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Short responses - 2003 Season  

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Other responses

Issue 5-18 (Is it fair, are they shaping and is it over?)

Karen Y from the USA writes: As a die-hard Ferrari and Michael Schumacher fan, I must say that I couldn't agree with you more in regards to M.S.'s prospects for future fame and fortune in F1. Michael Schumacher is the best driver to come along in any era. Ever. What more does he need to do to underscore it? And can anything really be gained? Surely he's got more money than God by now and probably has had for at least the last three seasons!

The Heretic replies:

Absolutely.

From here all that is left for him to prove is that he is over the hill, like Hill did.

I do not want to see that. I may not have been his greatest fan but I absolutely acknowledge that he is an exceptional driver who has achieved the status of the greatest driver yet. There are some who would argue, pointing out that he had the breaks and others, who could have been even better, were always in the wrong place in the wrong time. We can debate that forever, the fact is that he has by far the best record.

Leaving on a high will make him legendary, leaving after a mediocre season will leave a bad taste in the mouth.


Issue 5-17 (Saved by the rain)

Fred H from the USA writes: Montoya second except for his penalty??? He was almost a lap behind Raikkonen. Give him 25 secs for the penalty and an extra 15 for late tire change it caused and he hardly would have made third. His comments are sour grapes after a poor race.

The Heretic replies:

Fred,

I apologise for responding so late. Montoya is and will probably always be a hothead. Most of his problems are self induced.


Issue 5-16 (So, I was wrong?)

Al from Syria writes: I hope just to give Rubens a break. It was certainly a tyre issue. if it wasn't . the only explanation about Rubens' performance during the second and the third set of tyres that he wasn't the one who was a drivin' the car. Maybe he changed places with another driver during the first pitstop and I think it's Alex Yoong. well, that will explain exactly what happened.. hello!!! it was obvious that god-damned Bridgestone wasn't working properly as usual... on the other hand I agree with you about almost everything else. as usual. good work and ironic articles. good for you

The Heretic replies:

Thank you for your kind words.

The Bridgestones are definitely holding Ferrari back. It is just hard to tell how much.


Issue 5-15 (How close can it get?)

Andre B from Brazil writes: Ferrari isn't dead and Monza is their backyard...

The Heretic replies:

Andre,

I guess you were right but can they do as well in the USA?


Allister from Brunei Darussalam writes: I agree with that one. I hope Kimi Raikkonen will be the champ this year. Bless you Kimi.

The Heretic replies:

Allister,

I don�t know. He seems to have the speed and the ability to race the leaders but I suspect that they really need the new chassis to be competitive. There are only so many changes one can make before improvement can only come from redesign and I think that McLaren has reached that point.


Issue 5-11 (Can Bridgestone bridge the gap?)

Sukhaloka from India writes: People may appreciate Ralf Schumacher's recent run of form, but I definitely refuse to join them. When you have the most competitive car-tyre package on track and consequently get pole position, all you have to do to win is get a decent start (aided by launch control) and not make a mistake. I really do not see how this demonstrates extraordinary driving skill. On the other hand, drivers such as Fisichella, Villeneuve and Frentzen should be complimented for their impeccable handling of cars that simply will not obey their drivers' commands. Congratulations!

The Heretic replies:

Hi Sukhaloka,

Well, I can�t add much to what you said. It seems that we now have two breeds of drivers. Those that rely on their cars being perfect to put in fast laps (and Ralf is not alone, Hakkinen, Mansell and Coulthard jump to mind) and those that drive what they have and get the best out of it. Maybe it is a sign of the times.


Issue 5-10 (What is there to say?)

Martin from the UK writes: I'm really surprised just how big an advantage Michelin seem to have over Bridgestone compared with last year when Bridgestone had the better tyres. Surely the 2003 Bridgestone tyres can't be worse than last year's? It's all now down to Bridgestone to get their act together to give us a competitive end to 2003, not just for Ferrari but also for teams like BAR, Sauber and Jordan.

The Heretic replies:

After the European GP I am not that sure. Those tyres were worse than awful!


Issue 5-10 (What is there to say?)

Otto from the USA writes: This seems like its written by yet another Schumacher lackey - get a grip. The tire gap is evident in certain circuits but please don't judge Ferraris' performance by the "lack" of performance from Barrichello. I mean, come on..... Senna would have been the greatest of all in any of the top 3 cars today.

