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Weather Key to title - Martin Whitmarsh
Topic Started: Aug 30 2008, 07:53 PM (227 Views)
Rams
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Quote:
 
McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh believes unpredictable weather conditions at the remaining rounds of the 2008 season will be the key to who ends up winning the drivers' and constructors' championships, with hotter conditions in particular favouring rivals Ferrari.

"I think Ferrari were pleased the sun came out on Sunday as I'm sure they feel when the track temperature really heats up that's when their car really comes to them," Whitmarsh said.

"We'e now entering extremely interesting territory where we wont be entirely certain what sort of temperatures we'll be encountering at some of the future races: Monza is likely to be hot and Singapore will probably be cooler, but the races at Spa, Fuji, Shanghai and Brazil could just as easily be sweltering as torrential," he added. "Regardless, we will continue to make changes to our car right through until Brazil."

http://f1.gpupdate.net/en/news/2008/08/28/...itle-whitmarsh/

I think he's right, since Ross Brawn left Ferrari they have a terrible record of coping in adverse conditions, be it poor weather or unusual track conditions like Canada. If you look at the 7 crazy races we've had in 2007 and 2008 so far (Canada, Nurby, Fuji, China, Monaco, Canada, Britain) they've only won 1 of those (China) and even that was only because a rival made a mistake.

We have a string of races coming up now with the possible exception of Monza that could well bring very unique challenges, from what I've heard already Spa has a good chance of being wet in some form. Can Ferrari sort themselves out, or will McLaren continue to outperform them?
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Red Andy
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With the championship so finely balanced anything at this stage could decide the title. Another downpour like Silverstone could easily render Massa missing, presumed lapped, giving Hamilton a comfortable lead. Rain could come at Spa or Fuji in particular; it's been known to rain in Brazil but not since that race was moved to the end of the calendar rather than the beginning.

On the other hand, if it is hot for many of the remaining races it will give Ferrari the edge. Their car works well in the heat because it masks the fact that they struggle to get the front tyres up to temperature as quickly as McLaren - thus Singapore, in the evening, will be difficult for them as it is likely to be cooler. However, if it stays dry you can't bet against Ferrari to take the titles.
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RJHSaints
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Hamilton seems to have a natural ability in the wet so that is one thing that might be considered a plus for them. Ferrari's tactical decisions of all kinds have been poor this year, so I probably agree with Whitmarsh.
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Rob
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I think a lot will depend on the kind of wet race, consistantly wet (Fuji, Monaco) Massa has not been that bad, but he really seems to suffer in changing conditions, IMO. If Ferrari would choose the right damn tire, Massa won't suffer a whole hell of a lot, but he will need Kimi and maybe a BMW or two to take some points off Lewis in the dry races to make up for a few wet races.
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stradlin24
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if it rains at Spa let's hope DC isn't starting anywhere near the front...
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Rob
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stradlin23,Aug 31 2008
05:32 PM
if it rains at Spa let's hope DC isn't starting anywhere near the front...

Isn't it a forgone conclusion that he won't? <sarcasm>

























<peek>
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RJHSaints
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I'd guess DC hasn't been in the top 10 in qualifying at over 75% or so of races, so probably, yes.
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