54 replies to this topic

[UPRC]

Well here we are, another season comes to a close.. Five months until we are able to watch another race.. I guess it's time to reflect on the 2004 season and look at all the great moments, on track and off..

So let's look back at 2004. What were the high/low points to you? What will you remember?

[fifi]

18 weeks to Melbourne

[MortenF1]

The season is just over, and there's been a few great races, a very silly silly-season, some very scintillating pre-season test results, a couple of horrific crashes, Ralf Schuamcher's especially, but also Trulli's in Britain.

A lot of impressions will still come, but what do you think stands out? What will you remember when you think about the 2004 Formula One World Championship?

-What I remember vividly, is Karlth's immense confidence in Williams BMW, and how he boldly predicted (guaranteed) they would start Melbourne from pole position. Now this is certainly not a swipe at him, but I just connect it to the '04 season.
-I remember DC being less than positive about the MP4-19, but Raïkkönen and de la Rosa were more complimentary. And I remember how dissapointed I was when looking how far back they were in Barcelona, and how they didn't really seem to be able to improve.
...Before the introduction of the MP4-19B! I was overjoyed when DC qualified 3rd in Magny-Cours, but typically, there was a problem at the start. And there were more of them, and that is sad, 'cause many people look away from all those problems, and thinks that DC's true ability isn't any better. Lost opportunities in/on Silverstone, Spa, Hockenheim, Suzuka etc. It should've been much better, if not for all the bad luck.
-And I remember how Ferrari dropped jaws around the pitlane when Schumacher rail-roaded his way around Melbourne, at an untouchable speed!! They'd done it again.
-I remember how B-A-R's speed really was for real. I wasn't really doubting them, but there was a tiny, tiny part of me who was a bit unsure about their laptimes in pre-season testing.
-I remember Trulli's win in that "special" Monaco GP. Very brilliant performance! One of the best this year I think.
-I remember Raïkkönen's win in Belgium! Perhaps the best drive for me this year.

Lots of other memories will turn up after a while, after sleeping on this season, but what are your immediate memories of this season? What stands out for you?

[Umpire]

What will I remember....Monza 2004 Ferrari comeback, MS/JPM Monaco incident, MS Suzuka performance, Fisichella mid-season marvelous job, pathetic DC...., France 4 pitstops, Trulli Monaco qualifying

among other things

[prettyface]

Trulli dominating Monaco was especially sweet.

[BlackCat]

Monaco - a place where even small mistakes are punished.

[kodandaram]

* Kimi wins spa
* Michale was extraordinary till spa
* Woobens weekend at brazil
* The Renault-Trulli saga
* Trullis monaco win and pole - his first win
* Villeneuve making headlines despite on sidelines
* JV comeback king- 2 contracts in one day
* Button - Williams - BAR saga
* BAR breathrough year
* Brasil win for JPM and Williams
* Ralf suzuka drive
* Alonso australian drive
* Toyota driver saga
* Panis final season and final drive at suzuka
* DC's final Mclaren season and final weekend at Brasil
* Jags final season and great drives from Webber
* Webbers P7 lap in wet qualy at spa
* MS p1 in pre-qualy and qualy at Spa in very wet track
* Ferrari - monza performance -unbeleivable
* Button P4 in race @ silverstone -drove his heart out
* Sato - first podium @ USA - long time coming and deserved
* Villeneuves baptism of fire at Renault in last three races
* BS dominating hungary with super new tyres
* Sauber have a great season
* Button first podium @ malaysia
* Alonso - china GP race
* Ralf and Trulli - horrible accidents
* Pizzonia - good job as suepr sub
* Gene - effectively ends his racing carrer after bad races as sub
* MS JPM clash @ monaco
* Button and BAR first pole @ Imola
* BAR first P2 at Imola in race
* good new tracks at Bahrain and Shanghai
* Trulli P3 and Alonso P4 at spain race
* Button P2 race at hockenheim - best race of his career IMHO
* Sato move on woobens @ euro GP - pure balls
* Alonso P2 before retiring at Spa
* Alonso great race @ monza before spinning
* Doornbos and Leinders great friday run @ Brasil
* Anthony Davidson - great friday job
* New teams - midland and team dubai
* Jag pulling out
* Mark Webbers final race at Brasil for Jag and the last few moments the team spent together
* Toyota's ridiculous year with a shitbox
* Zonta great drive to P4 at Spa before a damned engien failure
* Alonso great at France race but woobens move on Trulli was tops
* The great French mistake from Trulli that weakend his drive at renault
* Hockeheim GP - Trulli lost two places to Sato and Webber @ hairpin - good move Webber
* Webbo P6 qualy @ Oz
* Pantano - good driver lost chance due to lack of money
* Glock - points on debut at canada
* Minardi - points @ USA
* Zsolt- points at USA changes him forever for the better
* Bruni - great talent , not fulfilled due to a little indisicpline
* Fisi - great midseason
* Webber P2 in qualy at malaysia - on good fuel level and subsequent poor luck in race
* Williams walrus nose and faield experiment
* bad year for da matta and consequent exit from F1
* McLArens (more so kimi )appalling relaibility but late season spurt in MP4-19B
* Webber vs Alsono @ bahrain
* Trulli vs Alonso @ Spain race
* Heidfeld points at monaco
* Sato drive @ euro GP in race before that accident and engine failuer was good
* Ralf drive at canada
* RB vs MS qulay at USA
* Ms outwits RB in race at USA
* Panis points at USA
* early season engine failures for Sato and rumorus of bad driving being cause
* Alonso pole at France
* DC P3 at frnace in qualy
* return of McLarne at France
* Ms wins at Silverstone - jinx broken
* dubious qualy and pre qualy seeions at Silverstoen
* Fisichella drive to P6 at sivlerstone from back of field
* Raikkonen wing failure at german GP
* Webbers mighty effort and super drives all year long
* Great qualy seesions for Toyota from Panis
* Sauber and Klien do good at Spa
* BS caught out at spa by cool temps
* Super Michelin tyre and super montoya + williams at bRasil
* Ferrari vs BAR at Monza
* BAR great at Monza race
* Rubens race wins in 2004
* JV comeback drive at china was good
* JB stole P2 from Kimi in final laps at China
* Roobens super win at China
* MS - bad bad race @ china
* Webbers great qualy and race perf in Japan
* Coulthards great suzuka race before RB t-boned him
* FA great pace in wet track on dry tyres early on in brasil








