By Dirk Gibson
The end of any season in motorsports is all about the celebrations. The pure glory of victory cannot be understated, particularly in Formula One where so much money is spent and the championship is truly run world wide.
While glory is the name of the game as we look back on the 2008 season, we also have to look at the teams that failed to produce. The usual suspects are included, but a surprise or two might be on hand. Any discussion, however, has to start with the fall of Japan.
There was a time when Honda was considered a major player in Formula One. Teaming with Williams, the combination delivered driver and manufacturer championships. Those days, unfortunately, are long gone. The current Honda team is defined by one word - pathetic. It is a complete and utter disaster. The cars are uncompetitive to the point that getting out of the first round of qualifying is considered a major success for the team. How the mighty have fallen!
There is some hope for 2009. The reason is two fold. First, all the teams are more or less starting from scratch with the 2009 car given the massive rule changes. Second, the team admitted it spent much of 2008 trying to get the new car together for 2009. Given the fact Ross Brawn is now running the show, a lengthy development period should make a huge difference. The master of Ferrari does not like to lose, so Honda should start coming around. If Brawn can't change things, Honda's future in F1 is grim at best.
The misery of Honda makes the mediocrity of Toyota seem less problematic in Japan, but there is no mistaking the fact Toyota continues to disappoint year after year. With the largest budget in Formula One, it begs the question of just what is the team spending money on? The last few years have seen some advances and the cars are typically running in the group of cars from fifth to tenth in each race. After all these years of development, that simply is not enough. The Toyota should be competing for wins, but it flails and flails year after year. Does anyone thing 2009 will be any different?
The Williams team is not so much disappointing as just sad. The cost of Formula One has finally become to much for this ultimate privateer. Remember, it wasn't that long ago that Sir Frank Williams and his bunch were bringing in driver and manufacturer championships. Sadly, those days are gone and the team is now an also ran. It appears far more likely that the team will fail completely versus make a comeback in the sport, particularly given the economic downturn around the world.
Now for our big surprise - Ferrari. How could this team be considered disappointing when it won the manufacturer's championship? A quick glance suggests the team is indeed strong, but a closer look shows a lot of potential problems. Remember, this team has transitioned away from the Schumacher days and that team of managers. The question is what has it transitioned to and is it a good thing.
The initial answers are troubling. Ferrari was known throughout the Schumacher era for reliability. That obviously is no longer entirely the case as best exemplified by Massa's engine failure that stole victory from defeat in Hungary. The team was also known for excellent strategy, particularly in changing circumstances like a safety car. In 2008, the strategy of the team was horrible more often than not. This cost both Massa and the team points in both championships. If these two trends continue, Ferrari will be moving back to the middle of the pack of teams just like where it was before Schumacher appeared.
There is one other reason to be concerned about Ferrari - Kimi Raikkonen. Coming off a World Championship, the Iceman had a horrible season. The biggest problem was he seemed indifferent at best. Given the troubles, the team did an odd thing by extending his contract through 2010. The question is why? If the team feels it can motivate Raikkonen, then why didn't it do it in 2008. If it feels it cannot, then why resign him for another two years?
All of this is made odder by the fact that Fernando Alonso clearly wants to race for Ferrari. Why would Ferrari not want him? Yes, McLaren was a messy situation, but Alonso is hardly the first driver to have problems there. Could it be that Ferrari things Massa is a number one driver? He is not. There is no comparison between he and Alonso, and the management should realize as much. The fact that it seems not to is troubling and calls into question whether Ferrari has lost its aim. After all, who could better challenge McLaren than Alonso in a Ferrari? It would make the rivalry even hotter and more exciting.
Every year has positive and negative developments. The 2008 season was no different. Can any of these teams turn it around in 2009? I am a believer in Ross Brawn, so I'll put a hand over my eyes and mumble "Honda", but don't hold me to it. The real question will be whether Ferrari heads back to the mountain top or continues to decline.
