Well, Ferrari did look pretty good but unexpected slower
than we thought. I did a small research and seems the Ferrari equation still
has 2 unknown parameters.1 - the engine output and reliability and 2-nd the
TIRES?!?!?!
Chassis seems the best and most balanced chassis ever built by Ferrari or
another team .Compact, good lay out ,very good weight distribution with well
designed aerodynamics. Now the great question-WHAT ENGINE IS THAT??? Seems for
me is the EVOLUTION 2002,or the engine used last year for qualification. That
backfire noise under and/or after braking is very similar with 2002.And a lot
of people from Ferrari or from F1 paddocks are aware of some reliability
problems or/and some glitches. Or according with Schumy McLaren is the team to
watch. So they might have the real 2003 AG still unveilt just in case.
I hope the Spain car was a transition between a 2002 Evolution to a real 2003
AG. Anway the Spain 2003 AG was in distress loosing grounds (in special
Barrichello) caused by unfited and I say unreliable Bridgestones. FIA
regulation or Bridgestone slopiness?
I hope you are going to agree with my previous comments regarding Renault.
This car is one of unexpected surprises this year and I hope they will put a
good fight. Toyota also looks very impressive chassis-engine lay out
combination. They can do a lot in Austria or Hungary.
The Jordans and BAR are a disappointment for me. I remember in the past Honda
was Formula One. they actually on a certain point they owned the engine
market-Did you remember Mugen?. And now they are like a shadow. I think
Jacques needs to think about his position. In my opinion he is in a wrong seat
in the wrong time. Jordan ..weell with all respect for Eddie he need more than
an engine deal or needs to think to retire from F1. Ford or Jag need to
rediscover a new Cosworth designer (perhaps an SVT???)
Austria will be very hard for McLaren, in special for set up. I believed Ron
Denis is making a mistake using the new car in Austria except if he knows will
be a fiasco. But if he wants Monaco win, might be worthed .Will see.My best
regards, Marian - Romanian living in the US (Reference Heretic
5-07 - How good is the new Ferrari?)
The Heretic replies:
Marian,
I think you are right. The Ferrari is good but it is held back by the
Bridgestones. In Austria they did have a few problems in the pits which I
think lost Barrichello his second place but the tyres, especially on a damp
track, were giving trouble.
McLaren will probably turn out to be fast but are unlikely to be
reliable. They always battle to get reliability in a new car. I wonder how
they will go in Monaco?
Toyota is still disappointing. There is little evidence of the very big
budget they have. Progress is too slow.
Yes there is little of the Honda Mugen success visible in Honda’s
current engine but they did seem a little better in Austria.
Villeneuve has stayed with BAR for too long already
