McLaren MP4/20 looking even better!

Graham Ross · Post by **Graham Ross** » Thu Feb 10, 2005 10:33 am

The new McLaren is fast and it is leaving the rest in its wake

Best lap times in Valencia and Jerez with more to come

With Montoya and Raikkonen, that car will be untouchable

Watch this space

Julian Mayo · Post by **Julian Mayo** » Thu Feb 10, 2005 11:17 am

Graham, how were you feeling this time last year?

Graham Ross · Post by **Graham Ross** » Thu Feb 10, 2005 11:42 am

Yes I do. The McLaren was fast initially but then cracks started to appear at camp McLaren as the first race approached. This year it looks to be a lot better you have to admit!.

I know all will be revealed come Melbourne but I don't have to always assume the worse do I ?

And so far the MP4/20 is ahead of the rest

Julian Mayo · Post by **Julian Mayo** » Thu Feb 10, 2005 12:19 pm

Now, now Gee, ALL Im suggesting is that when the BAR is 3plus seconds a lap slower we should perhaps temper the euphoria just a tad. hmmm?

Graham Ross · Post by **Graham Ross** » Fri Feb 11, 2005 12:44 pm

By the looks of things, Renault and McLaren are fast. BAR, Williams and Ferrari aren't

I just hope the McLaren can get reliable in time and NOT midseason!!

Julian Mayo · Post by **Julian Mayo** » Mon Feb 14, 2005 7:23 am

Ferrari was slow this time last year, right up til 1st practice in Melbourne

FerrariFan#1 · Post by **FerrariFan#1** » Mon Feb 14, 2005 9:26 am

julian mayo wrote:Ferrari was slow this time last year, right up til 1st practice in Melbourne

Exactly and the same will happen this year

Julian Mayo · Post by **Julian Mayo** » Mon Feb 14, 2005 12:15 pm

Pity Schuey will stick it into the bunker on lap3

Graham Ross · Post by **Graham Ross** » Mon Feb 14, 2005 5:54 pm

Given the Ferrari on Bridgestones will be a dog, it is very likely that he'll go off trying too hard

Read somewhere Barrichello complaining about lack of grip on the Bridgestones the first few laps

Julian Mayo · Post by **Julian Mayo** » Mon Feb 14, 2005 6:28 pm

If schuey has to push hard to catch people, history says he is prone to leaving the black stuff. In fact he has been known to do it twice in one lap!!!

350Z · Post by **350Z** » Tue Feb 15, 2005 11:45 am

The test times from McLaren are encouraging and the Barcelona test this week will give us a slightly better idea but we really won't know until the race in Melbourne.
I reckon tyre wear will be the most important factor and testing tells us nothing about that.

Julian Mayo · Post by **Julian Mayo** » Tue Feb 15, 2005 4:07 pm

The other salient factor is the Melbourne weather. It can be 35degrees, plus. I hope they have been testing with blanked off rads!