
Toyota???? they shoot themselves in the foot too often, for my liking.
Williams will fight with Toyota, this must be make or break for SF, surely?

Maybe it would be easier to work out who will be last
I think an aspro and a little lay down are in order for me.

So did the aspro work ?

You seem to think that RBR and BMW will improve while the rest may slide. So are you hinting that Ferrari may be competing with BMW for the championship with RBR not far behind ?
Personally I doubt that. I think BMW will improve in the points but not in position or move up just 1 at most. The drivers at BMW are their handicap. Heidfeld could have 1 good race and 5 bad ones while Kubica (yes I know you highly rate him) is still a rookie and will take time to be consistent.
RBR, I think it will be a pleasant surprise if they beat Toyota. I hope Webber does well with them. He will beat Coulthard a few times I am sure but Coulthard will be more conisistent. Slower but more consistent.

I'm saying I haven't got a clue, and I am eagerly awaiting a lot more test results, and I need more aspro

[JayVee]

It seems that so far most agree that the top 3 will be McLaren, Renault and Ferrari (in whichever order you prefer).

Many seem to doubt McLaren's ability to produce a reliable package but they have done it before so they can do it again. Yes we are very used to seeing McLarens retire in the first few races of the season but with the very few changes to regs they should be able to start strong.

Last year was a transition year for them, the effect of Newey and a couple of others leaving them, Montoya leaving them and Raikkonen knowing that he will be leaving so surely there wasn't 100% committment but with Alonso there will be and that will make a huge difference.
Hamilton should be a good asset too!

Contrary to what many may think, Alonso will be up there. Top 3 as a worst case but Champion again is more like it.

Renault will probably be the fastest and most reliable but Fisichella well we know what he can or can't do and Kovalainen is a rookie. He'll beat Fisichella when he doesn't crash!
I know Alonso predicted Kovalainen to be the surprise of the season but I think I predicted that before he did

Ferrari will have a transition year (a la McLaren last year), with a number of people changing or leaving that will have a negative effect. They were so used to Michael that they will have to adjust to Kimi (who I think hardly says a word to anyone!!)
They will still finish in the top 3 but I doubt they can win either championship. Massa will beat Raikkonen initially but things will turn around later in the season.

Honda, BMW, Toyota and possibly RBR will be fighting for 4th. The rest will finish lower and that sadly includes Williams

All IMHO (no offence intended)

Whatever happens, I do hope that all teams allow their drivers to race each other and may the best win!

[JayVee]

I'm saying I haven't got a clue, and I am eagerly awaiting a lot more test results, and I need more aspro

You can look back and you'll find it all there. You just have to look hard

[Julian Mayo]

I'm saying I haven't got a clue, and I am eagerly awaiting a lot more test results, and I need more aspro

You can look back and you'll find it all there. You just have to look hard

I just have a feeling, (its probably just a broken toe tho) that this season could bring some unpredictable results. I suspect there could be the odd race where more than one top runner is eliminated thru no fault of his, or their own, but through, lets say impetuosity of youth. It would only have to happen once or twice, if the season is going to be as tight as I suspect it might be, and there could be a surprise, and surprised, Champ.
Having said that, of course the season will be decided by mid-term, and I will be off to watch the F1 Boats. Leaving you all in peace

[gkaytaz]

It seems that so far most agree that the top 3 will be McLaren, Renault and Ferrari (in whichever order you prefer).

Many seem to doubt McLaren's ability to produce a reliable package but they have done it before so they can do it again. Yes we are very used to seeing McLarens retire in the first few races of the season but with the very few changes to regs they should be able to start strong.

Last year was a transition year for them, the effect of Newey and a couple of others leaving them, Montoya leaving them and Raikkonen knowing that he will be leaving so surely there wasn't 100% committment but with Alonso there will be and that will make a huge difference.
Hamilton should be a good asset too!

Contrary to what many may think, Alonso will be up there. Top 3 as a worst case but Champion again is more like it.

Renault will probably be the fastest and most reliable but Fisichella well we know what he can or can't do and Kovalainen is a rookie. He'll beat Fisichella when he doesn't crash!
I know Alonso predicted Kovalainen to be the surprise of the season but I think I predicted that before he did

Ferrari will have a transition year (a la McLaren last year), with a number of people changing or leaving that will have a negative effect. They were so used to Michael that they will have to adjust to Kimi (who I think hardly says a word to anyone!!)
They will still finish in the top 3 but I doubt they can win either championship. Massa will beat Raikkonen initially but things will turn around later in the season.

Honda, BMW, Toyota and possibly RBR will be fighting for 4th. The rest will finish lower and that sadly includes Williams

All IMHO (no offence intended)

Whatever happens, I do hope that all teams allow their drivers to race each other and may the best win!

I posted the following in a different thread but I think it belongs rather here:

I think we should all be happy for "more reliable" A lot of drivers will be subject to pressure in 2007. Especially in the big three.

Alonso has a title to defend. Hamilton, being a rookie, has to partner a WDC... It's been a number of years since McLaren completely changed the driver lineup. Moreover one of them a rookie...

Then there is Renault in a similar situation. It's do or die for Fisi. Kovalainen has to fill Alonso's shoes, which are quite big to begin with.

Ferrari-side: Kimi has to replace Schumi. Not easy by any means. Massa has to show what he's made of and now is the chance. Otherwise he'll be doomed to play second fiddle to Raikkonen.

Question is, if some of these guys can't handle the pressure, who will benefit? Honda for one. And maybe even BMW. Who knows?

[Ed]

Interesting comments here but I would say it is more speculation than based on facts at this stage of the season (or pre-season!).

Apart from McLaren and BMW no two new cars have been on the same track yet. Even with McLaren and BMW that was only for 1 day.

Later this week we should start getting a better picture at least in terms of the reliability. In February with a number of tests where all or most of the teams will be attending we should get some idea about the pace of the new cars on the same track.

Only then will one be able to make some predictions that are based on more than just speculation.

We'll be putting the Predict Driver and Constructor World Championship threads with Polls next week after most teams have unveiled their cars.

The real test of course will be in Melbourne in March but you all will have to predict cause the 2007 8 'n' Pole Competition will be announced in February

[jacfan]

Interesting comments here but I would say it is more speculation than based on facts at this stage of the season (or pre-season!).

Apart from McLaren and BMW no two new cars have been on the same track yet. Even with McLaren and BMW that was only for 1 day.

Later this week we should start getting a better picture at least in terms of the reliability. In February with a number of tests where all or most of the teams will be attending we should get some idea about the pace of the new cars on the same track.

Only then will one be able to make some predictions that are based on more than just speculation.

We'll be putting the Predict Driver and Constructor World Championship threads with Polls next week after most teams have unveiled their cars.

The real test of course will be in Melbourne in March but you all will have to predict cause the 2007 8 'n' Pole Competition will be announced in February

More based on the hat/dartboard type speculation!! Though I did put a little bit of thought into it for once.
It will be a bit easier after we see how they shake down in race trim at the Aussie GP. Though I tend to think Massa will do a lot better with MS gone.

[gkaytaz]

Interesting comments here but I would say it is more speculation than based on facts at this stage of the season (or pre-season!).

Apart from McLaren and BMW no two new cars have been on the same track yet. Even with McLaren and BMW that was only for 1 day.

Later this week we should start getting a better picture at least in terms of the reliability. In February with a number of tests where all or most of the teams will be attending we should get some idea about the pace of the new cars on the same track.

Only then will one be able to make some predictions that are based on more than just speculation.

We'll be putting the Predict Driver and Constructor World Championship threads with Polls next week after most teams have unveiled their cars.

The real test of course will be in Melbourne in March but you all will have to predict cause the 2007 8 'n' Pole Competition will be announced in February

You're right, we do not have access to the teams' off-season work plans. Some teams will have improved whereas others stayed put. Be as it may, the predictions (or speculations if you insist) here are based on last year's efforts. Call it an extrapolation of the 2006 season. It is no secret that some cars have been more problematic than others but we also witnessed a few improvements toward the end of the season. Even if some team posts great test results the real race could (and possibly will) turn out to be very different...