The F1 season 2004
Posted by: Markus S on 29 February 2004
Here we are, one week from the first race of the season, and I must say I'm really looking forward to seeing some racing again.
A few thoughts - everybody thought Ferrari would be off the pace this year because of their decision to stick with Bridgestone. So far, the 2004 car seems to overcome any tire-related handicap nicely. Michael Schumacher shows no signs of boredom, so he should be a front-runner again this year.
Williams - Antonia Terzi's chassis looks good and the BMW engines should again lead the field, but the team supremos are doing their best to piss off their drivers.
McLaren - should be good this year as they had probably the fastest car over the whole season last year and have been working hard to overcome their reliability issues. Somehow, however, they seem to have lost the plot. Maybe they'll find it in time for the next weekend.
BAR - doing much better than I, at least, expected. Shows what can happen if a team gets rid of a driver (Jacques Villeneuve) widely regarded as a total tosser who must have been terrible for morale.
Renault - also doing better than expected, but doubts over the reliabilty of their brand new engine must remain.
So, who do you fancy for the driver's and the team title?
A few thoughts - everybody thought Ferrari would be off the pace this year because of their decision to stick with Bridgestone. So far, the 2004 car seems to overcome any tire-related handicap nicely. Michael Schumacher shows no signs of boredom, so he should be a front-runner again this year.
Williams - Antonia Terzi's chassis looks good and the BMW engines should again lead the field, but the team supremos are doing their best to piss off their drivers.
McLaren - should be good this year as they had probably the fastest car over the whole season last year and have been working hard to overcome their reliability issues. Somehow, however, they seem to have lost the plot. Maybe they'll find it in time for the next weekend.
BAR - doing much better than I, at least, expected. Shows what can happen if a team gets rid of a driver (Jacques Villeneuve) widely regarded as a total tosser who must have been terrible for morale.
Renault - also doing better than expected, but doubts over the reliabilty of their brand new engine must remain.
So, who do you fancy for the driver's and the team title?
Posted on: 01 March 2004 by JeremyD
quote:I am the first to admit that my powers of discernment are limited when it comes to sports but, FWIW, my impression is that the current crop of drivers is, on average, the best ever.
Originally posted by Rasher:
Oh...and get some good drivers...
Posted on: 01 March 2004 by Jonathan Hales
I dont buy the boredom comment either.
Last season provided some fantastic racing under the new rules and that made the drivers championship the topsey turvey affair it hadnt been since 1999 and the viewing better for it.
This year should prove more of the same with Williams looking to dominate but a resurgent Renault, a strong looking BAR and with Ferrari finding new speed late in the testing season this could be anyones for the taking.
McLaren so far seem to be out of it but you can never underestimate Ron Dennis. Yes Coulthard is past his use by date but Kimi can overcome a lot of car defficiencies just through sheer speed that must still make them competitive. I just dont think we will see this until the circus gets to Europe.
Last season provided some fantastic racing under the new rules and that made the drivers championship the topsey turvey affair it hadnt been since 1999 and the viewing better for it.
This year should prove more of the same with Williams looking to dominate but a resurgent Renault, a strong looking BAR and with Ferrari finding new speed late in the testing season this could be anyones for the taking.
McLaren so far seem to be out of it but you can never underestimate Ron Dennis. Yes Coulthard is past his use by date but Kimi can overcome a lot of car defficiencies just through sheer speed that must still make them competitive. I just dont think we will see this until the circus gets to Europe.
Posted on: 01 March 2004 by Rasher
quote:
Originally posted by JeremyD:
my impression is that the current crop of drivers is, on average, the best ever.
You may well be right - I haven't watched it for a few years.
Posted on: 01 March 2004 by mykel
Thank-you Tony.
I will keep an eye out for it.
regards,
michael
I will keep an eye out for it.
regards,
michael
Posted on: 02 March 2004 by HTK
I think the worst thing that happened to F1 in the UK was ITV geting the rights. They've made a complete pig's breakfast of it and dumbed it down lower than footie.
It HAS been boring for some years but not last season. No by any measure. The world champion was not a forgone conclusion, and with some electronic aids being removed this year, it might even get a bit better.
