BMW the team to beat right now: Massa

Down F0rce · 9 Feb 2007, 18:28 (Ref:1837528)

Massa claims BMW have the edge over Ferrari and McLaren right now.

http://f1.gpupdate.net/en/news/2007/...er_is_fastest/

Interesting.

luke · 9 Feb 2007, 18:31 (Ref:1837531)

Massa makes good statements.
We saw how much they improved Sauber with their resources and technology. 2007 will be the year we start to see what they really have. I have said this before I know, but BMW Sauber and Robert Kubica are more dark horse for 2007.
2007 is going to be very interesting to say the least.

mjstallard · 9 Feb 2007, 19:41 (Ref:1837586)

I doubt they'll keep up with the front runners all season, but I do wonder what odds you could get on Kubica getting pole at Australia...can't seem to find an online bookie who will give me the odds, and I have no idea how to place a bet at the "real" bookies

chillibowl · 9 Feb 2007, 19:51 (Ref:1837591)

well Ralf made similar comments about NH and this years BMW, much to our amusement and ridicule.

but BMW look set to impress this year, but will they just be the best of the rest or will they be able to crack the top level and score their first win?

OT, but its amazing how manu backing (if done right) can totally reshape a team in the span of a year. granted Sauber had some nice facilities, But BMW really took it to the next level in terms of resources/staff/ and usage. thinking about this and the Williams situation, one hopes someone would do this for them but at what cost to the sport. more top level challengers is great, but i miss the independents

jhansen · 9 Feb 2007, 19:57 (Ref:1837595)

Alonso also tipped BMW as a team to watch. Obviously the testing data is showing them something that we are not seeing.

LinkF1 · 9 Feb 2007, 20:43 (Ref:1837628)

I think it is very interesting that so many people are impressed with the BMW. I sure hope it is true since that is where my F1 loyalty lies, but I find it pretty hard to beleive considering how far back they were at some points last year. They did do well late in the season though.

ralf fan · 9 Feb 2007, 22:59 (Ref:1837729)

I can see Quick Nick taking his overdue maiden win this season. Doubt theyll be a championship force but you never know.

Marbot · 10 Feb 2007, 00:02 (Ref:1837763)

I think that we can throw the form book away for this season,that's for sure!

EERO · 10 Feb 2007, 03:30 (Ref:1837843)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ralf fan

I can see Quick Nick taking his overdue maiden win this season

My fingers are crossed!

Quote:

Originally Posted by martyn bott

I think that we can throw the form book away for this season,that's for sure!

So many factors have changed, that it is tempting to hope that the filed has been leveled and that we are looking forward to a verycompetitive season. However, it is more likely that one team will surge ahead of the others. It would be a surprise if it were BMW, but frankly, that's as good a guess as any.

kipper · 10 Feb 2007, 10:39 (Ref:1837956)

I can certainly see BMW being in the hunt for wins and podiums on a regular basis, although I feel that they are unlikely to mount a championship challenge just yet, for I feel that they have a lot to do to overcome the current level of Ferrari and Renault. For what its worth, I suspect that it will be Kubica that will take the first win.

hando · 10 Feb 2007, 11:16 (Ref:1837974)

I think its only a matter of time before BMW catch the leaders. The car looks quick enough in recent testing at Jerez compared to the rest of the runners. Reliability may be the only they need to worry about?

luke · 10 Feb 2007, 11:23 (Ref:1837976)

Quick Nick? Hmm I always rated him highly untill now really, he doesn't seem as special and I think Kubica will be the bench mark.
Nick's had enough seasons now, maybe with a fast car we may see some consistent podiums, maybe..

Knowlesy · 10 Feb 2007, 12:55 (Ref:1838037)

I'm starting to see a recovery for Nick now. I think he can give Kubica a good run now.

I see this as another 2005 for him now, where he goes into the season unfancied by all but actually destroys his teammate comprehensively.

I expected him to do well in 2005. However, I was not convinced of his 2007 prospects up until now. I suddenly get the feeling it will be alright for him.

A successful BMW season all round.

Marbot · 10 Feb 2007, 13:45 (Ref:1838073)

Kubica seems to have lost out more than most as regards the change to the tyres.You now have to be less aggressive with them,particularly on turn in,which he says was always his style.

