2005 so far....

[Skam85]

This year it is plainly obvious that the cream is rising to the top. The great drivers are being sorted from the good. Various team changes (most to 'inferior' machinery) have given drivers a new lease on life. Trulli, Ralf, DC, Fisi, Heidfeld, all look like new men and are performing brilliantly so far, while Webber and Montoya are also enjoying their move to better teams. JV seems to be struggling, but he is a good driver, and we may see him in the points this year. Don't write him off yet.

So far both Ferrari's have been disappointing. Not the drivers, they do not need to prove a thing. Rubens slightly has the edge on Michael, but Michael struggled like this in 03 so I'm sure he'll bounce back.

Sato and Button have been slow. Button especially. Look, if you can't stand the team, get out and give someone who wants to be there the chance. And STOP whinging!!!

Kimi, Massa, Alonso have all been as good as I expect them to.

Of the rookies, Karthikeyen has been consistent and looks like he is settling well. Monteiro, Albers have been outclassed so far while Freisacher has been good.

But my award after round 2 for most improved driver goes to...

Christian Klien. It would be a farce if he gets booted for Liuzzi. He can wait another year. You can't sack a guy for scoring points and being as quick as the most successful Brit in F1 history

[Skam85]

Your thoughts...?

[Wrex]

Far to early to say mate. I normally go at least 4 races before making more embarrassing predictions than the ones I made pre-season.

[Born Racer]

The sheer number of potentially victorious teams this year excites me, and I can't remember there being this many contenders for years.

Montoya seems to be quietly getting on with bagging some decent points.

Sato and Button have been slow. Button especially. Look, if you can't stand the team, get out and give someone who wants to be there the chance. And STOP whinging!!!

Hmm, not really sure that he's whinging. From what I gathered he was asked about his race by a journalist not long after his car expired. Do you expect a different reaction from a driver who is eager to bag that first win this year and yet has an under-performing car?

I agree about Klien. He looked pretty good last year, and looks yet better this year. He didn't arrive in F1 with a big fanfare, but he looks to be a solid driver. Still extremely young as well. Born in 1983, a few months before me..won't be long before the first F1 driver younger than myself arrives on the scene

[luke]

2005 has the potential to be ones of the best seasons we've had for many seasons.
I feel this years grid, has a lot of talent, most of the drivers have worthy drives, and there's some good rookies.
There's an encredible 19 rounds! With world class circuits and and a new race at Instanbul, which has the potential to be a very good event.
Also the field looks very competitive, especially as we've only had two rounds yet.

[Kicking-back]

Originally Posted by Born Racer

Born in 1983, a few months before me..won't be long before the first F1 driver younger than myself arrives on the scene

I know how that feels!

When I started watching F1 all the drivers were much older than me, then over the years they got nearer - until they started getting younger!

Now, Raikkonen, Alonso, Button, Massa, Klien, Albers and Friesacher are all younger than me.

[ralf fan]

Originally Posted by Kicking-back

Now, Raikkonen, Alonso, Button, Massa, Klien, Albers and Friesacher are all younger than me.

Not to mention Sid Watkins and Bernie Ecclestone....

[Kicking-back]

Would you like to keep your points in the predictions competition, ralf fan

[Super Tourer]

Er, as far as mentioning age and drivers I will only say that I remember Martin Brundle racing around Snett with his father and brother in a Toyota Celica.....and Jonathan Palmer driving a Capri in the 24 hour race there....

Anyway - back to the topic, has the makings of great season which I am pleased and excited about. After the pretty close 2003 season we expected much of 2004 and Ferrari bowled up and took everyone to the cleaners.

I would love to see MS in a competitive Ferrari with the right tyres, Alonso, Kimi, Webber, Fizzi and the McLaren pair really fight it out for race wins - could be a classic year and we are lucky enough to be in the 'pound seats', as James Allen would say.

Sit back, enjoy and savour is my motto.

[maximus]

Originally Posted by Skam85

Sato and Button have been slow. Button especially. Look, if you can't stand the team, get out and give someone who wants to be there the chance. And STOP whinging!!!

What a strange comment. Buttons been quicker than Sato and set one of the fastest laps in Austraila but you say that he's slower?

(and if your FRESH engine gave out 3 laps into a race then I wouldn't be suprised if you were complaining too)

[Marbot]

JB was also moving up the field fast and certainly looked good for a podium until his engine let go.Slow! No way.

[Schummy]

If Renault goes on well, Ferrari recovers with its 2005 car and Mac put together the potential of the car we can see a classic season. Last time I remember a multi-team fight for wins on merit was when Prost (McLaren), Piquet and Mansell (Williams) and Senna (Lotus) raced battling along the season (Lol, a lot of time ago!)

[Pitstop]

Originally Posted by Kicking-back

Would you like to keep your points in the predictions competition, ralf fan

Coooooo..... Ralfie - this guy's getting serious!

[Kicking-back]

mwah ha ha ha ha

[im8457]

I'm hoping RBR can keep doing well but there have been some worries about them not developing the car as fast as others during the season!

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by Schummy

Last time I remember a multi-team fight for wins on merit was when Prost (McLaren), Piquet and Mansell (Williams) and Senna (Lotus) raced battling along the season (Lol, a lot of time ago!)

Well there was 2003. Three drivers/manufacturers in with a chance near the end of the year. 1999 was similar too, with Frentzen in there too.

[ausracefan]

I think we are in for a very close season, at the moment i cant make any clear guesses, open the thread up after a few more races and i will proboably have a clearer idea, two races is just to early to call a winner

[BootsOntheSide]

5 different teams won in 2003, although Fisichella's win for Jordan was more by luck than judgment. Maybe we'll hve 5 teams winning again this year, and hopefully a multi-driver fight at the last race. It's difficult to make definite lasting impressions of who will be fast for the balance of the season, and which teams will ahve the best reliability and consistancy, but Renault are clearly the early benchmark.

[Dog Faced Boy]

I think all this is a moo point until we see the new Ferrari. For all we know they could win 16 races this season.

(Moo point - A Cow's opinion - It doesn't matter)

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by Dog Faced Boy

I think all this is a moo point until we see the new Ferrari. For all we know they could win 16 races this season.

(Moo point - A Cow's opinion - It doesn't matter)

16 races! That's just a dog faced lie.

[Dog Faced Boy]

I never lie - I can see it in my shiny crystal Dog Face Balls

[Mr V]

Who will win the 19th race then?

[Dog Faced Boy]

Narian Karthikeyan in a monsoon hit Brazilian Grand Prix.

[mabs_nsx]

Renault
Williams
Mclaren
Ferrari
BAR
Toyota
Red Bul
Sauber
Jordan
Minardil

[Gt_R]

I understand everybody's enthusiasm.

But as a fore-warning, look at the past two races. It isnt different to what we have last year, except that the car leading is blue instead of red.

There is still no fight for the race lead.