NOw that is a LOONNGG list and there are more if I can think harder ........but I think that will do for now

[kodandaram]

* Kimi wins spa
* Michale was extraordinary till spa
* Woobens weekend at brazil
* The Renault-Trulli saga
* Trullis monaco win and pole - his first win
* Villeneuve making headlines despite on sidelines
* JV comeback king- 2 contracts in one day
* Button - Williams - BAR saga
* BAR breathrough year
* Brasil win for JPM and Williams
* Ralf suzuka drive
* Alonso australian drive
* Toyota driver saga
* Panis final season and final drive at suzuka
* DC's final Mclaren season and final weekend at Brasil
* Jags final season and great drives from Webber
* Webbers P7 lap in wet qualy at spa
* MS p1 in pre-qualy and qualy at Spa in very wet track
* Ferrari - monza performance -unbeleivable
* Button P4 in race @ silverstone -drove his heart out
* Sato - first podium @ USA - long time coming and deserved
* Villeneuves baptism of fire at Renault in last three races
* BS dominating hungary with super new tyres
* Sauber have a great season
* Button first podium @ malaysia
* Alonso - china GP race
* Ralf and Trulli - horrible accidents
* Pizzonia - good job as suepr sub
* Gene - effectively ends his racing carrer after bad races as sub
* MS JPM clash @ monaco
* Button and BAR first pole @ Imola
* BAR first P2 at Imola in race
* good new tracks at Bahrain and Shanghai
* Trulli P3 and Alonso P4 at spain race
* Button P2 race at hockenheim - best race of his career IMHO
* Sato move on woobens @ euro GP - pure balls
* Alonso P2 before retiring at Spa
* Alonso great race @ monza before spinning
* Doornbos and Leinders great friday run @ Brasil
* Anthony Davidson - great friday job
* New teams - midland and team dubai
* Jag pulling out
* Mark Webbers final race at Brasil for Jag and the last few moments the team spent together
* Toyota's ridiculous year with a shitbox
* Zonta great drive to P4 at Spa before a damned engien failure
* Alonso great at France race but woobens move on Trulli was tops
* The great French mistake from Trulli that weakend his drive at renault
* Hockeheim GP - Trulli lost two places to Sato and Webber @ hairpin - good move Webber
* Webbo P6 qualy @ Oz
* Pantano - good driver lost chance due to lack of money
* Glock - points on debut at canada
* Minardi - points @ USA
* Zsolt- points at USA changes him forever for the better
* Bruni - great talent , not fulfilled due to a little indisicpline
* Fisi - great midseason
* Webber P2 in qualy at malaysia - on good fuel level and subsequent poor luck in race
* Williams walrus nose and faield experiment
* bad year for da matta and consequent exit from F1
* McLArens (more so kimi )appalling relaibility but late season spurt in MP4-19B
* Webber vs Alsono @ bahrain
* Trulli vs Alonso @ Spain race
* Heidfeld points at monaco
* Sato drive @ euro GP in race before that accident and engine failuer was good
* Ralf drive at canada
* RB vs MS qulay at USA
* Ms outwits RB in race at USA
* Panis points at USA
* early season engine failures for Sato and rumorus of bad driving being cause
* Alonso pole at France
* DC P3 at frnace in qualy
* return of McLarne at France
* Ms wins at Silverstone - jinx broken
* dubious qualy and pre qualy seeions at Silverstoen
* Fisichella drive to P6 at sivlerstone from back of field
* Raikkonen wing failure at german GP
* Webbers mighty effort and super drives all year long
* Great qualy seesions for Toyota from Panis
* Sauber and Klien do good at Spa
* BS caught out at spa by cool temps
* Super Michelin tyre and super montoya + williams at bRasil
* Ferrari vs BAR at Monza
* BAR great at Monza race
* Rubens race wins in 2004
* JV comeback drive at china was good
* JB stole P2 from Kimi in final laps at China
* Roobens super win at China
* MS - bad bad race @ china
* Webbers great qualy and race perf in Japan
* Coulthards great suzuka race before RB t-boned him
* FA great pace in wet track on dry tyres early on in brasil








NOw that is a LOONNGG list and there are more if I can think harder ........but I think that will do for now

[scheivlak]

Originally posted by race addicted
I remember Trulli's win in that "special" Monaco GP. Very brilliant performance! One of the best this year I think.
-I remember Raïkkönen's win in Belgium! Perhaps the best drive for me this year.

Lots of other memories will turn up after a while, after sleeping on this season, but what are your immediate memories of this season? What stands out for you?

The funny thing is that -perhaps just because of Ferrari's supremacy- the performances that I'll remember most are the 3 wins by non-Ferrari drivers.

And indeed, BAR's performance stood out. This season Dave Richards and Geoff Willis earned a lot of respect for what they've done.

[HBoss]

I'll remember how Schumacher and Ferrari toyed with everyone until Spa and Kimi's great drives after the arrival of the MP4-19B.

[ensign14]

How the year was ruined by Ferrari shenanigans in 2003. Yes, I'm still bitter about that.

