Originally posted by Hell Patrol
#1 thing is the drivers for Toyota are not as good as those in BMW and Ferrari
Well....I don't rate Da Matta or Panis as "bad" drivers but they aren't superstars either. Da Matta has shown signs of talent for F1 but on average has been rather sad. Panis has been around forever (in F1 terms) and a certian skill is learned from all those years on the grid, however I think these talents would be better used as a test driver than a race driver.
Honda on the other hand has Button who I would rate in the top 5 of drivers on the grid and Sato who when he can stay on the track with the car pointing the right way is bloody fast.
For Toyota to advance I think they need two new drivers, as much as I like Da Matta, sadly he needs to advance a bit, maybe a year off as a test driver (like Massa or Sato) would give him more feel for a F1 car which is NOT like a CHUMP (sic) car. Panis would be well used as their main test driver I think.
Which drivers? Ralphie would be good, maybe a new team/car will help him pull his finger out of his ass and shut up and drive. The second? Zonta is outpacing his teammates at almost every outing, maybe he deserves a shot?
Mike G. I am sure will turn the manufacture of the car around by mid next season so on that front I am not worried and they already have one of the more powerful engines on the grid which seems mostly reliable.
Toyota has the $$$ and has dominated just about every form of racing they have ever entered (look at the craftsman NASCAR truck series to see a recent one).
My guess?
Toyota will be fighting for a constructors title by 2008 and maybe a driver's title before then but definately by 2010.
Honda on the other hand is sorta unknown right now. Sure they made a HUGE step up over the winter but they are still not on par with Ferrari (who is though this season) but are, in my mind, equal with Renault...and slightly behind (VERY slightly) Williams and McLaren when they figure their car(s) out. The next step up to be on the same level with the top 3 teams is HUGE though it is much smaller than the giant step they made over the winter. I don't know if they will get there (I hope they do) but this season will tell. My only issue is sure they are doing great right now, two races in a row with podiums, lots of momentum...BUT...wait until they have a bad race weekend (it happens to everyone) and let's see if they can pull themselves back up and fight for top spots the next weekend. That will be huge. if they can do that then I say the limits are infinite and there will be thee "top 4 teams" Ferrari, Williams, Honda, McLaren (in that order).
) These figures are from F1 Racing magazine, and are in US dollars. They're also tacitly acknowledged to be definitive (i.e. right).
