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With still four races in the 2001 season left to run, Michael Schumacher has won another Formula One World Championship for Ferrari. Love him or hate him, without a doubt he is in a class of his own. Not only has he won two Championships for Ferrari, but also two for Benetton in the mid nineties. Even when the McLaren's were easily outperforming the Ferraris a few years ago, he still gave them a good run for their money. But what hope does this give to his current peers, and in particular David Coulthard?
Before David can start to think about his 2002 title challenge, he has the more immediate concern of keeping his second position in the Drivers' Championship. The early part of this season, both David and Michael appeared to be head and shoulders above the rest of the field (most importantly for David, he was totally outperforming his team mate Mika Hakkinen). For the first time he seemed to be a genuine title contender. But as the season progressed, the McLarens had various technical problems. Most notably problems with getting off the start line. It was particularly frustrating to watch the Monaco Grand Prix when he had a blistering qualifying session, only to lose all his good work because the car got left at the start. Frustrating to watch, but it must have been a total nightmare for David.
While McLaren were having all kinds of problems, the Ferraris barely experienced a glitch. David battled on, but not only did he have technical problems to contend with, but also the rapidly improving Williams. With their extra horse power and Michelin tyres, they are particularly suited to high speed circuits, and to hotter track temperatures. Ralf Schumacher started to take valuable race win points. As a result, David began to lose ground on Michael. As the points gap widened, his early season form seemed to slip away. Whether the two are connected, it's hard to tell. But it wasn't hard to see David's disappointment after the Hungarian Grand Prix last weekend.
Since he entered Formula One, he's been a consistenly good driver. Occasionally prone to succumbing to pressure, but one of the few drivers who is quite happy in having a go at overtaking Michael Schumacher. One of the highlights of last season was an overtaking tussle with Michael where David gave him a tasty hand gesture as he went past. Although he apologised after the race, it was extremely funny. And no doubt one that will be skipped in those abysmal 'funny sporting highlights' shows.
In the past he has effectively been the number two driver in the team. Both when he was at Williams with Damon Hill, and McLaren with Mika Hakkinen. Although McLaren have always claimed they treat both drivers equally, more decisions seem to have gone Mika's way. Understandable when you consider he won the Championship two years in succession. In all honesty it was difficult to justify the drivers as equal. This season David has easily been McLaren's best driver. Admittedly Mika has gone off the boil, and has had more than his fair share of technical problems. But even when he has got it together, on the whole David has outperformed him.
But now Michael is World Champion, David needs to concentrate on looking over his shoulder, and keeping hold of that second place. Both Reubens Barrichello and Ralf Schumacher are breathing down his neck in the points table, and I can quite easily see David ending up fourth unless he picks up his form again. Reubens has been having a good season, and now Michael has won the Championship, it wouldn't be a huge surprise to see him helping Reubens maximise his points where appropriate. As for Ralf, the four remaining races are all high speed, and will suit the Williams. It's certainly not going to be easy for David. He has said that he has no interest in where he finishes in the table now. Ultimately coming first is all that matters. Though I would have thought ending second would give him a great amount of satisfaction. In his career so far he has come third in the Championship four times, but no higher. It would also show that he is the main man at McLaren, regardless of whether Mika stays or goes.
As for next season, well who knows? Unless McLaren have some amazing improvements to their cars for next year, I could see them coming off third best behind Ferrari and Williams. So even if David is on top of his game, any title challenge will be over before it's begun. In the longer term, until he retires Michael will always be a threat. And Ralf is surely a future World Champion in the making. Beyond that, drivers such as Raikonnen, Heidfeld, and hopefully Button, have great potential. So David Coulthard - World Champion, may be something we never get to see. It's ironic that when the McLaren's were the top cars, Mika came good and won the Championship. Now David has improved, they're not. I think for all time greats like Michael, timing doesn't really come into it. Those kind of drivers will win Championships through skill. But for people like David, he really needs a good car under him.
So what are everyone else's thoughts on David's performances this year? And how do you think he will do in the future?
Before David can start to think about his 2002 title challenge, he has the more immediate concern of keeping his second position in the Drivers' Championship. The early part of this season, both David and Michael appeared to be head and shoulders above the rest of the field (most importantly for David, he was totally outperforming his team mate Mika Hakkinen). For the first time he seemed to be a genuine title contender. But as the season progressed, the McLarens had various technical problems. Most notably problems with getting off the start line. It was particularly frustrating to watch the Monaco Grand Prix when he had a blistering qualifying session, only to lose all his good work because the car got left at the start. Frustrating to watch, but it must have been a total nightmare for David.
