Existing Users: Because of an update to the forum software you will need to reset your password. Please use the "Forgot?" link on the sign in form to do so. If that doesn't work, send me an email at feedback@forzaminardi.com and I'll sort you out!
Ron has stated that with the introduction of Vodaphone as title sponsor and the signing of Alonso McLaren will undergo an image transformation. My theory is that the McLaren will look like a cross between the classic Phillip Morris cars of the 80's and 90's and Bernd Schneiders DTM car. Any thoughts?
Comments
nothing will ever be able to match mclaren's marlboro car from the early till mid 90s
[Edited on 19-10-06 by Ste]
I don't see McLaren Vodafone replicating the old Marlboro paint scheme that has been around since the early 1970's....
BRM at the Glen in 1973 with Niki
McLarens.......... at the Glen with Emmo and at Mosport with "Hunt the Shunt"
even Alfa gets into the act..... with Mario...this becomes the "signature" Marlboro paint scheme....
and back to McLaren in the early 80's.....
ciao y'all
Gian Carlo Minardi
wait for it........
Exactly the same as this year but with red sidepods.:o
[Edited on 14-11-06 by steamdrivenhammer]
But, ............................ this livery was only for a promotional video shoot for Vodaphone!!
I think ROn should be used to manage two champions (after Prost-Lauda and Senna-Prost, the case of Hakkinen-Coulthard was different as Coulthard always acted as a "Berger")
And he always managed to win, but that was because in 1984, 1988 and 1989 competition was limited to mcLaren duo.
In this case, instead, if he does not take a clear position, he risks his two drivers to be beaten at the end by someone else (as it happened to Williams in 1981 and 1986).
After Budapest, the latent enmity between Ferdy and Lewis will become open war, and they will start to fight directly even with the risk of collisions.
Dennis has always been sporty in letting his two drivers free (even though Prost claimes the team favoured Senna, now Alonso claims the same with Hamilton).
This time, if Ferrari finds reliability and manages, in the last six races, to get both the cars to the finish....we could see something funny.
THis said, I seriously think Alonso is hoping to win the championship and then leave....probably to BMW, that would be a new challenge for him.
It's not Ron's way anyway, just like it isn't Frank's. I bet he'd secretly really rather have his own drivers slug it out by all fair means, even if they get pipped by Ferrari as a result. At least he gets to sleep at night that way.
At the moment, I wouldn't be surprised if Ron is more worried by the clear indications that the shadowy powers that stalk F1 clearly seem out to destabilise McLaren. The spy scandal appeal, the strange team penalty last weekend, it's all increasing the risk of them taking their eye off the ball. It happened to Renault last year, to Michelin teams before that.
On a more sobering thought. Talk of Alonso leaving Macca would not be good for the team. Nando has galvanised the team into racing like world champions and Hamilton has benefitted from that. Were Nando not there, Hamilton may have one races but I doubt he would have delivered the consistency to to challenge for the championship.
As to the run in, experience favours Alonso plus we have the following conundrum;
Istanbul Park - tough circuit that favours a long wheelbase car
Spa - Tough circuit that favours a long wheel base car, could be wet
Monza - need I say more ( dark forces to act here)
China - could be wet
Fuji - will be wet
Interlagos- could be wet.
"We only have a rookie coming up so there will be no challenge here - you have my word"
In the words of Homer Simpson . . . "Dohhhhh"