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It's that time again, as the F1 circus returns to Europe following it's brief yet eventful North American stint.
The Magny-Cours event has traditionally been synonymous with boredom, with many preferring the alternate venue of Paul Ricard, amongst others. The most recent developments surrounding Magny-Cours were Michael Schumacher clinching the championship there in 2002, well before the final rounds, and last year saw Ralf Schumacher win from an angered Juan Pablo Montoya, with Michael Schumacher emerging from a dismal race for third. The thing most people noticed was Rubens carving his way through the grid from last place and the predominantly empty stands surrounding the circuit.
This year things couldn't be more different, there'll be no emergency meetings between Ferrari and Bridgestone in a local restaurant, nor will Ralf Schumacher stand atop the podium as a recent scan revealed two fractured vertebrae that will see him miss 3 months of competitions. Could be a critical blow to his Toyota hopes.
Ferrari will again be the team to beat as Michael looks for yet another victory, BAR will likely be quite strong again, perhaps more so than Renault, Williams will be hoping to salvage points following their dismal North American leg and the unfortunate incidents that transpired. McLaren may yet be the dark horse as their MP4-19B finally emerges for a race outing following significant testing mileage. Sauber will probably be two stopping their way to points, Jaguar's future looks more uncertain by the day, with their team principle admitting they may not figure in the 2005 championship. Perhaps this will free a spot for Arden International to graduate from F3. Jordan remains off pace despite their best efforts, and Toyota's speed amounted to little (4 points for Panis' 5th at the USGP) in the North American leg but they'll be looking to improve their fortunes. Minardi have been buoyed by their well deserved point in the United States, and will be hoping reliability can carry them to yet more.
So once again here's the place to post thoughts, times and events as they transpire. Magny-Cours has a tough act to follow after the eventful USGP, but nothing is ever certain in racing.
The Magny-Cours event has traditionally been synonymous with boredom, with many preferring the alternate venue of Paul Ricard, amongst others. The most recent developments surrounding Magny-Cours were Michael Schumacher clinching the championship there in 2002, well before the final rounds, and last year saw Ralf Schumacher win from an angered Juan Pablo Montoya, with Michael Schumacher emerging from a dismal race for third. The thing most people noticed was Rubens carving his way through the grid from last place and the predominantly empty stands surrounding the circuit.
This year things couldn't be more different, there'll be no emergency meetings between Ferrari and Bridgestone in a local restaurant, nor will Ralf Schumacher stand atop the podium as a recent scan revealed two fractured vertebrae that will see him miss 3 months of competitions. Could be a critical blow to his Toyota hopes.
Ferrari will again be the team to beat as Michael looks for yet another victory, BAR will likely be quite strong again, perhaps more so than Renault, Williams will be hoping to salvage points following their dismal North American leg and the unfortunate incidents that transpired. McLaren may yet be the dark horse as their MP4-19B finally emerges for a race outing following significant testing mileage. Sauber will probably be two stopping their way to points, Jaguar's future looks more uncertain by the day, with their team principle admitting they may not figure in the 2005 championship. Perhaps this will free a spot for Arden International to graduate from F3. Jordan remains off pace despite their best efforts, and Toyota's speed amounted to little (4 points for Panis' 5th at the USGP) in the North American leg but they'll be looking to improve their fortunes. Minardi have been buoyed by their well deserved point in the United States, and will be hoping reliability can carry them to yet more.
So once again here's the place to post thoughts, times and events as they transpire. Magny-Cours has a tough act to follow after the eventful USGP, but nothing is ever certain in racing.
McLaren is in a crisis, and let´s hope this nightmare ends now.
The European races are 11pm which is a lot more supportable. You didn't miss much at all at qualifying. Montoya is down at 6th. It does feel lame to get up for a race you know won't be that interesting. As you said, oh well, we could do worse.
