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Coulthard is not a Champion waiting in the wings

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Ummm ... just who was it that posted the fastest lap in Melbourne? 
McLaren are not a match for Ferrari, and no-one is a match for Schumacher, but I am not the fan of JPM that others are. He is very fast but so is Coulthard and I see a very bright future for the Flying Finn (Mark II). Ralph is only slightly less adventurous (anyone who thinks they can take turn one in Melbourne at warp speed on cold tyres can't be too pedestrian) and is not as hard on the car.

I don't think that we can use Melbourne alone as a predictor that McLaren have lost their way. Coulthard led the race briefly (but would have been passed by MS eventually) and Kimi took fastest lap. Even qualifying in Melbourne was not the reliable gauge that it usually is with the rain making times something of a lottery. I cannot believe that all things being equal Barrichello would sit in front of Schumacher on any grid. 
The relegation of McLaren to the rank and file, in my mind, must await Sepang, or later. Having said that I repeat an earlier comment in another forum, Coulthard is not in my opinion a champion waiting in the wings. He is fast, he will win races, he won't bring home a drivers trophy. McLaren must have another driver of Hakkinen's skill before they can go for gold. Perhaps Raikkonen will be that driver, but not this year. 

As for the rest, Sauber looks to have the goods for a solid 4th place and I wouldn't like to call it between Williams and McLaren for 'the best of the rest' - Geoff H - Australia (Reference Heretic 4-04 - Is McLaren on the way down ?)

The Heretic replies:

Hi again Geoff,

I agree with you that Raikkonen did very well. After all he has not had that much experience and almost none of it at the front of the field. But don’t forget that Schumacher never really needed to try. Behind Montoya he was working hard but as soon as he got past it was just a Sunday afternoon drive through Albert Park.

Qualifying was a zoo. Barrichello was probably as surprised as you.

I hope that you are right about McLaren – but they do not look fast to me.

Sepang will give us that little more understanding of where the rest of the potential is. Look forward to hearing from you after the weekend.

The Heretic

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