Sorry JacFan; once again I assumed a gender on the basis of no evidence whatsoever. I will try to remember in the future.
And, yes, I was congratulating you on your loyalty to Jacques because he is, like Michael, a divisive figure in F1. Unlike Michael, however, the reasons for his unpopularity have more to do with what he says than with what he does on the track. Which is, I have to say, drive beautifully. Not that Michael, too, doesn't drive beautifully. It's just that he does other things as well.
Just got the new (June) F1 magazine. Funny how reluctant Bishop is to endorse Lewis (when they went to press we were only four races in). His essay explaining how soon Fernando would take charge shows that even people with great sources and a deep appreciation of F1's history can be swayed by their emotional attachment to a driver.
As to Julian's news about Ferarri's wind tunnel mishap and Gho Gho and GayTaz's additions. I concur about the absence of Ross B. And, of course McLaren's reliability is a HUGE factor. Had they managed to be reliable last year... well, let's just say they would have given Flavio and Fernando a run for it!
I guess I was expecting something from Jay Vee. Am I wrong, or does not Jay Vee tend to be full of statistical information, like whether or not it was raining three days before each of Raplph's victories, things like that? I guess I was expecting a detailed explanation of how or under what circumstances on can expect Ralph to turn in one of his good driving days. It's for sure it has to be something relatively hit or miss. (Indy was a 'hit' AND 'miss' day!)
What baffles me is that he CAN drive well as well as terribly, unlike, for example, dear Jense who, once again, drove beautifully at Indy ---in a machine that, charitably speaking, is an embarrassment to F1 and to Honda's racing heritage. In fact they ought to replace the map of the world on their cars with a flaming LEMON scheme.
Anyway, it looks like Ralphie will very shortly be even less marketable an option than J.Villneuve. Rumors are flying, even if he isn't!
Cheers!
Jim Watt