64 replies to this topic

[Enkei]

Originally posted by Niro
Yeah, welcome to the board Frank! Nice job with those umlauts...if not so with the k's...

You seem to have a similiar problem with the n's ;)
this is a subtle hint to change your profile

[Niro]

Ehm...point taken.

[Frank Rijk]

It still needs umlauts

[Lagonda]

I think its great to see at least 3 or 4 drivers in with a fair shot of the championship this year. I think the new points system is doing what it said on the tin! I haven't seen it this good so early on in years!

I'll stick my neck out on this one and say Kimi will win the championship but only by a point or two. He has the speed and the skill and if the new car is as good as promised then I really can't see why he won't win it.
And just to play devils advocate: Will Shumi get up to his old tricks again if it came to the last race of the season with just a couple of points between them?;)

[FERRARI WEAPON]

The worst case scenerio is over though, it was over after Spain, when Michael won, and Kimi dnf'd, and people were thinking if Kimi finished 2nd to MS, it would take MS to silverstone to be in the lead, but that didn't happen, 4 points is reachable, the 18 point deficeit after Brazil was the crisis point for some, even though most knew Mike would reduce it, if they said 4 points reduction by Monaco, they would be pleased back then.

[Karpow]

Kimi has done absolutely fantastic job keeping the lead in WDC with an inferior car.
Podium after podium after podium... He might very well do a 'Rosebergs' this year.
But seriously, I doubt that we'll see 13 different winners this year like we saw in 1982. (I'd
like to!) Let's be realistic: Ferrari still far ahead from the others. Not as dominant as last
year but surely enough and Michael Schumacher is strong. Kimi must give 107% again
and finish the race in Montreal in order to stay ahead in WDC.

I belive that it's all up to MP4-18 now. Kimi can't fight for ever against F2003-GA with an
inferior car which is already 1.5 years old. MP4-18 must be realible and fast. If this proves
to be the case, Kimi has a very good chance for becoming the youngest WC ever. The way
how he's driving at the moment is simply incredible and most importantly he's getting better
all the time.

Anyway, IF Kimi can't win WDC this year, I fully belive that he'll do it in next two years
for sure.

[Frank Rijk]

Amen!

[BRG]

No, not this year.

Or at least, not unless he starts to consistently qualify well and not have to start from half way down the grid, and improves his starts by (i) not hitting stationary cars, and (ii) not letting Montoya etc get the jump on him. Sheer race pace is not enough to be a WDC, you need something more and that is what Kimi still lacks a bit. But it will come in time.

Also I fear the new car will be very fast but not reliable enough to compete with Ferrari's bullet-proof reliability (even Rubens seems to have reliability now - pity he isn't quicker!)

[henryting]

I thought it was DC's year, literally speak every year, from him.

[TT6]

Originally posted by BRG
No, not this year.

Or at least, not unless he starts to consistently qualify well and not have to start from half way down the grid, and improves his starts by (i) not hitting stationary cars, and (ii) not letting Montoya etc get the jump on him.

To think of the positive side of it: what a great timing to hit stationary car when you're in the back of the grid (if you really have to do it ocassionally).

Starting halfway to the grid haven't been too severe an obstacle for Kimi being a great overtaker. Qualifying doesn't seem to be as meaningful as it was before the new rules. There's a room for improvement but better to go fast than play it too safe.

McLaren's launch control needs to be a bit better, maybe they should hijack someone from Renault.

[man from martinlaakso]

If the new Mac car will be reliable, then KR might be the strongest candidate for the WDC title. But so far I would be somewhat pessimistic about the realiability, keeping in mind how many times MH lost a potential win because of technical problems and the fact, that the new model is so different compared to the old model, that technical problems will be unavoidable. But in 2004 KR will be the world champion.

[bugeye]

I voted No...

It's possible, but only if the new car is REALLY REALLY reliable (and of course good)

More likely is that it'll have a few teething problems which will knock him out of a couple of important races.

[maxell]

I think Schumi will win the WDC with 2-3 race to go.

[rugger]

This is ridiculous:

Can he win the championship: Sure he can
Can he lose the championship: Sure he can

Will he win the championship: Who the eff knows?

[PeppeF1]

Originally posted by rugger
This is ridiculous:

Can he win the championship: Sure he can
Can he lose the championship: Sure he can

Will he win the championship: Who the eff knows?

Nobody knows, but the main question in this topic is, Will Kimi Raikkonen be WDC this year?
Fun to see how many thinks he will be it or not.