I guess it will be seen in due time whether this car will be quick on the track, but it certainly looks odd as hell standing still. I'm a big fan of Williams, and they ended up losing to Ferrari this year in the F1 Constructers and Driver Championship, so I'm looking forward to what this car can do...


Williams-BMW FW26 (http://f1.racing-live.com/en/headlines/news/detail/040105193733.shtml)

This is the McLaren challenger for 2004, with a more traditional nose...

McLaren-Mercedes MP4-19 (http://f1.racing-live.com/en/headlines/news/detail/031228215400.shtml)

Check this out - www.bmw.williamsf1.com

Time will tell... but despite my being a Williams/Montoya fan, that *has* to be one of the fugliest cars to come out in recent memory.

It better be fast, because it sure isn't pretty. :)

i dispise Patrick Head and have been thoroughly disappointed with their (William's) efforts over the last few years, considering the engine they've had. and fwiw, i really don't like Montoya either; he's been good in a few races, but his debut season was full of idiocy (for those that remember, the A1-Ring, and the laughably stupid incident at the Hockenheimring).

...i like, especially in F1, new approaches to the same old story, but this?? hmm... yeah, we really will see. keep in mind that this isn't the complete package, as both those front and rear aerofoils are from last year's car. test times mean nothing anyway, so it'll be the Saturday of Adelaide where we'll see what she can do next to the 19 and Ferrari's '04.

my money was, and will be on Kimi in the MP4-19, which i'm sure will go well.

upon further analysis, they've taken the route of Mr. Walkinshaw's old '02 contender, with the huge venturi tunnel/independant bottom front link structure between the front wheels (even the angle between the posts is similar). i suppose the width of the nose is to maximize that force they'll be generating with the tunnel there between the wheels. this is of course an obvious attempt to answer their perpetual under-steer problems that have been haunting their chassises for the last couple years (remember how long it took Pat to come out with a horizontally contoured front aerofoil?? ...remember how it still didn't help them much??).

i'm sure it'll work, 'cause that's a huge gamble to change the design so violently after 3 years of near-perfect stagnation, but will the tradeoff be worth it?? they've always had tons of power behind them with the BMW, so this car last year wouldn't have put them at too large a disadvantage down the straight, but with the entirely new take on engine design (which need to last the whole weekend), well, again it's a bit of a gamble, although the BMW's will be understandably expected to deliver.

just as i was thinking all this, it occured to me that in truth Rory has still the car to beat... when's the roll-out date for the Ferrari??

WTF!

Its the Jimmy Durante F1 team!

Originally posted by Rotary Nut
WTF!

Its the Jimmy Durante F1 team!

Whoa. Shows how old you are!

booooo, forza Ferrari! :)

I'm just ticked off that they moved the USGP up this year. It's the same weekend as my wedding.

(Note to fiancé: I am thrilled about the wedding. Girl first, cars second.)

Originally posted by racerdave
Time will tell... but despite my being a Williams/Montoya fan, that *has* to be one of the fugliest cars to come out in recent memory.

It better be fast, because it sure isn't pretty. :)


Oi... I hate Montoya with a passion, had the displeausure of meeting the little bastard once. I wanted to pat him on the head and tell him to go away like a good little boy :mad:

The FW26 might look weird but I am sure it is a beast. I am rooting for my man Kimi, hopefully the MP4/19 will compete.

Originally posted by IkeWRX
Oi... I hate Montoya with a passion, had the displeausure of meeting the little bastard once. I wanted to pat him on the head and tell him to go away like a good little boy :mad:

When was that?

Kind of an interesting group of quotes from FW:

http://www.planet-f1.com/Home/story_13960.shtml

Old thread but I'll dig it up. So apparently the most competitive team this year is B.A.R. Williams is not doing too well, even Renault is more competitive.

This weekend's Spanish race should be interesting since B.A.R's testing ground is there.

I am hoping B.A.R win the race, actually anyone but M. Schumacher.

Originally posted by Hanzo
Old thread but I'll dig it up. So apparently the most competitive team this year is B.A.R. Williams is not doing too well, even Renault is more competitive.

I'd disagree about Williams - BAR was quicker in San Marino, but elsewhere the Williams has still been quicker (at least in Montoya's hands). They're competitive, and won't drop the ball - it will be between BAR and Williams, with Renault trying hard, for the title in the "Best-after-Ferrari" category.

The best part of digging up this old thread is reflecting on wakeech's bold prediction:
Originally posted by wakeech
my money was, and will be on Kimi in the MP4-19, which i'm sure will go well.

:p :p :p :p

;)

Regards,
Gordon

To me BAR looks more competitive in the hands on Button.

Williams have not impressed anybody. While Montoya has done ok, his teammate has had a bad start of the season. Ralf is a driver that performs well only when the car is perfect. Montoya outqualified Button in all races but San Marino, yet Button still has the edge in terms of points.

Williams has a pair of experienced drivers who should deliver more consistent performances. BAR has relied mainly on Button and both teams are tied in the championship.

Originally posted by racerdave
When was that?

4 or 5 years ago the night before he won the Milwaukee Mile.

I also met Montoya in Mexico after an F3-Nissan race in 1994 and had the displeasure again at Indy two years ago. Good driver, bad personality.

Just be happy you didn't have to deal with him for 2 hours... I will throw a party the day he loses his ride in F1.

I wonder how Montoya is feeling about his McLaren ride next year.

Originally posted by mamccubbin
I wonder how Montoya is feeling about his McLaren ride next year.

Hopefully the MP4/19 will improve soon, he should be okay for next year.

I am hoping Sato can get a podium finish, which would be great for “Asian” drivers in F1. I don’t think there is ever an Asian driver on the podium before.

I am glad Honda is back in business and B.A.R got their acts together, hope the old glory days of Honda domination will come again soon.

Actually I remember in the early 90's Aguri Suzuki with Larrousse took third place in Suzuka. Nakajima in the Tyrrel came in 6th and Japan went histerical after these good performances.

I hope Sato gets some success too now that his is no longer crashing his car every race.

A big question now is who will drive for Williams next year now that apparently R. Schumacher is also on his way out...

Anyone planning to go for the USGP this June?? And does anyone know what channels they broadcast all F1 races in the US?

Originally posted by SiMplyBluE
Anyone planning to go for the USGP this June?? And does anyone know what channels they broadcast all F1 races in the US?

Going to the Canadian GP in June myself. I can't wait.

Originally posted by Hanzo
Going to the Canadian GP in June myself. I can't wait.

I totally forgot about the Canadian GP!!! And I have friends in Montreal I could stay with too......Hmmmm......Thats sounds like a better idea!!

May be i'll go to Indy but this season has been too boring and as things stand today I don't know if it's worth the money to see Schumacher cruise for victory..... again.

You can watch the races on Speed Channel if available with your local cable provider

I'm thinking of getting DirectTV :D Schumacher is my favorite driver. I started getting into F1 when Schumacher and Hakkinen were fighting for the top spot with Coulthard closeby. That was I guess 3-5 years ago.....

Watching it in person is great.