Next years Ferrari.

Mr V · 14 Oct 2002, 09:40 (Ref:403590)

from www.f1-live.com

McLaren boss Ron Dennis summed up ominously after Sunday's 1-2 finish in Suzuka.

"Despite the progress that we have made in the last two races, we are under no illusions that next year's Ferrari will only be better."

But can it be better? I fully expect Ferrari to win the titles next year as i don't see McLaren or Williams to build a good enough car. But, can the Ferrari be as good as this years in terms of reliability etc? We've seen in the past that after a team has had a brilliant couple of seasons they've finally got to a point where the car can't seem to get any better (1994 after good seasons in 1992 and 1993 for Williams, 1998 after 1996 and 1997 again for Williams, 2000 after 1998 and 1999 for McLaren) What do you think?

z2252314 · 14 Oct 2002, 09:43 (Ref:403592)

Of course it will be better. How much better, now that is the real quesion. Anyway, Ferrari dont need to produce the best car on the grid. Given a competitive car, I dont see anybody beating Michael over the course of 17 races.

The real question is

Will Ferrari have a car that is just as good as Mclaren or Williams? In my opinion, yes.

Wrex · 14 Oct 2002, 09:48 (Ref:403596)

Well, they could practically roll out this years cars with new stickers and McLaren and Williams would still need a giant step forward.

Red · 14 Oct 2002, 09:54 (Ref:403601)

Of course it will be better. Only the mere fact (ok, not a fact, more like a rumor and I forgot where I read it but lookscredible) that they started the work (albeit in a small team) back there in March!

And full throttle after France/Hungary! That alone and should bring something usefull. Yeah, looks like another good season...

Sato san · 14 Oct 2002, 10:24 (Ref:403624)

it may be better..but will it be as reliable ?

Kex · 14 Oct 2002, 10:25 (Ref:403627)

Yes.

Sato san · 14 Oct 2002, 10:27 (Ref:403631)

not so sure there Kex....they are gonna struggle to matchthe reliability that they had this year

Mr V · 14 Oct 2002, 10:35 (Ref:403639)

Quote:

Originally posted by Sato san
not so sure there Kex....they are gonna struggle to matchthe reliability that they had this year

Exactly, i don't see how Ferrari and Michael can match the reliability of this year, next year.

Glen · 14 Oct 2002, 11:07 (Ref:403673)

I don't imagine that they will, but Ferrari could easily afford to play safe and build for relability next year. Even in 2001 (when they weren't quite as dominant) Schumacher could have conceded every single win (and taken second) and still won the WDC. Reliability and consistency is their crowning achievement - the extreme speed is just the bonus. This is why one engine per weekend/month/whatever would only make the situation worse.

ASCII Man · 14 Oct 2002, 11:45 (Ref:403703)

Quote:

Originally posted by mr v

1998 after 1996 and 1997 again for Williams

The '98 season was more the cause of a old rebadged Renault engine then of a lesser car design. Damn those Mecachrome/Supertec engines!

Inigo Montoya · 14 Oct 2002, 12:52 (Ref:403782)

Yes. The F2003 will just as dominant and reliable as the F2002. They are not doing anything radical - just improving a bit in certain areas they identified. All the radical stuff was done last summer.

Dino IV · 14 Oct 2002, 12:53 (Ref:403785)

Quote:

Originally posted by mr v
We've seen in the past that after a team has had a brilliant couple of seasons they've finally got to a point where the car can't seem to get any better (1994 after good seasons in 1992 and 1993 for Williams, 1998 after 1996 and 1997 again for Williams, 2000 after 1998 and 1999 for McLaren) What do you think?

This season already contradicted that old Keynesian school of thought as the gap to Ferrari should have decreased instead of increased. The examples mentioned are not conclusive as reign supremes ended with a cutthroat regchange, yet many people seem to like that economics-approach to F1.

Quote:

Originally posted by z2252314
Anyway, Ferrari dont need to produce the best car on the grid. Given a competitive car, I dont see anybody beating Michael over the course of 17 races.