The repercussions are going to go a LOT further...we've seen the signs already, with Euro teams dropping out, to be replaced by Russian and Arabian teams (provisionally).

[Corners]

I'll remember this year for an awesome display by Michael Schumacher at 35

[Eric McLoughlin]

Nothing.

[Tomecek]

As always at the end of the season, I am very very sad. Formula 1 is my life and winter is something like not to live for 100 %.

[Uxoros]

Originally posted by Tomecek
As always at the end of the season, I am very very sad. Formula 1 is my life and winter is something like not to live for 100 %.

Same, really.

[fifi]

the 3 non ferrari wins
monza
silverstone

looking forward to 05

[Fortymark]

kodandarams post in this thread..

Seriously, here are a few of mine:

*The incredible drivers swap I love it
It´s the best way to rate drivers and cars.

*Spa was back, Kimis incredible drive. Everyone thought Schumacher was going to blew everyone
away but instead Raikkonen defeated the WDC on the drivers track with an slower car.

*Trullis drive at Monaco, really impressive.

*Montoya in Brazil, Sepang and Bahrain

*Ford selling Jaguar and Cosworth

*Ferrari and Bridgestone clearly defeated the competetion. After the first laps they did in Australia I realized the season was already over

*The rule changes

*The button affaire

[pippin]

Memorable moments for me:

Ferrari being so dominant despite lots of pre-season doubters.
Button's first podium.
Button's first pole.
Sato's lots of engine failures - especially memorable was his Monaco engine failure and the carnage it caused.
Trulli getting one over on Alonso in first half of season, quite a few times - especially Monaco win!
Schumi crashing in Monaco tunnel
Williams - tusk nose. Just didn't quite work did it?
BAR - biggest surprise of the season
BAR/Williams - Button wrangle
Ralf and Trulli to Toyota rumours - went on a long time - far too long actually.
Maclaren's very poor early season form - Kimi did try so hard too
Spa - should've stopped the race - too much debris - punctures galore
Suzuka race - appauling race coverage.
Ralf's Indy crash.
BAR finally getting the better of Renault for 2nd in Constructors.
Button's German GP race - especially overtaking Alonso (Jenson Button can actually overtake ), whilst almost driving one handed owing to helmet problem. Also Kimi's spectacular rear wing failure earlier in the race - scary stuff.
Jaguar demise
Finally - DC saying he'd have done better than Button in that BAR
Disappointing Montoya for almost whole season, then ends it with a win :

[LB]

Originally posted by Eric McLoughlin
Nothing.

except the steady demise of F1.

[xype]

I realised/learned a few things in general in 2004:

Adrian Newey. I somepalce read that after their falling out McLaren didn't let him lead the car designs. Then he was supposedly "allowed" to correct the 19 to 19B. If that's true - wow. Bring in the millions and hire the guy away. Maybe Sauber has a nice enough dental plan or is a nice challenge for him?

Geoff Willis. If Craig Pollock was the one who got him on board at BAR people should stop spitting at him. The BAR-Honda combination impressed. If Williams used Geoff as a scape goat when things went bad then Williams is more political than most other teams BAR McLaren. Big manufacturers are not good.

Toyota. I only knew they were kinda big. I never imagined they are big enough to throw hundrets of millions at a Formula 1 programme and seemingly not care if they suck that much.

Williams. You don't hire 30something year old blonde girly aerodynamicists that Ferrari wont fight to keep. You don't kick around people like Head and replace them with 30something year old cute mechanic boys when things aren't working out. Also you don't pay one driver twice the money the other one gets and then expect them to perform the same. Especially if the guy with the higher salary is the pussy. And you don't trust used car dealers when it comes to hiring drivers.

Trulli, Alonso, Kimi and JPM impressed. Webber and Fisichella were their usual selves trying to drive their teammates out of Formula 1. Button was way better than I expected and Sato, while having brief moments of shining with his talent still has to learn the smooth ways. Ralf was Ralf - Toyota probably just got him on board to show the world they don't care about money. I honestly can't think of any other good reason. OP's and DC's time ran out and JV got a taste of what 2005 will be like - hard work if he wants to be near the top. If he can't beat Massa he should stop right after 2005.

Oh and Todt should learn that famous actrices don't like it when you brag about scoring with them in public. A gentleman enjoys in silence.

Ron Dennis deserves the award of excellence for being able to take a stab at just about anyone and saying it in a way that leaves the people thinking just long enough so he can make an escape. After Formula 1 he should either start an advertising agency or go into politics.

[miniman]

I'm too worried about next season to look back with enjoyment at the highlights of the one that just concluded. The negatives far outweight the positives:

2004
Jaguar's demise
Jordan's imminent collapse
Minardi's terminal coma
Toyota's ineptness
Mosley fiddling with the rules
Ecclestone's sclerotic leadership


2005
World economy getting worse
established manufacturers pulling out of F1
lack of interest by the large automobile manufacturers
Silverstone gone
lack of innovation

On the bright side it was good to see in 2004 the dominance of Ferrari and Schummi
BAR's totally unexpected ascendency
Honda's determination paying off
McLaren and Williams fighting back, finally, in Brasil

[Tomecek]

Everybody were expecting Michelin will be superior. But it was Bridgestone instead.

[LePatron]

Originally posted by Fortymark
.......Raikkonen defeated the WDC on the drivers track with an slower car. .....

Slower car??

Once again, I think the season was defined by the tire war. Certainly Bridgestone had the upper hand in all but a few races most notably Spa and Brazil. But you know how these things go: just as '03 was a Michelin year after Bridgestone dominance, the tide could well turn next year.

[angst]

I have to say, because I was so quick to slag him off at the beginnig of the year,that Zsolt Baumgartner has performed unstintingly all season. Just got his head down and, though he will never win the WDC, did not disgrace himself.

