FERRARI
RR:
What about Ferrari this year?
NDR:
Michael is still the best, but I sometimes think he might not have been at
his peak since 2000. I mean, the good car can mask a lot of those
deficiencies, but then again, so can good driving make up for car deficiencies,
and he still did that last year - Hungary. San Marino not included because
that was a freak tyre advantage there. Some other qualifying sessions he
impressed too.
RR:
How will Felipe Massa fare?
NDR:
Massa will be good. He has changed his attitude over testing and I am
suitably impressed by him, and his times. But what I have noticed over the
last two or three years, is that Massa seems to try to out psyche his
teammates in testing before the season even begins, by setting blistering
times. But I wonder if this will work against Michael. Perhaps not.
RR:
I doubt it, I can't really see Massa out-psyching Michael. But I think this
really is a make or break
year as far as Schumacher is concerned. He's stated that if Ferrari
aren't winning by mid-season he would have to consider his future, but I
can’t see 06 being as bad as 05.
NDR:
Future? Massa? Or Schumacher?
RR:
Well I hope Schumacher will continue, but I don't think we will see Massa in
a Ferrari for too long. For 2007 it looks like Raikkonen could be on the
way, or dare we say it Valentino Rossi?
NDR:
Valentino has said he will only move if Schumi stays and I think that's a
given. He needs to learn from the best. Massa maybe just this year I think.
Perhaps only here now as loyalty, and because he is managed by Todt's son,
and was tester for the team. Maybe, also a clause in the contract.
RR:
Yeah possibly. Do you see Massa as a regular podium finisher or even a
winner this year?
NDR:
I'm not even sure about regular podium position, but for sure he will be
better than Rubens, just on the basis of a rebel mentality. But too
inconsistent at the moment though. He'll have a good start, and so so
middle, and improve a little consistency by the end.
RR:
2005 was a poor year by Ferrari's standards, and in all reality I don't
think Ferrari or Schumacher would regard their Indianapolis win as a real
victory. But it just goes to show that in F1 the mighty can fall.
NDR:
It always does. How did McLaren fall after winning all but one grand prix in
88.
RR:
Admittedly it took a while for McLaren to fall from grace, and Senna's
departure didn't help. Ferrari's fall was more dramatic, coming straight
after one of the most dominant seasons in F1 history. Still McLaren proved
in 1998 after 4 years in the wilderness that the mighty can rise again, and
Ferrari will surely do the same this year.
NDR:
But is it too soon? Maybe. Having said
that, they are too good not to.
RR:
Exactly, I'd say that in Schumacher's hands they will be challenging again,
although their reliability in winter testing has lead a lot to be desired.
NDR:
Yes. They play down the severity of that a lot though, and I do worry if
that turns out to be a real problem. Reliability is everything nowadays with
the points system and the level of competition the way it is. Six or seven
years ago you could get away with it - McLaren did - but not now. Far to
much at stake. I compare it to the Premiership. There you could lose a
several games a few years ago, but now with Chelsea's
dominance you can barely afford to lose two.
RR:
Yeah, and I think that little issues here and there will also hinder them
somewhat, still one of the favourites though, and I think Schumacher will be
itching to get up the front and challenge regularly again
NDR:
He will be a title contender. Bet on that with your house.
RR:
Yeah, but I think Massa may just be an issue when it comes to the
constructors.
NDR:
Why is that?
RR:
He has the
speed, that's a given, but I don't think he's consistent enough, and I think
it will cost Ferrari dear.
NDR:
What about team Schumacher? With Ross Brawn.
RR:
The whole Renault rumour? Well if the Ferrari isn't what Schumacher wants
and expects, and if Renault do pull out, then it could happen. But there's a
lot of 'if's' there, and it would take a lot, don't count it out, but at the
moment it doesn't look all that likely.
NDR:
There have been rumours before though - like buying Sauber. These rumours
had to have started from somewhere. No smoke without fire they say.
RR:
Yeah, although Sauber are out of the question now of course. More likely I
say is Schumacher possibly moving into the Ferrari management if he stops
racing, but I fully hope and expect him to continue into 2007, and I think
2006 promises to be a good year for Ferrari.
|