Rubens!

[Wycco]

Rubens has been doing well lately...

A win in Silverstone.
Excellent qualifying in Germany (took out 1st corner)
Strong showing in Hungary.


The reports of Ferrari's demise is greatly exagerated. Rubens has been in tip-top shape. I suspect Michelin is the better tyre- Ferrari is the better car- and overall Ferrari-package is slightly off that of Williams.

However, the tyre war being what it is, softer tyres are required to keep the Ferrari in place.

Michael is hard on tyres- Rubens is gentle on tyres... thus the current package favours Rubens more than Michael.

- BUT (big but)- the Ferrari package IS capable of challenging the likes of Williams. Michael's perogative, should he wish to retain the WDC should be to adapt to the car.

[2002M3]

My observations are slightly dif. I do agree that Rubens has been on a tear and is outperforming his team-mate (and not just by hair). I think Ferrari made a mistake to hurry and sign MS to such a long term extension and nothing for Rubens. They are a loyal team...I'll give them that. They have a much bigger problem that should've been addressed first...bringing that GA back up to snuff.

But more to the topic, I do think the revolutionary design of the FW25 left more room for development throughout the year than Ferrari...at least from what we've seen. I think as of today, the two chassis are equal in the aero department. The advantage goes to WilliamsF1 for both tyres and suspension. The advantage for chassis balance still goes to Ferrari (they are more consisten with heavy or light fuel loads).

The one thing many overlook are the drivers. So few are willing to admit that Michael is giving his all with nothing left in the can and is getting beat under those terms. He hasn't been use to this level of drivers. OK, hear me out here...he is now smothered by more drivers of equal talent or potential than he's ever experienced in his career. He went through the Prost/Senna, then the Hill/JV then Mika days. Today, he's having to fight Montoya/Kimi/Alonso/Ralf/Trulli/DC/Webber/Rubens. He's never had his hands this full. I think we're now seeing all of the mistakes b'cuz the pressure is so much greater. Imagine going from only having to worry about how you're going to attack Mika to now having to worry about the top 8...eeegads! Michael is very good at what he does for a living but now that he has to fight for it, we're seeing his best. The advent of the other team and tyre improvement is the great equalizer...and now he finishes in 8th. I personally am disappointed cuz we're not really seeing a true headsup battle like we had hoped...they just dust him off and that's that. Michael reported yesterday that his race was shot due to being held up by slower traffic. Err...Ralf came through the field from last place and past everyone MS couldn't. Montoya passed the people MS accused of holding him up. So did Rubens and he has the same package...um...until it selfdistructed on lap 20. Is MS saying this with the hope that no one really saw the race?

In summary, I for one will not count him out to be competitive at Monza and Suzuka. I think top 4 in Monza, top 6 in Indy and top 3 in Suzuka. The big question is, is that gonna be good enough? If the top contenders all remain reliable, I think he steps down off the throne this year. He better hope for rain in the next 3 races (the Michelin wets are down on the Bridgestone wets...still). Either way, this finish will be brilliant!

Cheerz
M3

[julio_montoya]

Rubens, Ralf and Coulthard dident have much to lose but rather all to win. Montoya, Schumacher and Raikonnen cant help being more careful.

[Danny Boy]

From his first day at Benetton, Ms has always had, until now, superior race tactics thanks to Ross Brawn. For the last 5 years, he has had the most reliable car. For the last 3 years, he has had the fastest car.
Now it is down to the driver making the difference, and MS is showing his lack of ability compared to the better drivers (including Rubin's). If you check his record, he has often cracked under pressure. MS has been the luckiest driver in F1, now that luck has gone and he is living off his ability, which is hopelessly inadequate.

[Srrh]

Danny said:

MS has been the luckiest driver in F1, now that luck has gone and he is living off his ability, which is hopelessly inadequate.

Indeed !!

Although, as long as he is in front, albeit by one point, he can always use the tactic that made him famous: attempted-murder!!
;D

Raptor and SG....are u reading this ?


S.

[2002M3]

LOL...Srrh, stirring it up, eh? Well, Schumi already knows his respect in the motorsports community is questionable due to the Jerez, Austria 1 & 2 and all the other disgraceful things for which he'll be remembered. I don't think he wants to achieve this record 6th title with that nasty blemish. Either win it fairly or go down with dignity. Hmmm...dignity vs. 6th title...which will he choose?

M3

[julio_montoya]

It sounds like Ms has already started his dirty tactics. Jpm said in the after race press conference that he was constantly trying to pass Ms but that Ms was throwing his car into him and that he was very mad.