While McLaren were having all kinds of problems, the Ferraris barely experienced a glitch. David battled on, but not only did he have technical problems to contend with, but also the rapidly improving Williams. With their extra horse power and Michelin tyres, they are particularly suited to high speed circuits, and to hotter track temperatures. Ralf Schumacher started to take valuable race win points. As a result, David began to lose ground on Michael. As the points gap widened, his early season form seemed to slip away. Whether the two are connected, it's hard to tell. But it wasn't hard to see David's disappointment after the Hungarian Grand Prix last weekend.
Since he entered Formula One, he's been a consistenly good driver. Occasionally prone to succumbing to pressure, but one of the few drivers who is quite happy in having a go at overtaking Michael Schumacher. One of the highlights of last season was an overtaking tussle with Michael where David gave him a tasty hand gesture as he went past. Although he apologised after the race, it was extremely funny. And no doubt one that will be skipped in those abysmal 'funny sporting highlights' shows.
In the past he has effectively been the number two driver in the team. Both when he was at Williams with Damon Hill, and McLaren with Mika Hakkinen. Although McLaren have always claimed they treat both drivers equally, more decisions seem to have gone Mika's way. Understandable when you consider he won the Championship two years in succession. In all honesty it was difficult to justify the drivers as equal. This season David has easily been McLaren's best driver. Admittedly Mika has gone off the boil, and has had more than his fair share of technical problems. But even when he has got it together, on the whole David has outperformed him.
But now Michael is World Champion, David needs to concentrate on looking over his shoulder, and keeping hold of that second place. Both Reubens Barrichello and Ralf Schumacher are breathing down his neck in the points table, and I can quite easily see David ending up fourth unless he picks up his form again. Reubens has been having a good season, and now Michael has won the Championship, it wouldn't be a huge surprise to see him helping Reubens maximise his points where appropriate. As for Ralf, the four remaining races are all high speed, and will suit the Williams. It's certainly not going to be easy for David. He has said that he has no interest in where he finishes in the table now. Ultimately coming first is all that matters. Though I would have thought ending second would give him a great amount of satisfaction. In his career so far he has come third in the Championship four times, but no higher. It would also show that he is the main man at McLaren, regardless of whether Mika stays or goes.
As for next season, well who knows? Unless McLaren have some amazing improvements to their cars for next year, I could see them coming off third best behind Ferrari and Williams. So even if David is on top of his game, any title challenge will be over before it's begun. In the longer term, until he retires Michael will always be a threat. And Ralf is surely a future World Champion in the making. Beyond that, drivers such as Raikonnen, Heidfeld, and hopefully Button, have great potential. So David Coulthard - World Champion, may be something we never get to see. It's ironic that when the McLaren's were the top cars, Mika came good and won the Championship. Now David has improved, they're not. I think for all time greats like Michael, timing doesn't really come into it. Those kind of drivers will win Championships through skill. But for people like David, he really needs a good car under him.
So what are everyone else's thoughts on David's performances this year? And how do you think he will do in the future?
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I think that David has had his chance at the title.
Next year will see the Williams (mainly of Ralfy-boy) be a definate contender. I will definately put money on him for the championship at the start of the season.
Unless McLaren REALLY improve, they will be the third best team next year. Simple as that.
They have to pull their finger out and work hard all winter. They need to win the first to races, putting all other teams on the back foot, to have a chance at the title.
I personally hope Mika Hakkinen reitres. I think he's done nothing for the sport and their are better drivers capapble of taking his place at McLaren. Kimi Raikkonnen (sp?) and Jarno Trulli are widely rumoured to be heading there next year.
So far though, we're assuming David will stay at McLaren next year. This isn't confirmed. Although it's likey he will stay, it's not 100% definate at the moment. Stranger things have happened with driver placements, Damon Hill at the end of '96, anyone?
I hope that Jordan go better next year than this, and I'd like to see Alesi get some points by the end of the year. I don't care about Prost, or Benetton to be honest. I'd like to see Minardi and Arrows improve over the winter as well.
All in all this has been an average season, no nailbiter for the first time in a few season, (except last year, but that WAS the penultimate race, so it was good enough).
Also, there wasn't a huge number of exctiting races. Only Hockenheim and Brazil stand out in my mind.
