nof1l.gif (4731 bytes)


F1 Merchandise

Underestimating drivers in weaker cars

blank.gif (809 bytes)
blank.gif (809 bytes)
Main Page
Formula 1 News
2016 F1 Schedule
2016 F1 Line-up
2015 F1 Results
F1 Teams
F1 Drivers
NewsOnF1 Mobile
10 'n' Pole
Register - Submit
F1 Regulations
The Forums
Live F1 Coverage
Motorsport Shop
UK - USA
Motorsport Calendar

F1 Merchandise UK
F1 Merchandise USA

F1 Tours
F1 Tickets
F1 Diecast
F1 Videos
F1 Games
F1 Trivia
NewsOnF1 on Twitter
MotoGP Tickets
Past Formula 1 Seasons
2015 F1 Results
2014 F1 Results
2013 F1 Results
2012 F1 Results
2011 F1 Results
2010 F1 Results
2009 F1 Results
2008 F1 Results
2007 F1 Results
2006 F1 Results
2005 F1 Results
2004 F1 Results
2003 F1 Results

2002 F1 Results

2001 F1 Results

2000 F1 Results

1999 F1 Results

1998 F1 Results

1997 F1 Results
Links
2010 World Cup
Translate
Search
Contact Us
About
Archives
Your Say
Diagnosis & Prognosis
By the Heretic
Controversy Corner
The Real Race
By the Quali-flyer
F1 Testing
F1 Team Reports
8 'n' Pole
2006 World Cup

Download the NewsOnF1.com
toolbar
powered by Alexa

Other responses

Dear Heretic, Your comments on the season are very sensitive. 
One thing I always find intriguing is to underestimate drivers in weaker cars. I think the drivers at Williams and McLaren did quite well, Montoya and Raikkonen being particularly entertaining. 
For a driver like Juan-Pablo or JV it is particularly hard to accept that the car makes it impossible to win. Together with Michael they are the lions of the field. Montoya will be the strongest match for MS in 2003, Jacques is showing signs of getting tired of his uncompetitive car and I wish him to profit from the new system. 
One driver that is underestimated a lot has to be Rubens, who matched MS most impressively. The race in Austria was a compliment of his potentials and the fact that he equalled Michaels speed was the real sensation from there not the team tactics, which are overestimated in respect of their influence on the team result of the Ferraris. Anyway the level on which RB matched the champ in equal cars was unheard of before and it has never been proven that Barrichello is actually inferior to anyone else but MS. 
The Toyotas in my opinion did very well as a rookie team. I'm sure they would be really strong with top drivers, which they didn't and possibly still don't have. DaMatta did very well in CART but....., and OP-being tired? 
Oh, no doubt the Jaguars were the greatest disappointment of the year, good to change the drivers. 
I would like to disagree on Your judgement on Felipe Massa though, in my opinion he showed what great talent he really is and I wish him all the luck in the future. May the race go on - Tomas - Czech Republic (Reference Heretic 4-29 - The year of the prancing horse)

The Heretic replies:

Tomas,

Thank you for your comments.

Taking it from the top, yes it is all too easy to underestimate and judge drivers unfairly when they do not have the equipment to show what they are capable of.

JV has wasted his best years with BAR. Not a criticism – he could not have known that they would flounder for years. I suspect that he is very close to retiring. He drives with passion and when that goes he is unlikely to let it peter out like some drivers do. He will just bail.

Compared to Irvine, Rubens is brilliant. It must be hard for a man with his talents to follow team orders, but he does and with good grace.

Toyota will get there. It is a matter of time.

Massa may be a very talented driver, I’ll grant that in a technical sense. To be a competitive driver takes more than just being fast, it takes judgement. Massa still has to learn this before he can show his real ability. Remember the old adage: ‘To finish first, you first have to finish.’

The Heretic

Back to Top
Other responses
Back to the Diagnosis & Prognosis Main Page


Loading

We Recommend
F1 Tickets
Spanish F1 GP
Canadian F1 GP
British F1 GP
European F1 GP (Valencia)
Belgian F1 GP
Italian F1 GP
United States F1 GP
Abu Dhabi F1 GP
VIP F1 Paddock Club Tickets
MotoGP Tickets
Netherlands MotoGP
Catalunya MotoGP
Portuguese MotoGP
Valencia MotoGP
MotoGP VIP Village Tickets
more Motorsport Tours & Holidays
Australian F1 Grand Prix Tour package
Clipsal 500 Adelaide package
 

F1 Merchandise

Official 2009 F1 Season Review

Autocourse 2009 Annual

F1 Merchandise US

F1 Merchandise UK

Motorsport Magazines

Formula 1 Annuals

Formula 1 Yearbooks

Formula 1 Season Reviews

Formula 1 Technical Books

Formula 1 Design Books

The Official Tribute To Ayrton Senna
1960 To 1994

Formula 1 Books

Race Driving Books

Race Car Design Books


Ayrton Senna

Past Formula 1 Drivers