technical failures sunday?

[swissboz]

Hello,

It's my first post. I'm from Swizterland. We don't have our own GP but I love watching them on TV and last year I went to Monaco to see it, it was GREAT!

I'm not fan of Renault or Ferrari or any other teams, I love F1 for the technical aspects.

I closely watch this year round on TV as I could not travel to any GP in Europe.

I was impressed by the high competition level. Michael's revival was quite incredible. Ferrari and Bridgestone did a great job to come back to the points.

What is your opinion for the next race on sunday?
Do you predict any technical failure...

Boz

[zenvision]

welcome boz

yeah, i believe that some engines will go boom, simply because some teams are pushing their package too far before the freeze. and you've guessed it, I think it will be a mclaren.

[Giancarlo]

Technical malfuntions? With the top teams it will be tough to say since both Ferrari & Renault can go all out with a 1 race motor and all the other teams really have nothing to lose. I see kamikazee passes followed wrecks and off-road excursions occuring throughout the Brazilian GP. This is the last race and the teams out of the constructor's championship have nothing to lose by taking risks.

If anyone does not finish the race from technical problems it most likely will be the usual: Williams-engine/hyd/steering/suspension/tyre de-lamination/spontaneous cumbustion, Super Aguri-launched into tree after going wheel-to-wheel with teammate, McLaren-entire body fell off and started on fire, Spyer-DSQ for using bumpers and curb-feelers, etc.

You know what I mean, we should see more of the same technical malfuctions affecting the same teams that we have seen throughout the entire season. I see no reason why the last race would be different for teams focusing on '07. However I expect the driving to be much more aggressive from the middle of the pack and down. Heildfeld has to prove that BMW indeed fired the right guy, Kubica has to prove that BMW should clone him and put him in both cars, Montiero needs a job nect year, Dornboos wants to look good & beat DC, the STR guys don't want to spin, and Yamamoto needs to prove that he understands that this is a race and should remove his Taki Inoue tattoo.

The bigger, perhaps biggest, drama will be if anyone will take Alonso out so Schumi can leave the sport and sell hats with 8 stripes on them.

Ferrari isn't excatly the most scrupulous team out there and I'm sure there will be some gossip that Ferrari is/has talked to other teams to ensure that Alonso either doesn't finish or has a hard time doing so.

No doubt Alonso has to worry a bit about the red cars, but should he also have to worry about the cars with Ferrari supplied engines for '07 (STR & Spiker)? Should Alonso have to worry about Kimi? The Blue & Red will be reliable. The drivers, more importantly the mid-pack drivers, will determine which top guys will finish. Turn 1 will tell.

[a fan of the red team]

wow.... such insight..... em....

[swissboz]

Michael's engine expoded last time, so Ferrari plans to have a very high level motor
Michael has nothing to loose and will push his engine to maximum

Renault's team fears to introduce new specifications on engines
Fernando will have to drive softer and play a safe game

that will surely make a difference during the race...
do you think Fernando will support "race's pressure"? and play "safe"...?

[a fan of the red team]

hey.... he only needs to finish in the top eight.... he don't need to win... he just needs to finish on the top eight.... so i think his engine will last... well, that is my unbiased opinion anyway.... cheers

[Spyker MF1]

I think if any engines explode it'll be from the Ferrari's as they are really pushing their engines so to give Schumi the best chance of winning. Apparently they've got an extra 25-30HP from their engine mods since Suzuka

[swissboz]

check this post on a new F1 newsletter (http://tricktracks.blogspot.com)

Engine Freeze... FIA Power
Engine freeze is a big issue for all teams and even more for the engine manufacturers... Engine freeze will be stated in the next regulation. That means that all teams will have to provide their motor and homologate it this year. No changes will be accepted further and for the next 3 years... Only minor changes may be accepted upon request. (...)

I sent an email to trick tracks to receive the full newsletter (for free)
I'll let you know if it worths it

[pRo]

Many believe that Fisi will run the one race superengine, while Alonso will run with the good old to ensure point(s).

