2004 F1 Championship

[g force]

God that was dull....JPM is right, it's just a big go-kart track. Get rid of it now and put a decent GP in its place.

Well, McLaren were shit, tyres or not, their speed was down on other teams and DC...well.... I bet managers are just linming up to get him in their seat for next and finish 8th in every GP

Thought Pizzonia didn't do too badly considering his lack of racing....testing for 80 laps is one thing, actually being in with other people is another.

 

[the B]

"Racing" around Hungary is like testing...

 

[Ich bin ein Mod]

Sadly I don't see them getting rid of Hungary any time soon, unless they ban tobacco advertising

 

[the B]

Sadly I don't see them getting rid of Hungary any time soon, unless they ban tobacco advertising

I do, there are plenty of other countries which enable tobacco advertising that want a GP.

And the calender can only get so big...

 

[g force]

Think Russia might be a good bet...although the Yanks are pushing for re-using Watkins Glen or Detroit for another US GP. Personally, I like having races in the US, you known, just to prove cars can turn right but Indy is the wrong place.

India was rumoured to be the next venue, but that seems to have gone quiet of late. Maybe another South Amercian GP is worthwhile, I loved Mexico and Buenos Aires coudl stage another GP.

 

[the B]

If they would bring back the Argentina GP - they'd need a new circuit or would need to seriously redevelop the old one because it was shit.

South Africa and Turkey have attempted to get themselves a GP along with India and Russia.

 

[the B]

Michael Schumacher can win the title at Belgium.

Jacques Villeneuve has been in talks with Sauber. While I think it's a good move for Sauber to get such a skilled driver (he was pretty good) and JV will probably be good for Sauber in terms of results, I doubt Sauber can offload him for serious money afterwards which is what Sauber (and formerly Jordan and Minardi if you exclude Webber) were so good at. Helping to find the talents of the future...

Lap times at Belgium are expected to fall really really far...maybe 6 or 7 seconds a lap compared to 2002.

 

[g force]

JV to Sauber....that might work...they could do with someone to develop the car and he probably sees it as a step to replacing MS at Ferrari.

Can't see anyone beating Ferrari at Spa JPM will give it a go but the Williams can't handle it at the moment. Renault will, IMO, be behind BAR with their current engine.

Sato could be a real dark horse this weekend...he's great at faster cicuits and I think Spa will suit him.

 

[Ich bin ein Mod]

Unless he breaks his engine. Again.

 

[the B]

Which races can we expect Ferrari to be roundly beaten at then?

 

[g force]

Errr...... *clutches at straws* ....Shanghai (seeing as Williams is the only team to get a few laps there).

I honestly don't know Brazil possibly if its hot, Suzuka will be BAR territory if ever there was a place for them to win it's Japan.

 

[the B]

Ferrari also had a few laps there (and it was after Williams had). It was Gerhard Berger who did them and this was back in June I think. It was all part of a 'Ferrari' festival there. I think Badoer got some running as well but I can't be sure.

Williams had 25 laps after Marc Gene did some light running there in the out-dated car.

McLaren were offered similarily light running in their old car.

I don't think it's an advantage that lasts very long. Looking through the old news articles, Adrian Newey didn't seem at all bothered. He did say it might have helped teams to work out gear ratios and allow better mapping of the circuit for simulations they might use before ever arriving.

I reckon Rubens might finally win in Brazil...provided Michael hasn't won them all until then.

I suppose Suzuka might be a place BAR would do well, though I don't know how this year's car compares to last year (when they didn't do too badly, 4th and 6th).

 

[g force]

Well in Suzuka, top end speed is needed, but a good chassis to handle to high speed curves, something BAR seem to have got pretty much spot on this year - guess Spa will tell us how good they are compared to Ferrari.

Realisitcally...I can see 2 maybe 3 chances for soemone other than MS to win, unless he lets Rubens get a few.

 

[kyser_soze]

La la, lalalalala...

I'm off to Spa tomorrow for the weekend

Hopefully seeing MS get crowned Champ cos you can run onto the Spa circuit when the race is over...

 

[Ich bin ein Mod]

Lucky bastard

 

[the B]

red rose is going to be there too, it's alright for some...

 

[Ich bin ein Mod]

I'm working as well, don't even get to see it on the telly. Harrumph

 

[red rose]

(((IBEM)))

I cant wait, if you look at eau rouge corner on sunday you wont be able to miss me I'm wearing a red top and a ferrari hat

 

[Ich bin ein Mod]

(((IBEM)))

I cant wait, if you look at eau rouge corner on sunday you wont be able to miss me I'm wearing a red top and a ferrari hat

I'm sure you'll stand out wearing that!

 

[red rose]

oh yeah I'll be easy to spot

 

[kyser_soze]

(((IBEM)))

I cant wait, if you look at eau rouge corner on sunday you wont be able to miss me I'm wearing a red top and a ferrari hat

AH baby! You're Ferrarista too!!!

 

[the B]

kyser is obviously new to the game, tifosi if you're a Ferrari fan

 

[Ich bin ein Mod]

Ferrarista sounds pretty damm cool as well though

 

[kyser_soze]

kyser is obviously new to the game, tifosi if you're a Ferrari fan

Yeah I Know tifosi too but I'm common...

 

[the B]

You're uncommon if you're saying Ferrarista...

Anyway, the thing at Belgium which isn't too good as a spectator is that the long long laps means you see the cars less.

 

[the B]

And bring ear plugs, or get them there.

 

[kyser_soze]

You're uncommon if you're saying Ferrarista...

Anyway, the thing at Belgium which isn't too good as a spectator is that the long long laps means you see the cars less.

Our 'best location' guide lives 2 miles from the circuit so we're taking his advice on best locations.

We're there from tomorrow as well so will have plenty of scoping time, are taking binoculars as well.

Getting pant wettingly excited about it...

 

[g force]

And so it soon begins...looks like it might be a wet qualification so maybe an interesting grid if it's dry to start with.

Oh...who am I kidding rain or shine there's only one winner this weekend. Just hope there's some action for 2nd down to 8th.

 

[g force]

Well first session suggest its Ferrari all the way.

Davidson fastest yet again...are you watching Peter Sauber?! Biggest surprise was the pace of the Jags, who both did a fair number of laps...Wirdhiem 4th fastest, Webber only a few tenths off.

 

[the B]

Ferrari definately have the race pace (by a second or so a lap...not too bad given the length of the lap maybe), not sure about qualifying though.