2007 F1 Preview: Ferrari
February 18th 2007 01:25
Car Number 5:
Quick and confident
Stats
D.O.B: 25 April 1981
Debut: Australia 2002, Sauber-Petronas
Starts: 70
Wins: 2
Fastest Laps: 2
Poles: 3
Points: 107
Massa was widely thought to be a one-year seat filler at Ferrari in waiting for Kimi to arrive, however, those people have been proved quite wrong as the feisty Brazilian performed some heroic drives at the back end of last season. Felipe often looked as good, if not better than his all-conquering, retirement-bound teammate in 2006. He has lost that ragged style that held him back during his years at Sauber, and has now harnessed his ever-present raw speed to become a win-worthy driver. This year will be a vital test for Massa. If he can hold his own against Raikkonen, he will establish himself as a serious challenger for the title. He certainly has the confidence, intelligence and raw talent to do so.
Car Number 6:
In a new environment
Stats
D.O.B. 17 October 1979
Debut: Australia 2001, Sauber-Petronas
Starts: 104
Wins: 9
Fastest Laps: 19
Poles: 11
Points: 346
The flying Finn has some rather large racing boots to fill at his new home in Maranello. But there is no doubting that he has the speed, talent and racing prowess needed to deliver wins and championships for Ferrari. Kimi’s pace has been unquestioned for years, demolishing his teammates at McLaren, and coming as near as dammit to snatching the title in 2003 and in 2005. However it may take Raikkonen some time to find his full potential at Ferrari, as he is coming into team that has been structured around a certain multi-championship winning German for over a decade. His lack of mileage in the new F2007, on unfamiliar Bridgestone tyres might set him back for a few races, but once the Finn is snug in his new, scarlet habitat, he will fly. Title contender for sure.
The Team:
Starts: 740
Wins: 192
Fastest Laps: 195
Poles: 186
Points: 4, 514
WDC: 14
WCC: 14
Test Drivers: Luca Badoer (Ita), Marc Gene (Esp)
Ferrari's new machine is red-hot, but will it perform?
The biggest hurdle for the Scuderia is coming to grips with the major personnel shift in the wake
Pace has been there in testing
There is definitely a heap of potential for Ferrari as they enter their brave new Schumacher/Brawn-less world. They are the only top team with extensive Bridgestone knowledge, they have two of the quickest drivers in F1 today, and they have the engineering depth to consistently win races, and perhaps championships.
In a Nutshell:
Strengths: Two proven winners in the driver line-up; Bridgestone experience; strong engine/chassis package.
Weaknesses: Mass change: Schumacher, Brawn, Stepney gone; time needed to adjust under new driver regime; owners Fiat uneasy about Schumacher’s absence.
Scorecard:
Drivers: 9/10
Engine: 9/10
Chassis: 8/10
Resources: 10/10
Personnel: 8/10
Total: 44/50
| 48 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog
