Predictions for Bahrain (here we go '06)

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kensei

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Tetradic
Hey all...it's been a while since I posted, but I've been around.

Eitherway...the season is starting and I'm back with my prediction(s) (I got alot of PMs last season about these threads...figured I'd keep them going.

This one is hard to call as I don't think we know the real deal with the tires yet. I don't think bridgestone is where they look like they are based on winter testing. I think They have held their cards close and haven't shown their true pace yet (though Williams have slipped a few times).

I hate to say it but Honda looks real good this season. They could take the constructors. '06 isn't looking as black and white as I thought a few months ago when I figured it would the a Ferrari/Bridgestone stomp....

Anyway...

1) Alonso
2) MS
3) JB
4) Rubens
5) Trulli
6) Fisi
7) Nico
8) Liuzzi
9) Massa
10) Speed


Yes, both Toro Rossos will be in the top 10, the only team with no engine issues all weekend (expect the FIA to do something about them as well)

Both McMercs won't finish the race, sadly. Let's hope Kimi gets a REAL car in '07...idealy the itialian one that is red.
 
You know what? That is pretty much what i would pick. Although I wouldn't be suprised if JB won it. The first race usually has a suprise winner, who then doesn't do as well during the rest of the season.
 
I just can't see JB being able to hold it together to win. He isn't Alonso, Kimi or MS...he isn't the sharpest tack in the bunch nor do I think he can craft a race. He might lead some of the race, might get pole, but Alonso and MS know how to take advantage of mistakes.

Plus BAR/Honda's pit track record isn't the best. They usually blow something somewhere on strategy. Renault and Ferrari are almost perfect with their's always.
 
As Martin Brundle might say, the Cosworth donkeys should be good. I hope (and can almost believe, if I close my eyes and cross my fingers) that Ferrari will do well. I just hope Massa can make a good debut and not cause any trouble. Depending on the tyres I reckon Schumacher has a good chance, but I've no idea really on what the results could be.
 
kensei
I just can't see JB being able to hold it together to win. He isn't Alonso, Kimi or MS...he isn't the sharpest tack in the bunch nor do I think he can craft a race. He might lead some of the race, might get pole, but Alonso and MS know how to take advantage of mistakes.

Plus BAR/Honda's pit track record isn't the best. They usually blow something somewhere on strategy. Renault and Ferrari are almost perfect with their's always.
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True, but you could have said the same thing about Fisi at the beginning of last season.
 
DQuaN
True, but you could have said the same thing about Fisi at the beginning of last season.
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True. Though Fisi comes off as a smart guy to me, like Trulli...but both seem very emotional. JB comes off as a dolt to me and not very emotional.

We shall see I guess.
 
Ok here's mine:

1) JB
2) Fisi
3) Kimi
4) Alonso
5) Barrichello
6) MS
7) DC
8) JPM
9) RS
10) Webber

Button: I feel he has a great chance for this one, he seems alot more stable mentally, has had more testing milage than anyone else and Honda have already tested at Bahrain this year.

Fisi: He's confusing me, he seems really pumped up but you just wouldn't expect it from him, I think he's hiding something and will show it at Bahrain.

Kimi: As long as the Merc stays intact he has a shout for the win but I'm not sure if they will be able to keep it going at full revs for the whole race.

Alonso: I dunno, I can't see anywhere where he has improved while others around him have. He might still be stuck in 05 and be a bit behind the rest.

Barrichello: Experience and a fast car will pay off with him. The ability to actually race MS will be refreshing for him too I believe.

MS: He appears motivated once again, but I don't see anything special about the Ferrari. However Ferrari were one of the 3 teams present at the Bahrain test.

DC: After a reinvigorating season last year I feel he will eb hungry to make Red Bull consistant point scorers. Bahrain may just start it all off for him.

JPM: Same as Kimi, he's a great driver no doubt but it's just the fear of the Merc which is a shame because I'd love to see him up there fighting with the rest.

RS: Ralf looks confident especially about beating his brother but I don't feel that would materialise, a top 10 finish would be fair justice though.

Webber: Williams seems likes a nice tidy, tight outfit, they are one of the most experienced teams in the paddock and Webber appears to be getting his longer stints nailed in testing.
 
I want Barrichelo to win just so I can see MS face.

I don't think button has it in him to win.

But TBH I haven't kept an eye on the testing well enough to make a decent list.
 
MustangSVT
Let's hope that you're all wrong and that Kimi will win the race like he should. :sly:
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No doubt...Kimi SHOULD win the race easily, JPM a second place. Hell, Kimi SHOULD be 2-times world champ now...but he isn't thanks to mercedes.

I will be surprised if the McMercs even make it out of practice with out grenading an engine (or two, or three...). Remember McMerc DOESN'T have the 3rd car this year. That means Kimi and JPM need to run on Fridays....poor Kimi.
 
1) Kimi
2) MS
3) JB
4) Alonso
5) JPM
6) Barrichello
7) Massa
8) Fisi
9) Webber
10) DC

Kimi: I belive the Merc will continue to be strong but unreliable, so this is provided it holds up.

MS: I think he is far hungier this season, and a decent car, he'll perhaps make a mistake in Qualifying and work his way up.

JB: Strong car, Strategy messes up a stronger result..

Alonso: Strong car, Fast pace, Other teams showing same pace means he struggles for a podium finish

JPM: Same as kimi, but careles driving causes JPM to fall back perhaps

Barrichello: Shows promise in the Honda, Once again pit stratigies cause lower result

Massa: Has the pace of the Ferrari, but i'm not expecting anything radical or special from him.

Fisi: Too hyped up, by himself and others. There are plenty better drivers on the track.

Webber: Williams still in Midfield, but I expect the package to improve

DC: Same as Williams, I expect a bit more from RBR this season
 
Oh in for a penny, in for a pound...

1. Michael Schumacher
2. Fernando Alonso
3. Jenson Button
4. Nico Rosberg
5. Rubens Barrichello
6. Jarno Trulli
7. Juan Pablo Montoya
8. Mark Webber.

Oh, and you've got two days exactly from this post to get your Fantasy F1 team in at my place. It's free to enter, and all are welcome.
 
MustangSVT
Let's hope that you're all wrong and that Kimi will win the race like he should. :sly:
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:bowdown:

the thing with mclaren is that either they are uber fast or they are out. They never go through a mediocre race
 
This race really depends on how Michelin tyres will run in the heat.

In winter testing Michelin has been running rings around Bridgestone, but the Bridgestone tyres are rubbish in the cold. I expect Bridgestone to be strong in the early rounds where they can really take advantage of the ambient heat.

There is a big question mark over Michelin for me—they will be the stronger tyre through the majority of the season, but I’m not certain they’ll be leagues ahead of Bridgestone in the hot weather.

Renault is the team to beat out of the gates. They’ve been fast, consistant, and reliable, so I expect them to be the strongest Michelin team in the early rounds, at least.

McLaren is a real wildcard for me—the latest engine specification has been fast, and, apparantly, fairly reliable. Somewhat like 2005, I expect them to be lagging behind a little in the early rounds, but they’ll come through with a faster car in the European season.

Ferrari isn’t in a much better position than last year. I’m sure they’ll be strong at some rounds, especially as the car is developed further. The championship seems much less likely than it did a few months ago, but they will be frequent visitors to the podium.

Toyota is looking fairly strong, but they haven’t really pushed forward that much since last year—in my eyes the top 3 Bridgestone teams – Ferrari, Toyota, and Williams – will be very closely matched, and they will be fighting for the podium fairly consistantly.

Williams are, in my opinion, the strongest they’ve been since 2003. I’m expecting a number of podiums, and maybe even a win from Mark or Nico.

Honda has really pushed forward this season. If Jenson Button is really capable of being a champion, he will be in the winners circle this season. It will be an interesting battle between Jenson and Rubens.

Red Bull are pretty much in the same boat as last year. Maybe even worse off, actually. They’ll just be fighting for points.

BMW Sauber will probably be stronger than Red Bull, and I think they will be quite a suprise throughout the season.

MF1 are lucky there’s an 11th team this year, otherwise they’d be getting the wooden spoon. Not going to be a good year for either of the drivers, although I think they’ll have a good rivalry.

Scuderia Toro Rosso will be stronger than Minardi were (boy I’ll miss those guys), and stronger than MF1 this year.

Super Aguri came from nothing, to an F1 team in 4 months. That will be there biggest achievement this year. They’ve covered less than 600km in winter testing, and I believe they’ve had 3 failures. Finishing a race will be a miracle….

Predicitions
  1. Fernando Alonso
  2. Jenson Button
  3. Michael Schumacher
  4. Rubens Barrichello
  5. Mark Webber
  6. Kimi Raikkonen
  7. Ralf Schumacher
  8. Giancarlo Fisichella
 
My predictions

  1. Kimi raikonen
  2. Micheal Schumacher
  3. Juan Pablo Montoya
  4. Fernando Alonso
  5. Jarno trulli
  6. Felipe massa
  7. rubens Barrichello
  8. GainCarlo Fischella
  9. Jenson Button
  10. Jacques Villeneuve
 
I´m pretty confident that this is Kimis year, and that he finally will get his long wanted prize as the champion. The latest news about McLaren seems to be good, but we´ll have to wait and see. If they have a failure at Sepang, we´ll know the deal.
These are my predictions for ´06;
Drivers:
  1. Kimi
  2. Jenson
  3. Alonso
  4. Rubens
  5. M.Schumacher
  6. Trulli
  7. Montoya
  8. Webber
Constructors:
  1. Honda
  2. McLaren
  3. Toyota
  4. Renault
  5. Ferrari
  6. Williams
  7. BMW
  8. Red Bull
  9. STR
  10. MF1
  11. Super Aguri
 
Im not to keen to make a prediction just yet, I mean I am flat out predicting what day it is going to be tomorrow...

I hope McLaren do well, but mercedes will prolly let them down. Toyota, Renault, Ferrari, Honda (i am a fan of them now cos i own one now :sly: ) will all be strong. I also want Mark Webber to do well this year because I think this will be his make or break year for him, if he doesnt beat Nico Rosberg, he is uhhh kinda screwed...
 
Team666
I´m pretty confident that this is Kimis year, and that he finally will get his long wanted prize as the champion. The latest news about McLaren seems to be good, but we´ll have to wait and see. If they have a failure at Sepang, we´ll know the deal.
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It's cute how you phrased that. "If" Mclaren have a engine failure. haha.

You can set your watch to McMerc's engine failures.

The better question to ask is "If" McMerc manage to finish a weekend without a engine failure.
 
My predictions:

MS
Alonso
Webber
Reubens
Button
Massa
Other Williams
Montoya
Trulli
Fisi
Ralph
RBR
BMW
BMW
RBR
STR
and aguri last, of course.

One of the mcMerc's will blow. They just lurv that hot bahrain sun. "Grenate!"
 
kensei
It's cute how you phrased that. "If" Mclaren have a engine failure. haha.

You can set your watch to McMerc's engine failures.

The better question to ask is "If" McMerc manage to finish a weekend without a engine failure.
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That is kind of what I meant. The Ilmor engine will most likely make it through Barhain, but not Sepang (sadly). But there is a chance I´m wrong, seeing the latest tests with the Ilmor engine, wich seem reliable enough, and if so, McMerc will be at the top spots all year.

Hmm, I seem to have misread something, and made a prediction of the whole season...:ouch:
For Bahrain I think it will look like this:
  1. Jenson Button
  2. Kimi Räikkönen
  3. Fernando Alonso
  4. Juan Pablo Montoya
  5. Michael Schumacher
  6. Ralf Schumacher
  7. Rubens Barrichello
  8. Mark Webber
 
On the F1 website, There are quotes from each driver about Bahrain circuit.

The quote that interests me the most is Kimi's:

Kimi Raikkonen, McLaren
2005 Qualifying - 9th, 2005 Race - 3rd
"It is great to be back racing in Bahrain this weekend. It has been a busy winter season for us, with hard work taking place in every part of the team. Since my first outing in the MP4-21 at Barcelona on Thursday 26th January I have covered more than 3200 km with the new car. The car has felt good on track and is quick, which can be seen from the improvements in lap times of more than 3 seconds. Of course I want to carry on from our performance last year and be challenging for race wins, however we will only see where we are in Bahrain after qualifying. It is also going to be interesting this weekend to go back to tyre changes in the pit stops, we had to adapt driving styles slightly for last year as we didn't have tyre changes, so it may mean people are more aggressive as it is not so important to look after your tyres. Bahrain is a good track, it always seems to have exciting races and I hope there will be another one this year to start the 2006 season."


Can you really see Kimi saying all that in an interview?? I don't think so!!!

I reckon it's a scripted quote from the team for the website.
 
I heard that mercedes have really caught up with the competiton in the past months and that they will be a force to reckon with.
 
Poverty
I heard that mercedes have really caught up with the competiton in the past months and that they will be a force to reckon with.
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Over the past few seasons it's not been an issue of the McMerc being equal to the other cars, even the engine. it's been an issue of the car not going boom.

You can have the fastest car ever but if it doesn't finish races it doesn't matter. McMerc proved that last season.

I know the past few outings with the Mercedes engine they have done long distances but that is testing, I doubt they were really pushing the thing hard...certianly not in the way that racing would.

I just can't see either McMerc finishing the weekend with out at least one grenade....maybe more.
 
Pole: Alonso
1st.Alonso
2nd: M.Schumacher
3rd: Button
4th: Raikkonen
5th: Fisichella
6th: Trulli
7th: Webber
8th: Nico
9th: R.Schumacher
10th: Luizzi

Fastest Lap: Button
 
I'm only making one prediction: The McLaren's aren't gonna finish the race.
I hope my cable company doesn't block the race.
 
Sadly, I have school tomorrow, so I can't watch practice tonight, but you can be sure I'll be watching qualifying and the race live (3am here). Who needs sleep? I'm too excited for the new F1 season to sleep anyway :sly:
 
Friday first practice:

Courtesy of formula1.com
Result.jpg


Pretty boring session...
 

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