Sure, with a Ferrari team centred around him, even Rubens would have had a serious battle with TGF as we've seen this year by fits and starts, let alone some of the real top guns in the field.

Anyway, it will depend heavily on the way Michelin will develop. The tire development is crucial. After that expect Williams to make a big step forward as they have been sandbagging a lot in the second half of the season, not bringing the B-version and stopping most development work on the FW24. Aerodynamically they have the biggest deficit compared to Ferrari and McLaren so consider an upgrade there. McLaren needs to find more in the mechanical department and Ferrari is and will remain strong in both. I wouldn't be so pessimistic about the proportional performances as it can be quite interesting. Make or break with the tires though.

billyblister · 14 Oct 2002, 14:17 (Ref:403868)

Yeah but at least if someone can challenge them a bit more we might see a few bumps / retirements like the old days.
A bit of wheel to wheel racing

Ferrari27 · 14 Oct 2002, 18:49 (Ref:404101)

Well, I have read the the Williams is gonna really good (which, to be honest, is a scary thought for me) but i have also read that next years Ferrari is going to be a big step forward just like this years car. I can't wait to see it!

ASCII Man · 14 Oct 2002, 18:55 (Ref:404109)

Williams have said earlier that their cars this year had been designed too cautiously, they won't make the same mistake again next year... at least i hope not!

pole2pole · 14 Oct 2002, 19:06 (Ref:404128)

I think if michelin produce a much needed better tyre for next season ferrari will be in trouble.

ss_collins · 14 Oct 2002, 19:13 (Ref:404133)

I know from a reliable inside source (who I drink with) that next years ferrari is going to be a significant step better than this years. oh dear.

Sato san · 14 Oct 2002, 19:16 (Ref:404134)

but all the time that Ferrari have got such a close bond with Bridgestone ( on a one to one basis ), i cant see Michelin ever consistently producing a overall better tyre for both Williams and Mclaren at the same time .

Red · 15 Oct 2002, 07:17 (Ref:404493)

Quote:

Originally posted by Sato san
i cant see Michelin ever consistently producing a overall better tyre for both Williams and Mclaren at the same time .

Aye, Sato san. And I believe that Michelin can't see that either. I believe that we'll see a significantly different aproach.

Sato san · 15 Oct 2002, 07:30 (Ref:404505)

what do you think they will do then Red ?....as the way i see it , as soon as Ferrari developed such a close working relationship with Bridgestone , Michelin need to pick a team to do the same as well. But that would mean another tyre manufactuer entering the sport as well , to take aboard the other top team.

Red · 15 Oct 2002, 07:33 (Ref:404507)

Well, if Goodyear would make a comeback that would be great. Not next year, but let's hope for 2004. But you're right, that is what Michelin will do.

Sato san · 15 Oct 2002, 07:48 (Ref:404519)

just fallen off the chair here Red.....donk !

we agree on something !....

thats right though , now that Ferrari have moved the level to another stage higher , the only answer is for the other top teams to follow suit .
I have to take my hat off to Ferrari , that was a very shewrd move getting sole support from Bridgestone .

Red · 15 Oct 2002, 07:53 (Ref:404524)

Not exactly a move, but rather a recognition of their value. Anyway, I always said that Michelin's indecision can do no good to any of them.

PS: Sato san, was that first time we agree on something?

Jukebox · 15 Oct 2002, 08:04 (Ref:404530)

Okay...here's my unbiased point of view. Thinking as the board of director of Ferrari.

I would say that since the F2002 has been so dominant and are very well ahead of the other teams, I would slash the budget for next season as we’ve already allocated a huge amount of budget to the team in making sure that we would be dominant this season.

Wrex · 15 Oct 2002, 08:07 (Ref:404533)

Quote:

Originally posted by Jukebox
Okay...here's my unbiased point of view. Thinking as the board of director of Ferrari.

Does anyone else think this sentence reads a little contradictory

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