Bruni's qualifying lap at Spa will stay with me for some time. The commitment in that lap...in that car had to be seen to be believed - yes there as a slight lift entering Eau Rouge, but in that car only someone determined to meet their maker ASAP wouldn't have. The ting about the Minardi is that it was so twitchy, so loose that mistake at some point during any attempt at a quick lap was almost inevitable. Bruni is far better, IMO, than the 2004 season would suggest.

The same sort of problem was suffered by the Jordan drivers, and so the fact that Heidfeld made hardly any says a hell of alot for his concentration and talent. Pantano, with very little time in an F1 car except in the pressure-cooker atmosphere of a GP weekend was not far from Heidfeld. Again a driver far better than the season would suggest.

DC getting dealt all the **** cards (again), Raikkonen maturing (as I believe he has this year), Trulli adding race consistency (for a while at least) to his obvious speed. Montoya working his socks off and getting litte credit for it. BAR, thanks to DR and GW, getting it together. Button finally delivering on what he promised in his first year. Sato showing flashes of brilliance. Fisi's car piling over the top of Sato's at Monaco. Ralf sitting motionless in his car after his Indy crash - a horrible feeling. Trulli's smash. Anybody who thinks the speed of the cars don't need to be reigned in need their heads examining.

[beanoid]

Getting to attend two GP's this year (Indy and Spa), despite the fact that we're totally broke. . . .

[Schumirocks]

13 wins in 18 races for the almighty Schumi.

[Slatz]

All the pre season hype which eventuated to nothing in Melbourne's first practice session when Ferrari were miles ahead of anyone.

The most amazing run of bad luck by DC. Countless incidents with the car and on track clashes that destroyed his season and in all likelihood his F1 career. He was capable of so much more.

Amazement that Williams ever put Gene in the car to replace Ralf. More amazement that they seem intent on racing Pizzonia next year.

JV comeback - but totally underwhelming. Has done more harm than good to his reputation. He would have been better off waiting for his Sauber debut after a winter of testing. PS is taking some heat at the moment.

Some shocking accidents.

McLaren's impressive turnaround with the 19B - and their amazing stuff up with the original 19.

Schumacher strolling to the title with no opposition. A strange drop off inperformance after the title was won with some truly dismal races.

The sudden end of Jaguar

DC outclassing Kimi at Suzuka again (one minor bright spot in a black season for him)

Trulli outperforming Alonso and then being ousted from Renault.

[Pikachu Racing]

Ferrari domination
Zsolt Baumgartner get a point for Minardi
Resurgence of BAR starting w/Jenson Button

[Ventura]

13 wins by Michael Schumacher - a record unlikely to be beaten.
That is total domination.!

[indian]

1. Shumi's almost perfect season until Spa
2. BAR
3. Kimi's win at Spa
4. Trulli's win at Monaco
5. Ferrari reliability nearly 100%
6. McLaren's poor early season form - and their impressive turnaround
7. Ron Dennis's confidence about winning a race in 2004, even though the McLaren was a poor car for half a season.
8. Driver swapping

[HSJ]

Originally posted by race addicted

-What I remember vividly, is Karlth's immense confidence in Williams BMW, and how he boldly predicted (guaranteed) they would start Melbourne from pole position. Now this is certainly not a swipe at him, but I just connect it to the '04 season.

Yep.

-I remember DC being less than positive about the MP4-19, but Raïkkönen and de la Rosa were more complimentary. And I remember how dissapointed I was when looking how far back they were in Barcelona, and how they didn't really seem to be able to improve.

Your memory is selective or faulty: (from Atlas F1 January-February news)

http://www.atlasf1.c.../id/12603/.html (DC doesn't believe in reliability problems, though he has some reservations about speed)

http://www.atlasf1.c.../id/12566/.html (KR fears reliability issues)

http://www.atlasf1.c.../id/12561/.html (KR says more power needed from Merc)

http://www.atlasf1.c.../id/12507/.html (KR is concerned, though at this point he was more confident about reliability)

http://www.atlasf1.c.../id/12447/.html (Interesting comments from Dennis, saying that DC needs a good/top car to stay in F1!)

-And I remember how Ferrari dropped jaws around the pitlane when Schumacher rail-roaded his way around Melbourne, at an untouchable speed!! They'd done it again.

Yeah, that was amazing, though you should have emphasized BOTH Ferraris, not just MS's. They were several seconds clear of everyone else at times on Friday in Melbourne, as many as 3-5sec, in the dry! It was much worse than in 2002 even. Truth is the F2004 was even more dominant as a car than the F2002. In all time rankings the F2004 is #1 and the F2002 #2 in terms of car dominance (when you combine reliability with speed - i.e. points-scoring potential over rival cars, it is in this that the F2004 and F2002 are the best ever). I can still remember Friday practice in Melbourne. I was commenting it on the Live Forum where most were just following live timing on the internet. I had TV and told guys there that things looked just too easy for Ferrari. Those who had only live timing could hope that Ferraris apparent dominance was just a fluke and not real. But when you saw the cars on TV you could not hope for such a thing. It was too clear, too easy. The superiority was just too visible even to the naked eye.

-I remember Raïkkönen's win in Belgium! Perhaps the best drive for me this year.

Undoubtedly. And the best pole at Silverstone. It is not every decade that a driver takes a pole or a win on merit with a fifth best car. (How's that for a wind-up?)

Unfortunately I must add JV's sad performances to the list of things that will stay in my memory from this year. Just goes to show how Hill and Villeneuve never really deserved the wins and titles they got. Sad really, not only for their fans, but for the sport because it shows all too well that really anyone can win with the right car. Of course anyone with half a brain knew that already, but actual demonstrations are still good to have.

