View Full Version : F1 new season - lets conversate
Well not long till the new season and i have to say i am looking forward to it again.
No traction control this year should certainly make things interesting.
My only concern is the ruling from the FIA about parts on a Mclaren matching a Ferrari is it really possible to have a 100% unique F1 car ?
I really hope that the racing does the talking and the suits stay out of it.
I have a feeling that Honda are going to be strong this year and think that Mclaren are really going to come out all guns blazing. If they do too well though expect the Ferarri IA to get involved in some way :rolleyes:
What are your thoughts :)
What are your thoughts :)
Watch BTCC much more interesting.
I agree with you, right up to where you say Honda. They're approximately 2.5s off the pace in winter testing so far.
I think Renault might overtake the BMW-Sauber as the number 3 team at the moment and will make inroads to the top two, and will cement themselves as the number 3 team by mid season.
Williams will take the fight to both BMW and the Renault teams and will be gunning for best-of-the-rest with Red Bull. Toyota are also looking fairly promising. Don't they always?
Ferrari and McLaren are outfront on outright pace. I think McLaren over a lap, Ferrari over a distance.
Can't wait to see Heikki against Hamilton, similarly, Fernando versus Nelshino.
Kimi should be incredibly strong now after a strong pre-season and being fully settled into the Ferrari team, he's my choice for the title.
Gaz Walker
04-03-08, 12:28
Kimi should be incredibly strong now after a strong pre-season and being fully settled into the Ferrari team, he's my choice for the title.
I think Hamilton is going to have it this year, hopefully the team will not let him down again ;)
Gaz.
RiceRocket
04-03-08, 13:04
No traction control this year should certainly make things interesting.
Will be seeing more of those 'Montoya warming his tyres up' type moments then, Wahey!!! :)
Any bit of rain and I reckon we'll witness a destruction derby akin the Japanese GP :d
Who's Hamiltons team mate this year then? Kovalainen? Is he any good?
I think Hamilton can't lose this year really, his confidence must be through the roof now he's got a year under his belt, and he's the best driver I've seen for a long long time!
I can't wait for the British GP to come around, I've been confirmed as a crowd marshall again :)
Hopefully Nelsinho being in Renault will give the Spanish Whinger someone else to take his frustration out on and leave McLaren to get on with the job.
Gave up watching F1 when Michael left. :(
I think Ferrari have it won for sure this year unfortunately, their car looks awesome. McLaren have 2nd sewn up, but Ferrari's machinations have made sure they haven't been able to develop some areas in case they were accused of copying Ferrari. So they're a bit on the back foot I think. Honda will be a disaster, Toyota not much better I think.
Gave up watching F1 when Michael left. :(
There's always Ral....oh wait a sec..... :d
Heidfeld's not exactly a slow driver, and he drives a BM!
I'd like to see McLaren out doing Ferrari again, and if Williams could get back into the fray that'd be good. Toyota always look good pre-season but fail to deliver whne it counts.
My mate at Renault reckons their car this year is a huge improvement over last years car, which they knew from the start of last season was rubbish!
No TC should sort the men from the whingers too :d
There's always Ral....oh wait a sec..... :dDon't you mean Half Schumacher?
Gave up watching F1 when Michael left. :(
Ditto
Don't you mean Half Schumacher?
:lol: Was he even that good?
Ditto
Why though? Yes, he was blisteringly quick, but the MS parade every Sunday afternoon was a bit repetitive and IMO was one of the biggest contributors towards recent criticisms over the lack of overtaking, and tediousness of the races, in F1.
but the MS parade every Sunday afternoon was a bit repetitive and IMO was one of the biggest contributors towards recent criticisms over the lack of overtaking, and tediousness of the races, in F1.
It'll be Hamilton this year then, we'll get tired of the bleedin national anthem!!
From Pre-Season testing..
Ferrari - F2008 - Evolution of F2007 - They have better long run pace but McLaren can match or beat them in 1 shot lap pace. Ferrari are 1st overall but will be beaten by McLaren on occasions.
McLaren - MP4/23 - Evolution of MP4/22 - just laking a smidge of the Ferrari's pace and it's ability to look after the tyres. I expect tyre wear to be the key reason Lewis and Heikki will struggle to race Ferrari to the chequered flag. But in Quali trim I expect
Mclaren to be setting the pace at *most* locations.
Williams - FW30 - Evo of FW29 - They are light on their feet over a long run and have good 1 lap pace....reliability is strong too. Rosberg is the key - he has the quali pace to mess with the top 4 cars. I think they'll be the 3rd strongest team in Oz. Kazuki will make mistakes but has the raw speed needed. The team will focus on Nico.
