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17 Nov 2003, 18:20 (Ref:786264)
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Veteran
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,254
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What about Ralf Firman?
Ralf smashes lap record at Macau albeit in an F1 Jordan.
http://www.f1central.net/news/?actio...eaa9fb9aa3882f Recently Brundle: Countryman and former F1 driver Martin Brundle doubts if Jordan’s Ralph Firman will keep racing with the Silverstone-based team in 2004. Brundle added that: 'It would be a great shame if Ralph didn't retain his seat,' said the Norfolk-born Englishman, who retired in 1996 and today commentates for television. http://www.f1central.net/news/?actio...sid=1068462517 So does Ralf deserve another crack at Formula One or should he stick to what he is good at Formula 3? |
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"I never give up I am Michael Schumacher." 
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17 Nov 2003, 18:26 (Ref:786269)
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Forum Host
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Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,529
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hes only good in f3 if he is in an f1 car... that too i dont expect THAT jordon to last the entire race distance!! BANG BANG after lap2!
BTW dont want to be pain but its RALPH not RALF! 
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A byte walks into a bar and orders a pint. Bartender asks him "What's wrong?" Byte says "Parity error." Bartender nods and says "Yeah, I thought you looked a bit off."
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17 Nov 2003, 18:31 (Ref:786272)
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Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 29,853
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I would be sad to see Ralf go, but I think it's inevitable really. Shame - I put him in my top ten for the season and I genuinely thought he was worthy of a seat for next year.
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17 Nov 2003, 18:32 (Ref:786274)
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Quote:
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17 Nov 2003, 18:34 (Ref:786279)
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Forum Host
Veteran
Join Date: Jul 2003
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Quote:
Last edited by ralf fan; 17 Nov 2003 at 18:35. |
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__________________
A byte walks into a bar and orders a pint. Bartender asks him "What's wrong?" Byte says "Parity error." Bartender nods and says "Yeah, I thought you looked a bit off."
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17 Nov 2003, 18:35 (Ref:786281)
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#6 | ||
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Veteran
Join Date: Sep 2001
Posts: 13,000
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If he couldn't go faster in an F1 car than anyone else can manage in an F3 car, I'd be very worried about him.
I think Ralph did an adequate job voerall, but he defiatnely improved as the season went on, until the big Hungary crash intervened. I'm sure he could do well next year, but the chances are that Jordan's second driver (and perhaps their lead driver) will have to bring sponsorship, or at least fit the sponsors / engine suppliers. Ralph is to B&H's liking, and that could be enough, but Mercedes coming in looks very likely. |
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17 Nov 2003, 18:35 (Ref:786282)
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#7 | |
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Veteran
Join Date: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,473
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Frankly Firman won't be missed by me if he's ousted. He had the whole season with Jordan and never really shone. He compared less favourably against Fisi than Sato, and Sato lost his seat after what was, overall, a disappointing debut season.
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17 Nov 2003, 18:38 (Ref:786288)
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Quote:
 That'll be the same year he won the British F3 championship. However in 1995 he only came second in British F3. 
Last edited by Adam43; 17 Nov 2003 at 18:39. |
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Brum brum
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17 Nov 2003, 23:01 (Ref:786614)
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#9 | ||
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Veteran
Join Date: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,508
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I don't think Firman did a great deal this year & it wouldn't suprise me if Jordan replaced him for next year.
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17 Nov 2003, 23:29 (Ref:786649)
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#10 | ||
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Veteran
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,986
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Are we forgetting that his teammate is rated amongst the best? RF is a very good driver and racer. Jordan did not give him time to hone his skills in their car. Sato had to deal with a similar situation. When drivers dont get a lot of seat time they wont be fast. It boils down to him being in the car day in and out and getting time to test his limits. I've seen Firman in other forms of racing and he was pretty impressive. It all takes time.
Unfortunately for Ralph, Jordan does not have time nor money so whoever can come up with the funds will get the seat. |
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Eventually we learn
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18 Nov 2003, 08:33 (Ref:786825)
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#11 | ||
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Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,707
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Firman deserves a fair chance, he scored a point for Jordan when the doing very badly, was running secong to Fisi in Brazil when his suspension collapsed, and put in solid performances.
He desetres to retain his seat. |
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__________________
"If there's anything more important than my ego around, I want it caught and shot now" Douglas Adams. 1952-2001
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18 Nov 2003, 09:18 (Ref:786850)
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Racer
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 495
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He is another pay driver that F1 doesn't need
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18 Nov 2003, 09:46 (Ref:786865)
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#13 | ||
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Veteran
Join Date: Sep 2001
Posts: 13,000
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Notice how the guys supporting him are stating facts, and the guys criticisng him are just firing off insults.