JB's 10 podiums for BAR is quite memorable, but I must say it probably gets more press than deserved. I mean it used to be that when you have the 2nd best car at your disposal a podium finish is expected and nobody would bother counting them too much or think it was something special. The thing that they were was JB's first podiums and BAR's first podiums on merit made people notice them more. At the same time it might stick in my memory how some people here and in some media have talked about Sato how he has supposedly improved a lot or shown a lot of promise. Really? Is he driving much better now than he did in the first half of the season? A little bit yes, but not all that much IMO. And how many podiums in a car that should be there pretty much all the time? And that makes people think the guy is a future WDC? I'm sorry, the guy is cool and at times exciting and I like him, but there's very little to suggest he will be something really special in the future. So the false press, so to speak, about his achievements this season is threatening to stay as a negative memory for me.

McLaren's terrible lack of speed and reliability will stay firmly in my memory, I'm sad to say. This year's McLaren was the worst car they've built since... oh, 1983, possibly even 1981. In the first half of the season it was the 7th fastest car and probably the least reliable of all, and then the 5th fastest in the second half and still not very reliable at all. On speed they were thus on average just 6th over the season, and if you take reliability into account, even worse. In terms of WCC they matched their 1983 "achievement" and bettered 1981 (by one spot, being 5th rather than 6th).

I'm not sure about this, but Renault's lack of form (not lack of a good car, mind you; the team has sucked lately and I mean more the race team rather than the drivers) for much of the second half of the season may yet turn out to be an omen of things to come. They've lost Gascoyne, Smith, and Trulli (and some aero guy to Ferrari whose name I don't remember). I believe all three (four) have been more important to them than given credit for here.

Jag's death must be a negative memory too... As well as the struggles of the small teams to stay in business. Also, if the recent actions towards saving the sport become reality, 2004 might be remembered as a turning point in F1 history regarding the formula (aero reduced, future engine size reductions planned and possibly agreed on, tyre restrictions, new quali format introduced, etc.).

[Exar Kun]

I remember sitting in the Prost grandstand on the final corner at Albert Park and watching as Schumi's first flying lap of the weekend unfolded. As he went across the line I just shook my head and knew that we were in for yet another year of red dominance after the off-season had promised so much...

[HSJ]

Originally posted by scheivlak

The funny thing is that -perhaps just because of Ferrari's supremacy- the performances that I'll remember most are the 3 wins by non-Ferrari drivers.

And indeed, BAR's performance stood out. This season Dave Richards and Geoff Willis earned a lot of respect for what they've done.

That's natural because with a car like the F2004 Ferrari should have won every race. Seriously.

[HSJ]

Originally posted by xype


Adrian Newey. I somepalce read that after their falling out McLaren didn't let him lead the car designs. Then he was supposedly "allowed" to correct the 19 to 19B. If that's true - wow.

Well, it is not true. AN liked to distance himself from the 18 and to a lesser degree the 19 AFTERWARDS, but when they were new cars he was happy to say they were his babies. The 19B had a lot of input from Nicolas Tombazis (ex-Ferrari, started to work for Mac in March this year) which probably made a big difference.

[Witt]

Originally posted by Exar Kun
I remember sitting in the Prost grandstand on the final corner at Albert Park and watching as Schumi's first flying lap of the weekend unfolded. As he went across the line I just shook my head and knew that we were in for yet another year of red dominance after the off-season had promised so much...

That lap defined this season! I was sitting just metres from you in the Schumacher stand and i couldn't believe what i'd just seen... Abosolutely stunning but not being a Ferrari or Schumacher fan, absolutely ill at the thought that 2002 might in hindsight be entertaining compared to what lay ahead in 2004.

It was nonetheless entertaining to see Schumacher creep out of the pit lane for his first lap of the weekend at each GP, and light up all those purple sectors. The man is just so good it's depressing!

[Henri Greuter]

Originally posted by scheivlak

The funny thing is that -perhaps just because of Ferrari's supremacy- the performances that I'll remember most are the 3 wins by non-Ferrari drivers.

I know that feeling,

Had it in '88, '89, '92 '93 and '96. The ones won by other teams than the dominant team of those years somehow are better remembered.

In answer on the topic:

What surprised me the most of all this year was indeed how terribly hard Ferrari hit out this season when so many people had predicted this to become such a close season given the progress of Michelin, Williams & McLaren to close the gap on Ferrari & Bridgestone.
And then see these most important challengers messing up early in the season and having to leave it to BAR and Renault for any opposition against Ferrari.
I credit Ferrari's dominance this season not only to the team creating the best package overall frim tire to driver and organisation. It certainly helped that the main opposition lost ground early this season: too much confidence based on last years results?

Henri Greuter

[Johny Bravo]

MS winning 12/13 from Melbourne on. The ultimate dominance of car and driver. Paganini playing on a Stradivari...

[checkonetwo]

well.

*first off, some of the worst racing coverage ever. EVER. this issue must be taken care of, immediately. bernie needs to get on top of that. either that or he´s ordering the directors to **** up on purpose to make his next sweep at digital tv more valuable for customers. just kidding, of course.

*ferrari in another dimension again. 15 races out of 18. the only non ferrari winners 2004 are trulli, raikkonen and montoya. two of them will drive a mac next year.

*trulli consistently equals or betters alonso until the day he doesn´t continue his managment contract with flavio. dominates monaco completely, immediately destroys newfound reputation with a mind boggling mistake in the final lap in magny bore. still, he´s one of my faves, i`m looking forward to seeing him paired with ralf. will be interesting.

*our new hope klien disappoints. great drive in spa, but other than that fails to show enough to make people spell his name right after one season. makes wurz look really good (still, lauda had a very bad first season too ).

*dc getting outperformed again and leaving f1 without too much boohaa. all the best.

*19B. i didn´t think they could do it. maximum respect.

