Alonso to McLaren ´07!

[THE ED3]

Just like a chevy man wont buy a ford. I've picked my camp.

 

[sinner]

I know I'm giving toyota a lot less credit than they deserve, but do you guys think the kimi's the difference in getting toyota a world title? cuz, despite their massive budget, ultimately, they;re still considered to be a second-tier team... right now at least...

 

[THE ED3]

I think if kimi went there they would have a much better shot then they do now. The car isnt bad, but its not that good either. the current drivers cant do better then decent in it imo.


You guys are always on me about loving hondas... do you all like my BMW avatar?

 

[sinner]

or kimi can look to prove to the world that he's a better driver than the current world champ and race him in the same car... but thats just the child-like optimist in me speaking...

 

[THE ED3]

I think there is zero chance of them being with the same team. He will look to move if alonso does go to mclaren. He will probably go to ferrari if they have an open slot. I dont think he would want to go to a worse team then mclaren before he wins a title.

 

[Brett]

Bubble Bunny raises an interesting point: Toyota will be the business in 2007 and beyond. Kimi could do well to get into the team as they begin to become very competetive.

To be realistic, Toyota have a much better chance of winning the championship than you are giving them credit for. I expect 2006 to be a very good year for Toyota, and I expect a championship battle, if not win, in 2007 by Toyota.

I tend to agree with Blake on Toyota. They have been improving each and every year since they have been in F1. I expect this next year and the years after to be no different. As much as all of us like to poke fun at Ralfie, when he is on his game, he can drive with the best of them, including his brother, Alonso, and Kimi. Though lately it seems those good drives are few and far between.

If Toyota were to land Kimi, that would improve their chances at championships greatly.

 

[Blake]

They have been improving each and every year since they have been in F1. I expect this next year and the years after to be no different.

With Mike, and such an early car launch, I see them getting off to a really good start in 2006. I’m not sure whether they’ll be able to keep up with development, but I think they’re in good shape for next year.

As much as all of us like to poke fun at Ralfie, when he is on his game, he can drive with the best of them, including his brother, Alonso, and Kimi. Though lately it seems those good drives are few and far between.

I agree. Unfortunatly, I haven’t seen many good drives this year. I can only think of two, and they weren’t great.

If Toyota were to land Kimi, that would improve their chances at championships greatly.

Yep. I’m nut sure if either of their drivers (especially Ralf) could hold together an entire season like Kimi could.

 

[McLaren_Rules]

I am shocked at this news. I dont think anyone saw that one coming. I welcome the news that Alonso is coming to Mclaren and he also secured a sponsor in vodafone with his arrival. it is good that a person who has won a championship is with the team. I hope Kimi stays and Juan Pablo gets kicked out as i think Kimi is a McLaren man through and through like mika hakkinen. I belive that there is already a race and championship winner in kimi even though he hasnt won a drivers championship. He should have won in 2003 and beaten Alonso this year. Here we come 2007. Oh and here we come F1 season 2006 that starts in 81 crucial and painstaiking days. All who come from scandinavia and ppl interested in F1 could u plz add me to ur buddy list as i am only new.

 

[McLaren_Rules]

I am outraged that they are using v8 engines this year. They will be slower and those stupid (just compared to F1) american cars are going to be the fastest in the world now. With the new engines it looks good for Honda(formerly BAR HONDA) mclaren and suprisingly red bull(not their second team Scuderia Torro Rosso.)

 

[Omnis]

I am outraged that they are using v8 engines this year. They will be slower and those stupid (just compared to F1) american cars are going to be the fastest in the world now. With the new engines it looks good for Honda(formerly BAR HONDA) mclaren and suprisingly red bull(not their second team Scuderia Torro Rosso.)

First of all, edit this into your other post. Use the edit button if someone hasn't already posted after your own.

Secondly, Alonso and Kimi on the same team won't fly. I don't think Kimi will stand for giving up his 1st seat to a driver who defeated him at his car's mechanical fault.

Lastly, your logic in the "stupid american cars" being the fastest in the world makes next to no sense. American companies don't use 2.4L V8's in their street cars. Plus, it's not like the V8 is exclusive to American manufacturers. Hell, Dodge's supercar doesn't even have a V8. Plenty of other makes have V8s, and, if you were to say any car would be the fastest in the world now as a result of F1's move, it might as well be a Toyota, which certainly isn't American.

 

[daan]

Lastly, your logic in the "stupid american cars" being the fastest in the world makes next to no sense. American companies don't use 2.4L V8's in their street cars.

I think he means that Cart/Indycars/IRL will be faster than F1, which won't happen as the F1s will have roughly the same power, are lighter and have better aerodynamics and brakes.

