Who else will win a GP in 2006 and why ?

davyboy · 17 Feb 2006, 07:47 (Ref:1524828)

I decided to set this thread up because its a little more interesting than 'the who will win the championship', a feat only within the grasp of one or two protagonists. Here are a few early thoughts on oustiders :

o Mark Webber - Cosworth may have pulled a blinder this year and developed a good V8. Williams are reeling after a dreadful 2005, but without Thiessen breathing down their neck, may be able to put on a better performance. Webber's very quick, is overdue a good result and may just do it this year.

o Jenson Button - He's gotten so close in past and his smooth driving is exactly what you need to be there at the end. This year's Honda appears to be reliable and very fast. With Ant in the third car again on the Friday, and Ruben's enormous experience thrown in for good measure, they will be much better set up for raceday in comparison to last year. Like Webber, he's got the maturity to take first spot... and also like Webber, he's well overdue.

o David Coulthard - I think people are underestimating the benefit of RB will have with 4 cars at each event. STR and RB will NOT be operating independently, their cars look dangerously similar and STR may be quite competitive with the V10. The canny scot is the second most experienced driver in the field. He knows how to win races and could well pull off RBs first in 2006.

Dutton · 17 Feb 2006, 08:06 (Ref:1524835)

Can we first identify who it is that you are ASSUMING will win a GP?

davyboy · 18 Feb 2006, 10:11 (Ref:1525529)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutton

Can we first identify who it is that you are ASSUMING will win a GP?

I guess Schuey, Alonso and Kimi are pretty certain. Well, as certain as motor racing can be.

dsg · 18 Feb 2006, 10:34 (Ref:1525541)

Quote:

Originally Posted by davyboy

I guess Schuey, Alonso and Kimi are pretty certain. Well, as certain as motor racing can be.

Going on preseason form, I am not sure Kimi or JPM will be certainties to get regular wins. Information at hand suggests the engine is not reliable and the car not as good as they were hoping.

I know it is all based on the shaky logic of preseason testing but these factors along with no Friday car imput may have McLaren fighting for "best of the rest" title, as Ferrari did last year.

Julio · 17 Feb 2006, 08:27 (Ref:1524850)

This has probably been said every year for the last few years, but, I think this will be the year Jenson Button gets his first win. I think we might see Barrichello up there too. If testing is anything to go by, I'd be tempted to say the Honda will be the second fastest car behind the Renaults.

I don't think Coulthard will win this year. Webber I think could be getting the odd podium, but I don't think will win.

lookleft · 17 Feb 2006, 08:52 (Ref:1524866)

Alonso, Rubens, Button, Trulli, Fisi, Shumi, JPM, Kimi, Webber

steve_r · 17 Feb 2006, 09:29 (Ref:1524887)

I predict Race Winners This Season: M Schumacher, Alonso, Raikonnen, Montoya, Fisichella, Button

Podiums: Barichello, Webber, Massa, Heidfeld, Villeneuve, Coulthard, R Schumacher, Trulli

But we won't really know everyones pace until the first race.

Raglanparade · 17 Feb 2006, 09:42 (Ref:1524898)

As much as id love to say Webber being an Australian, i dont think he will win a race.

Infact.. If Mark Webber wins a race in 2006 i will run naked down the pit straight at Albert Park the next night.. anyone willing to hold me do that ??

Nado · 17 Feb 2006, 12:34 (Ref:1524994)

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasonhill9884

As much as id love to say Webber being an Australian, i dont think he will win a race.

Infact.. If Mark Webber wins a race in 2006 i will run naked down the pit straight at Albert Park the next night.. anyone willing to hold me do that ??

Dude, I'll PM you to organise a time the minute after Webber wins Bahrain.

Halsey · 17 Feb 2006, 13:07 (Ref:1525016)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thanh Ha

Dude, I'll PM you to organise a time the minute after Webber wins Bahrain.

