Blake
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Twenty-two.
It’s a pretty significant number in Formula 1 right now, with the three leading drivers (Alonso, Räikkönen, and Hamilton) equal on 22 points each. Having all three drivers equal on points after three rounds is pretty special. In fact, the last time the top three were equal on points was in the inaugural F1 Championship Season in 1950, where after three rounds (coincidently) Giuseppi Farina, Juan Manuel Fangio and Johnnie Parsons were tied on nine points.
The entire 2007 season looks to be a pretty special one. After three rounds we have had three different winners from two teams, and it looks like we genuinely have 4 (four!) championship contenders.
We’ve had a long time to consider this exciting prospect—unfortunately a gaping hole in the calendar (about the size of San Marino) has us waiting four weeks (boo!) to see more of this titanic Ferrari v.s. McLaren battle, which McLaren are currently leading.
However, the recent Spanish test has indicated that things are really starting to swing Ferrari’s way. It is estimated that Ferrari have gained between 0.5s to 1s per lap in the recent test, while Alonso has admitted that McLaren have ‘only’ gained 3 tenths.
It appears that Ferrari started the year with a package at the rear that was designed more around suspension adjustability rather than super-tight packaging. This was because they were not entirely sure how the new Bridgestone tyres would behave, and they wanted to have some margin for error in the rear suspension.
Now that Ferrari have had thousands of kilometers to study the tyres at a number of circuits and better understand the adjustability they need, they are able to tighten up everything at the rear of the car, including a reshaped engine cover, a revised cooling system, and smaller sidepods.
With such a massive improvement it almost seems like there is no way that McLaren can challenge for the win in the upcoming races. However, no one knows until the cars hit the track and the drivers lap in anger that we will truly know where the teams stand after this important test.
The circuit itself has a reputation for being very difficult to pass on, yet a new chicane has been added to (hopefully) get cars following each other more closely down the pit straight. Unfortunately many drivers claim this will not be the case, as the cars have not been slowed down enough. Speeds around the final turn are said to be only about 10kph slower than they were last year.
Despite the overtaking issues, it is often said that if you can win at Circuit de Catalunya your car is good enough to win just about anywhere. It is a real test of a modern Formula 1 car, with exceptional aerodynamic and mechanical balance required for a wide range of medium to high-speed corners.
As for the race, it is difficult to predict. Everyone is under the impression that Ferrari has made a massive leap forward, and I am pretty certain this is the case. Still, racing is different than testing, and everything needs to go right for Ferrari (especially qualifying and the start, their Achilles heel so far) if they are to get ahead of McLaren in the championships.
Share your thoughts, predictions, and rants about the calendar here.
It’s a pretty significant number in Formula 1 right now, with the three leading drivers (Alonso, Räikkönen, and Hamilton) equal on 22 points each. Having all three drivers equal on points after three rounds is pretty special. In fact, the last time the top three were equal on points was in the inaugural F1 Championship Season in 1950, where after three rounds (coincidently) Giuseppi Farina, Juan Manuel Fangio and Johnnie Parsons were tied on nine points.
The entire 2007 season looks to be a pretty special one. After three rounds we have had three different winners from two teams, and it looks like we genuinely have 4 (four!) championship contenders.
We’ve had a long time to consider this exciting prospect—unfortunately a gaping hole in the calendar (about the size of San Marino) has us waiting four weeks (boo!) to see more of this titanic Ferrari v.s. McLaren battle, which McLaren are currently leading.
However, the recent Spanish test has indicated that things are really starting to swing Ferrari’s way. It is estimated that Ferrari have gained between 0.5s to 1s per lap in the recent test, while Alonso has admitted that McLaren have ‘only’ gained 3 tenths.
It appears that Ferrari started the year with a package at the rear that was designed more around suspension adjustability rather than super-tight packaging. This was because they were not entirely sure how the new Bridgestone tyres would behave, and they wanted to have some margin for error in the rear suspension.
Now that Ferrari have had thousands of kilometers to study the tyres at a number of circuits and better understand the adjustability they need, they are able to tighten up everything at the rear of the car, including a reshaped engine cover, a revised cooling system, and smaller sidepods.
With such a massive improvement it almost seems like there is no way that McLaren can challenge for the win in the upcoming races. However, no one knows until the cars hit the track and the drivers lap in anger that we will truly know where the teams stand after this important test.
The circuit itself has a reputation for being very difficult to pass on, yet a new chicane has been added to (hopefully) get cars following each other more closely down the pit straight. Unfortunately many drivers claim this will not be the case, as the cars have not been slowed down enough. Speeds around the final turn are said to be only about 10kph slower than they were last year.
Despite the overtaking issues, it is often said that if you can win at Circuit de Catalunya your car is good enough to win just about anywhere. It is a real test of a modern Formula 1 car, with exceptional aerodynamic and mechanical balance required for a wide range of medium to high-speed corners.
As for the race, it is difficult to predict. Everyone is under the impression that Ferrari has made a massive leap forward, and I am pretty certain this is the case. Still, racing is different than testing, and everything needs to go right for Ferrari (especially qualifying and the start, their Achilles heel so far) if they are to get ahead of McLaren in the championships.
Share your thoughts, predictions, and rants about the calendar here.
