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Formula 1 - season 2007
2 months until the first GP of 2007 and a couple teams are starting their season with their official launches and the first tests. I've decided to open this thread already even if there are a lot of pictures and info still missing - it will look prettier with time. Meanwhile we can all make our predictions and discuss the new season. 
Calendar:
Round 1 - 18th March - Australia, Melbourne
Round 2 - 8th April - Malaysia, Sepang
Round 3 - 15th April - Bahrain, Sakhir
Round 4 - 13th May - Spain, Barcelona
Round 5 - 27th May - Monaco, Monte Carlo
Round 6 - 10th June - Canada, Montreal
Round 7 - 17th June - USA, Indianapolis
Round 8 - 1st July - France, Magny-Cours
Round 9 - 8th July - Great Britain, Silverstone
Round 10 - 22nd July - Germany, Nurburgring
Round 11 - 5th August - Hungary, Hungaroring
Round 12 - 26th August - Turkey, Istanbul
Round 13 - 9th September - Italy, Monza
Round 14 - 16th September - Belgium, Spa-Francorchamps
Round 15 - 30th September - Japan, Mount Fuji
Round 16 - 7th October - China, Shanghai
Round 17 - 21st October - Brazil, Interlagos
A shortened calendar due to Imola being cut-off. The good news is that Spa is back, the bad news is that Suzuka has been replaced by Mount Fuji. Another circuit that leaves the calendar for now is the dull revised version of Hockenheim, that from now on will host the german GP along with Nurburgring - on a rotation basis, one year for each circuit.
Teams and Drivers:
McLaren-Mercedes
Official picture of the new McLaren MP4-22.
F1 debut: 1966 Monaco GP
First win: 1968 Belgian GP (Bruce McLaren)
Historic stats: 617 GPs, 148 wins, 125 pole positions, 128 fastest laps.
Team championships: 8 (1972, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998).
2006 season: 3rd placed (110 points).
1. Fernando Alonso (spanish, 25 years old)
F1 debut: 2001 Australian GP (Minardi)
First win: 2003 Hungarian GP (Renault)
Historic stats: 88 GPs, 15 wins, 15 pole positions, 8 fastest laps.
Driver championships: 2 (2005, 2006).
2006 season: Champion (134 points) with Renault.
2. Lewis Hamilton (british, 22 years old)
F1 rookie.
2006 season: GP2 series champion.
Renault
Official picture of the new Renault R27
F1 debut: 1977 British GP
First win: 1979 French GP (Jean-Pierre Jabouille)
Historic stats: 401 GPs, 33 wins, 50 pole positions, 27 fastest laps.
Team championships: 2 (2005, 2006).
2006 season: Champions (191 points).
3. Giancarlo Fisichella (italian, 34 years old)
F1 debut: 1996 Australian GP (Minardi)
First win: 2003 Brazilian GP (Jordan)
Historic stats: 179 GPs, 3 wins, 3 pole positions, 2 fastest laps.
2006 season: 4th placed (72 points) with Renault.
4. Heikki Kovalainen (finnish, 25 years old)
F1 rookie.
2006 season: Renault test driver.
Ferrari
Official picture of the new Ferrari F2007.
F1 debut: 1950 Monaco GP
First win: 1951 British GP (Jose Froilan Gonzalez)
Historic stats: 743 GPs, 193 wins, 186 pole positions, 196 fastest laps.
Team championships: 14 (1961, 1964, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004).
2006 season: 2nd placed (201 points).
5. Felipe Massa (brazilian, 25 years old)
F1 debut: 2002 Australian GP (Sauber)
First win: 2006 Turkish GP (Ferrari)
Historic stats: 71 GPs, 2 wins, 3 pole positions, 2 fastest laps.
2006 season: 3rd placed (80 points) with Ferrari.
6. Kimi Raikkonen (finnish, 27 years old)
F1 debut: 2001 Australian GP (Sauber)
First win: 2003 Malaysian GP (McLaren)
Historic stats: 105 GPs, 9 wins, 11 pole positions, 19 fastest laps.
2006 season: 5th placed (65 points) with McLaren.
Honda
Official picture of the new Honda RA107.
