Ralfie!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Raoul Duke]

Wow what an awsome performance. Shame he didn't get PP. Nothing would have made me happier then seeing Ralf kick his brothers arse!.

[RALFANATOR]

I SAID IT BEFORE AND I'LL SAY IT AGAIN RALF IS A TOP GRADE DRIVER AND THE FUTURE OF F1 HE WILL KICK JPM ASS THIS LIKE BUTTON BEFORE AND AZ BOFORE HIM . I THINK HE WILL BE THE ONLY NON FERRARI OR MAC TO WIN THIS YEAR.

[Valve Bounce]

You guys are going to have a hard time trying to convince AM and Dino about this, although you have me convinced.

[neutral]

Dont forget that it was Michaels sixth straigt pole today(Senna holds the record with 8 consecutive poles). But I have to agree that Ralf was the man of the day. It appears that Williams may be a real threat in races this year.

[Valve Bounce]

I submitted a post about two months ago in which I stated "FRANK IS BACK", and I think this shows that he is back. Funny that Ralf is still saying that he cannot be expected to be fighting with Ferrari and McLaren during the race. Somebody is sand bagging. :

[Airhead]

No VB,

Ralfie has looked into the mirror and seen the shallow depths of his soul, he more than any one of us realises he is neither destined by fate, or equipped by God Himself to participate as an equal throughout the full race distance of an F1 GP. He will be able to see the wonder of it all (as did Eddie) but will be denied the opportunity to touch the greatness within. This is reserved for the choosen few.

[WoodyTJ]

Go Ralf

[Wrex]

Maybe he just wanted to get as much distance between himself and J.V.

Top effort Ralfie.

[bella]

*coughs* i suppose this isn't the place to mention juan did a good job after losing nearly all of practice yesterday....?

[RALFANATOR]

(AM) thank you OB1 . what does ralf have to do to get respect! Alex Z was going to be the next best thing but RALF outclassed him as was BUTTON & JPM and RALF outclassed BUTTON and will do the same to JPM. Now who else was on that list hmmmmmmmmmmmmm that right FISICHELLA another one who was going to crush RALF that didn't happen either. last year even snr SCHUY & HAK both amitted that RALF is the one to watch (but what would they know). its very sad that if the driver isn't a brit that most of the press give the driver a bad rap/lack of respect. RALF isn't the best out there that belongs to his old bro but if his is not in anyones top five list well more fool them . Cause in the world of F1 as has been shown before there are to ways of beening fast 1.the car (D.HILL) 2.the driver the to way u can tell this is 1.brillance (M.SCHUY) 2.concistance(good driver in average car) and that my motorsport friends is RALF.

[Sonatrap]

Yep,
I´m with Bella ...JP´s sixth position was a great result given his troubles on Friday

¡¡ VAMOS JUAN PABLO!!

[R]

I think both Williams drivers did exceptionally well today. Yes, Valve Bounce, I remember you said it two months ago, and you were right! It's a real shame Ralf didn't get pole, someone's gotta stop this string of poles in a row for TGF. I'm sick and tired of seeing the same driver on pole all the time (he'll never beat Senna). When Ralf didn't overtake TGF, it was a shame Rubens couldn't either.

Still, I'm hoping for a red Ferrari (guess which one) and a blue and white Williams to be the two first cars into the first corner!

[KA]

...and if JPM gets a start like he did in Australia (& keeps it on the black stuff), then I wouldn't like to bet on which Williams either-

As VB said- Frank is Back- Williams aren't quite on a par with Ferrari yet, but they're getting closer.....

BTW- regarding comments on Ralf outclassing Button & Fisichella, then I don't think you can draw conclusions on current form- this year's Benetton seems to have distinct canine tendencies....

[EERO]

Ka, the Fisi and Button references were with regard to their both having been Ralf's teammates, Fisi at Jordan in '97 and Button last year.

Bouncey, I've agreed with you for ages and Muffy, you will be proven wrong. I am sure of it.

The satellite feed was pretty messed up here and we caught only the last ten minutes. I was prety thrilled for Ralf and I do think its only a matter of time before that first win comes.

Montoya's performance was brilliant in light of his problems on Friday. It seems that as McLaren's star is on the decline, Williams is ascendant.

[RT]

So it's after all Ralf der Schnell!!.