Lets hope it's better next year....
Next year will see the Williams (mainly of Ralfy-boy) be a definate contender. I will definately put money on him for the championship at the start of the season.
Unless McLaren REALLY improve, they will be the third best team next year. Simple as that.
They have to pull their finger out and work hard all winter. They need to win the first to races, putting all other teams on the back foot, to have a chance at the title.
I personally hope Mika Hakkinen reitres. I think he's done nothing for the sport and their are better drivers capapble of taking his place at McLaren. Kimi Raikkonnen (sp?) and Jarno Trulli are widely rumoured to be heading there next year.
So far though, we're assuming David will stay at McLaren next year. This isn't confirmed. Although it's likey he will stay, it's not 100% definate at the moment. Stranger things have happened with driver placements, Damon Hill at the end of '96, anyone?
I hope that Jordan go better next year than this, and I'd like to see Alesi get some points by the end of the year. I don't care about Prost, or Benetton to be honest. I'd like to see Minardi and Arrows improve over the winter as well.
All in all this has been an average season, no nailbiter for the first time in a few season, (except last year, but that WAS the penultimate race, so it was good enough).
Also, there wasn't a huge number of exctiting races. Only Hockenheim and Brazil stand out in my mind.
Lets hope it's better next year....
With still four races in the 2001 season left to run, Michael Schumacher has won another Formula One World Championship for Ferrari. Love him or hate him, without a doubt he is in a class of his own. Not only has he won two Championships for Ferrari, but also two for Benetton in the mid nineties. Even when the McLaren's were easily outperforming the Ferraris a few years ago, he still gave them a good run for their money. But what hope does this give to his current peers, and in particular David Coulthard?
Before David can start to think about his 2002 title challenge, he has the more immediate concern of keeping his second position in the Drivers' Championship. The early part of this season, both David and Michael appeared to be head and shoulders above the rest of the field (most importantly for David, he was totally outperforming his team mate Mika Hakkinen). For the first time he seemed to be a genuine title contender. But as the season progressed, the McLarens had various technical problems. Most notably problems with getting off the start line. It was particularly frustrating to watch the Monaco Grand Prix when he had a blistering qualifying session, only to lose all his good work because the car got left at the start. Frustrating to watch, but it must have been a total nightmare for David.
While McLaren were having all kinds of problems, the Ferraris barely experienced a glitch. David battled on, but not only did he have technical problems to contend with, but also the rapidly improving Williams. With their extra horse power and Michelin tyres, they are particularly suited to high speed circuits, and to hotter track temperatures. Ralf Schumacher started to take valuable race win points. As a result, David began to lose ground on Michael. As the points gap widened, his early season form seemed to slip away. Whether the two are connected, it's hard to tell. But it wasn't hard to see David's disappointment after the Hungarian Grand Prix last weekend.
Since he entered Formula One, he's been a consistenly good driver. Occasionally prone to succumbing to pressure, but one of the few drivers who is quite happy in having a go at overtaking Michael Schumacher. One of the highlights of last season was an overtaking tussle with Michael where David gave him a tasty hand gesture as he went past. Although he apologised after the race, it was extremely funny. And no doubt one that will be skipped in those abysmal 'funny sporting highlights' shows.
In the past he has effectively been the number two driver in the team. Both when he was at Williams with Damon Hill, and McLaren with Mika Hakkinen. Although McLaren have always claimed they treat both drivers equally, more decisions seem to have gone Mika's way. Understandable when you consider he won the Championship two years in succession. In all honesty it was difficult to justify the drivers as equal. This season David has easily been McLaren's best driver. Admittedly Mika has gone off the boil, and has had more than his fair share of technical problems. But even when he has got it together, on the whole David has outperformed him.
But now Michael is World Champion, David needs to concentrate on looking over his shoulder, and keeping hold of that second place. Both Reubens Barrichello and Ralf Schumacher are breathing down his neck in the points table, and I can quite easily see David ending up fourth unless he picks up his form again. Reubens has been having a good season, and now Michael has won the Championship, it wouldn't be a huge surprise to see him helping Reubens maximise his points where appropriate. As for Ralf, the four remaining races are all high speed, and will suit the Williams. It's certainly not going to be easy for David. He has said that he has no interest in where he finishes in the table now. Ultimately coming first is all that matters. Though I would have thought ending second would give him a great amount of satisfaction. In his career so far he has come third in the Championship four times, but no higher. It would also show that he is the main man at McLaren, regardless of whether Mika stays or goes.
