Gentlemen, start your engines.....(F1)

why is the Ferrari delicate? Michael Schumacher finished a race in 4th position (I think) with one of the barge boards hanging off....so far they are the most reliable machines.

Unless you are refering to the new, almost bulldog, look of the Wiliams (very nice) compared to the slender Ferraris. McLarens are pretty slender too.......hmmm.....I wonder if we will see everyone shifting to a new nose after a few races.

Kimmi

I honestly don't think Michael would race if he was not going for the win. They might not make Rubens pull over and let Michael past this season (although I doubt it), but they definately won't make Micheal pull over to let Rubens win.

Bottom line is Ferrari want their driver to win the championship, Michael is the better of the two and has the best chance of beating the opposition. It would be nice to think that Rubens would be given an equal chance, but if Ferrari let the two of them really race each other then they reduce their chances of winning.   

My money is on either Kimi or Montoya, although it wouyd be nice to see Button do well in the BAR. Also you can't discount Michael Shumacher.

As for Coulthard, it's time he hung up his helmet if you ask me.

Has anyone else noticed how the drivers that complain the most don't seem to do that well. Vielneuve spent all of last season mouthing off and came knowhere, Eddie Irvine couldn't keep his mouth shut and amounted to nothing and Coulthard spends most of his time complaining about the rules and whinging about Michael, but not winning. The ones that win are those that keep quiet, concentrate on what they are doing and get on with the job, ie Hakinnen, Michael Schumaker, Kimi etc.  

Oh and Barichello, not a chance. Ferrari won't let him beat Michael. As for the Saubers, or the Ferrari second team as they are also known. I'd put money on them not putting upo much of a fight if they have a Ferrari behind them.

you're right about the one engine rule not affecting the lower placed teams. They might as well use a new engine for the race if they qualify last or close to last....a bit of a loophole in the rules here, probably designed to 'help' the slower teams.

BAR seems fast in testing and it would be great to see Button competitive, too bad for JV.

But I still think Rubens has the best car and if he performs like he did at silverstone last year, he will be untouchable, and I think the team will try to help him out a bit more this year than in the past, considering Schumacher has already made his mark.

But we'll see......it has been a tough off season for me, with all the excitement that last season brought, this reason should rock!

Rubens???
I reckon JP Montoya will do well in the new FW 26 (with its funny looking nose!) - Im hoping he gets both championships. It wouldn't surprise me to see Ralf kicked out after a while (given his recent moaning)
Given all of his mouthing Im keen on seeing Button perform. Will he live up to his spouting?
It wouldn't surprise me if Coulthard was given his P45 this year (assuming he drives like he did last year). I reckon Kimi will be their life saver again this year.
Another surprise team may be the Saubers who are using 2004 Ferrari power and with their own wind tunnel designs.
Meanwhile, I assume the fastest thing coming from the Jordan garage will be EJ's excuses and prophecies about their comeback.

It will also be interesting to watch how the new engines manage to keep to the neww 2004 regs whereby they must last the entire weekend. If a driver needs to use a different engine then they will be shifted down 10 places in the grid (this rule shouldn't affect the Jordans )