MOFO - Maverick's Official Formula One thread

[maverick73]

So who is going to win this year's F1 driver's and constructor's titles?

1. Fernando Alonso/Renault
2. Kimi Raikkonen/McLaren-Mercedes
3. Fernando Alonso/McLaren-Mercedes
4. Kimi Raikkonen/Renault
5. F or K/Other Other/R or M or Other/Other

 

[maverick73]

Current standings:
--------------------
Alonso 87 points
Raikkonen 61 points

Renault 117 points
McLaren-Mercedes 105 points

10 points for win
8 points for 2nd
6 points for 3rd
5, 4, 3, 2, 1 for 4th through 8th
----------------------------------

So for this morning's race, I think Raikonnen will take it.

With 6 races to go, McLaren as of right now do not control their own destiny. If Raikkonen wins all 6 races and Montoya helps him by finishing 2nd, Raikonnen will gain 4 points per race on Alonso assuming he finishes 3rd every race. That will leave Alonso still 2 points up. So to make things interesting, hopefully Raikkonen wins this race and Alonso finishes 5th or worse. 5th gets 4 points, so then the gap will be 20 points with 5 races to go... that will in theory put McLaren within "control your own destiny" range of Renault for the drivers title.

Either way, I think McLaren will edge out Renault for the constructors even if Alonso holds on for the drivers.

 

[Creole Lady Marmalade]

Just saw qualifying for Turkish Grand Prix. Raikinnon for sure.

Hmmmm, is Hakkinen coming back?

 

[Kev]

Alonso should be able to cruise to the championship. However lets say Alonso crashes, gets hurt and misses a few races. It could happen, then it would be really interesting.

If Raikkonen didn't have reliability issues he would be the champion for 2005. IMHO

 

[maverick73]

Alonso should be able to cruise to the championship. However lets say Alonso crashes, gets hurt and misses a few races. It could happen, then it would be really interesting.

If Raikkonen didn't have reliability issues he would be the champion for 2005. IMHO

I don't know if Alonso will be able to "cruise" to the championship. He needs a 34 point swing either by gaining them or Raikkonen losing them. With the way Raikkonen and McLaren are going, you'd have to think that by the law of averages, their bad luck has ended... to me it doesn't seem unrealistic that Raikkonen could win 5-6 of the last 6 races... which means Alonso would have to AT LEAST finish 3rd every race... 1 DNF or a couple 4th or 5th's and the championship slips out of his hands. It ain't over till it's over. The most interesting finish since Hakkinen retired.

 

[Kev]

I don't know if Alonso will be able to "cruise" to the championship. He needs a 34 point swing either by gaining them or Raikkonen losing them. With the way Raikkonen and McLaren are going, you'd have to think that by the law of averages, their bad luck has ended... to me it doesn't seem unrealistic that Raikkonen could win 5-6 of the last 6 races... which means Alonso would have to AT LEAST finish 3rd every race... 1 DNF or a couple 4th or 5th's and the championship slips out of his hands. It ain't over till it's over. The most interesting finish since Hakkinen retired.

When i said cruise i meant Alonso has to keep producing points every race. If he can't for one reason or another he loses the championship.

As a side note Michael Schumacher has more points in the last 8 races then any other driver. Maybe God will shine down on him, because i agree its not over until its over.

 

[maverick73]

Raikkonen Wins Turkish Grand Prix

Alonso 2nd after gift from Montoya running wide in turn 8 in last few laps
Montoya 3rd
Fisichella 4th

Alonso leads drivers title by 24 points (could have been 22)
Renault leads constructors title by 9 points (could have been 5)

 

[maverick73]

Italian Grand Prix

So what are everybody's predictions? I say Raikonnen wins, Montoya finishes 2nd after "moving" over for Raikonnen, and Alonso 4th. I am predicting another manufacturer with a lot of straight line speed and a good driver may sneak into the 3rd spot.

Let's see what happens... starting with qualifying tonight (actually tommorow) at the usual 4am I believe?

 

[Kev]

I'll let you know after qualifying.

I hope Raikonnen wins, but we'll see.

 

[Kev]

I'll let you know after qualifying.

I hope Raikonnen wins, but we'll see.

Kimi starting 10 because of another motor failure. The third this season. I wonder when MB is going to give him reliable equipment. I can't see him getting to the front for the win.


