For the sake of the thread, Nick Heidfeld will be the next German driver to win a GP.
ZBimmerfan wrote:...Get ready for next year , BMW could well dominate it and look for the lowly Honda team to emerge as from what I hear they are front-runner with KERS and already have tested it in a car
Having run KERS in an actual race car before other teams does not necessarily provide an advantage for the upcoming season when it will be raced. Suppose Honda and/or BMW develop a system superior to that of Ferrari's or McLaren's, but their chassis or aero is inferior, where does their supposed advantage go? Besides, other teams may have already run their systems on track but have not shared it with the public, there's always that posibility right?
There are too many factors involved when designing a 'winning' race car, and having one single aspect superior to competitors does not give an overall advantage. Chassis design, aero design, efficient and effective tyre usage, etc, are what will continue to give the upper hand to teams.
But not to be undermined; a reliable package. What is the point of having the quickest car on track but failing to finish races? Many teams have mentioned the fact that at the moment KERS is not reliable, nor will it [probably] be when the 2009 season gets underway. Therefore the unreliability variable will most likely have a lot of say in how the teams stand up against each other.
So therefore KERS along with the 2009 regulations will affect which German driver will be the next to win a GP, if one doesn't win this year that is. Even though I said Heidfeld would be the next one, Vettel in his RBR might also have a chance, even if his team doesn't move up the field there are always freak GP's where the front runners make mistakes and allow lower teams/drivers to take their points, if not wins.