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nudger wrote:lol, bit optimistic i think there..
toyota firmly number 3 in my book....i think mclaren maybe 5th at the mo, maybe 6th as renault may edge them
Although McLaren did show pretty good pace in qualifying (Hamilton in particular) I would have to agree with you that it is perhaps a bit optimistic to think McLaren are 3rd fastest on raw pace alone. I think a wet race is not a good way to judge car performance and I'm sure we will get a clearer picture at Bahrain. I also consider Toyota firmly number 3.
Seeing as China was a wet race, I think it's a bit too early to say that RBR is firmly 2nd best, or that Toyota is firmly 3rd best. Glock at some points in the race was lapping faster than Webber. One thing is for sure, and that is Red Bull and Toyota are quite close.
In Bahrain we should (finally) see an accurate pecking order with a dry race.
I put the mac against my own prejudices because they haven't had bad showings on pace and I think their ability to develop the car over the course of the season is going to put them in a good spot.
BMW was supposed to be the best positioned for the start of the '09 season. But then again Honda was supposed to be a shambles. I was disappointed to hear that Kimi thinks the SF's season's over, that's like giving up on a race before the first round of pitstops. We didn't get a good look at Renault's pace in the wet and with the bizarre strategy, but I'd expect them to be strong by Barcelona.
But, all things considered, I don't think Lewis (and certainly Heikki) has been over-performing the car, I think their fundamental race pace is good, and their development should put them up there.
Currently - Toyota are the 3rd quickest behind Brawn and RBR.
Shortly - Renault will begin to exert significant pressure (as will McLaren - but to a lesser extent I believe) on Toyota and Williams as they increase their diffuser volumes.
It all depends on how quick they can get their new diffusers to 'ballpark' and get the rest of the car working with it.
Mclaren was better then other teams after Red Bull and Brawn GP only at last race, but Toyota is better and they'll try to do the best in the nearest races.
Red Bull is also much faster then it was and when we'll see their new diffusor, I think, they wuold be the fastest team. Fettel is the best driver now =)
