This weekend kicks off the start to the '05 Formula 1 season and we've got a car sitting on the front row for the beginning of the race.

I know I said I wouldn't post again about Toyota F1 until we scored a win, but this has got me excited. Now, I know I shouldn't get my hopes up. Toyota's F1 program still blows hardcore and it's still an embarassment to fans and especially leadership in Japan. And this P2 position isn't entirely merit-based; Toyota got lucky with the weather yesterday in a big way.

But it's still better that what they've achieved in the past (which isn't saying much), and you have to take it however you can get it when it comes to this.

I still have hope. I might write more after the race if I'm not too pissed off/depressed.

For those interested: The race will be broadcast live tonight, starting at 8:30pm EASTERN, on SPEED TV.

 

Yup, watching it right now. That rain screwed a lot of the big hitters yesterday and helped others. This is going to be an interesting race

 

damn... the drivers must suck in pack driving... they finished out of the points. 9th and 12th.

 

No, the drivers aren't the problem. Well, maybe Trulli because he loses interest and starts sucking half-way through. The problem is Toyota. They are a junk operation, period. This race has proven they still don't know what they hell they're doing.

Anyway, I refuse to cheer for them anymore. I'm going to save myself some pride and energy by doing so. Stupid Toyota. Their entire F1 program, and their reason for getting into it, is a disaster from stem-to-stern.

The teams I am rooting for this season, in no particular order:

-Red Bull Racing
-Sauber
-McLaren
-Renault

However, the new rules do seem to make things a little more interesting. I'm looking forward to the rest of the season.

 

LOL, it looks like it is going to be another dull season.

 

Keep me updated please, I am trying to get into F-1. I know almost nothing

 

They pulled out of WRC becuase Toyota has nothing more to prove, they have won multiple
manufacturer's and driver's championship.......and F1 is the biggest stage in automotive racing,
that's why they went with it.

At least they did better than the Minardi Team

I'm not very happy about the "one set of tyres" rule change. 6 seconds fuel up and tyre change is part of the F1 magic......this is like watching golf with no water hazzards and bunkers

I root a bit for the BARs as well, the closest thing to Toyota
Renault and Red Bull are good, too.

 

19 races, 10 teams, 20 cars, 3 liter NA V-10s 19000rpm(yeah baby!!) that's it
Ferrari great, Minardi bad, the rest is playing catchup with Michael and the prancing horse.

don't worry too much about the rules, they change it like every weekend

 

Toyota is already entering F1 with a lot of critics watching. They were banned for 1 year in the WRC for cheating, then they come to F1 and get caught with stolen Ferrari softeware. Yes, there are always stories on both sides, but it doesn't look good on Toyota's part. They have by far the largest F1 budget and most employees, yet they are still back markers. This year I think they will do a little better and maybe even get a podium or two, but they will still end up at the bottom of the rankings once the season ends. The only reason why they were on the front row was because it rained on the top teams. Plus, they were light on fuel and pitted much earlier than half the field. That too me shows one reason why they ended up out of the points. I have no doubt with RS driving they may have a chance in many races, but still, its not all about the driver but also the car. Toyota keeps blaming the drivers for not getting the best out of their cars and fires them. They refused in the past to improve the car itself. The whole management of the Toyota F1 team is still out of wack IMHO.

This year it should be a little interesting. Ranault is starting off very strong just like they did last year, so if they can keep it up it should make for an interesting championship. At least McLaren and Kimi is not blowing up every race and I believe both JPM and Kimi finished in the points. Ferrari is always the one to catch even though MS dis not finish, RB drove a heck of a race coming from out of the points to 2nd so that shows that the Ferrrari is still one of the top dogs. BAR was a major disappointment especially after how they competed and took 2nd away from Renault last year. I have a feeling McLaren, Ferrrari, Renault will be the ones seriously competing for the championship with BAR still a major possibility depending on how they do the next 2-3 races. I don't see a Ferrari runaway like last year though.

 

Ferrari are using last year's car and Rubens was still able to catch up and get 2nd place, pretty amazing considering everyone else has new cars. Also, Ferrari chose a conservative tire for the race that had good wear characteristics, supposedly they could have used a slightly softer tire that would reduce lap times a little more. Supposedly Bridgestone has an even better tire comming out that will match the F2005, which is supposed to be an even better car than the F2004M. They should be introducing the new car in Spain, so I think the season will start getting pretty boring after that point.

It is great seeing all the other teams improve. The rules have been consistently changed to try to take away Ferrari's advantage, but it was really the other teams' fault for not improving. It looks like this year McLaren has a reliable engine, Renault has good power and excellent aerodynamics, Williams reverted back to the single keel they are so familiar with, BAR is not doing as well as last year, Red Bull is doing better than last year, Sauber is okay, Jordan/Midland still have a really twitchy car, Toyota was supposed to has a good engine but the aero seems mediocer, and Minardi is still at the back of the grid although Stoddart was making a lot of noise this weekend.

This is just the first race of the season. The next race in Malaysia will be the real test because we'll see whose engine blows after lasting two races.

 

I usually root for Ferrari. Dunno... somthing about that solid red car that just calls my name. I like the direction Red Bull is going... seems like they have their ducks in a row... coulhtard was running second to just about the finish of the race...

 

Well, we know Michael Schumacher (Ferrari), Jenson Button (BAR), and Takuma Sato will have have brand new engines for the next two races without penalty while everyone else will be on their 2nd run. So, advantage seems to be back to Ferrari and BAR for next race provided everything goes well. Supposedly Jenson Button was pulling out very fast laps but just was too far behind to make any ground. BARs trap speed is also among the top so you know their cars do have the power and speed.

 

I agree, I'd like to see at least 1 set of tire change during the race. They have been saying that the compound is so hard now that it takes a lot longer to get up to temp, plus it cools down from race temp very quickly. Some have been complaining that one stint off the track reduces the tire temp enough to hinder performance greatly for a lap or two. McLaren was saying that the one offroad excursion cost JPM 2nd place since the tires cool too much and it takes too much time to get back up to temp. By then you could already loose a couple of places. Anyway, the rules do allow you for 1 tire change (Any single tire) to be changed during the race for any reason without penalty. I guess for now we can look forward to a single tire change

 

Honda's motors suck "real bad" this season. Their chassis isn't that great either. Looks like the new rules really took a hit on them.

As for Toyota it's very sad...they have the most powerful, most reliable engine on the grid yet can't capitalize on it due to the chassis. It just proves how badly their chassis and areo sucks. Relatively speaking, their chassis is probably as bad, if not worse, than Minardi's.

Who knows how well Trulli could have done if his tire didn't blister...he was keeping real pace for the first 15-20 laps...So there is some potential there.

Overall, I predict another embarassing year for Toyota. Japan has gotta be PISSED.

 

Wait, is this was that Shumacher dude borderline races. He is unbeatable, no? And Ferrari wipes the floor with all of them?
I would like Toyota to challenge it seems many are almost bored b/c they think Ferrari will win regardless.