With the start of the 2003 Formula 1 season only a month away, it is time for MOTORSPORTFORUM to stick its neck out and make some predictions for the new season.
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After Ferrari's steamroller season last year, the sport needs a vintage year to stem the tide of disillusioned viewers and spectators who were leaving in droves last year. With Williams and McLaren committed to taking the fight to Ferrari and a number of new kids on the block, 2003 has all the makings of a spectacular season. But don't we always think that?!
Nonetheless, here are some of MOTORSPORFORUM's tips for 2003:
WORLD CHAMPION - David Coulthard
While many are claiming the Flying Scotsman's best years are behind him, his winter testing pace in McLaren's interim 2002 car has been impressive. MOTORSPORTFORUM has never doubted Coulthard's ability but timing has rarely been on his side and when he was at his best, perhaps in the 2001 season, McLaren roundly failed to deliver a package capable of challenging for the title. But 2003 should be different: McLaren have re-structured their team to maximise their efforts this season; the improved 2002 chassi has been fast and reliable in testing; and Adrian Newey is being given every last minute to make the 2003 car something special (so much so that it will not figure in the championship until at least the fourth race).
CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPION - McLaren-Mercedes
Ron Dennis' men and women hate to lose and last season they were on the end of drubbing from Ferrari more often than not. They didn't appreciate the experience and word from inside the McLaren camp suggests everyone in the team is determined not to sample the bitter taste of defeat in 2003.
Restructured to maximise effort and with (hopefully) an exciting new chassi in production, the motivated McLaren squad will be the force to be reckoned with over the duration of the 2003 season. But it will be close, very close and expect the points haul from McLaren's future world champion Coulthard to go a long way to defeating Ferrari and Williams.
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT - Jaguar
There appears to be something inherently bad about the Jaguar F1 set-up, but exactly what is a complete mystery. Having trumpeted 2003 as a the make or break season, with new team personnel, drivers and management in place this was going to be the year when the Big Cat roared. It won't be though and MOTORSPORTFORUM's long-term prediction that the Jaguar F1 adventure will be canned in favour of full Jordan support looks set to ring true sooner rather than later.
In testing the new chassi appears to have carried over the same awful handling that has dogged every one of its predecessors. With two relatively inexperienced drivers on board and a completely new (and still shaky) engineering structure, the team will be hard pushed to resolve the inherent problems with the chassi, let alone make the car go fast! Add Ford's support of Jordan (a very public performance benchmark) and no more "not the right man for the job" excuses and Jaguar has the perfect recipe for another embarrassing season.
SURPRISE PACKAGE OF THE SEASON - Frentzen/Sauber
While it may not constitute much of a surprise but Sauber is shaping up to be the kind of environment that H-HF will thrive in. A tightly knit team that will wrap him up in cotton wool with a good solid package (and potent Ferrari engines behind them) is exactly what Frentzen needs to be fast and successful next year. Furthermore, the German always rises to the challenge when faced with an opportunity to prove his critics wrong, previous examples being his performance at Jordan after being dumped by Williams and his short spell with Prost after being dumped by Jordan.
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