Scary McLaren

DaveKillens · Post 22 Jul 2005, 15:26

For any fans of McLaren, there must be good times. The cars, after suffering a few years of embarassment, are obviously the cars to beat. The drivers? Well, there's Kimi, a future world champion. Montoya seems to be on track now, after getting off to a shoddy start at McLaren.
Both alternate drivers, Wurtz and de la Rosa have proven they definitely have pace, each setting quickest times during practice.
Adrian Newey isn't leaving yet. Good times for those guys.

Guest · Post 23 Jul 2005, 07:41

Hopefully a Hakkinen-esque championship battle will be in the works next year - Ferrari vs. McLaren. And guest stars like Eddie Irvine

Micky · Post 23 Jul 2005, 13:52

Think you might of spoke too soon about Montoya!!!

Ya jinxed him!!!

jaslfc · Post 24 Jul 2005, 17:38

i also think u jinx mclaren. Again kimi has a engine blow.. I really feel sorry for him but the question is .. why is it always in his car.. could it be his engine settings, the way he drives? if u remeber bar last year.. same story.. sato was having all the faliures

manchild · Post 24 Jul 2005, 18:18

jaslfc wrote:i also think u jinx mclaren. Again kimi has a engine blow.. I really feel sorry for him but the question is .. why is it always in his car.. could it be his engine settings, the way he drives? if u remeber bar last year.. same story.. sato was having all the faliures

To me it seams that Kimi is driving without taking in consideration mileage of the engine. Same goes for Montoya – getting second place from the back is great but what will happen to that engine on next race it has to run?

Apex · Post 25 Jul 2005, 22:33

Yup, feeling so sorry for Kimi! He has done everything right for the past few seasons, with nothing to show for it!

For me personally its sad because, there is no gaurentee that the mclaren will be as fast next season (with the new rules). Point is, if they cant get thir ducks in a row when they have such a margin over the rest, when are they going to get it right?

I know im not married to Kimi but, i just feel for him. Always giving his utmost, always getting let down by mclaren.

manchild · Post 25 Jul 2005, 23:23

It is now clear that Renault would be as “scary” as Mclaren if they’d also sacrifice reliability for performance. The meaning of racing is to finish the race – not to have fastest car for only one race or half of it…

Guest · Post 26 Jul 2005, 04:57

it seems that kimi's car suffered a hydraulic failure.Is that the mistake of mclaren or is it of mercedes?

Guest · Post 26 Jul 2005, 18:12

well i think it is a mclaren technicians fault as he did not fasten one of the valves properly so the hydraulic fluid just leaked out...its abit sad such a stupid mistake can be done by a team which clearly has the best car out there..and very costly mistake to..and to say kimi does not take care of his engine...i wonder if ppl have been reading what he said during the press conference in monaco and in spain...where he felt it was not neccesary to push and ruin the engine cos he already had a comfortable lead..and i honeslty think..kimi is a much much much more talented driver then alonso..and he still seems to be improving race by race...i agree with what ron dennis said a few races ago...that kimi gets better with each race

RH1300S · Post 26 Jul 2005, 18:31

Anonymous wrote:and i honeslty think..kimi is a much much much more talented driver then alonso..and he still seems to be improving race by race...i agree with what ron dennis said a few races ago...that kimi gets better with each race

He's driving beautifully this year, I know he has a great car under him, but he looks absolutely fluid using it.

DaveKillens · Post 27 Jul 2005, 17:52

Don't forget that just two years ago Kimi was locked in a battle with Shu for the title. And it was close. Then the '04 season rolled around with a very pathetic car for Kimi. The only good thing that came out of it was the motivation to do better, and the third car.
And here we are, more than half way through the season. Obvioulsy, McLaren have a very quick package. But still, unreliable.
This is the second time Kimi has had a chance at grabbing the brass ring, and it must be disheartening.
Face it, in the last two years when Kimi had all the driver tools to win the title, his team has failed him. There's no other way to say it. Ron Dennis has to get things straightened out, and deliver a respectably reliable and quick car .. and sooner than later. because Kimi has every reason to move on, in search for the title he is capable of obtaining.

kilcoo316 · Post 27 Jul 2005, 19:04

I'm not sure how many of these failures are 'kimi induced':

Comparison of DNFs and their sources

2001 Kimi, 7 DNFs, 4 of which were mechanical, NH, 6 DNFs, 1 was mechanical
2002 Kimi, 11 DNFs, 9 of which were mechanical, DC, 4 DNFs, 3 of which were mechanical
2003 Kimi, 3 DNFs, 1 of which was mechanical, DC, 5 DNFs, 4 of which were mechanical
2004 Kimi, 8 DNFs, 7 of which were mechanical, DC, 4 DNFs, 2 of which were mechanical

Total DNFs: Kimi: 29, Team-mate: 19
Total Mechanical DNFs: Kimi 21 Team-mate: 10

tetopelis · Post 01 Aug 2005, 18:58

wow...now thats some starteling figures...gosh...is this guy abit unlucky...ouch!
well speaking of this weekend...what can i say..the man did it again,..the iceman. i was really amazed of his speed during qualifying. even though he was light on fuel, going out first should have been a real big disadvantage at this track..the dustball of all tracks..but yet he posted a time close to his practice times..just amazing. and in the race. he redefined the whole meaning of you cannot follow to close behind another car. he was virtually kissing schumi's car...and yet he didn't look like he was sliding the car around. the car was functioning like it was on rails and schumi was just a road block. and the pace kimi set...wow...and another thing i noticed..after montoya retired from the race..ppl say kimi is a blindingly quick and maximum attack always driver..he also showed he can nurse his car and still go fast. he changed his lines in some of the corners avoiding the nasty kerbs to save the machinary..and still he was laping faster then anyone...truly a master class driver...but i really do pity montoya..he was also going good..and the strategy was good..looks like mclaren has to solve constantly blundering on one car and make sure both cars finish in a strong position...doing justice to the fantastic car they have this year.

manchild · Post 01 Aug 2005, 23:34

manchild wrote:To me it seams that Kimi is driving without taking in consideration mileage of the engine. Same goes for Montoya – getting second place from the back is great but what will happen to that engine on next race it has to run?

This was written after German GP and before Hungarian GP...

RH1300S · Post 01 Aug 2005, 23:45

Monty's driveshaft broke - not the engine