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Best of the rest in 2008


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Poll: Best of the rest in 2008 (162 member(s) have cast votes)

  1. BMW (63 votes [38.89%])

    Percentage of vote: 38.89%

  2. Red Bull (16 votes [9.88%])

    Percentage of vote: 9.88%

  3. Renault (30 votes [18.52%])

    Percentage of vote: 18.52%

  4. Toyota (9 votes [5.56%])

    Percentage of vote: 5.56%

  5. Williams (41 votes [25.31%])

    Percentage of vote: 25.31%

  6. Someone else (3 votes [1.85%])

    Percentage of vote: 1.85%

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#1 sopa

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Posted 29 February 2008 - 17:29

With everyone agreeing that Ferrari and McLaren are above others, then there doesn't seem to be similar consensus about third strongest team. A lot of you have said that several teams are roughly on the same level, but try to analyze closer, which one of them has the edge or will improve faster to finish third in the WCC this year. They can't be all equal, someone has to finish third.:)

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#2 undersquare

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Posted 29 February 2008 - 17:40

Nice thread.

I voted Williams. Clutching at straws for evidence, but...

Fisi said the Renault engine is noticeably weaker than the Ferrari. That will hurt Renault and Red Bull all year.
Williams still have the infrastructure and culture of a big team, and the leadership, I think that will keep them ahead of Toyota. Also the driver lineup looks good.

BMW have cocked up the design, I suspect.

#3 Jason

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Posted 29 February 2008 - 17:46

I think Williams will finish 3rd. Toyota may get some good results, but only Trulli seems to know how to drive that car.;)

#4 Atreiu

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Posted 29 February 2008 - 17:47

I voted for Red Bull, but it could go either way.

#5 sterling49

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Posted 29 February 2008 - 18:10

Frank Williams Racing Cars :up: :clap:

#6 FreeRider

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Posted 29 February 2008 - 18:20

BMW for sure. I don't see why should they be so underestimated...

#7 miniman

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Posted 29 February 2008 - 18:27

Red Bull, no bull!

#8 rearwheelskid00

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Posted 29 February 2008 - 23:28

Williams it is. BMW could be this years last years Honda.

I've been waiting and waiting for this thread...thankyou :)

#9 shonguiz

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Posted 29 February 2008 - 23:43

No way williams could do better than BMW.

#10 blackgerby

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Posted 29 February 2008 - 23:47

Voted with my heart rather than my head :)
Williams

#11 BiH

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Posted 29 February 2008 - 23:50

BMW will be 3rd they are pushing harder then last year in development. I think they may even challenge for wins towards the end of season.

#12 hobbes

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Posted 01 March 2008 - 00:11

Ignoring Renault?!

#13 KiwiF1

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Posted 01 March 2008 - 01:25

Following my heart I voted Williams, but this is with a lot prayers and hopefully a bit of good luck on their side. My head says Renault.

#14 HSJ

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Posted 01 March 2008 - 13:14

BMW. Even if the listed teams have equal cars, BMW have the best driver pairing. But they will probably have a car advantage as well, I don't think the cars turn out to be equal in the end.

#15 tweiss

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Posted 01 March 2008 - 13:31

I voted Williams. It may be a bit of a pipe dream...but I would really like to see them step it UP this year.

#16 Jason

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Posted 01 March 2008 - 19:19

Originally posted by shonguiz
No way williams could do better than BMW.

I have my doubts about BMW this year. I think they took a gamble with their design and it hasn't panned out all that well.

From last week: http://f1.gpupdate.n...regrets-at-bmw/

BMW Sauber technical director Willy Rampf says there are no regrets at his team about taking a radical approach with its 2008 car, despite the trouble the team has had getting up to speed.

"This approach was the only option to close the gap to the front-runners," Rampf told the official F1 webste. "You don't get to the front by being conservative. Formula One is on a level that forces you to take calculated risks and that's exactly what we've done."

"There is no doubt the new car is considerably faster than the old one, but it's more difficult to exploit its full potential at any given time and condition," he added. We still need to udnerstand the car better and are learning every day."

Besides that, I think BMW may have some reliability issues with their gearbox. We'll see.

#17 SeanValen

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Posted 01 March 2008 - 21:13

BMW will strong on long straights and any tracks where there's more fast corners then slow corners. I don't think they'll find the downforce Ferrari and Mclaren have. But they'll be close maybe.

#18 Cheap Wine Alesi

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Posted 01 March 2008 - 21:14

Originally posted by SeanValen
BMW will strong on long straights and any tracks where there's more fast corners then slow corners. I don't think they'll find the downforce Ferrari and Mclaren have. But they'll be close maybe.

Yes. You don`t need downforce in fast corners :smoking:

#19 Mauseri

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Posted 01 March 2008 - 21:17

I vote BMW even if their car isnt the third best. Renault and Williams have to rely too much on one driver to get anywhere. Red Bull is too slow I fear, and Coulthard as well. Toyota drivers are fast but I dont think they score regularly what the car is capable of. Besides, I think BMW will be the 3rd best car anyway... even 2nd. Maybe not in first race but later.

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#20 dank

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Posted 01 March 2008 - 22:02

BMW should in theory have the momentum from last year to carry them through a successful campaign in 2008. Except I can't see this happening. When the F1.08 was announced in January it looked brilliant. Then during testing everything seemed to slip a little with both Heidfeld and Kubica dropping down the timesheets.

I think 2008 will be a good year for both Williams and Red Bull, who between them will take third or fourth. RBR have the pace and hopefully the reliability to make progress this season!

#21 Gecko

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Posted 01 March 2008 - 22:10

I think it's going to be Renault. They may have not got to a perfect start, but I think with having a driver of Alonso's capability in the team and someone as hungry as Piquet next to him will make them all pull in the same direction and give the whole team extra motivation. They will probably not have the third fastest car but I believe they will get the third place.