It's tedious to se one team or driver always at the front. It was the same with Prost and Senna, and Mansel the year he won. Schumacher is probably still the best F1 driver alive and I wouldn't take anything away from him. My problem is that he plays dirty, and I suspect Ferrari do to. Why break rules and be a shit when you've got all that tallent?
I don't care who wins. I just enjoy the skill and spectacle (of which there was a lot more last year). I think either Ralf of Kimmi will get it this year.
If only it would go back to the BBC
Cheers
Harry
It HAS been boring for some years but not last season. No by any measure. The world champion was not a forgone conclusion, and with some electronic aids being removed this year, it might even get a bit better.
It's tedious to se one team or driver always at the front. It was the same with Prost and Senna, and Mansel the year he won. Schumacher is probably still the best F1 driver alive and I wouldn't take anything away from him. My problem is that he plays dirty, and I suspect Ferrari do to. Why break rules and be a shit when you've got all that tallent?
I don't care who wins. I just enjoy the skill and spectacle (of which there was a lot more last year). I think either Ralf of Kimmi will get it this year.
If only it would go back to the BBC
Cheers
Harry
Posted on: 02 March 2004 by Former member
quote:I'd agree with you on that, the coverage is awful. And having advertising breaks in the middle of the race is pathetic, I quite enjoy the far-east races because I can video them while I sleep and shuttle through the adverts when I watch.
I think the worst thing that happened to F1 in the UK was ITV geting the rights. They've made a complete pig's breakfast of it and dumbed it down lower than footie.
Posted on: 02 March 2004 by Basil
Bring back F1-digital, superb coverage.
Posted on: 02 March 2004 by Haroon
I agree about the adverts, but do think on the whole the coverage is better on ITV. Theres just a lot more to it than what the BBC had. ITV I think have brought it upto date, where as I feel BBC is far too fuddy duddy/conservative in areas like sports and news - for dad or grandad.
Posted on: 02 March 2004 by Tony Lockhart
Maybe one day the TV companies will employ a team of motorsport enthusiasts. That way we might avoid such silly situations as watching the whole field make its way through the first corner when it looks like the lead cars are really battling...out of shot. Happens every race.
Tony
Tony
Posted on: 13 March 2004 by Former member
.... and while you were away, Ferrari slaughtered everyone in Australia ....
Posted on: 14 March 2004 by Markus S
... and certain British teams do what they do best: complain ...
Posted on: 15 March 2004 by Rasher
Yeah Markus:
David Coulthard on the Melbourne race (ITV.co.uk):
McLaren must improve in every department, David Coulthard has said. The Scot said it was unfair to blame McLaren’s dismal performance in Australia on any single element of the MP4-19 package. Coulthard insisted work was needed across the board to make the team competitive. He told the Daily Telegraph: "We have the infrastructure to get it right - getting it right in time is the issue. "It's not rocket science. We need more power, more aero and more mechanical grip. The car is just not fast enough.” But Coulthard said that tyres were the biggest factor in Ferrari’s superiority a Melbourne. The Bridgestone was unquestionably the tyre to have at Albert Park, but the situation was exacerbated by the fact that McLaren chose too hard a compound of Michelin rubber.
Right…So nothing to do with him then!
Tosser!
David Coulthard on the Melbourne race (ITV.co.uk):
McLaren must improve in every department, David Coulthard has said. The Scot said it was unfair to blame McLaren’s dismal performance in Australia on any single element of the MP4-19 package. Coulthard insisted work was needed across the board to make the team competitive. He told the Daily Telegraph: "We have the infrastructure to get it right - getting it right in time is the issue. "It's not rocket science. We need more power, more aero and more mechanical grip. The car is just not fast enough.” But Coulthard said that tyres were the biggest factor in Ferrari’s superiority a Melbourne. The Bridgestone was unquestionably the tyre to have at Albert Park, but the situation was exacerbated by the fact that McLaren chose too hard a compound of Michelin rubber.
Right…So nothing to do with him then!
Tosser!