F1 debut: 1964 German GP
First win: 1965 Mexican GP (Richie Ginther)
Historic stats: 82 GPs, 3 2ins, 2 pole positions, 2 fastest laps.
2006 season: 4th placed (86 points).
7. Jenson Button (british, 26 years old)
F1 debut: 2000 Australian GP (Williams)
First win: 2006 Hungarian GP (Honda)
Historic stats: 121 GPs, 1 win, 3 pole positions.
2006 season: 6th placed (56 points) with Honda.
8. Rubens Barrichello (brazilian, 34 years old)
F1 debut: 1993 South African GP (Jordan)
First win: 2000 German GP (Ferrari)
Historic stats: 236 GPs, 9 win, 13 pole positions, 15 fastest laps.
2006 season: 7th placed (30 points) with Honda.
BMW Sauber
Official picture of the new BMW F1.07
F1 debut: 2006 Bahrain GP
Historic stats: 18 GPs.
2006 season: 5th placed (38 points).
9. Nick Heidfeld (german, 29 years old)
F1 debut: 2000 Australian GP (Prost)
Historic stats: 118 GPs, 1 pole position.
2006 season: 9th placed (23 points) with BMW.
10. Robert Kubica (polish, 22 years old)
F1 debut: 2006 Hungarian GP (BMW)
Historic stats: 6 GPs.
2006 season: 16th placed (6 points) with BMW.
Toyota
Official picture of the new Toyota TF107.
F1 debut: 2002 Australian GP
Historic stats: 88 GPs, 2 pole positions, 1 fastest lap.
2006 season: 6th placed (35 points).
11. Ralf Schumacher (german, 31 years old)
F1 debut: 1997 Australian GP (Jordan)
First win: 2001 San Marino GP (Williams)
Historic stats: 165 GPs, 6 wins, 6 pole positions, 8 fastest laps.
2006 season: 10th placed (20 points) with Toyota.
12. Jarno Trulli (italian, 32 years old)
F1 debut: 1997 Australian GP (Minardi)
First win: 2004 Monaco GP (Renault)
Historic stats: 167 GPs, 1 win, 3 pole positions.
2006 season: 12th placed (15 points) with Toyota.
Red Bull-Renault
Official picture of the new Red Bull RB3
F1 debut: 2005 Australian GP
Historic stats: 37 GPs.
2006 season: 7th placed (16 points).
14. David Coulthard (british, 35 years old)
F1 debut: 1994 Spanish GP (Williams)
First win: 1995 Portuguese GP (Williams)
Historic stats: 212 GPs, 13 wins, 12 pole positions, 18 fastest laps.
2006 season: 13th placed (14 points) with Red Bull.
15. Mark Webber (australian, 30 years old)
F1 debut: 2002 Australian GP (Minardi)
Historic stats: 88 GPs.
2006 season: 14th placed (7 points) with Williams.
Williams-Toyota
Official picture of the new Williams FW29.
F1 debut: 1969 Spanish GP
First win: 1979 British GP (Clay Regazzoni)
Historic stats: 572 GPs, 113 wins, 125 pole positions, 129 fastest laps.
Team championships: 9 (1980, 1981, 1986, 1987, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997).
2006 season: 8th placed (11 points).
16. Nico Rosberg (german, 21 years old)
F1 debut: 2006 Bahrain GP (Williams)
Historic stats: 18 GPs, 1 fastest lap.
2006 season: 17th placed (4 points) with Williams.
17. Alexander Wurz (austrian, 32 years old)
F1 debut: 1997 Canadian GP (Benetton)
Historic stats: 78 GPs, 1 fastest lap.
2006 season: Williams test driver.
Toro Rosso-Ferrari
Unofficial picture of the new Toro Rosso STR2.
F1 debut: 2006 Bahrain GP
Historic stats: 18 GPs.
2006 season: 9th placed (1 point).
17. Vitantonio Liuzzi (italian, 25 years old)
F1 debut: 2006 San Marino GP (Red Bull)
Historic stats: 22 GPs.
2006 season: 19th placed (1 point) with Toro Rosso.
18. Scott Speed (american, 24 years old)
F1 debut: 2006 Bahrain GP (Toro Rosso)
Historic stats: 18 GPs.