The Heretic replies:

So could Fangio. Your point is?


Issue 5-07 (How good is the new Ferrari?)

Mathew F from Australia writes: THE F2003GA WILL BE THREE SECONDS FASTER BY SEASON END - I GUARANTEE...!!!

The Heretic replies:

Matthew,

It is getting faster all the time, but 3 seconds is a lot!


Issue 5-03 (Will Ferrari have a bad start to the season?)

Marian from Romania writes: McLaren very impressive but still do believe Kimi is the star to be. David is ok but still he had the Hakkinen sindrom. Even being third Kimi is for me the rookie of the year not Mantoya. Denis should be proud of his team results. Williams...Weeel Second place is good but Mantoya can not handle himself, he is too latino HOT (like JLo) but doesn't have the spike. Honestly in actual set up of F1 (JUST DRIVE FAST FORGET ABOUT SET UPS ETC.) Mantoya and Da Matta suppose to be good. 
FERRARI.... oups...They were caught off guard. Thanks

The Heretic replies:

Absolutely.

Montoya�s passion gets him every time. He is also a gambler. How many times did he miss out because he did not change tyres?

Kimi has what it takes. Can he mature it?

Ferrari is the wild card. Is the new car better? Can they maintain their domination?


Issue 5-02 (Another good year for Ferrari)

Cooky from the Australia writes: I'd say to start the season Ferrari first and daylight second with Michael figuring the new regs out long before anyone else and turning that into points, second to sixth a Williams and McLaren with one Ferrari thrown in sandwich!

The Heretic replies:
I fear you are right. Michael will incorporate the weird qualifying rules into a good strategy first and the rest will struggle with it for most of the first half and then get screwed up by the mid year changes to the rules.
Your prediction could be the pattern for the whole season. Michael may deserve it but it does very little for the sport.
I wonder if anyone in the FIA drives a car let alone race one?


Issue 5-01 (Do it the FIA way or else)

Ed D from the USA writes: I agree with everything you've said except "nobody misses Prost - they were an embarrassment." 
I think we all miss the team, even though they were doing so poorly. I particularly miss Alain. He's one of the greats and he deserves our respect, not a cheap shot

The Heretic replies:
Although we agree on all the other matters I agree we disagree on the Prost team.
As a driver I have nothing but respect for Alain Prost. As a team manager I do not think he fared that well. The Prost team were an embarrassment more so because it was associated with one of the great drivers.

And Ed D from the USA replies: And that I agree with as well. Sadly, he was not meant to be outside of the car. 
Thanx for the reply. I think we're all going to have a lot to say about this season and it's good to know that someone with a point of view is willing to listen to others. 
Congrats on a great column. I'll be reading. My Skip Barber buddies and I are hoping for a bit of Montoya magic this year, but we're not crazy.


Frank M from Australia writes: I like the idea of manual gearboxes - it adds to the required skill of the driver. 
I think all teams should be able to use and design whatever engines they want, as long as the basic parameters (Engine capacity, no turbocharging etc.) are followed. 
If the teams want to use an engine designed to last one race, let them. If they want to design one to last six races, let them. 
The tracks themselves should be redesigned to allow a LOT more passing manoeuvres - it is so stupid to watch a David Coulthard following a much slower car for lap after lap just because the track designers have made passing almost impossible. (Murray Walker agrees with me there).

The Heretic replies:

Frank,

Thank you for your comments. Although I agree that manual gearboxes will definitely increase the skill level required and may even improve the spectator value, I feel strongly that F1 is the leading edge of motor racing and should be allowed to apply the most modern technology � manual gearboxes from that point of view is a retrograde step.


Jim W from the USA writes: Dear Heretic: 
I could not agree more with your comments on the ridiculous "rule changes" proposed by F.I.A. It's so ridiculous that I can't help but think that the "Big Seven" (Ferrari; BMW; Mercedes; Honda; Toyota; Ford and Renault) have planted a "mole" in the F.I.A. to bring it crashing down; then they can re-constitute the best racing in the world and call it O.W.G.P. (open wheel Grand Prix) and eliminate Bernie and Max altogether. Not a bad idea, really.

The Heretic replies:
Hi Jim,
It certainly is looking like the thrashings of a dying animal. I love the idea of going back to the best. After all it has been where the formula has been for decades

The Heretic

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