motor

t-maxx · 02-20-2004, 03:59 AM

3 weeks isnt a long time. if mclaren are now showing their real speed then 3 weeks isnt long enough for others to change something that will make such a huge performance increase. i now think they were sandbagging and are trying to make others panic, if they panic them they make mistakes and that means great news for mclaren. 3 weeks is to long to wait.

ae86_16v · 02-20-2004, 07:33 AM

This was just posted. . .

"McLaren's new MP4-19 racer needs more power and more reliability.

"That was the distinctly downcast appraisal of runner-up champion Kimi Raikkonen on Thursday as he mused on disappointing test-results of the pre-season period.

"He told Autosport: 'I guess we need more horsepower but it is not so easy to find. I'm sure we are not on the level of BMW (Williams) or some others.

"'First we have to try to get [the car] to be reliable.'

"Analysts predict the main problems as on the new Mercedes-Benz V10 powerplant, which has been 'turned down' in a last-ditch bid to get it to last the distance.

"New rules in 2004 require that just one-engine (per car) be used all weekend.

"Raikkonen, 24, and team-mate veteran David Coulthard didn't impress the pace at a recent Barcelona session but Kimi reckons McLaren knows what the problem is.

"'So hopefully we can improve,' he added. 'There is still work to do on the car but at least it seems to be more reliable now. Now it's just the speed.'

"Poor reliability has had an adverse affect on car-development, said Kimi.

"He concluded: 'They say a solution (to the engine problems) are coming. For most of the problems there are solutions - it's just that fixing it takes time.'"

- F1 Central.com

t-maxx · 02-20-2004, 09:54 PM

well kimi seems to have found pace at the latest test so who knows. teams dont usually let their drivers speak so honestly about the problems they heve so maybe kimi is being told to say they have some problems which comes back to the whole sandbagging thing.

bmwfreak · 02-22-2004, 08:38 PM

I fear for McLaren. I really do. while my nick suggests where my allegiance lies, it would be tragic for the Woking outfit to not deliver on some of the promise they showed in winter testing.

Yes, i am cheering for Juan and Ralf to win, but McLaren have always been my second team (You just had to love Mika, didnt you?) Kimi is Quick. Coulthard will be resigned to having the perenial role as supporting actor.

It is not secret that BMW has been producing the most powerful F1 engine in recent seasons, and no one denies that that is the case this year. Cast your mindback to 98 and 99, where McLaren Mercedes had the best engine around.

In spite of my distaste for anything MB (with the exception of the SL55AMG/SL65 and the SLR), I just wish that McLaren get their act together, and make this a season to remember.

ae86_16v · 02-23-2004, 07:43 AM

Originally Posted by bmwfreak

It is not secret that BMW has been producing the most powerful F1 engine in recent seasons, and no one denies that that is the case this year. Cast your mindback to 98 and 99, where McLaren Mercedes had the best engine around.

It's funny how you should mention these years. With the exception of 1998, Ferrari not having the most powerful engine won all these years.

You are right though, McLaren Mercedes need to get their act together especially when they have such talented drivers in Kimi and David. Williams BMW on the other hand has a great car but there is just too much fighting between the drivers and the team, drivers and each other.

My bet again is on Ferrari. With surprising finishes from Jaguar and Toyota.

ae86_16v · 03-06-2004, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by dani_d_mas

Seems that the MP4/19 is really really fast this year. Almost a couple of seconds less than 2003 season in that track! And it's not Jaguar who is going fast, it's just Webber... just look at Klien.

Not quite. . . 10th and 12th Qualifying isn't all that fast at all

.

levensnevel · 03-06-2004, 04:16 PM

Everything is relative:
Last year both Coulthard and Raikkonen qualified even worse (11th and 15th)
And we all know the endresult: Coulthard won the race, Kimi finished 3rd and Schumi 4th and Rubinho scored a DNF.

espen · 03-06-2004, 05:55 PM

We do however know that McLaren have gone through a pile of engines lately while testing, while BMW have stated somewhat surprisingly that they now produce as much power as last year despite the 800km limit.

McLaren may have been pushing too hard in testing, but they may also have a reliability problem. If the engines do not last, then they may still have the fastest car over a few laps, but it seems Ferrari and Sauber are doing something right with Bridgestone as their lap times in testing have been consistantly competitive over good many laps.

My hopes go out to Sauber and McLaren, but mye head says Ferrari or possibly Williams, although I think Renaults speed is downright unlikely considering their ancient engines - theyre 70 or 80hp down on BMW. God knows what will happen when their new engine arrives! :shock:

ae86_16v; sorry but I cant resist... I also look forward to the odd surprising finish by Jaguar

ae86_16v · 03-06-2004, 06:27 PM

Originally Posted by espen

ae86_16v; sorry but I cant resist... I also look forward to the odd surprising finish by Jaguar

Yeah, I do too. . .

I love cheering for underdogs, so let's go Webber, Button, and Sato.

1. MS
2. Rubens
3. JPM
4. Alonso
5. Ralf
6. Button
7. Kimi
8. Webber

ice · 03-07-2004, 01:33 AM

Good guesses. Maclaren are truly in a heap of trouble. Not only do they have absolutely no reliability, they have no speed either. If anyone sandbagged, it was Ferrari. Each of thier laps was about a second faster then the rest!!!

It might be another 2002 season, but of course iit is a bit early to say. Ferrari, in what little time they have had to develop the F2004, is clearly the fastest. Also, Renault's are very quick, and paried with Alonso it could be a great season for them.