Who do you think will be the next first-time World Champion? A.
Dr Jekyll,;) the historian ;), would WANT:
1. Coulthard
{I am assuming Mika retires after this season}
2. Trulli
3. Schumacher The Younger
Besides no longer being 'just' Michael's kid brother, my sisters-in-law in Cusco, Perú think Ralf is the resident hunk in F1. They may change their opinion when she sees his new teammate for next year. . .
He and Mika both were class acts yesterday at the press conference, but, then again, they both always were.4. Fisichella
{He is starting to imply - Luca di does this -->
when he hears this - that he will probably go to Ferrari if Renault are not competitive right 'out of the box' [They will be though]. But, hey: what do I know I was the genius who predicted Montoya would enter F1 in 2002 with Toyota and that Audi would enter F1 after blowing the field into the weeds at LeMans this year. So I am really on a roll, right?;) }5. Barrichello
{But probably only if Michael retires after 2001. After Hockenheim - and after Michael's {and Mika's experiences yesterday - When - not if - this finally does happen, I am sure there won't be a dry eye south of the Caribbean.
But that's okay: I saw Jackie Stewart at Watkins Glen minutes after Francois Cevert went west. These guys really are human.}B.
Mr Hyde,
the Lapsed Tifosi {and future 'Montoyero' }, would WANT:1. Barrichello
{Whether Michael retires next year or not, I still think Rubens will be a short-timer at Ferrari. Look for Fisichella to go there before 2004.
2. Schumacher The Younger
{
Question for Lord Max and Baron Bernard:When Ralf does win his titles, does this mean Frau und Herr Schumacher get a special - uhhh ;) Champions 'Constructors' Cup ??? I should think they deserve one ;) }
3. Montoya
Yeah, yeah, I do remember what a bust-out Zanardi was at Williams last year. But, frankly, Alex underwhelmed me the first time he drove in F1, although you do have to allow for those even more underwhelming cars he was driving back then. But, even when he was dominating CART, most truly objective observers - including both of our - uhh
'UndeServing American' {USA!!!;) }world champions - said of him what is so frequently - and rather unfairly - said of Mika: it is the car under the driver - or, rather, the designer in back of the car- and not the driver in the car that is getting it done.And, truth be known, know what? If Montoya had been in CART in 1998 he would have done the same thing over here that he did in 1999, probably would have landed an F1 drive with Williams for 1999 and we would not be having this particular conversation right now. For the record
:If this guy is not the next Senna - well, at least, the next Piquet or Lauda -, I will retire to NASCAR. 4. Button
'Jenny' -;) - is critical to the attractiveness of F1 to the next generation of die-hard F1 fans. As a Lapsed Tifosi, I would love to see him go to Ferrari just long enough to win a title there, which - wouldn't you Brits agree??? - would sort of complete Mansell's unfinished agenda there. I am starting to meet kids - literally - who know only one name in motorsports: Button. Sir Frank might well have just guaranteed the next generation of F1.
So. What do you think? Name your own Top Five hit parade, or tell me what is ridiculous about mine.
Harald
Washington DC [after yesterday, we really have a Wailing Wall at Ferrari :)!!!]
USA
