2008 Season Preview

2008 Season Preview

Ok here goes, me and my fellow F1 experts Miss Flying finn, --xh-- and me Nomad we are going to stick our necks out and give you a season preview.

Ferrari

The Team :

Current world Champions, rich history and just look at their history, one of the oldest teams in the grid and they are having the time of their lives after a really really long dry spell Michael Schumacher put them on the map again, and what a time they have had after that, 7 world titles with Michael and then last year with Kimi the going just keeps getting better for the Italians.

The Drivers :

Kimi Raikkonen : the finish "iceman" seems to have come into his own after years of over driving fragile Mclarens he has found his match in the reliability of the Red cars. Oh and just in case you forgot he is the current World Champion.

Felipe Massa : The Brazilian protégé has shown that the faith Ferrari has shown in him is not misplaced, a race winner in his own stead he has played the consummate team man and helped the team get win the World Championship last year

The Car :

F2008

Our Predictions :

Miss Flying Finn : Ferrari will be the team to beat this year. Kimi and the prancing horse would be looking to defend their title this year. One of the first teams to begin testing this year, they have showed phenomenal pace thus far. Last year, there were occassional issues with reliabilty which needs to be rectified this year so that Ferrari emerge the absolute clear winners. I think Massa will finally come onto his own this year and win a few more races.

--xh-- : As a die hard Tiffosi, my heart goes for Ferrari. But I am not ready to write off Lewis and his team nor ready to ignore Renault. If recent history is any mark to go by, then this will be a RED year. Ferrari has one of the best team structure and both drivers actually do work in harmony.

Nomad : I’m not a Ferrari fan but you have got to doff your hat to the tenacity and grit that the team has shown and I’m no fan of "Team Orders" but after alst years fiasco at Mclaren you have to wonder if that may be a good idea after all. I say both Kimi and Massa are going to be handful for any one on the grid though you shouldn’t expect a new Brazilian champion any time soon.

BMW Sauber :

The Team :

Peter Sauber built a very reliable team and with the handicap of being based in Switzerland also was not enough to hold the team back they were consistent midfielders, but since 2005 when BMW bought an stake in the team, they have improved in leaps and bounds and have take the place of best of the rest in the field. This year they will be aiming to go further up the grid and challenge the big two.

The Drivers :

Nick Hiedfeld : he made his debut along with Fernando Alnoso and Kimi Raikkonen, but while the other two went on to bigger things he has kept quiet and become the perennial invisible man, he has quietly gone on to develop him self as a thinking driver and BMW’s emergence is as much his doing as any one else’s.

Robert Kubica : The Polish Driver is nothing to write home about, but then he holds a super license and he drives for BMW, so he must be good. He was roped in to drive in place of Jacques Villeneuve, his only claim to fame being the Horrid crash In Montreal last year, a potential Champion in the making if only he has the right car.

The Car :

F1.08

Our Prediction :

Miss Flying Finn : BMW Sauber looked a good set up last year. They can be expected to notch it up a few places and a few podium finishes. I have doubts if they CAN actually win a race, but it would be exciting to see someone else on that top spot apart from the Ferraris and Mclarens.

--xh-- : Will rake in some points, but not sure if they can repeat last years performance.

Nomad : don’t expect any fireworks, BMW Sauber is set for the big league expect them to win a few races and be a thorn in the side but I still don’t think they are championship material.

ING-Renault F1

The Team :

They dominated the F1 Scene in the Mid 90’s with Williams, then they came back and bought Benetton F1 team and they have since gone on to face the might of Ferrari and King Michael, Fernando Alonso Won them two Championships when Michael was still around and Ferrari was still in form. After floating around last year with lack luster performance they have their golden child back with them and will be expecting better showing.

The Drviers:

Fernando Alonso : HE seemed indestructible while Kimi was trying is mightiest best to pussy foot around with dainty Mclaren cars and Michael tried to swat him with his Ferrari fly swatter, but last year in the best cars on the grid a mere rookie made him loose his composure, and cost him self and Lewis the world Title. So now he is back and Renault have high hopes for him.

Nelson Piquet Jr. : Son of a three time world champion so he has racing in his blood, so he will be a handful for Alonso and it is the last things he needs, but then he finished second to Lewis Hamilton in the GP2 series in 2006. he was test driver for Renault in 2007 so he has had a big part in developing the current car and that will work in his favor.

The Car :

R28

Our Predictions :

Miss Flying Finn: Alonso back at Renault, who knows it might be a sign of changing fortunes for both. After a disastrous 2007 season for Renault and a oh-not-so-happy outing for Alonso at at McLaren, a lot is expected out of the team and its drivers. Alonso will have another rookie team-mate this year, someone who is known to have gone quicker than Lewis on a few occassions in GP2. Let's see how this one goes but I am still not putting my money on Renault as yet for the championship contention.

