Well it looks to be about that time. Ferrari released their challenger yesterday, Toyota debuted their new TF107 on friday, and McLaren will be launching the new MP-?? after a street demo with Alexander Hamilton.

So it appears that the 2007 F1 season is just starting to ramp up. WOO HOO

So let's all begin our armchair driving/managing now and discuss what might happen, what does happen, what we wanted to happen...

GREEN GREEN GREEN

 

I firmly predict.....

Anything can happen!

Cars are different, drivers are different. Last season has no bearing on this season.

 

To whet some appetites, here are some pictures of the new McLaren M/P4-22.



For the record, I am neither a McLaren nor a Ron Dennis Fan. The above picture does not constitute an endorsement for this team in any way, shape, or form...

FORZA FERRARI!!


....I still blame McLaren for these DAMNED grooves in the tires....

 

And here is the 2006 Brazilian GP winner Felipe Massa, doing his best to stay off Enzo's lawn....But, failing miserably in the process...

 

if the mclaren's reliability was a great as it's looks...

 

Forza Kimi! Forza Ferrari!

Now, bring on Melbourne!

 

Go Fred go!
Go Fred go!

 

In all honesty, as much as the top 3 REALLY interest me. I am incredbily curious to see what Reb Bull's cars will be. Same chassis? Essences of the RBR chassis with the STR squad? Hmmmm time will tell. And I am also interested to see what the Super Happy Friends....errr, I mean uhhh, Super Aguri do as well. they ahd said that last year was basically a very large scale test session. they could prove to maybe be enough of a thorn in the sides of some of the mid-pack teams to warrant some TV coverage...

 

I'm willing to flaunt my lack of knowledge or show my tifosi spirit. It's all a matter of perspective. I think that Kimi finally has something that will perform under him. I don't mean a waif thin supermodel either. I think Fernado will hate his decision as the year goes on.

 

I wonder who will be driving the STR cars . . . ?

Would like to see Williams, Honda, Toyota, and Red Bull raise their game. Would much prefer to see 5 or 6 teams fighting at the front.

Although Fred will probably bring some much needed spark to McLaren, I'm not convinced that they can overcome their reliability issues so quickly.

 

LOL.

Hilarious

 

I look forward to the new season; new cars, different/new drivers, no whatshisname

all good, let the games begin

 

The main thing I'd like to see, is Scott score some points in more than a few races.

 

I'm looking forward to the new season too! I cant wait to see kimi get his first championship! I dont think alonzo has the reliability to hold on to another championship (Won 2 now because of other cars failors and his was the most reliable). Should be interesting to see how BMW/Sauber does after a strong finish last season.

 

Here are some pictures from the BMW launch this morning:

 

Looks like they may have decided to adopt the red "tyre" rule this year.

http://formula-1.updatesport.com/new...yres/view.html

 

It will be interesting with all of the changes to see who can take advantage of it the most, I would put my money on the little red car.

Hey am I excited that they are coming to Indy again this year, hopefully not the last. Gonna try to go to the Canadian GP, then Indy back to back.

 

That is VERY interesting. Thanks for sending the info kurvhgr.


Now we have one more thing for the screaming leprechan, Derek Daly, to be wrong about when he is commentating on ABC

 

I read somewhere yesterday that one of the reasons Ferrari aren't showing the rear of their 07 car is they're making changes based on things they learned while testing with the new tires. Hmmm, I wonder.....

 

Au contraire, mon ami...you missed the best and most important fact of the 2007 season to date.

The F1 events that SPEED does not carry will now be seen on Fox instead of CBS...and the great news is the same commentating crew, Varsha, Hobbs, Matchett and Peter Windsor will move to Fox for these broadcasts for the next three years.

FOX will provide live coverage of the U.S. Grand Prix and Canadian Grand Prix, plus taped coverage of the British Grand Prix and French Grand Prix.

Good bye, Mr. Daly.

 

COOPERnation, that is some great news. Music to my ears, I tells ya...

And with it being on Fox, that means we might possibly get an HD feed of the races. And by feed, I mean an upscaled broadcast of the SD content on the HD channel, sorta like when my g/f watches "Deal or No Deal". I understand that for the global feed, we are stuck with the format that the host TV producer shoots in. But, PAL (the format they use in europe) has a MUCH better specs than our NTSC signals here. So maybe we'll see a slightly better quality picture for those races. And who knows, maybe Uncle Rupert might allow Speedvision, oops I mean NASCAR TV, oops sorry again, I really meant to say SpeedTV, to use some of his fancy-schmancie HD cameras.

 

One thing to remember. Whatever you thought you knew from last year, goes in the trash file. Hit delete.

The cars are changed, the drivers are changed, there's been months of development.

Anyone basing their predictions on last season's performances will, IMHO, be very disappointed.

 

Craig, that is GREAT news about Fox keeping "our lads" for the races they broadcast! No more hangin' on to our hollyhocks!

The Speedvision team seem unique in their ability to let the race itself provide the excitement, without a lot of screaming histrionics... Dang, I miss Sam Posey, though!

Have to say, I'm pretty bummed about the weird equalization rules going into effect: engine development freeze, one tire brand (and now "red" tire rules - BAH!). F1 is supposed to represent the bleeding edge of race tech; if they're not careful, it may turn into YACCC (Yet another Champ Car Clone), or worse!

Still... pretty excited about seeing favorite drivers at new teams: I hope Kim and Fred are up to the task!

March 18 is too far awy...

_Dave_

_Dave_

 

Yay, glad you could chime in Dave!! Get that new DDM box installed yet?

 

I'm loving the Renault's colors...too bad they're only temporary.






I see they're using the rear wheel covers.....they may work but I can't get used to the look of them.