The 2006 Brazilian Grand Prix

[Julian Mayo]

It all depends on the Newey chassis/Renault engine combo I guess

[gkaytaz]

Predictions for 2007:

WDC:
Win: Raikkonen (if Ferrari proves to be reliable enough for his driving style)
Place: Alonso (he's good but McLaren won't be reliable enough just yet)
Show: Massa (if only Fisi was aggressive enough, but he ain't)

WCC:
Win: Ferrari (again, if they can bear with Raikkonen's demanding style)
Place: Renault (they are reliable but lack the drivers' compassion necessary to get them up there)
Show: Honda (only Alonso won't be enough to put McL higher)

These are not binding though. I will generously allow another driver or team to win the title

[Snowy]

Only a year Snowy! and I think Kovalainen will benefit a lot from spending a year in a test role. Jumping straight into racing didn't help Rosberg did it ? I think Hamilton should also go for a test role first. Don't think de la Rosa should get the McLaren drive though!

Testing is over rated! The only way to learn how to operate in F1 is to race. Going round in circles trying to repeat the perfect lap over and over is a sure way to deaden the senses and hone the skill of only being able to overtake at pitstops. The only guy who ever made any impact after an extended period of testing that I can think of is Damon Hill.

Yes it is rare for someone to come into F1 and make an impact on debut but implying that what has happened to Nico at Williams is down to his lack of test mileage is not right. Obviously Mark would not have benefited from any more testing!

Jenson made a massive impact coming straight from F3, out qualifying and outpacing Ralf on numerous occassions. His move to Benneton was a shock to his system I grant you but everyone needs to be loved especially the modern racing driver who knows nothing but racing.

Michael Schumacher's incredible skills were honed in GT racing where fuel strategy and tyre management were crucial. He benefited more than any other driver when in 1994 refueling was reintroduced to F1. It was a complete novelty to everyone else on the grid and Schumacher took full advantage. He would never have been what he is if he had spent his formative years testing. Testing is for babies

[Julian Mayo]

I seem to recall Nico got a few thousand klicks in, before the first race.

[Snowy]

Predictions for 2007:

WDC:
Win: Raikkonen (if Ferrari proves to be reliable enough for his driving style)
Place: Alonso (he's good but McLaren won't be reliable enough just yet)
Show: Massa (if only Fisi was aggressive enough, but he ain't)

WCC:
Win: Ferrari (again, if they can bear with Raikkonen's demanding style)
Place: Renault (they are reliable but lack the drivers' compassion necessary to get them up there)
Show: Honda (only Alonso won't be enough to put McL higher)

Early success for Ferrari while Renault, Mclaren and Honda get used to Bridgestones. Honda gain momentum benefiting from previous Bridgestone experience, driver continuity and a Jenson being inspired and a little rattled by the pace of one Lewis Hamilton (el cirujano) - nobody wants to lose to their teammate, brother or countryman.

So my predictions are as follows

WDC
Jenson Button (Consistency)
Lewis Hamilton (Bravado)
Kimi Raikkonen (Success early on then a series of accidents and mechanical failures)

WCC
Honda (Just managed to fend of a strong challenge from Mclaren)
Mclaren (Fernando strings some finishes together but is demoralised and overshadowed by his teammate)
Ferrari (wassa matta Massa, u bin overdrivin?)

Yes the more I look at it the more I like it.

[Snowy]

I seem to recall Nico got a few thousand klicks in, before the first race.

Yep and Lewis is gonna get enough mileage to make him one happy bunny

[Snowy]

Michael Schumacher's incredible skills were honed in GT racing where fuel strategy and tyre management were crucial. He benefited more than any other driver when in 1994 refueling was reintroduced to F1. It was a complete novelty to everyone else on the grid and Schumacher took full advantage. He would never have been what he is if he had spent his formative years testing. Testing is for babies

Refuelling was not introduced in 1994 that is complete Bull****!What did they do to the regs in 1994?

There was the pace car and something else...come on guys help me here I'm drowning.

Am I sure it wasn't refuelling? I remember Damon chugging round on a one stop strategy and Michael and Senna taking off like hares on a completely different strategy the first race in Brazil.

[Julian Mayo]

Michael Schumacher's incredible skills were honed in GT racing where fuel strategy and tyre management were crucial. He benefited more than any other driver when in 1994 refueling was reintroduced to F1. It was a complete novelty to everyone else on the grid and Schumacher took full advantage. He would never have been what he is if he had spent his formative years testing. Testing is for babies

Refuelling was not introduced in 1994 that is complete Bull****!What did they do to the regs in 1994?

There was the pace car and something else...come on guys help me here I'm drowning.

Am I sure it wasn't refuelling? I remember Damon chugging round on a one stop strategy and Michael and Senna taking off like hares on a completely different strategy the first race in Brazil.

Snowy, I have to post my name Don't ask me

[jacfan]

Hey you don't seem to need our help. Seems like you are managing the arguement just fine.... all by yourself.

[jacfan]

Michael Schumacher's incredible skills were honed in GT racing where fuel strategy and tyre management were crucial. He benefited more than any other driver when in 1994 refueling was reintroduced to F1. It was a complete novelty to everyone else on the grid and Schumacher took full advantage. He would never have been what he is if he had spent his formative years testing. Testing is for babies

Refuelling was not introduced in 1994 that is complete Bull****!What did they do to the regs in 1994?

There was the pace car and something else...come on guys help me here I'm drowning.

Am I sure it wasn't refuelling? I remember Damon chugging round on a one stop strategy and Michael and Senna taking off like hares on a completely different strategy the first race in Brazil.

Snowy, I have to post my name Don't ask me

WHY??????????????????????????????????????????????

[GhoGho]

I seem to recall Nico got a few thousand klicks in, before the first race.

Yep and Lewis is gonna get enough mileage to make him one happy bunny

And if they do testing before next years limits kick in Lewis can have a couple thou as well. 2-3 days should do it

I hope he cracks the nod from Ron for next season. He can be Alonso's apprentice for the first 2 races and then take over the number 1 spot from then.

[Julian Mayo]

Refuelling was not introduced in 1994 that is complete Bull****!What did they do to the regs in 1994?

There was the pace car and something else...come on guys help me here I'm drowning.

Am I sure it wasn't refuelling? I remember Damon chugging round on a one stop strategy and Michael and Senna taking off like hares on a completely different strategy the first race in Brazil.

Snowy, I have to post my name Don't ask me

WHY??????????????????????????????????????????????

or I would forget it

[Julian Mayo]

I seem to recall Nico got a few thousand klicks in, before the first race.

Yep and Lewis is gonna get enough mileage to make him one happy bunny

And if they do testing before next years limits kick in Lewis can have a couple thou as well. 2-3 days should do it

I hope he cracks the nod from Ron for next season. He can be Alonso's apprentice for the first 2 races and then take over the number 1 spot from then.