Gentlemen, Start Your Engines! by Chua Kee Peow
Formula One fans look out! 3 March 2002 is the date that you have to keep your appointment book free because the first grand prix of the year will commence “Down Under.”
For the past months, many of the drivers and their crew have been vacationing at all the various exotic locations around the world, away from their pits and cars. However, January 2002 has seen a flurry of activities in the garages of the 12 F1 teams (Last season was 11 but we welcome the Panasonic Toyota Racing team in 2002). Drivers have ditched their old mates for new, greener pastures and high-tech cars are being launched. Let us update ourselves about the ongoings of the new season.
Ferrari fans will be glad that Reubens has made it clear that he has no animosity towards Michael Schumacher and will be putting in his best efforts to try to emulate his illustrious partner. As a Schumacher fan, I am very glad that he has not shown any indications that he may quit Ferrari prematurely. If anyone is traveling to Italy in the early February, drop by Maranello on the 6th and you may catch a glimpse of the 2002 F1 Ferrari with its all new gearbox, engine and aerodynamics.
Will
the prancing stallion win another championship in 2002?
McLaren
has a new boy in the midst – Kimi Raikkonen. This young fellow has proven
himself to be a quite a racer and I feel that he will be a good replacement for
Mika, who is having his sabbatical this year. Another development is their new
choice of tires, Michelin. After so many years of using the same tires as the
Ferrari team, McLaren must have felt that the change in tire manufacturer would
bring them more favorable results.
Kimi
Raikkonen: The new driver for McLaren.
The
other team that has been causing more than just a ripple is the BMW Williams team.
They have been in the F1 business for a long time and this season, many have said
that they are the team to watch. Last season, the BMW cars showed tremendous acceleration,
albeit with a little lack of reliability. I feel that they may give Ferrari and
McLaren a run for their money this year. Furthermore, the combination of Ralf
Schumacher and Juan Montoya has matured over the past seasons and this may be
the time for them to shine on the circuits.
Frank
Williams: Team Principal of Williams F1.
He is the inspirational leader of
the Williams team.
Panasonic
Toyota Racing is the new kid on the block and they have spent the past two years
researching and configuring their new engines and aerodynamics. I am not looking
out for them to give the championship a go but hope that they would not be the
underachievers of Formula One racing, like the Minardi team. With Mika Salo on
their team, they have an experienced driver who can give them a competitive edge.
Fancy
this Toyota for your garage?
With
the updates on the top teams and new boys on the circuit, let’s fasten our
seat belts and await the lights to go!
*For
more information on the new season of F1 racing, please visit www.fia.com
and visit www.ferrari.com
for updates of the new F1 2002 car.
Note: This article was published on Aspire website between 2001-2002.