Post by 2002M3 on Aug 23, 2003 9:04:20 GMT -5
We're now deep into the season with the championship battle on edge. The major antagonists are so close, they can smell each others cologne. Clearly the big difference this year over '02 is that the Ferrari dominance is over and Michelin are winning the tyre war. But wait, there's more...
Michael qualified P6 in Germany and P8 in Hungary, a weekend coming off the Summer break where he threatened to return to form. OK, so this P8 must mean he's carrying a heavier fuel load, right? I'm not so sure. Look at all of the previous weekends when he was outqualified by the Williams, McLarens, Renaults and his team-mate, he ended up on the same pit strategy as the front runners. So basically he's been starting on even terms which makes his qualifying that much more dodgy.
Kimi has been showing good form in qualifying and better in races. My man down pitlate tells me that everyone's been whispering around the paddock that the Mercedes is VERY fuel efficient and it shows in past races where he's been able to run a lap or three longer than the other big boys. Being a bit down on power makes the Mercs a bit less thirsty but that sweet Newey aero makes up for a tidy balance. This kid worries me (with respect to JPM's charge for the championship).
The spoilers...Ralf, Rubens, Trulli and Alonso. This is where significant points will be taken, points that Kimi and Juan need. Very tricky business this. One item I suppose is worth mentioning is that the Renaults tend to eat tyres. They have very good rear end grip but it takes its toll later in the stints. This puts them up front and something of a bother but if the other front runners stay away from entanglements, the Renaults fade in pace...they say it's a tyre and suspension compatitbility issue. This is why they have been doing extreme work with Michelin on construction more than compound.
As for Hungary, Weber. OY! What will this first corner look like. I can hear Ralf thinking "I'm on the dirt but I'll be damned if I let a Jag beat me to the first corner!" Hmmm...is he destined for another trip to Paris? Will Jarno's LC vault him past MS and give Ferrari more headaches? Can JPM keep his head and avoid a turn 1 cockup by others in front (remembering he too is on the dirty side)? Oh, and the heat. Will reliability be an issue for any of the top 8? The Fords have been busting a gasket all weekend so Weber and Jag may have something to think about. DC...DC...DC. Despite a poor showing each Saturday morning, he somehow ends up in very good standings. His reputation is that he's very good with tyres. Will he annoy Rubens and Michael? I think so. He has something to prove too.
Oh my, I just pissed me knickers in anticipation of what's to come.
Cheerz
M3
Michael qualified P6 in Germany and P8 in Hungary, a weekend coming off the Summer break where he threatened to return to form. OK, so this P8 must mean he's carrying a heavier fuel load, right? I'm not so sure. Look at all of the previous weekends when he was outqualified by the Williams, McLarens, Renaults and his team-mate, he ended up on the same pit strategy as the front runners. So basically he's been starting on even terms which makes his qualifying that much more dodgy.
Kimi has been showing good form in qualifying and better in races. My man down pitlate tells me that everyone's been whispering around the paddock that the Mercedes is VERY fuel efficient and it shows in past races where he's been able to run a lap or three longer than the other big boys. Being a bit down on power makes the Mercs a bit less thirsty but that sweet Newey aero makes up for a tidy balance. This kid worries me (with respect to JPM's charge for the championship).
The spoilers...Ralf, Rubens, Trulli and Alonso. This is where significant points will be taken, points that Kimi and Juan need. Very tricky business this. One item I suppose is worth mentioning is that the Renaults tend to eat tyres. They have very good rear end grip but it takes its toll later in the stints. This puts them up front and something of a bother but if the other front runners stay away from entanglements, the Renaults fade in pace...they say it's a tyre and suspension compatitbility issue. This is why they have been doing extreme work with Michelin on construction more than compound.
As for Hungary, Weber. OY! What will this first corner look like. I can hear Ralf thinking "I'm on the dirt but I'll be damned if I let a Jag beat me to the first corner!" Hmmm...is he destined for another trip to Paris? Will Jarno's LC vault him past MS and give Ferrari more headaches? Can JPM keep his head and avoid a turn 1 cockup by others in front (remembering he too is on the dirty side)? Oh, and the heat. Will reliability be an issue for any of the top 8? The Fords have been busting a gasket all weekend so Weber and Jag may have something to think about. DC...DC...DC. Despite a poor showing each Saturday morning, he somehow ends up in very good standings. His reputation is that he's very good with tyres. Will he annoy Rubens and Michael? I think so. He has something to prove too.
Oh my, I just pissed me knickers in anticipation of what's to come.
Cheerz
M3