I think Alonso has the win.........again.

 

[maverick73]

Raikonnen to start 11th after qualifying first
Montoya 2nd
Alonso 3rd

I'm going to go on a limb here and say Montoya holds back Alonso while Raikonnen charges to the front, and passes Alonso on the 2nd pitstop, Montoya will then move over and let Raikonnen have the win. Alonso will get 3rd.

PS Anybody wanting to add to this thread, simply type MOFO in capital letters in the search function. As of right now, it is the first thread to come up. Works like a charm!

 

[Kev]

Is that a bet?

It is.......... Good!

Whats the wager?

 

[Arizona40]

The winner has to stop posting on perb for a month.

I think it's time to have the British invade Italy. I'm leaning on Jenson Button/BAR-Honda to finally win one. Although I like Montoya, he will not play in Kimi's sandbox and hold Alonso for him. Montoya will probably take himself and Alonso out of the race trying to keep the lead. 9 hours to kick-off.

 

[maverick73]

The winner has to stop posting on perb for a month.

I think it's time to have the British invade Italy. I'm leaning on Jenson Button/BAR-Honda to finally win one. Although I like Montoya, he will not play in Kimi's sandbox and hold Alonso for him. Montoya will probably take himself and Alonso out of the race trying to keep the lead. 9 hours to kick-off.

Even better if Montoya pulls an "Irvine" and takes out Alonso to help Raikonnen win...

 

[Gman]

Not looking good Kimi...

At least it wont be a red car on top at the end of the year. As much as I like Alonso, I think Kimi is more deserving. Think of all the bad luck he's had in the past few years, not to mention this season! But a change in tide is welcomed in F1, not that I dont like Ferrari, but domination is not good for any sport. But just think - if Kimi didnt have to change his rear left today, Monty may have been easy pickins for K.R. as he was only 22 sec off Juan at the finnish! (no pun!)

- Looks to me like Alonso/ Maclaren for driver/ constructors!

 

[Kev]

Italian Gran Prix

1)Montoya
2)Alonso
3)Fisichella

Poor Kimi.......Murphy's Law says " whatever can go wrong, will." And that sums up Kimi's year.

He should be world champion. Hes the best driver, but hes plagued with tire failures, engine failures. If there is a situation that can stop him from winning Kimi has seen it this year. Poor guy..........well theres always next year.


What about Valentino Rossi getting a one month test from Ferrari this coming fall? The talk is so he can drive for Ferrari in 2007. There are many other pro motorcycle racers who looked to make the jump to car racing but couldn't cut it. Its going to be interesting to see how VR will do. In motoGP no one can really touch him, and its been like that for 3 or 4 years, but bikes aren't cars.

 

[maverick73]

Spa - Belgian Grand Prix

I always look forward to this race and Suzuka... 2 of my favourite races. Some of the best F1 races have been at Spa in the rain. Remember that brilliant pass by Hakinnen on Schumacher in 98 (or was it 99?) where Schumacher went to the outside of a backmarker, Hakinnen went on the inside and passed them both?

I can't wait to see Raikonnen and Alonso go head to head at Spa... a true Driver's circuit.

With only 4 races to go, Raikonnen needs to just focus on getting within 10 going into the last race... if he's within 10, at least he has a shot and anything can happen. If anything, the pressure will be on Alonso since he will be thinking "does this Kimi guy ever go away???" So in the next 3 races, Raikonnen somehow needs to make up 17 points... difficult, but not impossible... let the racing begin.

 

[Arizona40]

I too enjoy the Belgium circuit the most. It was the track I would drive the most on GP2.

I guess I was the only one who voted for the Alonso/Renault finish. That prediction could be in trouble this weekend after they decided to replace Fisichella's engine.

 

[Oldfart]

It's absolutely ridiculous that nobody brought rain tyres to Spa. Let's pray for a dry track.

 

[maverick73]

It's absolutely ridiculous that nobody brought rain tyres to Spa. Let's pray for a dry track.

No way man... rain at SPA has produced some of the most exciting races in the history of F1! Remember when Coulthard crashed into the back of Schumacher in 96 (I think?) due to limited vision? Oh, I can't remember the years now, just the events...

I even think that pass Hakinnen made on Schumacher could have been in 2000, the year he retired. Anyone know for sure?