2006 season: 20th placed (0 points) with Toro Rosso.
Spyker-Ferrari
Unofficial picture of the new Spyker F8-VII
F1 debutants in 2007, replacing the former Midland team.
20. Christijan Albers (dutch, 27 years old)
F1 debut: 2005 Australian GP (Minardi)
Historic stats: 37 GPs.
2006 season: 22nd placed (0 points) with Midland.
21. Adrian Sutil (german, 24 years old)
F1 rookie.
2006 season: Midland test driver; japanese F3 champion.
Super Aguri-Honda
Official picture of the new Super Aguri SA07
F1 debut: 2006 Bahrain GP
Historic stats: 18 GPs.
2006 season: 11th placed (0 points).
22. Takuma Sato (japanese, 29 years old)
F1 debut: 2002 Australian GP (Jordan)
Historic stats: 72 GPs.
2006 season: 23rd placed (0 points) with Super Aguri.
23. Anthony Davidson (british, 27 years old)
F1 debut: 2002 Hungarian GP (Minardi)
Historic stats: 3 GPs.
2006 season: Honda test driver.
Tyres:
Bridgestone
This season every team will use Bridgestone tyres, since Michelin left the sport.
woooooooooooooooooooooooohoooooooooooooooooooooooooooo, 1st reply!
Edit: This year will probably be my least fav since Schumi retired 
Edit2: Fuck you Alonso.
Edit3: The new Mclaren looks good, Ferrari is ugly.
Edit4: Great thread Paradork.
2nd!
Go the worst team 
As for Cloud, it'll be very dull for me with no Schumi. I'll need a few years to get used to the situation and start appreciating the Ferrari squad again like the last few years. Dont get me wrong, i'm still a huge fan of the team but it wont have the same intensity as during the schumacher era.
You just cant start cheering all of a sudden for a man who was a rival the years before (Raikkonen) although i have to admit that i still consider him as one of the best drivers from the pack. Curious to see what he's capable of now that he'll finally have -hopefully- a reliable car under him.
Nice thread, again 
Mclaren is fuckin sexy this year.
Forza Ferrari and Forza Massa I want to see Kimi crash
| quote: |
| Originally posted by InterMilan31 Forza Ferrari and Forza Massa I want to see Kimi crash |
My predictions and analysis (warning, VERY long):
Current champions Renault are NOT expected to retain the title this season, as their driver line-up has become much weaker - a double world champion has been replaced by a rookie, and the new team-leader is the guy that underperformed the past two seasons, Fisichella. Then again, apart from Alonso's departure, the Renault staff are clearly very competent and there aren't any news of key members leaving - there's some degree of continuity in the team. I expect a car capable of winning races, but the pair of drivers won't take it to full potential. I also expect Fisi and Kova to be very close to each-other, as Kovalainen has demonstrated some qualities on lower formula and has a full year of testing. But is still a rookie.
Ferrari are the big favourites IMO - they had a package almost as good as Renault last season, and although they do lose a legendary driver, I dare to say the replacement is just as fast. And if for some strange reason Raikkonen fails, Massa has shown himself to be mildly competent in the latter half of 2006. I think the finn will come out on top and will at last win the drivers title which is already deserved. The only major doubt over Ferrari IMO is whether Ross Brawn will be missed. But, there are other things in Ferrari's favour: namely Bridgestone's special relationship with them, which might be handy since the entire grid will be on japanese rubber. I will be cheering for Ferrari this season as I'm more of a drivers supporter than teams supporter, and my favourite driver is Kimi.
I don't know exactly where to place McLaren. Alonso is obviously very, very good but will he fit in? Mac is such a dull robotic environment, Ron Dennis is known for being a control freak - I can picture the drama queen Alonso being fed up of everything fast. But even assuming Fernando will perform at his best, how good will the car be? Things have been very hit and miss the last couple of years in the team, they've always been either slow or unreliable. And as for Lewis Hamilton, there's no doubt he's a huge prospect, but is it good to be in his rookie season faced with the top driver in current F1? If he's going to be smashed by Alonso, his career could be ruined from the start. The positive side of all this is that the last winter tests have been seemingly good for McLaren.