The end of any season in motorsports is all about the celebrations. The pure glory of victory cannot be understated, particularly in Formula One where so much money is spent and the championship is truly run world wide.
While glory is the name of the game as we look back on the 2008 season, we also have to look at the teams that failed to produce. The usual suspects are included, but a surprise or two might be on hand. Any discussion, however, has to start with the fall of Japan.
There was a time when Honda was considered a major player in Formula One. Teaming with Williams, the combination delivered driver and manufacturer championships. Those days, unfortunately, are long gone. The current Honda team is defined by one word - pathetic. It is a complete and utter disaster. The cars are uncompetitive to the point that getting out of the first round of qualifying is considered a major success for the team. How the mighty have fallen!
There is some hope for 2009. The reason is two fold. First, all the teams are more or less starting from scratch with the 2009 car given the massive rule changes. Second, the team admitted it spent much of 2008 trying to get the new car together for 2009. Given the fact Ross Brawn is now running the show, a lengthy development period should make a huge difference. The master of Ferrari does not like to lose, so Honda should start coming around. If Brawn can't change things, Honda's future in F1 is grim at best.
The misery of Honda makes the mediocrity of Toyota seem less problematic in Japan, but there is no mistaking the fact Toyota continues to disappoint year after year. With the largest budget in Formula One, it begs the question of just what is the team spending money on? The last few years have seen some advances and the cars are typically running in the group of cars from fifth to tenth in each race. After all these years of development, that simply is not enough. The Toyota should be competing for wins, but it flails and flails year after year. Does anyone thing 2009 will be any different?
The Williams team is not so much disappointing as just sad. The cost of Formula One has finally become to much for this ultimate privateer. Remember, it wasn't that long ago that Sir Frank Williams and his bunch were bringing in driver and manufacturer championships. Sadly, those days are gone and the team is now an also ran. It appears far more likely that the team will fail completely versus make a comeback in the sport, particularly given the economic downturn around the world.
Now for our big surprise - Ferrari. How could this team be considered disappointing when it won the manufacturer's championship? A quick glance suggests the team is indeed strong, but a closer look shows a lot of potential problems. Remember, this team has transitioned away from the Schumacher days and that team of managers. The question is what has it transitioned to and is it a good thing.
The initial answers are troubling. Ferrari was known throughout the Schumacher era for reliability. That obviously is no longer entirely the case as best exemplified by Massa's engine failure that stole victory from defeat in Hungary. The team was also known for excellent strategy, particularly in changing circumstances like a safety car. In 2008, the strategy of the team was horrible more often than not. This cost both Massa and the team points in both championships. If these two trends continue, Ferrari will be moving back to the middle of the pack of teams just like where it was before Schumacher appeared.
There is one other reason to be concerned about Ferrari - Kimi Raikkonen. Coming off a World Championship, the Iceman had a horrible season. The biggest problem was he seemed indifferent at best. Given the troubles, the team did an odd thing by extending his contract through 2010. The question is why? If the team feels it can motivate Raikkonen, then why didn't it do it in 2008. If it feels it cannot, then why resign him for another two years?
All of this is made odder by the fact that Fernando Alonso clearly wants to race for Ferrari. Why would Ferrari not want him? Yes, McLaren was a messy situation, but Alonso is hardly the first driver to have problems there. Could it be that Ferrari things Massa is a number one driver? He is not. There is no comparison between he and Alonso, and the management should realize as much. The fact that it seems not to is troubling and calls into question whether Ferrari has lost its aim. After all, who could better challenge McLaren than Alonso in a Ferrari? It would make the rivalry even hotter and more exciting.
Every year has positive and negative developments. The 2008 season was no different. Can any of these teams turn it around in 2009? I am a believer in Ross Brawn, so I'll put a hand over my eyes and mumble "Honda", but don't hold me to it. The real question will be whether Ferrari heads back to the mountain top or continues to decline.
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