NewsOnF1 - Fireside chats at Chez Schumaker

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Ralf has long impressed me as a brilliant tradesman. I don't think ultimately he has Michael's ability to get the last 10th of a percent out of his car (yet?) but he has constantly and consistently improved his racecraft. With the Williams getting better faster than any other manufacturer he will be spending more time on the podium, and possibly at Michael's cost.

Michael is at the pinnacle of his craft, Ralf is moving toward it. Next year will hold some interesting fireside chats at Chez Schumaker.

Button, I think, has something to prove and perhaps the talent to back it up. He will want to get on the podium at least once this year (gee, doesn't everybody?) and with only a little luck may well do that at Monza. He has now shown himself that he can be very fast in qualifying and that's more than half the battle.

McLaren have had a blessed run of reliability lately and statistically that is unlikely to continue, it is however very unlikely that they will lose enough points not to win the constructors this year. Given where they are, relative to everybody else, I also don't see McLaren being challenged next year. The changes allowed are too small for the quantum leap the pack needs to make and Mika and David are just too much part of their cars. I will, however, stick my neck out and predict a battle for second in the constructors championship that will go down to the wire in 2001, with at least 3 teams still in the running at 3/4 distance.

Geoff H. - Australia

The Heretic replies:

Thanks for the thoughts. I absolutely agree with all of it.

Michael must be close to retirement. If Ferrari produces a car that can stay with McLaren next year he may be motivated to keep on trying for that Ferrari WC, if not I expect to see him retire soon. I can't see him moving to another, faster team but he may if he wants another title.

Ralf is getting good but I believe that he is better at driving a car not aiming it and the way the formula is going it will favour even younger drivers that can adapt to the point and squirt technique. He'll be fast but the jury is out on that last nth, as you say.

Yep, McLaren should still dominate next year. The question is: Will Ferrari be able to stay ahead of the rest? They may, but I don't think so. There are too many teams with relatively undeveloped cars that are getting too close already.

The Heretic