 

[Omnis]

D'oh. Silly me. If that's the case, then I guess I missed the parenthesis and I apologize.

I would've said what Daan said, though.

 

[kensei]

Mark my words people. 2006 will be the Ferrari & Toyota show. I expect Ferrari to easily walk away with both titles but Toyota will finish 2nd in the constructors and Jarno and Ralf will have many many podiums, maybe even a win. Renault/McLaren and Williams will pick up the scraps of what is left.

Toyota WILL be the constructor champion by 2009....though I agree they need new drivers. Jarno is an amazing driver, a race winner, but not a champion. Ralf...is well Ralf...when he is on he is brilliant he other 95% of the time he is laughable. Again Ralf isn't a champion.

McLaren and Renault's days are in twilight now. Renault will do fine next seaosn but McLaren will struggle...between the Merc grenade V8 and the new tire rules I just can't see them doing well at all.

Kimi will be in red in 2007...and that red will be italian, not Japanese...

Though a Kimi/Jarno team at Toyota would rock. My favorite two drivers at my favorite team...hmmmm! That is better than a Kimi/Rossi team at Ferrari in my book.

 

[Omnis]

I'm lmao at the grenade v8.

So, is Schumy definitely retiring?

 

[ExigeEvan]

I only just heard off my dad and never saw this thread on new posts.

But of a surprise. I find it rediculous at how a driver can sign for a new team and still go through a season with his existing one. I understand they are all professionals and do their job to their best no matter but it seems a morale killer.

 

[kensei]

I'm lmao at the grenade v8.

Mercedes/Ilmor engineers debated intensely between naming their new V8 "Die Handgrenate" or "Die grosse rauchende Explosion" but they settled on simple the "Grenade V8" for PR terms.

So, is Schumy definitely retiring?

Either that or he is going to Red Bull. Eitherway with Kimi on the market I'd be shocked to see him driving a Ferrari in 2007.

 

[Brett]

With Mike, and such an early car launch, I see them getting off to a really good start in 2006. I’m not sure whether they’ll be able to keep up with development, but I think they’re in good shape for next year.

I agree. Unfortunatly, I haven’t seen many good drives this year. I can only think of two, and they weren’t great.

Yep. I’m nut sure if either of their drivers (especially Ralf) could hold together an entire season like Kimi could.

I don't see Ralf being able to hold an entire year together, but I can see Jarno doing so. Having Kimi on the team would take some pressure off of him to perform in a sense that Kimi would be going for race wins and Jarno would just have to protect Kimi.

I agree with kensei that Toyota will win constructors in the coming years. And grenade V8s, good stuff. So how much engines will go kablamo for McLaren this year?

 

[kensei]

So how much engines will go kablamo for McLaren this year?

(19) races x (2) cars = (38) engines * (2) races per engine = (19) engines or which I say 15 make lot's of smoke....not to mention all the test engines AND engine changes.

So far in the winter testing, granted it is early days still with engine development...McMerc managed to grenade their entire supply of on-site engines two times (7 one day, 5 the other). Mercedes was flying engines in like mad.

 

[Omnis]

Woah, that's awesome. McLaren Mercedes's season is going to be like Dynasty Warriors, except with engines instead of enemies.

 

[Blake]

Yeah, Mercedes aren’t looking good in the testing. I can think of numerous engine failures over winter testing. I’m really hoping they can get their stuff sorted out for testing after the break.

And kensei, I completely agree about the Ferrari/Toyota show for 2006.

Ferrari are really pushing hard with fixing the F2005s problems, and I expect them to have a good season with the F2006.

And Toyota, well, they’ll be on it from the word ‘go’…

Renault will be following behind IMO – with McLaren feeling the pain of Ilmor engineering.

 

[kensei]

Yeah, Mercedes aren’t looking good in the testing. I can think of numerous engine failures over winter testing. I’m really hoping they can get their stuff sorted out for testing after the break.

You know this as well as I but don't hold your breath. Mercedes has how many years to figure out V10s?

 

[qwazy|06]

let's not forget about red bull.

they'll have ferrari calibur engines and over the course of the year, will have newey influences on the chassis.

sleeper of 2006: red bull

 

[Kylehnat]

You know this as well as I but don't hold your breath. Mercedes has how many years to figure out V10s?

How many years to figure out V10s that last two races. Just one. If you'll remember, the Mercedes engine was quite reliable in the seasons leading up to 2005. Now it's a wild crapshoot as far as engines go. We won't know who's got it right and who doesn't until we've seen a few races.

 

[Kylehnat]

let's not forget about red bull.

they'll have ferrari calibur engines and over the course of the year, will have newey influences on the chassis.

sleeper of 2006: red bull

They shocked everyone in 2005; I think they're officially on the radar now. And now they have two teams to pull data from. I think RBR and STR are ready to mix things up now.

 

[Brett]

(19) races x (2) cars = (38) engines * (2) races per engine = (19) engines or which I say 15 make lot's of smoke....not to mention all the test engines AND engine changes.

So far in the winter testing, granted it is early days still with engine development...McMerc managed to grenade their entire supply of on-site engines two times (7 one day, 5 the other). Mercedes was flying engines in like mad.

Geez, that is a lot of engines already. Why is it that Ilmor is the only manufacturer that really has this problem (well other than a Honda driven by Taku, but that's not the point)? It really is just an odd thing.

Renault will be following behind IMO – with McLaren feeling the pain of Ilmor engineering.

Isn't this always the case with McLaren though?

How many years to figure out V10s that last two races. Just one. If you'll remember, the Mercedes engine was quite reliable in the seasons leading up to 2005. Now it's a wild crapshoot as far as engines go. We won't know who's got it right and who doesn't until we've seen a few races.

I don't remember the Mercedes engine being all the reliable in the years previous to 2005. How about 2003 when Kimi almost won the championship? How many times did an engine go kablamo that year? I remember a bunch that year. How about 2004? I remember a bunch of grenading engines that year too. I don't see Ilmor getting their act together this next year either. Though I see Ferrari and thus Red Bull not having any problems with engines next year. That's not to say they won't have other problem, but I don't see engine failure being one. I also don't see Toyota, Honda, or Cosworth having problems with engine failures either. Cosworth probably has more experience than any of the manufacturers with V8s and that will be of great benefit to their reliability.

They shocked everyone in 2005; I think they're officially on the radar now. And now they have two teams to pull data from. I think RBR and STR are ready to mix things up now.

With Red Bull having two teams operating, the extra data obtained will be good. But I do not think either of the teams really have the package to really contend on a regular basis. Though I do see both teams improving a lot this year and in the years to come.

 

[Blake]

With Red Bull having two teams operating, the extra data obtained will be good. But I do not think either of the teams really have the package to really contend on a regular basis. Though I do see both teams improving a lot this year and in the years to come.

The data will not be of so much benefit in 2006 as the cars will have different chassis, different engines etc. In 2007, IIRC, Ferrari will be supplying V8 engines to both parties, so Ferrari will be getting alot of data on their V8. And in 2008, if the proposed rule changes go ahead, both Red Bull teams will use the same chassis.

Also, Newey will only have a real effect on the development of this years car – the design is already done and Newey will not be joining until Febuary. IMO, it will 2007 when Neweys influence is noticed and Red Bull could start getting some real results.

 

[qwazy|06]

i think red bull has the fundamentals down to put together a good package this year, even without newey's immediate involvement.

question: was last years chassis a revamped jaguar chassis or their very own?

 

[kensei]

How many years to figure out V10s that last two races. Just one. If you'll remember, the Mercedes engine was quite reliable in the seasons leading up to 2005. Now it's a wild crapshoot as far as engines go. We won't know who's got it right and who doesn't until we've seen a few races.

Dude...Ilmor/Mercedes has NEVER had decent realiability in F1 with their V10s, not when compared to say Ferrari or Toyota. It has ALWAYS been an issue and I am shocked that McLaren/Mercedes never got it figured out. Tells you something about shotty Mercedes design/engineering.

 

[Brett]

Dude...Ilmor/Mercedes has NEVER had decent realiability in F1 with their V10s, not when compared to say Ferrari or Toyota. It has ALWAYS been an issue and I am shocked that McLaren/Mercedes never got it figured out. Tells you something about shotty Mercedes design/engineering.

I've always wondered why they could never figure it out, especially since they could go back and redo the tolerances for bettter permittance. It really is an odd thing that year in and year out they kept having problems.

 

[kensei]

I've always wondered why they could never figure it out, especially since they could go back and redo the tolerances for bettter permittance. It really is an odd thing that year in and year out they kept having problems.

Part of the issue is that I remember hearing about a shake-up at Ilmor (?) about 3 years ago. I don't remember what the issue was but the major reliability issues started about then. Prior to that it was better but still veyr bad.

Ya, I don't know why they never have been able to get a handle on it. The fact it's been 10 years or so of grenades from mercedes speaks alot to the company and it's quality IMO.

Not that I'd ever buy a Merc...but if I was in the market for a car in that price range Merc would be near the bottom of the list frankly.

Yes there is a difference between Ilmor/Merc engines and their road car engines but F1 is a "showcase" for a automaker...and what Merc is "showcasing" by blowing engines up is not, IMO, something to be proud of.