Formula 1 07

In response to the pre-season chitter-chatter, I thought it would be a good idea to make a thread for F1 2007. Feel free to share information and views on Formula 1 here.

Nothing new...Fisichella saying he could be the next World Champion, what do you reckon to this? With the likes of Raikkonen, Massa, Alonso, Kovaleinen, Hamilton and Button around I think he's going to find it extremely hard next year!

^ he just had too much beer when he said that.

He's going to win a few races. Maybe the first few. Raikkonen and Alonso will (it is being predicted) struggle in the beginning to get to grips with the car.

The second half will see the two of them tear it up. If the McLaren can keep it together.
The second tier drivers from last season will be #1's for a bit, I predict.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (somedamnwriter @ Nov 7 2006, 09:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>^ he just had too much beer when he said that.

Fizzy Beer (as in Fisi)

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CaptainSnow @ Nov 7 2006, 09:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>He's going to win a few races. Maybe the first few. Raikkonen and Alonso will (it is being predicted) struggle in the beginning to get to grips with the car.

The second half will see the two of them tear it up. If the McLaren can keep it together.
The second tier drivers from last season will be #1's for a bit, I predict.
WHAT?! They've had months and months of prepartion to get used to the car...ok so it'll seem different when you're racing in a newer car but they should all be used to it by the time 07 comes.

The McLaren has been good one season, bad the next, good the next, bad again and it's their turn to be good this season so we'll see if that theory holds together.

GP2 stars coming into the sport such as Hamilton, Kovaleinen and <strike>Pedrosa</strike> (whoops!) will be a hit this year, but as you stated they'll probably start very well and slowly settle in and probably settle down. A little like Nico Rosberg in 06.

I'm afraid Kimi's pace coupled with a Ferrari this year will be unbeatable. Simple As.

^ Haha, when Theo Liasi said the same thing he was bombarded with hate mails! Poor guy

I agree with Raikonnen Ferrari matching to be great! Wonderful in fact!
He will fly! He just needs to get accustomed to it first.
And maybe the tires too? Did he use Bridgestones last year? I don't know. Someone please clarify.

Nope, McLaren cars are on michelins until next season when they'll switch to bridgestones as part of the rule.

So one more thing for Kimi to get used to, the tIres.

Well you know Kimi, he's very hard working, so I have no worries with him being in a new car and new stuffs come next season. He'll do what he has to do to the utmost.

Ferrari - will not have it there own way... Ross Brawn and Paolo Martinelli have left, opens up a big whole in the team.

Cosworth have the same problem most of their top engineers have gone. Rumour has it that Ilmor may buy Cosworth. Ilmor currently cannot enter F1 for another 2 years, due to the Terms & Conditions imposed by Mercedes buy out, however buying Cosworth allows then back in.


It’s going to be interesting but the racing will still be boring!!

^ I hope not. Alonso (with his superb driving skills) in a currently crappy Mercedes; Kimi (another superb driver) in a reformatted Ferrari; Reliable Renault with drivers yet to prove themselves...the list goes on why I think it wouldn't be boring next season.

It can't be rocket science getting used to a new car, simply because F1 has so many rules that I bet every car feels the same to drive.

Well the Bridgestone control tyre next year should help Kimi a bit.

^ How? Coz he raced with Michelins for years, right?

^ But Ferrari have been at the forefront of Bridgestone testing and development, so thats where they have an advantage.

Maclaren should have an endless pot of money with new sponsers Vodaphone on board, previously Ferrari.

RedBull will be running Renault engines and the newly designed Newey car should be nothing to be sniffed at.

Aside from the usual suspects running at the front. Massa, Kimi, Alonso and Fisi Im tipping Pole driver Kubica to bag a couple of podiums at least for BMW.

^ ohhh... I was thinking like even though Ferrari had been with Bridgestones, Kimi still has some adapting to do coz he's used to using Michelins.

Yeah, go Kubica!

^ You are quite right, Kimi will need to undergo intensive testing on the stones till he gets used to them. Ferrari has the upper hand as they have the data from all tracks in the previous years for best compounds etc.

^ Yep, it reassures me that at least, the team could make Kimi's transition a lot easier, unlike if both drivers and team are new to Bridgestones.

^

Getting used to new tyres in a car can't be that hard?

I'm loving the use of arrows here!

Well let's face it, Kimi is extrememly quick and most probably the quickest driver on the track...he may not be the best reliability-wise and he may make the odd mistake now and then which will put him out of a race but overall I reckon he could skin Alonso in the same car, let alone a Ferrari v McLaren.

Alonso WILL still be very good next year, but will most probably play 2nd-fiddle to Kimi Raikkonen. Everyone also has to watch out for Heikki Kovaleinen. It may well be his debut year racing F1 cars but I tell you i've seen him in practice and test sessions and he is QUICK and a future world champion. Lewis Hamilton will have to try and show up Alonso (his team-mate) and prove that he is worth the drive for years to come and i'm sure he is capable of doing so.