Kubica impresses the heck out of me. So did Rosburg early in the season...maybe he'll get back on track next season. It'll be interesting to see if Kimi's bad luck follows him. I'm convinced that some guys are just really hard on their cars...not sure if it is so much that the McLaren is fragile as that it just doesn't jibe with Kimi's driving style.

I disagree, I think Alonso's WC in 2005 was a fluke. He is a good driver but not great, He is hard on the car. Look at what happened in Imola. He fractured his knee crashing over the chicanes too hard. Do you think the McLaren is up to that abuse? I don't. Kimi's mirror fell off in Qualy last weekend!!! The cars fall apart!!

He might win 1 or 2 races next year, if he wins 3 I will be very suprised. Keep in mind he has to adjust to the Bridgestone tires next year and deal with a car that is very touchy and problematic. I think he will have a lot of DNF's next year.

Kimi also has to adjust to the Bridgestones but is at least going to a chasis that has run it and knows the tire. I think Kimi will win the WC but it will be a close race between a few drivers.

I really think this tire change will turn the entire field on its ears. I think you are going to see a lot of the Bridgesotne clad cars from this year more competative next year. I do not think the Bridgestone tire is the better tire.

I don't know that I disagree with anything you said, I mean, Alonso is slowly getting on my nerves, but a fluke? he has outshone his teammate consistently and is the world champion. The guy can drive.

And I don't think you can count McLaren out for too long, same as Ferrari - one odd year is Ok but I doubt the team will be bad for much longer than that. They lost newey but their factory is awesome and the Mercedes acquisition has probably brought more $$$! But I agree with you, it's going to be a walkover for Kimi, mostly thanks to a more reliable car and mostly bridgestone familiarity within the team - and good for him, he deserves to finally win one. He's not the most affable guy but he clearly is talented !

I also agree the tire situation will level the playing field, and put the nail in the coffin for Renault's hopes. I hope Williams makes a bit of a comeback somehow - but I doubt it.

I really think it was a fluke. I think it was more the car than the driver. Renault was the only fast reliable car that year. Alonso deserved to win, but there were really no comers in 2005. Adn yes, FA was faster than Fisi but I am not sure if that is saying a whole lot.

Kimi tried like hell but his car kept breaking. Ferrari was fumbling around with a horrible chasis and Bridgestone just could not turn out a decent tire. Ferrari's car was so bad in 2005 that they went to the 2004 chasis to develop the 2006 car. Pretending like the 2005 chasis didn't exist.

McLaren seems to have gone in the wrong direction as well and needs to go back to its 2005 chasis and look to 2007. The 2006 car has not proved to be very good and once again the cars are just not reliable.

We all know the team with the biggest budget will not win, look at Toyota. McLaren throwing more money a tthe car will not solve their problems.

I think Alonso won his last Championship. After this past weeks antics I really do not see any team wanting a part of him. I have to wonder if McLaren is having second thoughts as well.

I agree with everything you said. FA's championship last year was a result of Renault getting the new tire rules right and Ferrari being caught with their pants down after total domination for so many years. You can bet they won't allow that to happen again. With their databank of knowledge with the Bridgestones on each track, I think it will be total domination for Kimi next year. I'm predicting 10 victories for Kimi and 2-3 for Massa. Shades of 2002. Of course, after the end of this season everyone at Ferrari may depart the team, which will introduce a lot of unknowns for next year.

Motion - I wish we lived on the same coast so we could jump around the room screaming at the race on TV together.

My brother and I get together every race Sunday for good drinks and good food and watch the race. We do not know anyone around here that is also into F-1. I want to have a Brasil party but there really is no one to invite here.

Jim,

I watch and tivo every single race....... My time to hang around with friends is compromised though since I have an 18 month and a 7 week old.....

I usually end up watching the races after everyone is asleep at home....

Juan - I have a 3 y/o and a 13 y/o. My brother has a 2 y/o and 4 y/o.

My 13 y/o watches the races with us and my sis in law and kids come over too and the girls take the kids out back to play or to the movies while we watch the race.

There have been some races where I watched at night like you, but the next 2 races? The world stops for them.

I don't know how i missed this for two years. But I'm here now, and I can feel it in my bones... I'm home.

(Alonso is a giant douche)

Seemed like a good idea to dredge this one back up :d

Signing Teflonso means the next major F1 scandal belongs to Ferrari. Enjoy, tifosi. :)

bah... at the very least he has proven himself to be great without TC...

Alonso is whiny but he is also a heck of a driver and can be interesting in an interview, unlike Kimi.

And next to rocking, the dude can drive!! Out of the blue, he whooped Schumi's behind, and stole the worldchampionship from him. When you're that good, a little arrogance is no surprise.
And it is time that they come up with a set of rules and stick with it for a while.
How on earth can we compare the driving from season to season if everything changes all the time...

Had dinner at Shulas in Indy a couple years ago and the whole Alonso clan was at the table next to us. Nice people.

Come on, you know better than that. ;)

Every team that he has been driving for the last 3-4 years has had a major scandal.

Personally would sign anyone but him as he cannot be trusted and with no trust he would not be near my camp.