--xh-- : With Alonso back at the helm, they are force to recon with. But can Alonso face heat from one more rookie and keep his cool?

Nomad : Flavio Briatore is a flamboyant team boss and with all their extravagances they are still the team which tends to make their Euros last longer than any one else. Renault boss Carlso Goshn is not a huge F1 Fan and was considering shutting down the F1 Operations, but with their poster child back in the saddle he must be reconsidering his options. Expect no miracles but Alonso will the dark horse this season he will be chaffing at the bitts to show every one who is the boss

AT & T Williams Toyota F1 :

The Team :

The Perennial Independents the last decade hasn’t been good for them, but they still have held on with considerable tenacity Frank Williams and Patrick Head are really canny when it comes to spending money and scouting for talent and their chassis is never found wanting, well almost never. They are generally let down by the engine that they run. But now with the customer Toyota engines in the back of their cars they are back in the hunt. Oh and Nico Rosberb seems to be just like his father, talented, fast and very, very dangerous.

The Drivers :

Nico Rosberg : he was so good in his rookie season that he was the first choice when it came time to replace Fernando Alonso at Mclaren, but Frank Willliams was too shrewd to let him go. Oh and he proven time and again that he has a blinding one lap pace, with good qualifying stints now all he has to do is to convert those good qualifying sessions into race successes, seems easy doesn’t it.

Kazuki Nakajima : He ran over one of his Mechanics in is first and only race in F1, so not a good start to a career, but he also showed good pace at the season ending Brazilian GP so depending on how good this year's car is he could be bother some. Oh and if your wondering at his surprise inclusion at the end of last year, as a replacement for Alexander Wurz, then look no further from the back of his car, yeah Toyota definitely had some thing to do with it.

The Car :

FW 30

Our Opinion :

Miss Flying Finn : Williams have always surprised me and I predict this year could be no less. Nico Rosberg is definitely a driver with great potential and it'll be interesting to see Nakajima in a full racing season. A few podium finishes can be expected.

--xh-- : Will be one of the point baggers – anywhere between 4^th to 8^th position.

Nomad : the last of the old time Independents, they are from a time when F1 was about 4 mechanics and a driver and racing was done because people liked to see them selves tilting at road barriers at insane speeds, but were sensible enough to keep in on the track. So they always have had a soft corner in my heart. Oh and when I started watching Formula 1 it was Williams and Mclaren and it was Senna and Prost and Shumi did not even exist. Even though they changed with the times the dark blue cars make we wanna say go Williams once again. Don’t expect any miracles but a few podiums and a few wins are never far off when it comes the Williams.

Red Bull Renault :

The Team :

What do you do when you have a drink that has made you millions and you don’t know what to do with the money? even after you have spent millions on hospital bills of extreme Athletes and you still have lots of money left. Well you buy a F1 team of course. Red Bull boss Deiter went ahead and bought not one but two teams, the first of these, formerly known as Stewart racing and then Jaguar, is the only team in the paddocks who in spite of having lots of high speed nutters on their rolls still has one of the oldest driving pairings and the oddest driver policy. Well the car is fast and the Renault engine is no slouch either. Chief Designer Adrian Newey is the magician that made those Mclaren cars so good so there is still hope for independents, but then not every one is as rich as Richard Branson.

The Drivers :

David Coulthard : The Scotsman replaced Ayorton Senna at William after his death in 94 and then won races later when he shifted to Mclaren though he has never been a threat to the Championship he can win and has won race on his day, he is also technically very sound and good at developing the car, no wonder Redbull continues to stick with him they have long term plans of F1 domination.

Mark Webber : The Aussie driver is good and was much sought after when he came onto the scene but a few lack luster years with Jaguar and then with Williams have worn off his sheen, he is still a technically brilliant driver. He would love to have some wins this year and the car might give him an outside chance.

The Car :

RB4

Our Opinion :

Miss Flying Finn : Having veterans like Coulthard and Webber is a big plus that the Red Bull team has. Their sound technical knowledge and expertise will continue to benefit the team. However, I cannot seem to expect a lot from them unless their reliabilty issues are resolved. A few podium finishes would be good.

--xh-- : one more team for the 4^th-8^th position. Capable of having a field day but still not up to the full potential.

Nomad : David and Mark both are good drivers and the Redbull Chassis is no slouch either. Renault has proven time and again that when they make and engine it is near enough bullet perfect, so a winning combination? No, not really the other cars, Especially Mclaren and Ferrari are near enough bullet proof and the drivers are proven to win, me thinks Redbull can Expect some podiums but that is as far as I will stick my neck out for them.

