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

I for one believe that there should not be so much restriction on technology as the IS Formula 1, it is suposed to be the pinnacle of motorsport and they should be allowed to use the best technology available to produce the best and fastest automobile to go round a track.

The drawback is of course that all this costs so much money that not all the teams can afford it

I've been to the malaysian GP 3 times......amazing track and venue

Took advantage of the "special" offer and bought tickets for all 3 days at Silverstone this year. Just got to hope the weather stays right...

 

I would agree the oval & circuit racing are very different though I would have to say from having watched both over the years - seconds can be lost and gained in Indy or Cart but seems so much harder to do in F1.. the margin of error between pole and back of the grid is much smaller and cars are less evenly matched - placing more onus on drivers to eak out more from driving skill.

As to driving standard - well cream rises to the top & name one oval racer who wouldn't jump at an F1 seat...those who could actually adapt to proper circuit racing that is..?

Ironically there's a lot I like about American cart racing - mainly because technology lags a couple of years.. more onus is placed on engines, less on pit stop tactics and it is less weighed down by regs introduced for Marketing and obscure Euro safety regulations. I for one would like to see 1 oval-style race on the F1 calendar but then there's a few things (old circuits) I would like to see on the calendar.. it's ok building super high tech circuits over the world but surely not at the expense of our racing heritage tracks throughout Europe & US (ahh Palm beach anyone?)..

Only yesterday (before he stormed off) JPM was saying the FW26 still had a bit to go before it was the fastest out there and wouldn't be surprised if Ferrari was quickest from outset.. that indicates a few things still unresolved from testing.

We know the Renaults have excellent chassis and last season Renault vowed to provide more power for 2004..

For me the FW26 'Hammed Head/Manta Ray'  is a good representation of the BMW car - engine first. Ferrari has a delicate steed - only fitting for the prancing horse - good in every dept but not excelling in any one. Some thought into form rather than 100% function is always evident in the red cars. McLarens probably have the best chassis & technical ability albeit not always the largest budget (I hear Toyota is writing the biggest cheques in their technical devleopment program right now).. & so looks quite clinical, aerodynamic and efficiently made.. Renaults are creative (v. much the Lotus of the hour).. and sometimes have quite unusual fairings & set ups... always willing to experiment.

I for one would like to see more contrasting shapes out on the grid but, alas, modern aerodynamics will rarely permit this.

MB

Edited by M BLUR

See - http://www.autosport.co.uk/newsitem.asp?id=26223&s=5

it was indeed quite a boring race, almost like 2002 revisited.

i a surprised how many carsfinished even with the one engine rule. not too bad for reliability so early in the season.

I agree with Peter about the tyre thing too....even if Michelins have an advantage in warmer weather, they would be hard pressed to make up to 2 sec difference on tyres alone.

Another surprising thing is why couldn't BAR or Williams run at the pace they did during qualifying? Surely this is a driver issue as they wee basically driving the same car they did during qualifying and should have been clocking similar times or even faster when getting lower on fuel.

the pits, you think you were bored? I had to sit in the Mclaren garage, watch one car spin off after 9 laps, then put new wheels on the other one so it could trundle round and finish a lap down. And with a helmet and balaclava on I couldn't even have a cup of tea during the race!!!

And I'm not writing this in the middle of the night, I'm in Melbourne aren't I. And it's bloody raining on my only day off!!
hark at me, ranting away...
Hope you enjoy the next race lads, I know merc are bmw's arch rivals but it pays the bills so maybe some of you could cheer for Mclaren just a little bit?
Cheers and it's off to Malaysia tomorrow for four days by the pool before we go back to work, it's a tough job etc. etc...

McLaren does have some serious issues to sort out. And it seems to me (and my untrained eye) that Kimi is letting his "superstar" status get to his head....I believe he is frustrated about the development and reliability of the car, but to air his displeasure and frustration so publicly cannot be good for team morale.

McLaren need an experienced and hungry driver to drive the development and setting up of cars for the races......Michael Schumacher did that for Ferrari through talent and a lot of hard work with the engineers with testing and development.

To be honest I think the other teams are going to struggle against Ferrari as long as they have Michael Schumacker. Whether you love him or hate him, he is by far and away the best driver out there and I think that the success Ferrari have had over the last few years has been down to him.