11 replies to this topic

[PeaQ]

Well, as the topic says, will Ralf ever be able challenge the big boys, and go for the WDC?

What do You think?

[selena]

I am sure he will. He is better than most of the drivers today. Only Hakkinen and Schuey are better than him. He is definitely a future world champion.

[Lamont]

He definitely has the potential to be a future WDC, we'll have to see if he gets the right ride.

I've been impressed with the way Ralf has matured. His first year with Jordan, he was nuts, spinning off all over the place. In the last two years though, he's really calmed down and put in some impressive drives with less than impressive equipment.

[Dudley]

He's got plenty of time yet. He's what 7 years younger than michael and only montoya and fisi are as likely a WDC candidate.

[miniman]

He certainly is with the right team, provided he doesn't fall afoul of Sir Frank's good graces. Both BMW and Williams have an excellent record of achievement while Ferrari and McLaren are due for an inevitably decline, and soon.

Ferrari and McLaren have already achieved a pretty high level of optimization, I wonder how much longer they can sustain this without a need for a new sheet of paper.

[Iain]

Ralf is constantly improving. I would bet he will be WDC by 2003 at the very latest, possibly as early as next year, no-one expects BMW to do it, but no-one expected them to be this damn good in the first half of this year. Frank and Gerhard were talking about hopefully challenging for points by France.

As for miniman's point. Ferrari and McLaren have no reason to go into decline. Both have solid driver line ups and are likely to keep them. Both have good designers. Both have good engines. Unless one of these things changes they should stay at the top. Jordan and Williams, or Jaguar or BAR may catch them and make it all a lot closer. They cannot maintain their outright dominance forever.

A decline is unlikely unless you know something we don't - Fiat or Daimler-Chrysler are about to pull the plug, Ron, Jean, Adrian, Rory or Ross are about to quit, or one of them is about to lose their drivers and be forced to use really **** ones. THe drivers aren't going anywhere, bar accidents. Ron and Jean are staying put. There are rumopurs about Ross and Rory and Adrian but then the silly season seems to include designers and technical directors these days and 99.5% of it at least is probably all hot air.

[Samurai]

I would think so too.
But I'd like to see how Ralf does against Montoya first.
Before the big boys you got to beat your teammate first. (At least at Williams this will be a fair competition!!!)

[Zeus]

Ralf _is_ a future big boy. Hakkinen and Michael are not going around forever, and certainly not at the top of their game. Ralf is already next in line once they pass their prime. his real compeition will be Villeneuve and Coultard. Strong possibilities will also be Barrichello, Fisichella, Trulli. Heidfeld has a long way to go but based on F3, he should be able to do it. If Montoya come over, he should also get it done.

[Clatter]

He is not a natural as MS was, but I would be surprised if he didnt eventually get the top prize.

Of course Mclaren and Ferrari will go into decline for a few seasons. The sport is always a series of peaks and troughs. Teams dominate for a few seasons and then for whatever reason (usually engine related) will have a bad period. It has happened to all the top teams in the not to distance past.

Ferrari may well be the first to fall when MS eventually leaves. As I think a number of the present team will leave at the same time, and this will all leave a very big hole to fill.

[Sugerplum]

In a few years I think he will definately be fighting for the WDC. He has shown that he is good and he is always near the front. When Williams catch up with the big boys Ralf is going to be there too.

[Mary]

Of course, when Sir Frank gives him a big boys car.

Mary

[desmo]

I'm with most of the posters on this thread. I think the only thing that stands between RS and a WDC title is the right car and a little luck. He has proven to me that he is among the sport's elite.