BMW - F1.08 - Clean sheet radical design change - New cars take time to gel, stability issue's were hampering testing and reducing driver confidence...possibly quick on a banzai lap, but not so great on the long runs, for now.
Renault - R28 - Revolution of R27 - It isn't quick out of the box but it is surefooted. I think different circuits will suit the R28, FW30 and F1.08 differently so the order of those 3 is likely to jiggle about over the season especially as BMW get a handle on their issues and improve stability. The Alonso factor isn't enough...but there are rumours of a radical rear wing (W wing) making an appearance at Melbourne which could shake things up.
RedBull - RB4 - Evolution of RB3 - Not radical enough for many observers - its weak in a few areas and there's still issues over reliability with a lack of TC stability especially under breaking (TC systems would also aide decelleration) is difficult to achieve and hampering speed. Given a few more months they could well be mixing it with the 3 ahead. Check out the engine cover...it's been made like that to try to fix the stability issues...other teams may well try something similar.
Toyota - TF108 - Clean sheet design - Like the BMW it's going to take Toyota some time to get the most out of the package. I expect Williams will use the Toyota engine far more effectively this year. Another dull year for them I expect...but at least they will beat Honda ;)
Torro Rosso - STR2 - Using last years car till the European season starts - good pace in testing, may well embarrace the RedBull parent company for the first few rounds. Vettel is a star in the making.
Force India - VMJ01 - 2008 update of last years car - I think they are going to make a laughing stock of Honda this year. They're a close nit team with a doubled budget...lots of new factory equipment being brought in and 2 wind tunnels now working well (good work TLicense ;) ). The drivers are reporting that there's too much drag in the package but I'm sure they are working on that. Lastly they have a court case open against TorroRosso and Super Aguri over customer cars as they are technically banned. TR and SA should make their own cars but instead get them from RedBull and Honda respectively.
Honda - RA108 is another dog by all accounts...their design philosophy looks flawed. Basically, they've used a high narrow nose unlike any other competitor. But the Bridgestone fronts need a fwd centre of gravity which see's most teams put as much weight in a LOW nose and front wing as they can (20kgs in the front wing isn't unheard of). Honda's design also isn't for a Zero Keel front suspension setup which is another sub optimal setup. On the plus side it might go in a straight line fast... oh and the livery is a HUGE improvement on MyEarthDream from last year but still carries that message.
Super Aguri - SA08 - they are skipping the RA107 and getting this years Honda RA108 - They really are Honda's trouble and strife, a millstone. The team themselves are doing a brilliant job considering they have no sponsors and Honda have to bail them out. But they have no sponsors because of the Japanese only advertising decision, AFAI Understand. They've done precsious little testing, none of it with their new car. If they make it to the grid for Melbourne I'll be amazed. Lots of non Japanese companies are looking at buying in, so I expect SA to be replaced by another name during or at the end of the year as they can't continue as they are.
HTH :D
Highlight of the Year = No Ralf Schumacher :rlol:
I think Kimi's got it this year especially with the tough pre-season testing in the middle east... all the other F1 teams apart from Toyota were testing in Barcelona.
:lol: Was he even that good?
Why though? Yes, he was blisteringly quick, but the MS parade every Sunday afternoon was a bit repetitive and IMO was one of the biggest contributors towards recent criticisms over the lack of overtaking, and tediousness of the races, in F1.
I will grant you that..even I got a bit bored when he won year in year out...the years I was really addicted were 1997 - 2001 when he was struggling...I took an interest after that...got bored by the parade and then stopped watching it. I don't tend to have the time on a Sunday afternoon now but I watch every now and again.
I think Kimi's got it this year especially with the tough pre-season testing in the middle east... all the other F1 teams apart from Toyota were testing in Barcelona.
No, that just massively flattered them cause the Toyota isn't up to speed...Ferrari/Kimi are leading the way but not by as much as that test would have you believe. Kimi struggled to get to grips with the F2007...but the F2008 has been built AROUND him!
Watch BTCC much more interesting.
Gave up watching F1 when Michael left. :(
I attempted to watch F1 last year and apart from the odd highlight didn't find it enjoyable... Must admit I've moved over to watching Nascar/BTCC.
Gave up watching F1 when Michael left. :(
Thats about when it started to get intresting again, sorry the last year he raced was very good:D
I really enjoyed it last year and am looking forward to this year. Will try and take in some of the races IRL as well as I couldn't make it last year.
I hope LH gives it 110% as his driving style adds a certain element of excitement to the proceedings :D
I would love to see hamilton win this year.I hope we dont get the bs that we had last year,just hard fast racing a real thrill for the fans.
My biggest concern is Mad Max fiddling around and trying to cause trouble.
Should be a good season.
Last season was the best year in ages imo.