Just make sure you're there to record the event if it occurs

f1_carzy · 17 Feb 2006, 10:02 (Ref:1524910)

I think the only one (amongst Webber,Button and Coulthard according to the first post) with a chance of winning the WDC would be Button, but again, I wouldn't fancy Button winning the championship, maybe a a(few) race(s)

Logrence · 17 Feb 2006, 10:14 (Ref:1524916)

We're talking about winning races.

I don't think Coulthard will win anything other than a race of attrition, Williams look well-placed to spring a surprise: I've heard lots of good things about the Cosworth and this seamless-shift gearbox sounds very interesting.

I don't think Button will win any races, Barrichello is a long shot. Other than that you've got your Ferraris, McLarens, Renaults - oh yes, and your Toyotas.

I fully expect Toyota to win a race this season.

ECW Dan Selby · 17 Feb 2006, 13:07 (Ref:1525017)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Logrence

Williams look well-placed to spring a surprise: I've heard lots of good things about the Cosworth and this seamless-shift gearbox sounds very interesting.

Yeh this sounds so intriguing. I think it'll make a very worthy contribution if it pays off...

Selby

dsg · 17 Feb 2006, 10:41 (Ref:1524929)

I believe Renault, Ferrari and based on pre-season testing, Honda will be the main forces this year. I will put my neck on the line and even say it is likely Button or Rubins will score the team's first win this year.

But I also think the Friday car will assist Williams a great deal and should the Cosworth be reliable and others not, Webber may be an outside chance of turning a podium finish into a win if the cards fall his way.

kipper · 17 Feb 2006, 11:49 (Ref:1524969)

My predictions, which will probably go awray the moment the season starts. Firstly, the obvious race winners are Alonso, Fisichella, Raikkonen and Montoya will all win one race. Of course, Michael Schumacher has to be considered a possible race winner, but that depends on whether the defficiencies of last years car have been rectified. I wouldn't be surprised if those were the only race winners, but if there were to be a race with a number of retirements then I would imagine possible wins for Jenson Button, Jarno Trulli and just maybe Mark Webber, assuming that the Cosworth is reasonably fast, reliable and Williams fully utilise the advantages of the third car.

ECW Dan Selby · 17 Feb 2006, 13:06 (Ref:1525014)

Quote:

Originally Posted by davyboy

o Mark Webber - Cosworth may have pulled a blinder this year and developed a good V8. Williams are reeling after a dreadful 2005, but without Thiessen breathing down their neck, may be able to put on a better performance. Webber's very quick, is overdue a good result and may just do it this year.

o Jenson Button - He's gotten so close in past and his smooth driving is exactly what you need to be there at the end. This year's Honda appears to be reliable and very fast. With Ant in the third car again on the Friday, and Ruben's enormous experience thrown in for good measure, they will be much better set up for raceday in comparison to last year. Like Webber, he's got the maturity to take first spot... and also like Webber, he's well overdue.

o David Coulthard - I think people are underestimating the benefit of RB will have with 4 cars at each event. STR and RB will NOT be operating independently, their cars look dangerously similar and STR may be quite competitive with the V10. The canny scot is the second most experienced driver in the field. He knows how to win races and could well pull off RBs first in 2006.

]
I think Mark's perhaps wishful thinking. His first year with the Cosworth is all going to be a bit different for him. I think alot of it obviously depends on its competitiveness and how well he gels with the engine.

Jenson, yes, he will win this year.

David, nah I just can't see it happening. It'd have to be a mish-mash race with ample retirees for me, although he did show signs of 'race winner' in him at the European GP last year (?).

Selby

shambles · 17 Feb 2006, 13:31 (Ref:1525033)

Hmm. It's always hard to predict, but I think Mark Webber will get a win this year. It'll be early on, because I'm a little bit wary of the kind of development pace the Williams team will have. He's a good driver, who hasn't yet had the right break - he can do it, and I think in 2006, he probably will. Ralf Schumacher, because on a good day - I think he's as good as anyone. He doesn't have many good days, but out of him and Trulli - I think Ralf, ultimately will be the one to bag Toyota's maiden GP win - and let's face it, it has to happen this year. Doesn't it? Jenson Button and Rubens will both win Grand Prix's, I think one of them at least will be a Championship challenger. Felipe Massa - could win one, I'm not saying he will - but I think he could. He's extremely under-rated IMO. And finally - obviously, I'm expecting wins from Michael, Fernando, Kimi and Juan. It should be a good year. As for Fisi - I just don't think he will.