Toyota :

The Team :

The richest team on the grid, they have spent money as if there was no tomorrow and then they spent more money hiring Ralf Schumacher, the younger Schumacher let was not like his brother and the team has little to show for all the effort and money it has put in. The bean counters in Japan must be wringing their hands and must have started to demand some answers as Ralph and departed and the team has hired a new and talented rookie and the current GP2 Champ in their line up.

The Drivers :

Jarno Trulli : the Little Italian is one of the best qualifiers on the grid and is known for consistently qualifying in the top ten of the grid. He has had trouble converting that one lap pace in to race result and the car hasn’t helped much. He has won in Monaco for Renault so he can win given a good car and so he must be hoping that he gets a good car this year.

Timo Glock : The German is the current GP2 champion and he will be looking forward to prove his mettle after having helped develop last years BMW Sauber. He is also vastly experienced in champ cars and GP2 and having tested with Jordan in 2004. he will be driving for points this season and points are what Toyota need.

The Car :

RVX- 08

Our Opinion :

Miss Flying Finn : Toyota getting rid of Ralf Schumacher was a good decision on their part. An over-paid under-performing driver is a huge liabilty on a team that is unable to perform well given the amount of money the shell out. Sticking with Trulli, who is a good driver and getting in Timo Glock, who would be hungry to score points seems like a good decision. However their strategy seems to confuse me a little bit and I don't expect them to change much in their standings since last year.

--xh-- : Not much hope – Not my favorite to put money on.

Nomad : Toyota has flushed trillions of yen down the F1 toilet. They tested and developed for two years before they made their debut in F1 in 2002 teams with that kind of preparation deserve better results than what they have to show for it. And after being consistently being out performed by Williams with their customer engines people at the Tokyo headquarters will be beginning to ask questions, they have to show performance and show it fast.

Scuderia Toro Roso Ferrari :

The Team :

Team Red Bull in Italian, they will be running customer Ferrari enigines this year. The team run by Gerhard Berger is Red bull’s B team, and was formerly known as perennial F1 minnows Minardi, well not much has changed since. May be the Ferrari engines will make a difference this year. Oh and they will be hoping to do better that Team Force India who are also running Ferrari engines.

The Drivers :

Sebastian Vettel : He was test driver for BMW in 2006 and 2007 and drove for them at Inidy 2007 as a stand in for Kubica. He finished 4^th for Toro Roso in Shanghai when he replaced Scott Speed at STR. Better known for crashing into Mark Webber during Saftey car period in Fuji, Japan.

Sebastien Bourdias : the frechman is no short on experience having raced at Le Mans and he is also 4 Champ Car champion running, and he has been fast in testing. He as well as STR would be hoping for some stellar performances.

The Car :

STR 03

Our Opinion :

Miss Flying Finn: Sebastian Vettel impressed me a lot in the few races he raced in the last season. His full season with Toro Rosso would do a world of good for this talented youngster. Will be interesting to see Sebastian Bourdais in an F1 car. A few points can be expected.

--xh-- : of the back markers – will pit against the last of the grid teams.

Nomad : There is not much to write about the team they will be happy if they can out perform and beat Team Force India consistently and if they win some points along the way their job will be done.

Honda

The Team :

The worlds largest engine manufacturers have had a torrid time in F1. they Dominated F1 to the point of winning all but 1 race in late 80’s with Mclaren. But their second coming to F1 has not been so good. Last year they came in for a lot of flak even before they raced for tier livery where they were trying to spread Environmental awareness by painting their car with a Globe, and then to every one’s embarrassment the car bombed. It was outperformed by Super Aguri, who use are nothing but second string Honda team, on many occasions and the cars could be seen leading trains of other faster cars stuck behind them on slower and twistier tracks.

The Drivers:

Jenson Button : the former Blue eyed boy of the British Press the Briton has been frustrated by the lack of performance by Honda, the worst part is that he knows he can win if Honda makes a half decent car like he did in Hungary in 2006. He might leave after this year if Honda don’t make a big leap I performance.

Rubens Barichello : the former Senna understudy is a good driver and has proven he can win and he is the most experienced driver on the grid now but years of playing second fiddle to Michael and dulled his killer instinct. Let hope with his former boss now running Honda there will be a marked improvement in his performance.

The Car :

RA108

Our Opinion :

Miss Flying Finn : Honda was the team that disappointed the most in the last season. No points scored by Barrichello and a measly 6 points for Button and Team Honda, 2007 was a year to forget for this team. With the arrival of Ross Brawn, the team can be expected to go a few places up the grid for some respectability. I cannot foresee a podium finish as of now but maybe a few more points for the team and its drivers should be a leap from last year's disaster.

--xh-- : Ross Brown.. Hm.. do I smell something interesting in the offing? Sure shot contender for the 4^th -8^th position, but with the expertise of Ross Brown, I wont wonder if they give it a shot to have a go at the top three.