*minardi. while zsolt was by far not as embarassing as i expected after season start, bruni is just faster, almost always, and a lot. give him a better car.

*pizzonias impressive step in for ralf and the wonderful possibility he might pair up with webber again. all the ways that lead to williams...

*what the hell are toyota doing ?

*spa. a three day tutorial of what f1 should be and look like. stop tilke now.

[kismet]

McLaren - from Jaguarland to race winners on merit. Great comeback which, while encouraging, unfortunately just adds to my general frustration and disillusionment as it suggests that they did have what it takes all along but still managed to piss away yet another season. I'll be royally miffed if they repeat this promising-a-lot-then-failing-to-deliver-then-back-in-the-game-again routine next year. On the driving side of things, Kimi was better than ever.

[mikedeering]

BBC has published their 2004 Top 10:

http://news.bbc.co.u...one/3713842.stm

OUR TOP 10 DRIVERS IN 2004
1 Michael Schumacher
2 Kimi Raikkonen
3 Jenson Button
4 Rubens Barrichello
5 Jarno Trulli
6 Fernando Alonso
7 Giancarlo Fisichella
8 Juan Pablo Montoya
9 Mark Webber
10 Nick Heidfeld

[HSJ mode /on]Not sure Schumacher at #1 is a fair reflection of the season. I mean how many mistakes has he made since Spa? Kimi always gave 110% this year and I can't recall a mistake.[HSJ mode /off]

[angst]

Originally posted by mikedeering
BBC has published their 2004 Top 10:

http://news.bbc.co.u...one/3713842.stm

OUR TOP 10 DRIVERS IN 2004
1 Michael Schumacher
2 Kimi Raikkonen
3 Jenson Button
4 Rubens Barrichello
5 Jarno Trulli
6 Fernando Alonso
7 Giancarlo Fisichella
8 Juan Pablo Montoya
9 Mark Webber
10 Nick Heidfeld

[HSJ mode /on]Not sure Schumacher at #1 is a fair reflection of the season. I mean how many mistakes has he made since Spa? Kimi always gave 110% this year and I can't recall a mistake.[HSJ mode /off]

Nice to see Heidfeld in that list. Notice that there is no DC. Terribly biased the British media.

[kenjafield]

I saw that BBC list. I'd have Button second, I'd have Webber out of the top 10 (I thought Panis did a better job in a worse car).

Anyhoo, this season will be remembered for teh Ferrari dominance and the rise of BAR. But for me the season ends ona sour note - there is so much uncertainty about what will happen come Melbourne - 3-car teams? New technical regs? Possibly 3 teams gone from the grid? This is very unsettling for a fan.

And also, one compalint for the UK fans, why THE HELL was James Allan talking about the Coronation Street storyline during a race? Murray walker had more class than that.

[nigel red5]

Everyone sees the season in different ways.. There have been plenty of memorable moments be it happy or sad, and for me it was also time for a new challenge in 2004.

*Australia : The main thing that`ll stay with me from the weekend was the sheer level of anticipation for the season start on the BB. That Thursday night was awesome. IIRC correctly there was meltdown on the board before the cars even took to the track. For me that night was particularly special as at midnight UK, as the clock ticked through and the pitlane opened, (session started midnight exactly) it was just going into my 27th birthday...Friday 5th March. The cars all roared to life and came out of the pitlane, almost as if it was a present from Bernie.
The funniest question of the season happened in Oz, the 110% Tony Squires skit with the 2 comedians at the JPM press conference. "Juan you are the rising number Juan in Formula Juan, Juan... Juan the Juanderkid".....fantastic stuff
The only other thing from Australia that would stand out for me is the "oh so nearly" that Michael Schumacher had in the second session on Friday when he came out of the final corner and had that huge moment on the grass strip. Brilliant save.

*Malaysia : Obviously some weekends were more interesting than others and the only thing that comes to mind about the Malaysia weekend, was the change of conditions on the Sunday. Michelin had been really giving it to Bridgestone all weekend in the heat. Then on Sunday that all went out the window. Track temp was something like 18c cooler, and as a result Montoya could get close to Schumacher but not close enough. 2-0 to the German.

*Bahrain : The week leading up to the race was astounding. The gulf daily news website was fantastic... stories about everything, no stone left unturned.. even reporting on things like world record cakes to celebrate Formula 1 arriving in their kingdom. Also in those days leading up to the Friday of Bahrain, i was asked by Bira i`d like to help run a new forum on the BB, to deal with the actual track action & weather for a race weekend. Naturally i jumped at it and was delighted to be asked.
The news breaking about the sandstorm on the Sunday morning stands out for me as the main story of the day, but when i think of the race all that instantly springs to mind is another dominant Schumacher victory, and the Ralf Schumacher / Takuma Sato accident at turn 2.

*San Marino : For many it was a weekend of reflection, as it was the 10th anniversary of Ayrton Senna`s passing. On the Sunday morning Gerhard Berger ran a few laps in Senna`s JPS Lotus. It was a goosepimple moment that brought a tear to my eye
As for the race itself, then only thing that stands out is the Schumacher / Montoya spat on lap 1, the finger pointing at the end of the race, the highly charged press conference after the race, and of course the war here on the BB that occurred in the days afterwards as everyone argued their point of view.

*Spain : Oh it has to be the crowd. In years past you`d normally see maybe 50k at Barcelona on raceday, and that`s pushing it. To see the place buzzing all weekend was excellent, and there was only one chant to be heard through the weekend. "Alll-onnnnnnn-so!" He`s got an excellent loyal core of fans who adore him, and i`d like to see him deliver for them in the future.
In the race one guy stood out for me... that bloody protestor on the formation lap! There was big cheers in our house when the marshals acted quickly and manhandled him away in no uncertain terms.