I've always thought the dude has enormous racing abilities and mental strength. Growing up in the shadow of Michael and putting up with Patrick Head points out to a pretty tough mindset. I didn't think he'd be so close this year, so early. I'm a MS fan but it's good to see Ralf do so well. Oddly enough, Ralf may pose the biggest real threat (aside from car malfunction) to MS's chances of matching or breaking Ascari's record.

I hope "Juan what's his name?" still has a ticket booked back to the land of oval tracks. I'm wondering what "mentally weak european" Patrick Head (Ha Haa!!) has in store for the Cart driver. No, he didn't come even within a light year of doing well compared to TGFLB.

If the BMW engine is that good, I wonder what Sir Frank must be thinking about letting Jenson go.

[R]

Montoya did exceptionally well if you consider all the problems he had in the free practices.

If anyone had the upper hand when Ralf and Fisichella were team-mates, it was Fisi. Ralf has the best deal now, but Renault will be stronger next year (not necessarily stronger than Williams, I doubt that, but much stronger than they are at the moment). They've admitted themselves that they don't expect to get any good results this year, but are looking to next year already.

[Ralf's Girl]

Just in case you can't tell, I'm quite happy about Ralf's qualifying! I do think he deserved pole position though - he drove the wheels off that car. And, as Raoul said, it would be great to see Ralf kick TGF's arse. Let's just hope TGF doesn't ram him off the track...

[Jay]

It was a good job by both Ralph and Juan, but I think the real credit goes to the BMW people for producing one hell of an engine!

Let's just hope it can stay in one piece for the entire race! (Unfortunately, I have my doubts)

[Raoul Duke]

I think both Ralf and Fishi are close to one another in talent. They were both evenly matched at Jordan in 97, and this year Fishi is hampered by an absolutely **** car. So those comparisons aren't tottally fair.

[Ralf's Girl]

Originally posted by Jay
Let's just hope it can stay in one piece for the entire race! (Unfortunately, I have my doubts)

My doubts are more related to the tyres than to the engine. In Australia a lot of people mentioned that the Micheline tyres are wearing out quicker than the Bridgestones, and if this is the case tomorrow then Ralf (and Montoya) will both have to stop more than the Bridgestone runners. So Ralf might not get the finishing position that his qualifying performance deserves.

[bella]

i'm not placing bets on who's going to finish highest out of the two williams cars.
nor am i going to place bets on them finishing the race. it's a hot race, and juan ain't little (and i thought i was well built till i met HIM...he's still a good bloke..). i'd say very few are going to finish because of a) brainfade b) car blow up or c) brake fade.

the tyres will not be an issue. as autosport pointed out this week, juan's 40 lap old michelins were slicks, and he'd just set his fastest lap.

[TeddyG]

I disagree Bella I think the tires will very much determine how well Williams will perform in Malaysia, and unfortunatly I think they are not going to finish as well as Williams fans are hoping as a result. Their engine and cars seem to be very competitive alongside Ferrari's but I think the Michelins will let them down.
But what do I care! Just means more points for J.V. and the Honda teams!!!

However Ralf is definately the superior driver on the Williams team and he did a hell of a job in qualifing, Montoya too but I believe he is a bit overrated.

[Mania]

I think Ralf has a great chance of picking up a win. If the Mclarens maintain their qualifying form, then they should`nt be a major threat. But no one knows with Mclaren...they could suddenly hit the sweet spot and Hakkinen will fly. But, all things being equal, if Ralf makes a good start and the Williams doesent break down, then he's looking good. The tyres seem to be working pretty well, but I hope Williams doesent screw up their strategy and start both cars with a full tank. The way to go would be to start of with a lighter fuel load, get track position, and go for a longer second stint. Anyway, it should be a great race. Michael is on top but Ralf isent too far behind.

[Raoul Duke]

I can't wait untill tonights race. Really looking forward to seeing Ralf pass TGF into the first corner to take the lead. And then after Rubens knocks TGF out of the race by accident, Ralf will cruise to his first ever win(well there's nothing wrong with dreaming, is there?)

[Jay]

Pass I am hoping he will do something else that he has in the past (ie 1997 Nurburgring)

Probably just wishful thinking though.

PS Ralf's Girl, you're probably right I forgot about the tires. They weren't exactly helping Ralf in Melbourne, until Jacques put him out of his missery. Anyway, I'll be happy if anything wins that is not a McLAren or a Ferrari.