Posted on: 15 March 2004 by Markus S
I don't think Bridgestone was the tyre to have - Ferrari did well, but where were the other Bridgestone teams? I think the Michelins were definitely not worse than the Bridgestones, but the Ferrari cars were so much better than the competition that they probably would have won on offroad tyres.
Posted on: 15 March 2004 by Former member
I would disagree. I think the Bridgestones were the tyres to have. The Michelins don't seem to perform at moderate track temperatures. As to the other Bridgestone runners not doing very well - well who are the other Bridgestone teams? All the other top teams run Michelins. The only other half decent Bridgestone team is Sauber who did have a strong run compared to their performances last year. Ferrari definitely seem to have the fastest car but the race would have been closer if it hadn't been so cloudy and also if Montoya hadn't made such a hash of the start.
Posted on: 15 March 2004 by Former member
quote:I said this on the 'missing' forum, but here it is again:
Ferrari definitely seem to have the fastest car but the race would have been closer if it hadn't been so cloudy and also if Montoya hadn't made such a hash of the start.
In qualifying the conditions were hot and the Ferraris were 'only' half a second a lap quicker. In the race they were a whole second a lap quicker.
So they had a significant advantage whatever.
I'm surprised DC didn't also comment that the Renault (of Alonso at the start), seemed to go much better on the grass than his Mclaren.
Tosser!
Posted on: 15 March 2004 by Tony Lockhart
Looks like it'll be in the mid 30s this weekend at Sepang, so Coldturd must be hoping it rains so he has an excuse for Schuey leaving him by miles.
Oh, and there are rumours that Ron Dennis is retiring at the end of the year. Wonder if Davros Williams will chuck it in too?
Tony
Oh, and there are rumours that Ron Dennis is retiring at the end of the year. Wonder if Davros Williams will chuck it in too?
Tony
Posted on: 15 March 2004 by Rasher
Frank Williams & Patrick Head watch another season slip into the grasp of The Penguin & his team
Posted on: 15 March 2004 by HTK
I know Williams' injuries were self inflicted, but even for a broad minded forum such as this, cripple bashing is taking things a touch far I think.
Cheers
Harry
Cheers
Harry
Posted on: 15 March 2004 by Haroon
Hmm how did williams get injured?
Posted on: 15 March 2004 by Basil
In March 1986, Williams was paralyzed in a road accident near the Paul Ricard racing circuit. He has been confined to a wheelchair ever since.
Posted on: 16 March 2004 by Rasher
Frank Williams is the grumpiest, hardest, most critical and unpraising team manager, and Patrick Head seems to be with him on all those points. Their drivers go through Hell. But I see your point and I apologise if it was taken as "cripple bashing", which was not intended, but in hindsight, dodgy. Sorry.
Posted on: 16 March 2004 by Former member
Patrick Head is a God. And he's also got a great first name.
Aryton.
Aryton.
Posted on: 16 March 2004 by Rasher
This man is a God, and he isn't ashamed of showing his joy and admiration of his drivers either.
I take it that it's OK to call him The Penguin then.?
I take it that it's OK to call him The Penguin then.?
Posted on: 16 March 2004 by Former member
Much as I admire Jean Todt, he is not is the same league as Patrick Head - the guy responsible for many of the best F1 cars of the last 25 years.
Actually, I admire Ross Brawn more than Jean Todt.
I though Jean Todt was 'Napoleon' anyway ...
Actually, I admire Ross Brawn more than Jean Todt.
I though Jean Todt was 'Napoleon' anyway ...
Posted on: 16 March 2004 by HTK
Yep. Williams is the grumpiest git in F1 and has a reputation for treating drivers like shite. Booted out Hill after he brought a world championship to the team and pretty much destroyed Frentzen. Gave Button the heave ho for JPM - although I think that was both on the cards from the start and included a return ticket at a later stage.
Mind you, now I come to think about it, most of the other teams do this. With the possible exception of Jaguar, they seen to be much nicer about it - although the results are the same.
It's tough at the top. Or so I've heard.
Cheers
Harry
Mind you, now I come to think about it, most of the other teams do this. With the possible exception of Jaguar, they seen to be much nicer about it - although the results are the same.
It's tough at the top. Or so I've heard.
Cheers
Harry