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2005 Formula
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Formula 1 Store | 2005 Formula
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Reasons to be optimisticBefore starting the 2005 Australian Grand Prix review, let me say that I got it very wrong at the start of the 2004 season when I predicted a close race and a close season yet as we all know Ferrari dominated most of the season. This fact however does not alter my optimism for the 2005 season and the prospect for close and exciting racing. So why the optimism ? A number of factors
actually and that includes some interesting results from pre-season testing and the impact of the new rules. Kimi Raikkonen 17 8 drivers from 5 teams very close with 3 different winners. One wouldn't ask for more. Typically most teams make similar improvements going into the new season with a team or two going backward
(relatively) and a team or two moving forward (again relatively). Pre-season testing (as confusing and hard to read as it may be)
showed us that a number of teams appear to have made the step forward and that reliability is improving for almost all the teams. Now combining all those factors
together and it is very likely that we will see close and exciting racing with no one team dominating. This season we have 4 new drivers (Tiago Monteiro and Narain Karthikeyan both with
Jordan and Christijan Albers and Patrick Freisacher both with Minardi). Jacques Villeneuve returns to a full time drive with the
Sauber team (he drove in the last 3 races for Renault last season). Last
year we've seen a significant improvement in the reliability of the Formula 1 cars and so unlike previous years, expect the teams to
have good reliability in Melbourne. With the 2 race per engine rule, teams can no longer afford engines blowing! Albert Park
is a medium to high downforce track that will be dirty and slippery on the first day but will improve over the course of the
weekend. High temperatures can be expected and that will stress the engines and brakes. Here is a team by team review: Ferrari: They will start the season with a modified version of the F2004 adapted to the new rules
named the F2004M. Their new car will be thoroughly tested before racing it. Drivers: Michael Schumacher is considered by many to be the favourite for this race and the season. If Ferrari and Bridgestone get it right then yes however with the F2004M and the new tyre rules expect Ferrari to struggle and it will be interesting to watch Michael chasing rather than being chased. Rubens Barrichello will remain the second driver at Ferrari unless Michael struggles but then one would expect Rubens to be struggling too. It is said that Rubens is gentler on tyres than Michael so that may be his chance. BAR: Testing showed they are fast but suffer many engine
failures and with the tough engine rules for 2005 you'd expect Honda to drop the revs to preserve engine life but that won't make
them fast!. The effect of David Richards departure and Honda's stake in the team remains to be seen but change always creates
instability even if for a short period of time. Drivers: Jenson Button did well in 2004 and should be looking for his first win in 2005. He could do it in Melbourne if the Honda engine lasts. Takuma Sato showed some maturity and bravery in 2004. The new tyre rules provide less grip and Sato has been struggling in testing. He needs to get on top of that otherwise he'll end up in the gravel traps. Renault:
They are going be to be very strong and if the get everything right they may even dominate. The new rules were designed to slow the
cars down yet Renault were one of the few teams to improve on their times from last year. The Renault engine in its second year is
said to be more powerful despite the longer life. Last year the Renaults were gentle on tyres and that is crucial for this year's
rules and they have by far the best traction control system. The team's stated aim is to win races and challenge for the
Championship. They delivered on their previous promises. Drivers: Fernando Alonso set a number of fastest times during testing. He continues to impress and has to be another candidate for the top step of the podium in Melbourne. Giancarlo Fisichella returns to Renault after 3 years with Jordan (2) and Sauber (1). Finally gets a drive with a top team. He will be the toughest team-mate for Alonso so far and could even beat him although that is unlikely. Expect a good result. Williams: Like Ferrari, they
traditionally don't show their pace during testing however recent comments by Sir Frank Williams are a cause for concern. Changes
within the team doesn't help and there have been some of that at Williams. Lets hope Sir Frank is exaggerating and they do prove
competitive from the first race. Drivers: Mark Webber is expected to do well at his home Grand Prix and that will place more pressure on him. He did finish 5th on his debut race for Minardi at Albert Park so a podium finish in the Williams could be possible. Nick Heidfeld like Fisichella finds himself in a top team after years driving for midfield teams (or even backmarkers). If he is as fast as we are led to believe then he could be a tough opponent to Webber. McLaren: They will be hoping to avoid the
embarrassment of last year and all the signs indicate a fast and reliable car. Challenging Ferrari, Renault and BAR would be a nice
change. Drivers: Kimi Raikkonen is fast, just give him a decent car and he'll impress. He's had his share of bad luck last season. Perhaps this year he'll have luck on his side. A win is possible. Juan Pablo Montoya will initially struggle to keep with Raikkonen but he should be able to match him later in the season. Montoya and Ralf Schumacher didn't get along on or off the track. Lets hope that is not the case at McLaren. A podium finish is possible. Sauber: Continue
to use Ferrari engines although there is talk of a switch to BMW engines in 2006 add to that the switch to Michelin tyres and you'd
sense that the relationship with Ferrari isn't that healthy. Their new car that fully utilised Sauber's state of the art wind tunnel
doesn't seem to be quick despite the Ferrari power and the team could struggle. Reliability however could help them score some
points. Drivers: Jacques Villeneuve returns to a full time drive in Formula 1. Pre-season testing shows he is struggling and is slower than team-mate Felipe Massa. If that continues expect an early exit for the former World Champ. Lets hope that isn't the case. Either way points will be difficult. Felipe Massa is fast but needs to keep the car on track. He'll get a big confidence boost if he manages to beat Villeneuve. Still points will be difficult and only if the teams ahead struggle. Red Bull: Bought
Jaguar and later dismissed the top 2 managers. Yes they have been setting reasonable times in testing but major changes too close to
the start of the season can only have a negative impact. Expect them to struggle for at least half of the season. Drivers: David Coulthard moves to Red Bull from McLaren. He is needed as he is very good technically and the team would need a driver of his calibre to help them. In terms of racing, at McLaren he used to finish outside the top 5, with Red Bull he'll be just inside the top 10. He will be consistent as always. Christian Klien is retained by Red Bull but will have to perform at his best all the time as Red Bull have made it clear that they will be reviewing their second driver choice continuously between Klien and Liuzzi. Toyota:
They didn't impress last year. This year they were the first to unveil their 2005 challenger yet earlier this month they introduced
a modified version with virtually everything changed. Their lap times were still unimpressive. Toyota cannot afford to be 8th in the
championship. Expect major changes early in the season if they don't make a step forward. Drivers: Jarno Trulli was inconsistent at Renault and I don't expect much difference at Toyota Points will be difficult. Ralf Schumacher will have a few good races but will not impress in several others. Don't expect much! Jordan: Now
owned by the Midland Group. They will be using this year to gain experience in preparation for their new car in 2006. Running Toyota
engines will give them more power but having two rookies driving for them will not give them an advantage. Drivers: Tiago Monteiro and Narain Karthikeyan. New to Formula 1 with very limited testing. Both drivers have reasonable results but nothing outstanding. Lets hope they stay out of the way of other drivers as they gain experience racing amongst each other and the Minardi drivers! Minardi: Are planning to race the 2004 spec car for the first few races despite disagreement from Ferrari
meaning that potentially they could be prevented from racing in Melbourne although that is unlikely. Their new 'radical' car is
expected in time for the San Marino Grand Prix. As was the case last year, their best achievement would be to fight with Jordan
Drivers:
Christijan Albers and Patrick Freisacher. Like the Jordan line-up, both are new to Formula 1 and with reasonable
results but nothing too impressive. Bridgestone News - Michelin News Discuss this preview at the Australian Grand Prix Thread on the Forums Join
8 'n' Pole and see how your predictions stack up against the others.
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