*Monaco : Many people have mentioned this one already as a highlight.. It`s got to be those chaotic 4 laps in the middle of the Grand Prix which began with the Alonso-Ralf incident, and that cut where all of a sudden Schumacher`s crumpled car came out of the tunnel under safety car conditions, the replays a few seconds later of the contact, and the helmet throw in the garage of course. Yet another war on the BB that lasted for days.

*Europe & Canada : To be honest i can`t of anything really memorable from the two weekends in themselves. What i`ll think of much more (Canada) is all the on/off saga that occurred in the months leading up to Montreal 2004. There is of course the Massa accident at the Casino hairpin which was particularly alarming, but he emerged unscathed and all was well. I dunno, those 2 weekends just seemed to amble along like a normal weekend for me.

*America : I think the one that stands out for everyone is the Ralf Schumacher accident at turn 13 early in the race, and the raised voices as to whether the race should`ve been stopped or not due to the amount of debris on the racetrack. The other memory i have is of the safety car restart at the beginning of lap 5, and the wondering of did Michael pass Rubens before the timing beam or not. A major atlas investigation into the two incidents above happened in RC over the next few days by people at all levels within the community. I must say i was very impressed with how the BB discussions went, the level of serious investigative input by lots of people, and the realisation of what can be achieved in terms of answers when everyone puts their heads together.......very impressive, and no doubt that`s a season highlight for those who were involved with that.

*France : A huge accident for Juan Pablo Montoya early in the Friday morning practice session in the rain. A lot of people even now have`nt yet seen that shunt. He was a very lucky boy!
The first ever planned 4-stop strategy to win a Grand Prix stands out. But the thing that overshadows it completely was the Host Broadcast production of the race from TF1. Another BB eruption ensued, but this time it was different. I could really sense deep anger this time, about the state of the tv coverage. It was heartening to see lots of people really airing their frustrations with it, and it basically shows that we DO care about the sport, even if we all like to moan about some aspects of the rules and procedures from time to time.

*Britain : A whirlwind Saturday that really passed by far too quickly for me. On the Sat morning, everything began as normal. The usual early birds (all of us still half asleep) settled down for morning practice. Then almost immediately some alarming shots as it appeared the Minardi garage was closed, and did`nt look like opening anytime soon. Most of us knew that John Walton was`nt well, and immediately i started to fear the worst. That was definitely the lowpoint for me, annoucing in the following minutes the sad news of his passing.
The morning practice, and later the qualifying happened, and as soon as that finished i was to start probably a high point of the season for me, which was meeting up with i think about 15 members of the Atlas community. It was a bit damp and cold, but for me it was a great evening seeing everyone for what was the first time at an Atlas meet for me.
The race itself was a throwback to the old days with no tv screen available at Club corner, which made it fun to keep track of what was happening. Fisichella was stunning on the day with a magnificent drive, and Kimi Raikkonen in the end just did`nt have enough to really challenge Michael Schumacher for the win.

*Germany : Kimi Raikkonen provides my moment of the weekend. The Mclaren MP4-19b had made it`s long awaited debut in France and had been a marginal improvement. By the time the circus reached Hockenheim they were really getting to grips with the car, and Kimi was hungry to win. In a prime position to challenge strongly for race victory, he flew off the road at full speed at turn 1 and in an instant it was all over. The German fans of course loved this, just as they did when Damon Hill did exactly the same thing at the same corner in 1995 (flew off the road at turn 1). It was a big moment in the weekend, and when Kimi got back to the garage he was pretty pissed off.
He was asked by one well known tv reporter "Well, at least there is some good news in the summer break Kimi, you`ll get married to Jenni".. the Finn`s reply was swift. "Yeah....whatever!", and he walked off. Now that`s a sign of a future champion.

*Hungary : Again, i have`nt got anything memorable that stands out instantly as a spine-tingling moment. The weekend i remember as being a good one in general, but it was just a standard weekend.

*Belgium : F1 being back in Spa was wonderful. The whole Atlas site was buzzing with excitement all weekend with everyone really positive about it. On the Saturday morning there was a weather delay and eventually the cars got just 15 minutes of practice time in the wet..and a heavy shunt involving Gianmaria Bruni.
We were also served up a good action-packed race with the bumping and grinding at La Source, triggering off the multiple car crash at Radillion. Numerous safety cars, big disappointments for Zonta & Pizzonia who was fighting back the tears later in the afternoon when interviewed. Kimi Raikkonen smiling for once as he took an excellent victory, ahead of Michael Schumacher, who won as a result his seventh world driver`s title. A mindblowing achievement.

*Italy : Monza 2004 was both frustrating and very special for me. I`d got married the weekend before (carefully planned for a non-F1 weekend) to my long-suffering partner Louise, and when Monza was happening i was in Spain. The race weekend was interesting from the perspective of trying to assist in RC-Live with nothing except a timing monitor at my disposal.
The race was excellent, with the early laps being the main memory for me as i sat in a sports pub with other F1 fans all sloshing down pints of Heineken. The funniest moment was when the Italian national anthem rang out for Barrichello`s Ferrari victory. It was a british owned pub and the barman muted the anthem, to which everyone gave a cheer

*China : The return of my man Villeneuve at a new track with an amazing openning section of corners was interesting. As the weekend developed though the hope started to fade of points on his return to racing. The facility is excellent and everyone - The F1 inner sanctum and fans alike - was very impressed with the efforts made by the Chinese workforce

*Japan : Well where do i start!? On the Monday the weather thread went up as normal with lots of ran predicted for all three days. Of course at that stage we did`nt know what would be bringing all the rain. "Sushiking" has to get the credit for being the first to inform us all that a taifun might be on the way. "Sir Frank" followed soon afterwards and so i set to work studying it. I think most people know all too well what happened in the following days as it`s still very fresh in the mind.
The Sunday was very busy with qualifying and race on the same day, a portent of things to come as we now know. In reality IMO it was too busy that day and i`m not so fond of the prospect of Sunday quals, but that`s the format that`s been laid out and we`ll all just have to deal with it.
In the end though the race sadly was flat, lacking in wheel-to-wheel action. Takuma Sato was literally the star of the show, taking up a huge percentage of the world feed....and that caused yet more annoyance and frustration after the race on the BB. Overall it was an amazing weekend due to typhoon Ma-On that many of us will never forget.