Gav, I've also been following the Nascar this year, and just hope that MotoGP, WSB, F1 and Nascar don't clash on my Sky+!
It's definately going to be close between McLaren and Ferrari, it's impossible to say who's going to come out on top though.
Hopefully there'll be some close racing to come.
Will any of you be at Silverstone this year, my wife an I will be there for the 3 days:)
Really looking forward to the season, especially Belgium, the wife and I already booked up for grandstand seats at Eau Rouge.
Gonna be Kimi to win I reckon, now well settled at Ferrari.
Watch out for the odd strong run from JB, and even DC, the masters of smooth driving. They should both go well in changeable weather with no TC.
Love the comments about Ralph, how did he ever get a job as a racing driver? And on one of the highest salaries! Lets hope new (ish) boy Glock can do something for Toyota.
My biggest concern is Mad Max fiddling around and trying to cause trouble.
Should be a good season.
Last season was the best year in ages imo.
Gav, I've also been following the Nascar this year, and just hope that MotoGP, WSB, F1 and Nascar don't clash on my Sky+!
Well, if you miss any Nascar let me know, I've got it on series link here with archive down to pc :)
I've series linked the Nascar, and will series link the F1, but the bikes don't appear to have SL option???
Will any of you be at Silverstone this year, my wife an I will be there for the 3 days:)
Nope. I went in 1997 and have never been back. A place only suitable for ordinance testing imo.
SupraStar 3000
04-03-08, 21:46
Nope. I went in 1997 and have never been back. A place only suitable for ordinance testing imo.
:rlol:
I can't wait for the F1 season to start.
Hamilton to win,... but as long as its good close action i'm not fussed.
Who am I kind'in,... GO Lewis !!!! :D WOOHOO!!!
We'll be there again, opposite the pits in the grandstand.
Camping in a nearby field, I'll be taking the bed out of the house and sleeping in my van. It was very comfortable last time. ;)
Well, if you miss any Nascar let me know, I've got it on series link here with archive down to pc :)OT - how have you done that then Gav? Sky+ing it then what?
Nope. I went in 1997 and have never been back. A place only suitable for ordinance testing imo.
Thats not too far from the truth:D
Here's a free F1 dream team game to play! My team is Green Cow ;)
http://www.f1game.co.uk
Will any of you be at Silverstone this year, my wife an I will be there for the 3 days:)
We'll be there again, opposite the pits in the grandstand.
Camping in a nearby field, I'll be taking the bed out of the house and sleeping in my van. It was very comfortable last time. ;)
I'll be there, I'll be a crowd marshall 'inside' the circuit at various spots from Bridge to Brooklands, but I'm camping too from the Thursday night :)
Chris Wilson
05-03-08, 21:56
I put 25 notes on Alonso to win, which is a lot for a none gambler like myself :)
I put 25 notes on Alonso to win, which is a lot for a none gambler like myself :)
So I'm not the only one?
Only a tenner for me though.
Go Fernando...
RiceRocket
05-03-08, 22:58
I put 25 notes on Alonso to win, which is a lot for a none gambler like myself :)
What would be your winnings then? (I don't know the odds)
To win the championship.
K Raikkonen 11/10
L Hamilton 2/1
F Massa 4/1
F Alonso 10/1
H Kovalainen 10/1
N Heidfeld 50/1
N Rosberg 50/1
R Kubica 66/1
N Piquet Jnr 80/1
M Webber 100/1
D Coulthard 125/1
J Button 125/1
J Trulli 150/1
S Bourdais 150/1
S Vettel 150/1
K Nakajima 200/1
R Barrichello 250/1
T Glock 250/1
A Sutil 300/1
G Fisichella 300/1
A Davidson 500/1
T Sato 500/1
Chris Wilson
05-03-08, 23:13
http://www.oddschecker.com/motor-sport
Chris Wilson
05-03-08, 23:13
I think I got 12 to 1 when I placed the bet (a while ago).
RiceRocket
05-03-08, 23:17
To win the championship.
J Button 125/1
Might be worth an each way bet just in case Honda have 'built' something...:tongue:
I put 25 notes on Alonso to win, which is a lot for a none gambler like myself :)
£50 on Lewis @ 11/4 Sporting Bet ( a couple of weeks ago) Now 3/1 :-(
Oh crap- I've just bet my house on Sato to win.
MrRalphMan
06-03-08, 03:04
No worries, I've got a cardboard box you can borrow...
No worries, I've got a cardboard box you can borrow...
Trouble is I'd probably bet on that as well :D
Chris you would have been better giving the money to charity, not a snow ball in hells chance of Alonso winning, Great isn't it:D
Gave up watching F1 when Michael left. :(
I started watching when he left :D
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