Will Kimi win without Todt, Brawn, Byrne, etc. ?

motion · 10-13-2006, 01:42 PM

We still don't know what's going to happen at the Scuderia after Sao Paulo. Let's face it, these guys are getting on and probably just hanging around with Michael for the sheer enjoyment of it. If they depart Ferrari, will Kimi and FM enjoy the same success?

Personally, I see at least a couple of them leaving. My guess is that without them, Ferrari won't be the team they are now. With the glue (MS) leaving, things will start coming apart.

So, will we see a new team dominating for the next several years? I don't think so. Neither Mclaren or Renault will have the driver/equipment package to do it straight away. Next year should see some pretty good racing, with 3-4 teams going for the win at each race. Of course, if Scuderia stay in tact, all bets are off.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

I think BAR Honda will be the team to watch next year. I thought Todt and Brawn had contracts for next year.

serge944 · serge944's Garage

Kimi + Ferrari will be interesting - very.

On another topic, who else is praying MS takes 1st and FA retires in Brazil? It will be one hell of a comeback since MS already declared that hes out of the running for this year drivers' title.

JSDSKI · 10-13-2006, 04:13 PM

KR is an amazing talent and probably the quickest naturally talented driver in F1. That said, does he have the organizational and leadership skills of a Shumacher or a Lauda - the two WC's who really put Ferrari's resources to work for season after season ? I haven't seen it in him and frankly I don't expect to see it. That's a side of his life he's never had to develop - as he's relied on a magical touch ever since he started.

Ferrari's reliability and current engineering will do him very well next year and a couple of years down the road.

2007 looks like a potentially great season... but I can't but wish that Montoya had the Renault ride. Imagine it - Montoya in Renault, Alonso in McLaren, KR in Ferrari, Weber at Red Bull, and Button in Honda. Now THAT would be an epic year.

scottmandue · 10-13-2006, 04:43 PM

I would like to see how Massa would do if he didn't have to block for the lead driver. I guess now that he will be playing second fiddle to Kimi we won't know that, at least not this season.

It will be very interesting to see how Kimi does in a car that doesn't blow up every other race though.

They had an interesting conversation between the commentators that this is how it has been forever in formula one racing. The number one driver is expected to win and the number two driver is expected to do everything to help him. They even commented on years ago when the number one drivers car blew up they had number two pull into the pits and give him his car! They also mused about people complaining about team tactics when it has always been this way.

BGCarrera32 · 10-13-2006, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by nostatic
I think BAR Honda will be the team to watch next year.

Yeah, you'd think, but if you look at the really successful teams as of late you'll see a figure head and a big dog that runs the technical side...think Briatore/Symonds at Renault, Todt/Brawn at Ferrari, Dennis/Newey at McLaren (well Newey until this year)...who does BAR have? Gil de Ferran and ?? They've lacked key leadership in my opinon for a long time, and I'm not even sure Honda knows what to do with them...go to Honda.com and try to find a link to their F1 team...

For a jap funded team I'd bet Toyota, at least they're consisent. Granted BAR will run up a bunch of 3rd-4ths, blow a motor, etc. but 'yota is always 7-8th in the field and keen to advance. '08 might be better when they release Ralf.

Best team for advancement next year is Red Bull with Webber/Coultard and Newey's enfluence on the team's car now while Williams will suck again with the new Toyota engine while they learn the powerplant program all over again for another straight year.

But its F1 and I'll probably be proven totally wrong.

motion · 10-25-2006, 06:23 AM

Its happening.... reports have Ross Brawn going on sabbatical and Todt taking over Montezemolo's position as president of Ferrari. Perhaps Alonso's move to Mclaren wasn't so stupid after all.

Jims5543 · 10-25-2006, 07:18 AM

Ferrari came a long way this year. There are so many factors to consider. I think the car will be good for another year or two.

Other factors to consider as far a the championship goes. Everyone will be on one tire this year. FA will not have the awesome traction control of the Renault that he has grown to depend on. Seme goes for adjusting to the new tires. Do we have to mention the fragil car and his disposition to beat the hell out of his car. Think fractured knee from driving in practice.

While the big names at Ferrari are gone, there is still talent there. Can Kimi set up a car like MS, I guess we will see next season, he obviously has ability and maybe a car that is decent and reliable is all he needs to shine. Hopefully whats left of Ferrari will be able to deliver that to him. Will Todt, and Brawn be missed? Hell yeah!! Can the team be competative? Probably for the next year using MS's play book. Beyone next year? who knows.

2008 also brings in no traction control this will make for an very interesting season as well.

JSDSKI · 10-25-2006, 09:40 AM

Ferrari's succession plans are more structured and organized than we imagined - a sure sign of Montezemolo's leadership. Looks like Brawn is taking a year off - after developing the 248 into the class of the field for next year. Todt will gradually move over into Montezemolo's postion as CEO. Brawn returns in 2008 to take over Todt's position with the race team. Doesn't really look like they will have many problems since the guys who did the grunt work for Massa and MS will all be there in 2007 except for Stepney.

The only question mark is meshing KR's development style with Ferrari - but expect some amazing laptimes over the winter. KR will probably be the favorite for WDC.