McLAREN-MERCEDES

RR: Now then, Alonso's team for 2007.McLaren. Where do they stand?

NDR: McLaren? They will start like last year. By the third race they SHOULD be back, but this time I think Juan Pablo will be much more focused, and much stronger opposition for Raikkonen. We should see a real Prost/Senna battle this time if it all comes off well for both-but not necessarily for the championship. Sometimes I worry about McLaren/Williams decision to run both drivers the same in serious title situations. And with these two it could be like Japanese Firecrackers going of in a tank of nitro.

RR: Yeah, that was promised last year though, and we didn't really get it, although Montoya's 'tennis accident' didn't help. But I'd say at the end of 2005 he was actually the quicker driver, and he was supreme at Brazil.

NDR: Definitely. I think that put Raikkonen off balance a bit and he didn't like it. Is this why maybe he wouldn't want Alonso in the same team? As well as the fact that in order to win the championship all efforts and resources must really be focused in one direction, and not two or three. Think how Schumacher and Ferrari dominated to see that this is how modern racing works.

RR: Id agree, but think back to 1988, 1989, where Senna, Prost and McLaren had huge inter-team issues, and still won the championships. Given both times they had a clear pace advantage, it doesn't always work out. But somehow I don't think McLaren are going to have that kind of pace this year. As for Raikkonen and 2007, It's going to be interesting to see where he ends up

NDR: Ferrari is my guess. I have had suspicions for a while. And now that Jean Todt has re-committed to the team, I think it is because Raikkonen is heading there. After all, he has also expressed his belief in the Finns talent, and Raikkonen has had just too many reliability issues at McLaren. And he CAN make a bad car win, so he just needs stability. And perhaps less political influence. Moving to Red Bull helped David Coulthard, and it might do the same for Kimi.

RR: What do you think of McLaren's chances in 2006? During early testing, rumour has it the engines had to be severely limited to prevent dynamite detonation, but a new engine seems to have helped them a little. Do they hold a candle to Renault, or will they lack pace and reliability?

NDR: Lack Pace and reliability. It is a fear. And for some reason Mercedes never seem to really get it right. They didn't really do it last year with the reliability. They didn't do it 98 /99 either. It is a real problem and a real shame. Guess the Mercedes bends under pressure.

RR: It's a real shame isn't it? If you think of all the great cars McLaren have produced in the last 10 years, especially the 2005 model, you can see Ron Dennis' frustrations. Trouble is there is no real alternative, and McLaren would hardly want to go to a Customer engine supply, so I guess they will just have to sit through the storm and hope for a reliable engine.

NDR: Chassis wise. I would say one of the best - if not then THE best. But with the loss of Newey and Prodromou the development is going to be not so good for them.

RR: That's a very critical issue. Newey and Prodromou developed and designed this year's car, but both have gone now. You have to hope that they have built up a strong technical team behind them, because McLaren are going to need it

NDR: It would be quite a kick in the teeth if Red Bull overtake them. And with the possible departure of Raikkonen and Montoya, what really will be left for the team next season? Lewis Hamilton? Too inexperienced. Paffett? De La Rosa?

RR: Well Alonso of course, but without a strong technical team, he'd be limited. I expect either Montoya or Raikkonen to stay though, but I'd keep an eye on Hamilton for the future.

NDR: Bring back Mika Hakkinen, but then again, does he have the motivation, the fitness and the age?

RR: I seriously doubt it! McLaren in 2006, what's going to happen?

NDR: Third, maybe second. Maybe they will never get it together. What do you think on this?

RR: Well I know never to count McLaren out, and at the end of winter testing, McLaren were there or thereabouts. The pace over one lap is definitely there, but whether or not the race pace is up to much is an issue for debate when the season starts. Reliability, certainly in the early races, I think will cause a few problems, but I think McLaren will be strong again in 2006

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