#22 coyoteBR

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Posted 01 March 2008 - 22:13

Heart says Williams, Reason says Renault.

#23 Suntrek

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Posted 02 March 2008 - 01:01

Originally posted by coyoteBR
Heart says Williams, Reason says Renault.


I'll copy that but switch it around - heart says Renault, reason says BMW/Williams. :

#24 Jarulas

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Posted 02 March 2008 - 09:42

I`ve never heard Trulli so enthusiastic about car he drives. In latest autosport Q&A he mentioned that team is listening him more than ever, so he will be clearly no.1 driver this season. Car is built to suit him not Ralf and that makes big difference. In 2005 he was better that Ralf in first part of season till they introduced TF105B with revised front suspension, which helped Ralf a lot.

So Toyota 3rd in 2008?
Yes, but only when Glock will deliver good results also.

#25 postajegenye

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Posted 02 March 2008 - 10:12

I voted for Williams.

Because I love them. :)

#26 Group B

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Posted 02 March 2008 - 10:53

Originally posted by Jarulas
I`ve never heard Trulli so enthusiastic about car he drives. In latest autosport Q&A he mentioned that team is listening him more than ever, so he will be clearly no.1 driver this season. Car is built to suit him not Ralf and that makes big difference. In 2005 he was better that Ralf in first part of season till they introduced TF105B with revised front suspension, which helped Ralf a lot.

So Toyota 3rd in 2008?
Yes, but only when Glock will deliver good results also.

A tad contradictory; you're saying the car is built for JT, who will be clear #1, then saying TG needs to deliver. If your first claim is true then TG is at a big disadvantage from day one.

#27 Lorenzo

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Posted 02 March 2008 - 11:40

BMW. Clearly.

RBR will show speed from time to time, as will Toyota, but over the season I think that Renault with the steadying hands of Alonso and Pat Symonds, will be the closest rival to BMW. Their only deficiency will be the (possible) lack of a strong number 2, as PK jr is at this point surely not on the same level as NH or RK week in, week out.

#28 512 TR

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Posted 02 March 2008 - 12:42

BMW narrowly edging out Renault.

#29 vsubravet

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Posted 02 March 2008 - 16:11

Williams is my favourite for taking the third place; I suspect BMW have design flaws which they'll cure but not that fast or in time the European season starts. Renault have the capability but even FA's genius will not be enough for them to languish at the bottom half of the top ten.

#30 an1res

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Posted 02 March 2008 - 16:47

I voted someone else, McLaren will be third, because I think either BMW or Renault will edge them.

#31 Fausta

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Posted 03 March 2008 - 08:30

Hopefully Renault, but you never can tell for sure at the beginning.

#32 roadie

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Posted 03 March 2008 - 10:02

I would love it to be Williams, but I think BMW will claim third spot. However, it is going to be tight with so many cars seemingly having similar amounts of speed over testing.

I can't wait until the first race.

#33 former champ

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Posted 03 March 2008 - 10:18

Originally posted by HSJ
BMW. Even if the listed teams have equal cars, BMW have the best driver pairing.


and in the face of such stupidity, I think Alonso will assure Renault finish at least 3rd. They could surprise even further, I'm actually tipping it. Yet even if they don't, it will be 3rd. The car will be good enough and Alonso is head and shoulders above anyone else (outside of Ferrari and McLaren drivers) except for probably Rosberg who will be strong with the Williams.

#34 OSX

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Posted 03 March 2008 - 10:22

Voted for BMW but like many I wish it will be Williams, though they'll more likely will be competing for the fourth place with Red Bull.

#35 undersquare

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Posted 03 March 2008 - 10:28

I can't help thinking that people are picking BMW on the basis of last year rather than this.

I know the testing is "only testing" but with this year's weird-loooking car in February they were overall 8th and 13th at Jerez, and 18th and 21st at Barca.

http://www.autosport...onth/2#circuit1

#36 woftam

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Posted 03 March 2008 - 10:46

Originally posted by undersquare
I can't help thinking that people are picking BMW on the basis of last year rather than this.

I know the testing is "only testing" but with this year's weird-loooking car in February they were overall 8th and 13th at Jerez, and 18th and 21st at Barca.

http://www.autosport...onth/2#circuit1


You're right. I voted BMW but I don't know why. ( 2007 I guess )
They have shown nothing all winter.
Toyota looked good last test, but I'd like to see them show some pace more than once before I'm convinced.
Doesn't mean they aren't fast it just means the proof isn't conclusive yet.
That leaves Williams Renault & Red Bull.
Alonso will be an asset but I think Williams & RBR might just have a touch more pace in their cars early days.
Development throughout the year? Who knows.

#37 F575 GTC

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Posted 03 March 2008 - 11:01

Gone with BMW - Partly based on last year, and partly being a QN fan. Might not be up the front come the first couple of races, but i'd expect them to be there later in the season.

If BMW have totally cocked it up though, it'll be Williams.

#38 dank

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Posted 03 March 2008 - 18:41

Having read Kubica's comments today about how difficult the F1.08 is to drive I think things probably aren't looking so rosey for BMW for the first few races at least. If things are as bad as they perhaps seem Williams and Red Bull will only be too willing to jump in and nab the points.

#39 steelyman

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Posted 03 March 2008 - 18:50

Originally posted by OSX
Voted for BMW but like many I wish it will be Williams, though they'll more likely will be competing for the fourth place with Red Bull.


same here

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#40 postajegenye

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Posted 03 March 2008 - 19:55

I think it'll be close between BMW and Williams for 3rd, and close between Williams and Red Bull for 5th.
But the order I would prefer personally: Williams, BMW, Renault, Red Bull