Your Nico Rosberg predictions?

As long as he's powered by Toyota, fail.

 

I agree with the above. I think he'll remain a midpack driver unless Williams can get back with Renault or somthing. I don't see him signing with Ferrari or Renault any time soon, so it really is up to Williams to give him a winning car. He is young though, so perhaps a drive for a winning team in the future is possible.

 

Mid pack as long as he's with Williams and frankly i wasn't very impressed by him regarless of his car. He seemed to go off a lot.

 

Can someone please tell me why Renault split with Williams in 98? Also, why did they come back and not continue to support Frank's team? I'm just wondering because it's sad how badly a dive the team took.

 

Frank lost Adrian Newey to McLaren Mercedes in 97, they acquired the Supertec V10 for 98-99 season and had already signed on with BMW. They for years were the top Chassis Constructor (excluding McLaren) in F1. However, by losing so many people in Aero and Chassis they became a shell of what they once were.

Briatore who got the Renault in 95 always kept close ties with Renault and ran the Supertec Companies which Williams and Benetton shared in the late 90's. He came back to Benetton now Renault and the rest is History, hope that helps.

 

Yeah this helps thanks. So is this Adrian Newey guy a miracle worker? It seems that Mclaren had instant success when he arrived. Also, Williams seemed to have a bit of a resurgence from 01 to 03, actually winning races with Ralph and Juan. What happened after that? Do you think they'll regain their past glory any time soon?

 

Adrian Newey cars won the championship in 92, 93, 94 (Constructors), 96-99. He is an incredible Aero engineer and a great loss now to McLaren as 06 proved. No I think unless Williams gets a really top Engineer again (perhaps Geoff Willis will return) and becomes a factory team they are doomed to mid field. Patrick and Frank should have done the same deal as Ron Dennis did with Mercedes. I think they are on a down slope similar to Lotus. Unfortunate as it may seem they were probably the best Constructor team of the last 26 years.

 

excellent, thanks.

 

BMW motors went away. (?)

No, not unless they get an extra 150 million in budget AND a more powerful motor soon.

 

+1 excellent observance as usual Franco.

 

Oh of course, damn I can't believe I forgot that haha. I need more sleep.

 

it's just not the toyota, IMO. remember, Williams have always been weak in the aero dept.

 

I think he'll run with the front runners in his future but never achieve WC

 

He got crushed last year by Webber. In my mind there is no reason to pick Rosberg over half the drivers in F1. He didn't make the splash Senna or Schumacher did. Hell, he hasn't made the same splash Kimi or Alonso did. There is no reason to think he won't be another Christian Klien.

 

Single time champion. Just like his dad.

He was more promising at the beginning of the season, but he'll find his way. He is still faster than most of those Fisicos, Ralfs and Trullis out there.

 

Based on this year's performance, I can't see what is so special about him. He did really well at Bahrain but has been really slow elsewhere. Granted this is a learning year but unless he steps up his game he is no better than a Christian Klien in my book.

Williams love him though - so there must be something special about him. Hmmmm...

 

But in the past they could make up for it with HP, and now they don't have that, either.

But when you stop and think about it, on one hand you have a great team with about 2,000 people behind it, and an 'unlimited' budget, so to speak (Ferrari, Renault), and some pretty good, seasoned drivers.

And on the other hand, you have a team with 1/4 the people, 1/4 the budget or less, and drivers that are steady, but not spectacular (Williams, and I will toss BAR-Honda in as well).

So what's my point ?

It's amazing that, all things considered, the teams and drivers are as close as they are in qualifying, and, for the most part, the race.

(Now let's try to figure out what's wrong with Toyota. Different topic)

 

And if the only race Keke had won in 1982 had gone 5 more laps, he would not have won (the race). IIRC, his tires were in shreds for the last 7-10 laps.
Truly a very strange season.

 

An other Jean Alesi, Ralf Schumacher, G Berger story.

 

I love Nico, i have met him before and gotten his autograph!

 

Guys lets give Nico another season and see how he does, he was magic in the lower Formula's lets see how he progresses this season. I think he has a lot of talent, but can he rise to the next level?

 

I'm not sure that having Toyota power is as big as a detrement as some people might think. Due to the general course of race car and engine development if you burn enough dollars on engineers and dyno work the engine will sing.

Plus didn't Toyota record a number of solid qualifying positions towards the end of the season. I believe they owned the second row in Suzuka.

Rossberg looks well trained and groomed to be a champion.

Cheers

 

When you run less fuel, your car tends to go faster. Toyota was one of the first teams to pit at Suzuka.