Logrence · 17 Feb 2006, 13:54 (Ref:1525060)

Quote:

Originally Posted by martin-1

Ralf Schumacher, because on a good day - I think he's as good as anyone.

On a good day with the wind behind him...

ECW Dan Selby · 17 Feb 2006, 13:32 (Ref:1525034)

I dunno why, I just don't think Toyota will get that win. I think their chance was last year. I get the feeling they're going to be on a backburner and be a bit off this year.

Just a feeling.

Selby

Red Bulldog · 18 Feb 2006, 13:11 (Ref:1525614)

I agree Williams look like they will be competitive, at least for the first half of the season - but if Mark can win, why not Nico?

maltafan · 18 Feb 2006, 16:53 (Ref:1525753)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Bulldog

I agree Williams look like they will be competitive, at least for the first half of the season - but if Mark can win, why not Nico?

I agree that Williams might win a race this season. I also think that Reubens might do it too, and even a Toyota. It seems that these 3 teams have been doing better than the top 3 in testing.

mooneyda · 18 Feb 2006, 17:20 (Ref:1525781)

I happen to think that RBR will surprise a few times this year and may even get a win in a scrappy race. I.e. a wet race or something.

coldtyre · 18 Feb 2006, 22:49 (Ref:1525973)

No win for Jenson or Mark (except for unusual race conditions). They don't have the "winner's mood":

- Button is too "soft". He is fast, has a clean driving style but he's not a fighter. Just watch the way Schumi owned him in Imola last year...

- Webber: Blocking never brings victory (even if you start on pole in Monaco!). He lacks top speed.

Barrichello... why not? It would be interesting to watch him liberated from Michael's shadow, and in a promising team as well.

DC : time to get retired... It was difficult for him to win while he had the fastest cars, what can we expect from him now? But I have a lot of sympathy for him anyway

davyboy · 19 Feb 2006, 08:15 (Ref:1526078)

[QUOTE=coldtyre]No win for Jenson or Mark (except for unusual race conditions). They don't have the "winner's mood":

Quote:

Originally Posted by coldtyre

- Button is too "soft". He is fast, has a clean driving style but he's not a fighter. Just watch the way Schumi owned him in Imola last year...

You do have a point here, but the year before he was right on the pace. The difference ? The car was a lot better as a result of Ant's work on the Fridays. They'll have that again this year. I would say Jenson may pull it off in a very good car... but won't pull it off in a poor one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by coldtyre

- Webber: Blocking never brings victory (even if you start on pole in Monaco!). He lacks top speed.

I'm no Webber fan, but I'm not sure you're doing him justice here. He's a very quick pilot, particularly over a single lap and can be quite decisive on track during a race. Sometimes his decisiveness has caused problems, but I would say he's certainly race-winner material.

Quote:

Originally Posted by coldtyre

DC : time to get retired... It was difficult for him to win while he had the fastest cars, what can we expect from him now? But I have a lot of sympathy for him anyway

I think DC is one of those people who, in a Mansell way, really thrives when things get difficult. He showed some fiesty performances in Red Bull last year and knows how to win races. His form in McLaren, often with exceptionally good cars, was sometimes below par... but there are drivers who don't get as much out of a situation when things are fully in their favour... than when things aren't. Effectively the inverse of Button.

FPV GTHO · 19 Feb 2006, 08:55 (Ref:1526092)

Quote:

Originally Posted by coldtyre

- Webber: Blocking never brings victory (even if you start on pole in Monaco!)

Tell that to Alonso. Your memory of Imola last year missed out on the most important part. And Monaco '04 for that matter, didnt Trulli and Button have some interesting final laps there?

Quote:

He lacks top speed.

Last year the car lacked top speed, not the drivers.

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