Ferrari Continues Losing Streak

[ScionDriver]

Fernando Alonso took first at the Bahrain Grand Prix today. That means he stays in the lead of the points race and Michael Schumaucher, in the new F2005, retired after 11 laps due to a failed hydraulic arm. So Renault continues to win, do you really think that this could be the year Ferrari falls? And whats to blame? Is it truly just the Bridgestones or what?

[LTT]

The word was that Barichello was having a transmission problem, that maybe be part of it. I must say that the McLaren/Mercedes cars looked great, seemed very fast. Those Renaults though, seem like they can't be beaten.

[Cotterik]

both ferraris had transmission problems, michael couldnt down shift so he couldnt brake hard enough to stop for a corner and carried straight on, picking up debry which ended his race and barrichello had the problem in practise which meant he had to start from the back of the grid once it was fixed, and his car was alot slower then the top runners throughout the race. Ferrari need lots of work on the f2005 to get it upto scratch, i think they released it too early, its premature. Maybe by the next grand prix we might see the cars full potential, but by looking at the sheer speed of the mclarens and the dominance of the renaults, and the determination of the williams, with toyota proving themselves as top runners now, its going to be hard for ferrari to keep both their titles this year

[Coventrysucks]

I am concerned by Schumacher's qualifying pace; I hope that doesn't indicate that by the time they are used to the car and tyres they will be dominating again. I think the season so far has been much more entertaining with Ferrari out of the picture. The other teams seem so much closer in terms of pace and that means closer racing.

The McLaren's proved that they just need a bit of luck - poor qualifying has meant they keep getting held up in traffic. Good work by PDLR, who despite a few hairy moments that made full use of the run off area at turn 1 had a very good race.

Certainly more entertaining and apparently quicker than Montoya. Personaly I think they should keep him in.

[netburner]

IMO I don't think that Ferrari will win any of both titles this year, it will be Renault or maybe Toyota (if they will work on as much as they do up to today).

And as I ever said: Ralf Schumacher is not better than Jarno Trulli

[man 430gt]

Hopefully ferrari will return with a vengence(sp?)

[man 430gt]

Just wondering if anyone noticed the black cap on the ferrari nose cone, that was a last minute addition to the body work for the late Pope.

[ScionDriver]

I agree that this year will prove to be an exciting year in the way of points. If not for first then second or third between Williams, McLaren and Toyota. Ferrari will be in that mix too but hopeully their domination will stop here.

[Rockefella]

I like Renault winning now. At this point the Ferrari Fanboys are at bay and have to suffer through a lost cause of a season. (for now)

[SlickHolden]

Very interesting to see Michael Schumaucher do a outside move down the end of the straight a little similar to what mark Webber did last round. Only difference was they didn't crash and it wasn't 22 laps to go and he wasn't 2 sec per lap faster then the guy on his inside. And he wasn't condemned for the move.

[motorsportnerd]

Webber was exonerated for that move. What Schumacher did on the first lap was acceptable as well - just hard, close racing. Just that Trulli had more sense than Fisichella - and backed out of any wheel banging.
As for Webber and de la Rosa late in the race - great stuff. Some of Webber's defensive moves were a little aggressive though - I think he's been learning from two masters of aggressive defensive and offensive driving - Schumacher and the late Ayrton Senna.
It was all fair though, and well done to de la Rosa for a clean pass.
Three races now where Webber had a shot at the podium and three races that have ended in less than desirable results. He'll be kicking himself for that spin in Bahrain. Perhaps he's trying a little too hard to get that first podium and is overdriving a little.

[fpv_gtho]

I think with the shocking start Ferrari's had, everyones forgotten how BAR hasnt scored any points yet, at least Ferrari had Rubens in P2 at Melbourne and Micheal in P7 in Sepang.....

[fpv_gtho]

Originally Posted by motorsportnerd

Three races now where Webber had a shot at the podium and three races that have ended in less than desirable results. He'll be kicking himself for that spin in Bahrain. Perhaps he's trying a little too hard to get that first podium and is overdriving a little.

He's definately been in position for a podium a few times now, but i think its a bit unfair to put it all on him being agreesive. The FW27 still isnt a real front runner like the Renaults and McLarens, and is still behind Toyota in performance. I suppose though with all the talk of how one race finish affects your next few races, Webber's DNF in Sepang and being able to still qualify 5th is something to look into.

[SlickHolden]

I think the car is fast on fri-sat but not race day. It's not a great race package but it did seem that last race he was coming home with a wet sail.
They were talking about the large amount of wing at the rear they need since they have not got great rear grip. So that kills there speeds down the straight by as much as 15kph. Even nicks car is going slow down the straight.

I still think he is doing ok to keep mid front with this car.
When raulf was coming on his tail he started to push harder and the rear wen't out to easy. The car isn't the best yet as FPV said they got some work to do and the sooner they get there aero factorys worked out with the old and new they will be better.

[motorsportnerd]

Originally Posted by fpv_gtho

He's definately been in position for a podium a few times now, but i think its a bit unfair to put it all on him being agreesive. The FW27 still isnt a real front runner like the Renaults and McLarens, and is still behind Toyota in performance. I suppose though with all the talk of how one race finish affects your next few races, Webber's DNF in Sepang and being able to still qualify 5th is something to look into.

I was talking about Webber's offensive/defensive driving being aggressive - but acceptable.
Rather, I think he is overdriving a little to compensate for the car's aero problems - hence the spin in Bahrain. Also, that first podium is the hardest to get, and it is probably playing on Webber's mind that he's in a competitive car and needs to get that podium soon.