[DaveKillens]

I believe Renault wil run ultra-conservative packages, winning is not their goal in Brazil. Alonso only has to finish in the points, and Fisi is there just to pickup enough points to give the manufacturer's title to Renault. With Renault 9 points ahead of Ferrari, it's important to finish rather than risk anything.
Meanwhile, despite any statements by Michael Schumacher, he will have the most extreme setup and tuning package. He has to win, second place means nothing to him. The engine will be built for just one race, and it will rev higher and put out more power than any V-8 fielded so far, by anyone.
Massa is there to support Shu and hopefully get enough points to give the manufacturer's title to his employers.
But there will be a lot of drivers out there trying to prove a point, and it will be wild. Raikonnen probablyt has a cash bonus by McLaren offered to him if he can win. De LaRosa wants to prove to everyone he still has what it takes. In fact, just about every driver on the grid has something to prove, and wants to showcase it in Brazil.

And Boz, welcome to THE forum.

[sebbe]

But there will be a lot of drivers out there trying to prove a point, and it will be wild. Raikonnen probablyt has a cash bonus by McLaren offered to him if he can win. De LaRosa wants to prove to everyone he still has what it takes. In fact, just about every driver on the grid has something to prove, and wants to showcase it in Brazil.

It's going to be the first time in almost 10 years McLaren doesn't have a victory in the hole season, they will be pushing HARD. The only thing that worries me is Kimi saying that he will play for Schumacher (at least that's what I heard in an Argentinean F1 tv-show before Suzuka).
Pedro will push as hard as he can because the second seat is a mistery. Gary Paffet is a threat to him. I don't think Hamilton is an option, yet.

I hope Fisi puts all his problems aside for once, and helps the team. I can't understand how Flavio took the decition to make him the driver #1. In fact, I know why, because he couldn't find someone better! Even JPM is a better option!

Renault will be ultra conservative, and Ferrari ultra agressive. It shouldn't be difficult for Fernando to score a point. He is a cold blooded guy, even more than Kimi, he won't make any mistake.
I don't think Fisi is going to have a super engine, he can give valuable points to Renault. Besides, everytime he has a new and revolutionary engine he doesn't do anything with it.

As usual, DaveKillens, you're right. I also agree with you swissboz.

I will hope for that single victory for McLaren, and as many points for Renault as possible.

[DaveKillens]

I would like to see this season end without any more finger-pointing at Schumacher and Ferrari. Personally, I would like to see Alonso finish anywhere without drama, and Michael to go out on a high note, with a win.
Believe it or not, I think Michael deserves at least a win to complete a magnificent career.
Think about it, that we as fans will see the final race of someone who will go down in the annals of racing history as one of the greatest drivers of all time, regardless of opinion on his personality.

[pRo]

The only thing that worries me is Kimi saying that he will play for Schumacher

I haven't heard that.

The only thing I can think of that could be turned into that is when he was asked if he'd like to see Ferrari or Renault win. His answer was that it really doesn't matter to him and he's just interested in his own race, but if he had to choose, of course it would be his next year team, Ferrari.

Come to think of it, yes, that would make some flashy tabloids.

I can't understand how Flavio took the decition to make him the driver #1.

He did? When did he do that and who said so?

I don't think Fisi is going to have a super engine

Why not?

How come everyone thinks Ferrari can easily build a super engine that revs like nothing ever did, has huge power and will make the race very easy for them. But Renault can't make a similar engine for 1 race?

It's a bit of a risk though as with any new part. Alonso just doesn't need to take that risk. Fisi on the other hand could use every little bit of extra power he can get.

[Giancarlo]

I cannot see either Renault or Ferrari having technical issues. The drama will be from the mid-pack runners and down. Those teams have had the most technical and mechanical, read: crashes, this year. Like mentioned before, those runners have alot to prove for themselves and for their respective teams. Things should get crazy.

If someone loses an engine or if there is a collision, maybe several, the track will become littered with carbon shards, engine bits, and various lubricants. That my friends may be the spoiler in the race.

A slow puncture, a car hitting oil thus running off course, or backmarkers battling it out and not allowing the front-runners thru may play into the race. Mr. Heidfeld knows all about that and extended his thanks to the wrong Aguri driver for it.

The pressure is on everywhere on the grid. There's a WDC & Constructor's battle, McLaren has yet to win, many drivers have yet to sign a contract, the teams are busy looking for sponsor money, and I expect this to be the most watched F1 race in a long time. All bets are off.

*This concludes the professional edition of my previous post*

[swissboz]

you're right, the best would be for Michael to win the race and Fernando to be in the points
i wonder what consequences engines or technical failures of other teams would have on both Michael and Fernando...