Nomad : Honda has just lured former Ferrari tactician, and team boss to run Honda’s F1 team. Ross Brawn has time and again proven that he is a master strategist by consistently beating people like Ron Dennis and Frank Williams and David Richards when he was with Ferrari. He has also helped Schumacher win many a races from the pit wall. If any one ca turn Honda around then he can.

SUPER AGURI:

The Team:

When Great drivers join a team the team happily mould themselves around him to make him comfortable. But it must be the first time that a team was formed so that a driver could race. Takuma Sato is the reason for the Honda’s B team to exist. They out performed Honda and the other back markers last year and they were happy doing that.

The Drivers:

Takuma Sato : This Japanese superstar is an exciting driver to watch when he gets going its an awesome sight to see. Last year he passed Alonso Mclaren in what was a superb display race craft and sheer audacity.

Antony Davidson : He has been the Honda test drivers for many years. He is a really brilliant technical driver but not a race winner. His loyalty to the team won him the race sean rather than his race craft.

Our Opinion :

Miss Flying Finn: Takuma Sato was busy over-taking the likes of Fernando Alonso in a few races last season. Although the same should not be expected of him again, but we still would like the backmarkers provide us a few laughs this season.

--xh--: one more back markers

Nomad: when I was writing this report i actually forgot to add a our opinion column for this team, that how memorable they are. Even then Takuma Sato should provide some entertainment with his gutsy balls out drives.

Team Force India Ferrari :

The Team :

Team force India is the dream child of Kingfisher boss Vijay Malya. The team formerly known as Jordan and later midland and then as Spyker, have had a tough few seasons after briefly sparking as Jordan under Irishman Eddie Jordan. The team will be using customer Ferrari engines this year. Don't expect any miracles this year . just be happy there is an Indian team on the Grid .

The Drivers :

Giancarlo Fischichella : the little Italian was hierd because he is a proven race winner and is technically brilliant. he will be an immense asset when it comes to developing the car.

Adrian Sutill : the German has enormous Potential and will eventually e one of the stars of F1 it remains to be seen what he can do with the week package he is given

The Car :

VJM01

Our Opinion :

Miss Flying Finn: An Indian-owned team on the grid should sound exciting to proud Indians like me. I am still not comfortable with the name Force India and the glitzy Bollywood launch of the car in Mumbai. Cannot expect great things out of them just as yet, but it would be interesting to see how Fisichella's expertise help the team.

--xh--: Hope they will at lest be able to score some points. But I won’t put them much ahead. May be they can become the best among back markers and can put some points into their kitty. Or may be I am thinking wishfully.

Nomad: does it matter what i am going to say its an Indian Team Finally on the F1 Grid, Break out the tricolor can and lets go racing. but realistically speaking they will do well to stay clear of the back markers and dice with the midfielder in their first year.

Mclaren Mercedes

The Team :

the team had a very sordid season last year it was plagued by infighting amongst its very talented drivers, was blamed for spying against Ferrari and then was stripped of its championship points. It still is one of the best teams in the F1 paddock and now its wounded and the Woking based crew has a nasty bite. Add that with one of the best automobile manufacturers demanding performance and two very talented and fearless drivers and you have very potent combination.

The Drivers :

Lewis Hamilton : After choking in the penultimate race in China last year and making a very rookie mistake he will be chaffing to come back and prove that he is not a one race wonder. The kind of talent he has, has rarely been seen in F1 even Senna and MIchael Did not have such devastating influence on the entire grid. After having come so close the loose he will be gunning for the championship.

Heikki Kovalainen : Another Finnish Prodigy and another super rookie from last year, he quietly kept his head down last year and put in consistent performances in an under par Renault. he will be the one to watch. as well as his rivalry with team mate Hamilton in a no team orders environment.

The Car :

MP4- 23

Our Opinion:

Miss Flying Finn : Lewis was the revelation last year and brought back the withering fans to the sport again. He and Mclaren will be the main Title contenders this year and the only ones who can be expected to take the fight to the Ferraris. Kovalainen can be expected to have a few finishes on the top of the podium, but no guessing who their Number 1 driver would be. This might well be the year of Lewis Hamilton.

--xh-- : : Lewis will be the guy to watch out. He needs a bit polishing, but he have truck loads of talent. New Michael in the rising? Let us wait and watch…

Nomad : No second doubts about it, this is Lewis' year, he had an awesome year last year but realistically speaking he was a rookie and made a rookie mistake and he didn't handle the Alonso's rivalry that well either he will be a championship contender along with Kimi, every one else will be Extras. i.e. as long as the FIA keeps is nose clean and let these two teams have a clean go at each other.

There you have it the season laid out and my neck on a stick for you. let the fun and games begin.