BootsOntheSide · 10 Feb 2007, 16:01 (Ref:1838129)

Robert is probably young enough and talented enough to gradually adjust his style. There are five teams who can dream of the title this year, maybe seven (adding Toyota and RBR) who can dream of a win or 4-6 podia. I can't wait....

neilap · 10 Feb 2007, 16:05 (Ref:1838132)

If BMW does make that leap it would be one of the more impressive things I've seen lately from any team. Even Renault was heavily involved in Benneton before they changed names. BMW came in without any ties and could possibly create a top team in two years.
Still teams are still developing their cars. Some teams have not had aero upgrades etc. I think it may be a little early.

Snrub · 10 Feb 2007, 16:39 (Ref:1838150)

I think Massa and Ralf are hoping to be the 2008 BMW drivers.

It's too early to make those kinds of predictions. Massa admits that the McLaren is faster over one lap. There's little reason why one lap performance cannot translate into distance performance.

I think there's a good chance that we'll see 3-6 really strong teams. F1 may be in for a season where the driver is the biggest factor in the end result.

Marbot · 10 Feb 2007, 16:53 (Ref:1838159)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snrub

There's little reason why one lap performance cannot translate into distance performance.

On the contrary.Not being able to translate one lap performance into distance performance,may mean that the car is fundamentally flawed.

Honda were very quick over one lap in testing last year at this time (hence the hype),but it didn't translate on the track (hence the early season performances).

Sev · 10 Feb 2007, 18:17 (Ref:1838200)

On the note of teams commenting on others performances, I'd generally say that was a pretty reliable metric.

I remember reading more than one interview just before the season started last year (most notably with Flavio), where he said that he wasn't at all worried by Honda; they had good pace over one lap, but couldn't compete on the long rungs. He then predicted it would be between him and Ferarri. I guess those guys know best.

Still, it is a remarkable turn around. But how embarassing would it be for Honda/Toyota if they become competative this year. Both of those teams have invested hundreds of millions and years into trying to become regular winners, if BMW could do it in 1/4 of the time. It's not even as if BMW had an unfair advantage working with Williams; Honda supplied engines for years before entering.

JeremySmith · 10 Feb 2007, 19:06 (Ref:1838222)

Important to remember that BMW are not starting from scratch are they.

Hitech · 10 Feb 2007, 22:10 (Ref:1838307)

Massa may well be right about BMW, but I bet this has more than a little to do with trying to spill some of the wind from the sails of Maclaren who must be fairly confident at the moment!

Mr V · 10 Feb 2007, 23:00 (Ref:1838338)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

I think he can give Kubica a good run now.

Souldn't it be the other way around?

Imo, Kubica is a man to watch for the future, but when Nick has 7 seasons worth of experiance, against 6 GP's for RK, and we are saying Nick should be able to give him a good run it's time for Nick to call it a day.

I have nothing against (supposedly) "quick Nick" but every season i say how this is going to be a make a break season for him and with the exception of 2005, he always seem's to fail to deliever, if RK beats him, and it doesn't need to be by much given Nick's experiance, he can fear for his job.

When does his contract run out anyway?

Snrub · 10 Feb 2007, 23:07 (Ref:1838340)

Honda may have been fast in one lap of testing, but they weren't fast in one lap of qualifying. I can't imagine that would be purely as a result of setup. In testing we don't seem to see the teams pushing for qualifying type pace.

Honda had one good season, the problem was that year Ferrari built one of the most dominant machines that ever raced in F1.

BMW may be building upon a strong foundation, but Sauber never acheived what Honda did in their most successful year. BMW seems to "get" how to build a team in a way that Toyota doesn't. IMO Flavio is the poster child for how to build a team. I think from a person standpoint he's a tool, but he clearly knows what he's doing when it comes to F1. No one else in the modern era of F1 has built two teams from virtually nothing to win the WDC and WCC, doing so with a significant disadvantage in funding.

Marbot · 11 Feb 2007, 00:03 (Ref:1838368)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snrub

Honda may have been fast in one lap of testing, but they weren't fast in one lap of qualifying.

They were usually top ten,at least,in qually,but went backwards in the races.Melbourne was a particularly good example of that.

flor · 11 Feb 2007, 00:06 (Ref:1838369)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr V

I have nothing against (supposedly) "quick Nick" but every season i say how this is going to be a make a break season for him and with the exception of 2005, he always seem's to fail to deliever, if RK beats him, and it doesn't need to be by much given Nick's experiance, he can fear for his job.

Just compare their cv's, Kubica didnt win anything of importance so far. He is probably as overrated as Webber....

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