auyongtc’s blog

After what seems to be like an eternity to wait for the next F1 season (okay, it was only 4 months, but 2 weeks into that and withdrawal symptoms already kicked in for me), it’s finally back! Sadly though, the first race in Melbourne, Australia was quite boring. Perhaps it was due to the qualifying format and also the lack of any spectacular moves during the race. I reckon it’ll be the usual 3 teams dominating the races this season, Ferrari, McLaren, and Williams.

Ferrari seems to be on a safer approach to this season. They’ve not much major changes in their cha**is, perhaps due to the current season’s engine requirements that require the engine to run throughout the race weekend. They’ve managed to better control reliability with this approach. Although this might somewhat give them a peace of mind to reach the finish line, it could also mean that other teams might be able to really pressure them on the race track. It’s a double-edged sword indeed!

As for the Prancing Horse drivers, I do hope to see more aggressive approach by Rubens Barrichello this season. There’s no stopping Michael Schumacher, or so it seems at this moment, so the best person to be giving him a run for his salary is definitely Rubinho. I think he really deserves to step out of Schumi’s shadows and start making impact. It’s still the beginning of the season, and if he can make some good progress by mid of the season, it might just be his season and no longer backing up for Schumi.

The McLaren team sort of managed to bring the best of MP4-18 to what is now the MP4-19 car. However, there’s still a big question mark on its reliability and engine power. At times, as seen on testing tracks, they’re quite fast and competitive. However, when it matters most on a race weekend, it really failed to shine. I do hope that all the gremlins are sorted out before this season goes to Europe, because by then, gaps could already be visible in both the Drivers & Constructors’ Championship.

The Woking team drivers could pose a threat to Ferrari, providing if the car could behave well. This season could see the last of David Coulthard in a Silver Arrows, and could really be his best and last shot at winning the Drivers’ Championship. I do agree with a lot of critics out there, believing that DC is too much a nice guy when it’s on the track. He should really fight aggressively to bring back the results that could spring him back to the best, especially during the glory days of his then-teammate, Mika Hakkinen. Kimi Raikkonen is really one of the young drivers who could end Schumi’s era in F1 racing. He’s cool, calm, collected, and he wants the title! He’s determined and is really skilled in auto racing at his age. He’s definitely of championship-winner material and it’s only time before he finally wins it. I do hope that this weekend, Kimi and the MP4-19 could defend his maiden victory won here in Malaysian GP last year.

Williams seem to be really daring with their new car design (some called it the walrus front nose). It’s of a good concept, I hope that their entire car package is good enough and suitable for the Michelin tyres. We’ve seen before that their car proves to be not optimized for the Michelin tyres and end up not getting better results come race weekend.

As for their drivers, rumors around the paddock already said that it’s the last season of both Ralf Schumacher and JP Montoya driving for Williams. Montoya, as we all know it by now, is contracted to drive for McLaren (supposedly replacing DC) in 2005. Ralf, on the other hand, just couldn’t get a contract talk worked out and is looking to leave. Although Williams might be competitive enough to challenge Schumi and Ferrari’s dominance, the internal problems might just break it all down. We all know that Ralf and Montoya are not quite on terms even as teammates, and the fighting around on track would just benefit other teams on the track.

So besides the main 3 teams I mentioned, there are always some dark horses worth mentioning. Renault doesn’t seem to be that competitive this season, compared to last. However, BAR Honda seems to be the team to watch. It seems a giant leap forward especially since the Japanese GP in Suzuka last season for the tobacco managed team.

Oh yeah, if you’re watching F1 live on TV like me (can’t afford buying tickets ma… *wink wink*), try to watch the race day on TV2 instead of Star Sports. The commentators in Star Sports sucks and they’ve really no extensive knowledge of this sport. They’ve always make mistake in interpreting problems faced by drivers who retire and all. The TV2 commentary is provided by the ITV crew (www.itv-f1.com) and it’s much better with Martin Brundle and James Allen as the main commentators, there’s Louise Goodman interviewing the drivers, Ted Kravitz on the pitlane, and Jim Rosenthal doing interviews of team bosses. Gosh, how I miss the commentary by the infamous Murray Walker…

I READ THE VOI — I NEED THE TICKETS — please?

Malaysian GP 2004:
1 - Kimi Raikkonen (McLaren)
2 - Michael Schumacher (Ferrari)
3 - JP Montoya (Williams)

If it all goes well in the McLaren camp, then Kimi should retain his title here with Schumacher close behind him. Montoya on the other hand, would be the better Williams driver by the end of this race.

Season of 2004:
1 - Ferrari
2 - McLaren
3 - Williams