AlBDamned said:
Just cos the competitors kept making big mistakes doesn't take anything away from Ferrari's achievements and the fact that none of the competitors could mount a serious challenge canan also be construed as Ferrari being as close to perfect as you could conceivably get.
It doesn't take anything away from Ferrari's achievements, they've done an outstanding job over the last few seasons... a better job than anyone else, as has their lead driver.
The point I was addressing is that you found their failure surprising and that their should be no excuses for it. I was suggesting reasons for that perceived failure this season. Ferrari's dominance has been magnified in the past by the other teams failure to perform to their potential. Had they performed... then Ferrari wouldn't have looked anywhere near as dominant over the past few seasons, and thus their fall from grace this season wouldn't have looked as spectacular.
My other point, was that (unfair) rules changes have also contributed to Ferrari falling down the order. Not in my memory at least can I remember when so many changes have been bought in over successive seasons to try and curb the dominance of 1 team.
AlBDamned said:
The huge mistake they made at the beginning of this year was trying the old 'we'll try using the old car again' trick which backfired badly.
"How can they be so arrogant as to try and use last year's car?"
In a way Ferrari didn't have a choice though, they stopped developing the F2004 midway through last season, and with them tying up the championships so early last year, it gave them the luxury of a head start in developing this years car. The development of that car had to be scrapped when the rules were revised so late in the season.
Had the rules not changed, I'm of the opinion that Ferrari would have won both titles, that said the season would have been much more competitive, maybe like '03 or '00 than say '02 or '04.
AlBDamned said:
"When Michael leaves, a lot of good people will leave with him".
But they already have personnal in place to replace them when they do eventually retire or leave, Ferrari have made big noises about this being the case. Rory Byrne is likely to retire in the next season or 2... but even then Ferrari already have his replacement (Aldo Cost) designing the cars. Jean Todt won't leave because he's now head of Ferrari. Ross Brawn.. who knows... he's not exactly old and past it.
If Schumacher does retire at the end of next season (likely) then I don't think we'll see Ferrari implode, or become less competitive.
AlBDamned said:
The tyres were a factor this year *as we've mentioned before *but equally, Ferrari took the glory when Bridgestone were well in front so that aspect is swings and roundabouts for me.
Ferrari have admitted that their exclusive partnership with Bridgestone has hurt them this season, they've also admitted that there's problems with this seasons chassis because they were thrown by the late rule changes last season.
And the tyre regulations this season have hit Ferrari the most, it's no coincidence that Michelin suggested the 1 tyre rule. It wasn't a fair change, and one that was designed to reduce their competitions competitiveness, whilst playing to their strengths.
AlBDamned said:
Going back to the original point of the thread however, a move to Ferrari, for Raikkonen, is not a move that makes sense to me, money or no money.
I doubt it's money, Kimi is massively frustrated at McLaren, that's plain to see.
AlBDamned said:
McLaren still are one of the top teams for the future, Ferrari less so.
I don't know how you can say McLaren are one of the top teams for the future and Ferrari less so when, Ferrari have just come off 6 straight WCC's and 5 straight WDC's... and only rule changes likely halted that being 7 and 6 respectively.
Yet McLaren failed to win the WDC this season with by far and away the fastest car on the grid.
How does what is
currently happening at Mercedes-Benz affect McLaren? there's already rumours that this could very well hurt McLaren's budget... or possibly have even more serious ramifications.
My point being that it's impossible to predict who'll be competitive for the following season. One would have to say that Toyota is probably the best bet for future dominance because they're going to spend their was to the World Championships, then of course Honda won't like that and they'll blow some serious money in order to take the fight to them, and then we might see Renault quit (which they're constantly reviewing if reports are to be believed) or McLaren become a mid field team because Mercedes cuts their budget.
AlBDamned said:
Also: Ferrari may be racing on their own in 2008.
I doubt it. They'll only be one F1 World Championship in 2008.