F1 does 'need' a 'paydriver' if he will keep Jordan alive and stop F1 being taken over completely by the factories. He wasn't as fast as Sato relative to Fisichella, but he didn't crash as much, and didn't have much as testing, or the support of the engine company. |
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18 Nov 2003, 09:54 (Ref:786869)
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I agree with Boots here. While perhaps not in the Schumacher/Montoya/Raikkonen talent bracket, he is a good driver. And for a first season (in a Jordan!) he did very well.
I'd like to see him keep his seat. I think he has the mentality for being able to cope with the Jordan situation. As for 'pay driver'. The amount of money someone brings in not perfectly inversely proportional to talent you know. No matter what misguided socialists tell you
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Brum brum
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18 Nov 2003, 10:45 (Ref:786915)
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#15 | ||
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Join Date: Nov 2001
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For someone who was very keen on Ralph getting into F1 and very deserving of a chance - he hasn't impressed me as much as I hoped. OK, he's not had a bad season, but it was hardly a good one either. And, sadly, with F1 being as cut-throat as it is, I'm not optimistic for his chances. And, to be brutally honest with myself, I wouldn't be that disappointed either.
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DDMC Rescue Crew, Post Chief & Flag Marshal
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18 Nov 2003, 10:47 (Ref:786917)
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#16 | |
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Veteran
Join Date: Sep 2003
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I'm not really a fan of Firman but, I do recognise that he is more reliable than the car
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"I never give up I am Michael Schumacher."
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18 Nov 2003, 11:29 (Ref:786952)
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#17 | ||
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Rookie
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 75
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Ralph Firman is a fast driver, competitive and reliable. The Jordan this year has had one of its worst seasons ever in competitive racing.
I truly feel, having seen Ralph racing and improving throughout the season, we will see ralph continue in F1. He did not step straight into a williams or Maccer, like a lot of lucky (succesful) drivers. Jag or even williams could easily slot him in. |
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18 Nov 2003, 12:28 (Ref:787006)
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Race Official 20KPINAL
Join Date: Dec 1999
Posts: 21,606
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Quote:
 Couldn't agree more. |
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__________________
Show me a man who won't give it to his woman An' I'll show you somebody who will
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18 Nov 2003, 12:55 (Ref:787040)
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#19 | ||
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Veteran
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,707
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I really can't see where Firman went so wrong.
He had very little testing time, and most of what he did have was in the wet! He made the same mistake as the very experienced Barrichello at Melbourne GP, a solid 10th in Malaysian GP, Retired from around 3rd with suspension failure in Brazil GP, retired from Imola GP with oil failure, 8th place in Spainish GP, 11th at Austrian GP, 12th at Monaco GP, Engine failure at Canadan GP, 11th at European GP, 15th at French GP due to car problems, 13th at British GP, retirement at German GP, Missed Hungarian GP, Missed Italian GP, retired at American GP, 14th at Japanese GP car problems. 5 races with car problems, forcing 3 retirements. 3 non mechanical retirements, one being the German GP where there was a big accident. Missed 2 Grand Prix. Not everone is going to break onto the scene with fireworks like Alonso or Kimmi, Firman did the job with a poor car, and even scored a point, how many points would Fisi have has without his Brazil win? |
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__________________
"If there's anything more important than my ego around, I want it caught and shot now" Douglas Adams. 1952-2001
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18 Nov 2003, 13:03 (Ref:787058)
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#20 | ||
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Veteran
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,707
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taken from Ralph's site, "win the title in the second (topping an impressive list including Juan Pablo Montoya, Toyota ace Cristiano da Matta and IRL star Helio Castroneves) and along the way win the 1996 Macau Grand Prix"
Firman was good enough to beat Montoya and Da Matta, give the man a chance! |
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__________________
"If there's anything more important than my ego around, I want it caught and shot now" Douglas Adams. 1952-2001
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19 Nov 2003, 15:49 (Ref:788374)
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#21 | |
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Veteran
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,299
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What about Ralph Firman?
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19 Nov 2003, 15:55 (Ref:788377)
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#22 | ||
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Race Official 20KPINAL
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Posts: 21,606
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What about what ??
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Show me a man who won't give it to his woman An' I'll show you somebody who will
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19 Nov 2003, 16:12 (Ref:788393)
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#23 | |
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Racer
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 107
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Spun off in Indy...
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19 Nov 2003, 16:17 (Ref:788394)
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#24 | ||
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Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,301
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Who didn't
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2002,2008 and 2010 SPA 6 hours winner
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19 Nov 2003, 17:39 (Ref:788486)
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#25 | ||
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Veteran
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 7,618
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Schu didn;t
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Apocalypse becomes creation / Gor-Gor shall erase the nation Before you leap into his gizzard / Fall and worship Tyrant lizard Ciao Marco
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