Honda are the underdogs who could take everyone by surprise. The first win last season by Button in Hungary could just have been the extra motivational injection they needed to bump up further. They are the only team from the top 4 who remain their driving line-up unchanged - stability, continuity. I don't think they're doing any steps behind, and I'll even risk saying they could do as big of a jump as Renault did from 2004 to 2005. It's true they've been here for several seasons (as BAR) and never made the jump, but has there been a better time? Possible title contenders IMO. Oh, and Button will definitely beat Rubens.
I like BMW a lot, and they impressed a lot on their debut season, but there's a tradition in F1 than when teams do great on their first season they struggle in the 2nd. And the gap to Honda and Mac was still pretty big, I don't see them overcoming it. Unfortunately, I think BMW is doing a small step behind in 2007. A couple years from now, they should be getting race wins. For now, it'll be interesting to see how Kubica does - will he improve further and beat Heidfeld, or will things remain matched between the two of them? Hard to answer.
It is fairly hard to predict where Toyota will fit - after all, they still have an absolutely huge budget, even if they never make really good use of it. I don't see them winning races this year, but surely things can't go any worse than 2007?! It was starting to be pathetic. Especially since I rate both Ralf and Trulli very high, which means the car was an absolute dog to have had such poor results.
The expectations for Red Bull are very high since this will be their first car designed by Adrian Newey, and the engines are Renaults. I also expect them to move forward, but not a massive improvement. Mark Webber did well by moving out of the sinking Williams to this promising new team, but being faced by Coulthard is.. dangerous. David is a fairly strong driver, and if Mark beats him it won't necessarily mean his reputation will go up - it will be easy for everyone to say Coulthard is too old. Still, I expect Webber to come out on top.
As for Williams, it's always sad to see a former great team going downhill. Unfortunately, I can't forecast any future successes for them, unless something major happens. Their most direct opponents have good arguments to move forward, while Williams has.. customer Toyota engines. Nico should confirm his potential this season, but for that he needs to beat Wurz - a strong experienced driver, while not fantastic.
Toro Rosso should move up if they are allowed to run slightly modified Red Bulls, but I can't help but feel that there's something fishy with the team, especially given the delay on announcing the drivers. Will they need to go for a paydriver like Monteiro or Karthikeyan? I still expect Speed to pair Liuzzi - this is a pair of crazy young drivers who crash a lot, yet might be both under-rated in terms of raw pace.
Spyker are the team that gets the leftovers from the complete failure that was Midland, and they'll need to do a lot of work if they want not to be the dead last team. It's fairly unknown how fast Sutil really is, but I wouldn't be too surprised to see him close to Albers.
Super Aguri, despite finishing last in the 2006 championship, can be said to have had a great debut year. They were racing with a 4 years old car, remember? And by the end of the year they were finishing in front of a lot other cars on merit. Obviously Honda's help is a big part on that, and if they're allowed to race with something very similar to Honda chassis', they should be quite strong. They say they're aiming for points this season. I don't think they "can" get points. I think they will!
This are only generic predictions, it's still very early to say anything with a good degree of certainty. Pre-season testing should make things a little bit clearer, but we will only know for sure how strong each team are in Melbourne.
| quote: |
| Originally posted by Cloud woooooooooooooooooooooooohoooooooooooooooooooooooooooo, 1st reply! Edit: This year will probably be my least fav since Schumi retired Edit2: Fuck you Alonso. Edit3: The new Mclaren looks good, Ferrari is ugly. Edit4: Great thread Paradork. |
| quote: |
| Round 1 - 18th March - Australia, Melbourne |
No Suzuka 
No Imola Have the FIA gone mad?!?! Imola and Suzuka are two of the most entertaining circuits on the calender how can they forget the schumi-alonso battles in 05 and 06 at imola and suzuka's R30 300km/h corner???? Besides that Ferrari looks ugly but ive heard the car is a blinder. Mclaren looks good and quick too. As any Schumacher fan would be, it will be a bit sad not seeing Michael on the track might take a little while to get used to. Cant wait for MELBOURNE!!