As for next season, well who knows? Unless McLaren have some amazing improvements to their cars for next year, I could see them coming off third best behind Ferrari and Williams. So even if David is on top of his game, any title challenge will be over before it's begun. In the longer term, until he retires Michael will always be a threat. And Ralf is surely a future World Champion in the making. Beyond that, drivers such as Raikonnen, Heidfeld, and hopefully Button, have great potential. So David Coulthard - World Champion, may be something we never get to see. It's ironic that when the McLaren's were the top cars, Mika came good and won the Championship. Now David has improved, they're not. I think for all time greats like Michael, timing doesn't really come into it. Those kind of drivers will win Championships through skill. But for people like David, he really needs a good car under him.
So what are everyone else's thoughts on David's performances this year? And how do you think he will do in the future?
Before David can start to think about his 2002 title challenge, he has the more immediate concern of keeping his second position in the Drivers' Championship. The early part of this season, both David and Michael appeared to be head and shoulders above the rest of the field (most importantly for David, he was totally outperforming his team mate Mika Hakkinen). For the first time he seemed to be a genuine title contender. But as the season progressed, the McLarens had various technical problems. Most notably problems with getting off the start line. It was particularly frustrating to watch the Monaco Grand Prix when he had a blistering qualifying session, only to lose all his good work because the car got left at the start. Frustrating to watch, but it must have been a total nightmare for David.
While McLaren were having all kinds of problems, the Ferraris barely experienced a glitch. David battled on, but not only did he have technical problems to contend with, but also the rapidly improving Williams. With their extra horse power and Michelin tyres, they are particularly suited to high speed circuits, and to hotter track temperatures. Ralf Schumacher started to take valuable race win points. As a result, David began to lose ground on Michael. As the points gap widened, his early season form seemed to slip away. Whether the two are connected, it's hard to tell. But it wasn't hard to see David's disappointment after the Hungarian Grand Prix last weekend.
Since he entered Formula One, he's been a consistenly good driver. Occasionally prone to succumbing to pressure, but one of the few drivers who is quite happy in having a go at overtaking Michael Schumacher. One of the highlights of last season was an overtaking tussle with Michael where David gave him a tasty hand gesture as he went past. Although he apologised after the race, it was extremely funny. And no doubt one that will be skipped in those abysmal 'funny sporting highlights' shows.
In the past he has effectively been the number two driver in the team. Both when he was at Williams with Damon Hill, and McLaren with Mika Hakkinen. Although McLaren have always claimed they treat both drivers equally, more decisions seem to have gone Mika's way. Understandable when you consider he won the Championship two years in succession. In all honesty it was difficult to justify the drivers as equal. This season David has easily been McLaren's best driver. Admittedly Mika has gone off the boil, and has had more than his fair share of technical problems. But even when he has got it together, on the whole David has outperformed him.
But now Michael is World Champion, David needs to concentrate on looking over his shoulder, and keeping hold of that second place. Both Reubens Barrichello and Ralf Schumacher are breathing down his neck in the points table, and I can quite easily see David ending up fourth unless he picks up his form again. Reubens has been having a good season, and now Michael has won the Championship, it wouldn't be a huge surprise to see him helping Reubens maximise his points where appropriate. As for Ralf, the four remaining races are all high speed, and will suit the Williams. It's certainly not going to be easy for David. He has said that he has no interest in where he finishes in the table now. Ultimately coming first is all that matters. Though I would have thought ending second would give him a great amount of satisfaction. In his career so far he has come third in the Championship four times, but no higher. It would also show that he is the main man at McLaren, regardless of whether Mika stays or goes.
As for next season, well who knows? Unless McLaren have some amazing improvements to their cars for next year, I could see them coming off third best behind Ferrari and Williams. So even if David is on top of his game, any title challenge will be over before it's begun. In the longer term, until he retires Michael will always be a threat. And Ralf is surely a future World Champion in the making. Beyond that, drivers such as Raikonnen, Heidfeld, and hopefully Button, have great potential. So David Coulthard - World Champion, may be something we never get to see. It's ironic that when the McLaren's were the top cars, Mika came good and won the Championship. Now David has improved, they're not. I think for all time greats like Michael, timing doesn't really come into it. Those kind of drivers will win Championships through skill. But for people like David, he really needs a good car under him.
So what are everyone else's thoughts on David's performances this year? And how do you think he will do in the future?
Page: