11 days to go!

Wrex · 21 Feb 2003, 06:20 (Ref:513123)

Well, after another bring winter break, I'm ready for my F1 fix.

I always look forward to a new season, and despite not expecting to this year after Suzuka, the rule changes have really sparked my interest.

So with 14 days to go until the engines are fired up competition, what are you most look forward to.

Note: This is a positive thread, so take your 'sky is falling ****' somewhere else

For me, the top 3 things I'm looking forward to are:

1. How exciting is the new (new new) qualifying format, and the impact it has on shuffling the grid?

2. Has anyone come up with an innovation that will move them substantially up the grid?

3. Will Michael be challenged in his way to a 6th WDC?

I suspect I have the answers to all questions, but I can't wait to see it

Valve Bounce · 21 Feb 2003, 06:50 (Ref:513144)

The things that I am looking forward to most of all are seeing which of the lessor teams will improve, how the new drivers perform, also how Mark Webber will go in Melbourne, what the new quals will feel like, where Bunsen and Jacques will qualify and finish, what channel 10 will come up with, .......

Wrex, are you going to give us a day by day count down?

Wrex · 21 Feb 2003, 07:15 (Ref:513158)

I will most likely go on Saturday, for the rest I'll be glued to my TV

Armco Bender · 21 Feb 2003, 09:55 (Ref:513238)

It will be interesting to see how the new guys go too.Can da Matta make the jump up from CART?,will Firman be out of his depth in the Jordan?or will one of the other new guys stick their hand up and say I've got some talent?.Aussie is always a race of attrition so it could throw up some unusual results too.A Jag driver on the podium?.And can JPM and Ralf go the whole distance without taking each other off?.What ever happens it there will be plenty to keep you interested.

Super Tourer · 21 Feb 2003, 11:08 (Ref:513290)

I haven't look forward to a season so much for years. Like you, I'm itching to now how the grid will shake out with the new rules, conceivably should the weather intervene we could see a Jordan, Sauber or even Minardi taking pole.

The we effectively have a 2nd start to the season at Silverstone, when all the toys are taken away.

It's going to be great, I can feel it in my bones!

DNQ · 21 Feb 2003, 12:38 (Ref:513348)

If Jordan and Minardi make it through the year, the championship is closer, overtaking returns and Spa is back for 2004, then I'll be happy. Oh and if M Schumacher retires before Albert Park

LucaBadoer · 21 Feb 2003, 12:47 (Ref:513352)

Friday 07/03
08.45 - 10.45 : F1 tests
11.00 - 12.00 : Free Pract. 1
13.00 - 14.00 : Qualif 1.2

Saturday 08/03
09.00 - 09.45 : Free Pract. 2.1
10.15 - 11.00 : Free Pract. 2.2

13.30 - 13.35 : Warm-up
14.00 - 15.00 : Qualif. 2

Sunday 09/03
14.00 - 16.00 : Race

Mal · 21 Feb 2003, 12:47 (Ref:513353)

I feel Mclaren definately think they are on to a winner in the electronics, which is why Ron is so put out by the proposed changes. If Mercedes have found the horsepower then I think this is where any serious challenge to Ferrari will come from. I also think that the Dark horse could be Toyota. They have looked impressive in testing and whiilst this is no real indication, Toyota do not have the need to impress sponsors trying to get finance that is the usual motivation in the winter testing.

Glen · 21 Feb 2003, 13:29 (Ref:513395)

I wonder how McLaren had hoped to get more out of the technology side - traction control is pretty well perfected I would have thought, and even if it isn't I can't imagine finding whole seconds in a better version of it... Pit to car telemetry has got a lot of unued potential though - in the height of the active ride days the cars would automatically be optimised at every point on the circuit - ie softly sprung at the slower corners, lower ride heght at other sections etc - so maybe they are beginning to optimise the engine and transmission behaviour for each and every corner and straight, and on top of that perhaps this is continuously tweaked throughout the race according to changing conditions...

I agree that Toyota are the team to watch - not for wins or podiums, but for upsetting BAR, Jaguar and Sauber.

Super Tourer · 21 Feb 2003, 14:42 (Ref:513444)

IMO Michelin have a lot of ground to make up, McLaren and William's are very dependent on them delivering the goods.

No point designing a car that should be half a second a lap quicker in theory, if the tyres are half a second slower and blistering after 20 laps.

Red · 21 Feb 2003, 14:45 (Ref:513447)

What I am most looking forward? To know who the beeeep broadcasts the races live in Romania...

Logrence · 21 Feb 2003, 18:36 (Ref:513600)

I think Michelin will have been working hard over the winter - especially with the old winter tyres - Ralf was fastest in the rain at Barca a few days ago, which would be impressive for Michelin if the FW25 really is crufts material.

I'm hopeful that the excitement will be raging with these new rules - they look pretty promising, I have to say.

EERO · 21 Feb 2003, 18:52 (Ref:513610)

I'm looking forward to a few inspired drives by Frentzen.

I'm looking forward to more great battles between Kimi and JPM.

I'm looking forward to seeing the Quadriga Pit Girl at Monza.

I'm looking forward to some progress up the grid by Minardi-best driving team and engine in years.

neilap · 21 Feb 2003, 19:29 (Ref:513618)

I am looking forward to the battle between the "best of the rest" teams. I do not feel that Reanult will have an easy time with teams behind them.

Also, will the Honda motor be up for the challenge in Melbourne? If it does well with only a week of incar tests imagine how good it should be by midseason. I am looking forward to BAR clinching 4th!

**FIRE** · 21 Feb 2003, 19:53 (Ref:513639)

I am looking forward to the season opener in Australia because:

1) Jos The Boss is back.
2) The new qualifying format.

**Asp** · 21 Feb 2003, 20:38 (Ref:513653)

I wanted the change in qualfying about 3 years ago at least, and had a letter published in F1Racing to that effect.
Will it be more exciting to those at the track? Possibly not, less cars driving past for your money.
Will it change to grid order? Not in any form of extreme except when the weather or other conditions affect the race. From time to time we'll see a top name nearer the back as the muck up their lap, or a few inspired performances from midfield or lower teams, but most'll look pretty much the same
Will it be more exciting for TV fans? Yes. Guaranteed action throughout the session (no more 20 minute looking at the flowers in Austria, nice as they are). There will be the same amount of tension as we all try and guess/work out if that run was any faster than the preceeding one - don't believe me, It's effectivley the same as the bobsleigh at the minute [4 man world Champs, Lake Placid, this weekend , and that is incredibly exciting.
Wrex, for 2 and 3 can I get back to you in about 2 weeks?

Mr V · 21 Feb 2003, 20:57 (Ref:513666)

Can't wait for the new season to start.......shame i'm in Gran Caneria at the time

Valve Bounce · 21 Feb 2003, 21:42 (Ref:513689)

EERO, you forgot to mention DC

EERO · 22 Feb 2003, 16:59 (Ref:514205)

Quote:

Originally posted by Valve Bounce
EERO, you forgot to mention DC

You noticed!

Speeddemon555 · 22 Feb 2003, 17:04 (Ref:514206)

Yep, lets not repeat the first turn crash like last year when Ralf went heads over heels on Barrichello.

Alan Jones · 22 Feb 2003, 19:44 (Ref:514279)

I can't wait. March is a long time coming and if SPEEDWEEK wasn't on, by this time of the year I'd be climbing up the wall.hehehehe

March is great! F1, GP Bikes, Cart,V8's etc etc. The new season starts and the only thing to worry about is finding enough time to watch all the motrsport I have taped before the next round.

ozrevhead · 23 Feb 2003, 03:21 (Ref:514545)

im sooooooooo excited

13 days
20 hours
47 minutes to the oz gp

i am looking foward to...

1. Seeying kimi rakkinen challenge or even win the championships
2. Seeying the new qualifying system
3. Seeying how much better Channel 10's broadcast's is compared to nine's & most inportantly..
4. Seeying how Mark Webber and Jaguar will go

Valve Bounce · 23 Feb 2003, 07:56 (Ref:514589)

Wrex - the title, you have to change the title of this thread to give us a countdown.

ASCII Man · 23 Feb 2003, 12:05 (Ref:514696)

1. To see Jos back again.
2. To see Jacques kick Jenson's ass
3. Maybe the new qualifying format too, if it's even shown here in Belgium...

enemy-ace · 23 Feb 2003, 13:30 (Ref:514756)

1. I'm looking forward to some good KIMI and JPM battles, and hope their cars are quick enough to bring it to Michael.

2. I'm really looking forward to Silverstone and to see the drivers
light up the tires at the start. Traction control was bad enough but that launch control just made me ill.

3. Looking forward to seeing Jaguar run without Lauda and Irvine at the helm. I'm not expecting great things but I am expecting some professionalism.

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