Good to see Formula 1 without Michael Schumacher. Finally it's worth to watch again. Schumacher sucks.
| quote: |
| Originally posted by Rockabye Schumacher sucks. |
The spanking brand new (?) BMW has been presented today. They're one of my fav teams, but it looks rather boring with pretty much the same livery. 
Meanwhile, Ferrari have announced the first test of the F2007 will be done exclusively by.. Massa. Raikkonen will make the same test with last years car.
| quote: |
| in autosport.com Raikkonen must await his first F2007 run Kimi Raikkonen will have to wait for some time longer before he gets his hands on the Ferrari F2007. The Finn will have his first test for Ferrari next week at Mugello. However, the newly recruited star is scheduled to drive the 2006 car, the 248 F1, throughout his three days' session. At the same time, Brazilian teammate Felipe Massa will drive the sole F2007 chassis for the entire period. Ferrari explained that the decision was purely because of Massa's experience with prior Ferrari cars, and his ability to convey the necessary information for comparison. "There's nothing strange about it," explained Aldo Costa, head of the chassis department. "We've decided to have this sort of programme because at the moment we most of all need continuity and reference points." Ferrari are scheduled to join the other teams for a major test at the end of January, and Raikkonen could have a run in the F2007 at that point. More conceivably, however, he may have to wait a while longer until the Maranello team produce a second chassis. |
| quote: |
| Originally posted by Cloud woooooooooooooooooooooooohoooooooooooooooooooooooooooo, 1st reply! Edit: This year will probably be my least fav since Schumi retired Edit2: Fuck you Alonso. Edit3: The new Mclaren looks good, Ferrari is ugly. Edit4: Great thread Paradork. |
At least I got to see him in action once.
Round 14 - 16th September - Belgium, Spa-Francorchamps
Most beautiful circuit of em all is back
| quote: |
| Originally posted by The_G0dfather Round 14 - 16th September - Belgium, Spa-Francorchamps Most beautiful circuit of em all is back |
| quote: |
| Originally posted by paranoik0 My predictions and analysis (warning, VERY long) |
| quote: |
| Originally posted by Cloud woooooooooooooooooooooooohoooooooooooooooooooooooooooo, 1st reply! Edit: This year will probably be my least fav since Schumi retired Edit2: Fuck you Alonso. Edit3: The new Mclaren looks good, Ferrari is ugly. Edit4: Great thread Paradork. |
It'll be a great season for sure!!! I don't even know who will come out ahead.
I'm hoping that Kubica will lead in the first half of the season, but that might be too optimistic (just by a bit lol)
The logo on the BMW race suits is backwards lol
| quote: |
| FERRARI Historic stats: 743 GPs, 193 wins, 186 pole positions, 196 fastest laps. Team championships: 14 (1961, 1964, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004). |
| quote: |
| Originally posted by nchs09 mine too... but cause of fucking raik going to ferrari :/ |
| quote: |
| Originally posted by Rockabye Good to see Formula 1 without Michael Schumacher. Finally it's worth to watch again. Schumacher sucks. |
^^ And the funny thing he is German too, there suppose to be die hard Schumi fans like the Italians.
I don't have any expectations for Williams this year, I don't think Toyota was the right engine to get, I don't think they'll fix their chassis/aero issues they've been having in the last few years, and i don't think the drivers are the ones to give them consistently good results. I'm keeping my allegiances quiet this season. 
Hoping RBR improve with Newey on board. I think their lineup is solid with Webber and Coulthard, but not outstanding. Maybe a couple of podiums. Could see some rivalry developing between them and BMW through the season.
Toyota will still fail to impress, i expect them to drop behind RBR and BMW.
I hope Spyker continue to improve and start bridging the gap, but I think Super Aguri will jump from the bottom, maybe even past STR.
I too think Honda will be a player this year, and BMW to continue their imporve but they won't be 'there' yet, maybe in the next couple of years though.
Renault, they may have the team but they don't have the drivers to take either title. I really hope McLaren can sort out their car.
In a way you could say this could be a very evenly matched year, Ferrari have lost a lot of their brains, McLaren might sort out their car, Renault have lost their outstanding driver, and Honda have been improving. Theres also the possibilty of RBR and BMW causing some major upsets.
Personally I am looking forwards to this season, should be a good one.
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