I was just wondering who you think will win the championship next year, Schumachers on a roll, but critics think Raikonnin (or however you spell his name) is gonna be a threat. So who will win or be a threat to Schumacher?

Raikkonen.

I think Kimi will be a threat if Mclaren can give him a good car, right now they aren't delivering though.

The same goes for Shoemaker though, if he has a good car he can take the championship.

Ray, I'm convinced that you chose Kimi just to make sure 310 knows how to spell Räikkonen :D You of all people should know he's "wortless" ;) LOL!

I think one of the williams duo will take it this year. they have been on the money all winter,(well summer in AUS). But thats only if the drivers stop bitchin!

As long as Ross Brawn and Jean Todt miss out their Christmas bonus this year, I'll be happy.

I think Mclaren has a good shot but only if kimi is hell bent on taking the championship since he lost by 1 point last year (thats a reason to want to win). I personaly am a ferrari fan just cuz schumi has the skills in any car. (ex he drove a 360 gt and ran faster laps then the normal alms gt driver!) Mclaren will definetly have a shot if they deliver a good f1 car.
But this schumacher's last two years he goes till 06 were roomers have said he will probly retire. If it is his last 2 years he will surely give his all to really go out with a bang and not an let down for ferrari fans.

(When and if montoya joins Mclaren they will definetly win but kimi and juan are both offensive drivers wanting the win they are both the same types of drivers wich if you ask me is BAD for their own team. Schumacher drivers and os the offensive driver Barrichello is the defender who blocks thats why they win so many. Kimi & Juan sorry but that more who can be better type of racing. Montoya has been racing long and I doubt hel pull a barrichello at the finish line for kimi to win.) :grinno:

Montezemolo is a man much in the vein of Il Commendatore himself. He'll bankrupt Fiat, the Italian government, the mafia, and the Catholic church before allowing the championship to slip away from Ferrari now that the factory has reclaimed their title.

I do see Kimi as a serious threat, but DC isn't much for supporting a teammate (especially in a lame duck year). The MP4-19 is a great chassis, and if the Mercedes powerplant woes are just a ruse then Kimi is the biggest challenge to Schumacher.

The tech staff at Williams and BMW have their heads in the right place, but the drivers are too caught up in themselves to mount championship challenges. Ralf is worrying over his contract and is warring with Sir Frank over money while Montoya is preparing for his season with McLaren.

Not to mention we've got the new added competitors Renault, who'll undoubtedly grab more wins this year. Jaguar and Toyota are building on last year's strengths, so expect good qualifying and better results from them, and BAR is looking incedible in testing.

It's a year of upheaval at Ferrari's two biggest competitors, and there's a lot of teams who're coming up to the Williams/McLaren level. I don't think it'll necessarily be Ferrari being better than the Williams or the McLaren, I just think Williams and McLaren are going to be divided and looking over their shoulders for too much of the season to make a dent in the Red Giant's armor.

Montezemolo is a man much in the vein of Il Commendatore himself. He'll bankrupt Fiat, the Italian government, the mafia, and the Catholic church before allowing the championship to slip away from Ferrari now that the factory has reclaimed their title.

He won't need to do that, just discrediting Ferrari's major competitors and threatening to pull the plug should suffice as always.

I do see Kimi as a serious threat, but DC isn't much for supporting a teammate (especially in a lame duck year). The MP4-19 is a great chassis, and if the Mercedes powerplant woes are just a ruse then Kimi is the biggest challenge to Schumacher.

I'm not certain one can be so clear-cut to say "chassis good engine woeful". For sure the Mercedes engine hasn't been at the cutting edge since the ban on beryllium alloys and the death of Paul Morgan. But the tight packaging of the chassis may be affecting the Merc/Illmor's performance, hence the Ronspeak "engine-chassis interface" quote from Kimi.

The tech staff at Williams and BMW have their heads in the right place, but the drivers are too caught up in themselves to mount championship challenges. Ralf is worrying over his contract and is warring with Sir Frank over money while Montoya is preparing for his season with McLaren.

Sir Frank has his own way of looking after drivers, it's called sink or swim. If the car is up to it then both Montoya and Ralf will be driving like there is no tomorrow. Because for them there may not be!

Not to mention we've got the new added competitors Renault, who'll undoubtedly grab more wins this year. Jaguar and Toyota are building on last year's strengths, so expect good qualifying and better results from them, and BAR is looking incedible in testing.

Renault look promising in testing, they should excel on the technical circuits, where engine power is not a big factor. BAR I can't quite believe just yet. Going back a few years Jordan used to be the kings of testing but unable to translate that into race pace. Understanding that BAT are looking to unload BAR as soon as the tobacco ban comes into effect, they are full to the brim with ulterior motives. On the other hand the second string Bridgestones must have hampered them last year, Michelin rubber will be the biggest factor in any improvement in their form.

It's a year of upheaval at Ferrari's two biggest competitors, and there's a lot of teams who're coming up to the Williams/McLaren level. I don't think it'll necessarily be Ferrari being better than the Williams or the McLaren, I just think Williams and McLaren are going to be divided and looking over their shoulders for too much of the season to make a dent in the Red Giant's armor.

Ain't it funny how in the preseason all these teams are full of so much potential. The cold light of day will soon be dawning and will leave behind a lot of empty 'promise'.

I still see Ferrari as having a major advantage in the tyre war. Whenever Bridgestone are on top Ferrari will have no competition. When Michelin get it right then Williams, McLaren and Renault will be fighting amongst themselves. Unless one of those three has a significant advantage over the other two, Ferrari will sneak home as they did last year.

One thing I'd like to see is more co-operation between Williams and McLaren. Ferrari-Sauber have set the tone and legally murky as it may seem, the rulemakers have given the thumbs up. Time to gang up on the rich kid!

I expect Michelin to maintain the advantage over Bridgestone this year, so the edge lies with McLaren & Williams. Having said that I dont think Räikkonen will do it this year, he's just said he doesnt think the car will make it to the end of the first GP and the McL engine wont be the best. I think it'll come down to JPM & Ralf. Looking at their record it's tight, but you'd have to say JP, then again he may not be in full harmony with the team so i well and truly dont know... maybe schumi will have enough for a 7th, who knows

I have to say shumacher he is already doing great, I know that the season is just starting but look at the 1st race in the season. Lead every lap and won! M. Shumacher is going to take it this year :2cents:

Yeah I reckon he'll scrape home by a couple of points last year. :rolleyes:





Think this thread has served its purpose and is no longer required, the question has been answered.