*Brazil : It`s got to be the dogs running round the track during the Saturday morning practice. That was hilarious. Swat teams of marshals, even one with a lassoo, all running round chasing what turned out to be 3 separate dogs in the vacinity of the backstraight. It was like a scene from the Benny Hill show, priceless.
Like Italy, the early laps were spectacular due to a shower just before the start of the race. The track was greasy and it made for some exciting viewing. Juan Pablo Montoya drove an attacking race and to me it was nice to see him get the victory at Interlagos that he should`ve had in 2001 Jos Verstappen was safely enclosed in a Dutch tv studio doing analysis for SBS sport, so for Montoya it was plain sailing.

The final thoughts i`d like to add in this reflection of the season is about the RC-Live forum. I was honoured when Bira asked me to take the role on, and it`s proved to be a wonderful platform for the live events during the year, with some huge viewing and posting numbers that have made it all worthwhile. I will say it`s been a lot more work than i expected originally, but it`s been an excelent challenge trying to keep everyone up to date during the weekends.
There are about 15 people over the course of the year who have helped in putting the whole thing together, whether it be local weather information, timing and writing the post-action threads in RC, and also the commentary of the sessions themselves. You all know who you are, and i`d like to say a big thanks to you all.
We`re already thinking of ways to improve RC-L for next season, with additional information to help everyone through the weekends. Being in there has made an interesting season brilliant. Thanks to everyone who took part, and here`s to a close-fought, eventful 2005....

[karlth]

Originally posted by race addicted
-What I remember vividly, is Karlth's immense confidence in Williams BMW, and how he boldly predicted (guaranteed) they would start Melbourne from pole position. Now this is certainly not a swipe at him, but I just connect it to the '04 season.

Yes I remember that one too. It must be said though that my predictions are often stunningly inaccurate.

In my defense though at the start of the season the FW26 seemed indeed to be the strongest Michelin car and I thought that would be enough - alas the new Bridgestone compounds introduced at Mugello and Imola proved to be its and my undoing.

The FW26 was by insider accounts a stunningly fast cars during its initial testing but due to some reliability issues and internal strife it hardly developed until the middle of the season.

[Vanquish]

Sam Michael celebrates his promotion to Technical Director by having both cars disqualified from the Canadian GP, and JPM disqualified from the US GP

[Orin]

Originally posted by kenjafield

And also, one compalint for the UK fans, why THE HELL was James Allan talking about the Coronation Street storyline during a race? Murray walker had more class than that.

I agree, I thought I was getting used to the guy, but WTF does he think he's doing? What's even worse is that he managed to sound more like a politician currying favour, than a genuine Corrie fan - not that I want to hear soap operas discussed during races anyway

Unfortunately, my other abiding memory is enduring the Japanese GP, it would have been exciting if they had decided to show on track action rather than a side view of Sato's helmet for about 40 laps. What's made it worse was James Allen eulogising Ferrari and especially MS throughout the whole race, and trying to rope Brundle into his spiralling sycophancy, culminating with the classic:

"So Martin, who's your driver of the day? - It's got to be Schumacher hasn't it!"

For the last few seasons the only joy I've got out of JA, is for him to ask this question every race and for MB to refuse (except on very very rare occasions) to name Schumacher, finding any half credible reason to avoid further reinforcing JA's obsession ...it looks like JA is not even prepared to wait for an answer nowadays.

Sorry for the rant but it feels like ITV have managed to team the best and the worst commentator on the planet

... apart from that, a pretty boring season really - though glad to see Jenson Button getting the most out of his BAR. Sad to see Briatore act so disgracefully to Trulli, of course he's going to start performing badly after his boss tells him he's not wanted next season and continually undermines him for the remainder of this one Well done to Ferrari, but when they're that good the cameras should ignore them and concentrate on battles further down the field. The TV coverage has been very up and down this season.

[Al.]

1. Bob Contanduros (respected F1 jounalist and commentator) offering to run round Silverstone naked if a McLaren won a race in 2004

2. SPA 2004

[Torx]

Originally posted by Al.
1. Bob Contanduros (respected F1 jounalist and commentator) offering to run round Silverstone naked if a McLaren won a race in 2004

It's Bob McKenzie.

[Teez]

Originally posted by Torx

It's Bob McKenzie.

Take off, eh?

[MortenF1]

Originally posted by HSJ






Your memory is selective or faulty: (from Atlas F1 January-February news)

-(DC doesn't believe in reliability problems, though he has some reservations about speed)

-(KR fears reliability issues)

-(KR says more power needed from Merc)

-(KR is concerned, though at this point he was more confident about reliability)

HSJ, AtlasF1, while superb, isn't the only F1 news/quote source. Do you happen to be a member of Team McLaren? I'm 90% sure it was in their members magazine I read it. I remember being a bit surprised about DC being very reserved about the car, and that it was all in McLaren's own mag. So DC was definately not very optimistic about the car, but Raïkkönen and de la Rosa was.
(de la Rosa even made that infamous comments about Ferrari/Bridgestone going to struggle this year. Though in his defence, that comment was made before B-stone showed up with that amazing construction and compounds, so at the time it wasn't so daft actually.)