F1 News

**mazdamazda** · February 16th, 2005 09:05 AM

from the philstar

Pit Lane Notes
There were rumors going around that Ferrari was thinking of leaving Formula 1. Although team boss Jean Todt already said that his team will remain, he also admitted that they actually considered leaving because F1 was already costing the company so much, they eventually decided to stick it out — at least until their contract ends in 2012. This was actually not the first time they considered leaving the sport due to the growing costs of maintaining an F1 team. Tifosi could only hope that it wouldn’t have to come to this. Ferrari is the only team in Formula 1 to have competed in every championship since 1950.

"This could be the end for Ralf Schumacher." Strong words huh? Well, what else can you expect from former F1 bad boy Eddie Irvine. The extremely opinionated ex-Ferrari driver reportedly said that this is a make or break year for the younger Schumacher — if he doesn’t do well with Toyota in 2005, then he might as well kiss his career goodbye. Irvine said that Ralf is less talented than older sibling Michael, he has less drive, and he lacks the killer instinct that his brother has in abundance. According to Irvine, Ralf may have won races with Williams, but who wouldn’t have if given the same car, the same engine, and the same set of tires? Yes, Irvine believes that the only reason Ralf did so well in Williams was because of his tires. Don’t think Ralf will take this sitting down. Fasten your seatbelts folks, I have a feeling we haven’t heard the last from this bit of chismis.

Red Bull is reportedly pinning all their hopes on former McLaren driver David Coulthard to give them a strong finish this season. No pressure, DC. His 50 podium finishes and 13 career wins are impressive, yes. But those weren’t exactly recent. His teammates Christian Klien and Vitantonio Liuzzi are relatively inexperienced compared to him, and I guess it’s a no-brainer to make Coulthard the number 1 driver. As of this writing, Red Bull still hasn’t named who among the two will be the 2nd driver and who will be relegated to the testing seat, but they are reportedly very happy with their lineup.

**kimpOy** · February 16th, 2005 09:55 AM

tama naman talaga si irvine eh...

as for DC ganun din naman siya, he won all those races because of the MP4-.... ah the one that gave mika the title and the team competitive.

**effone** · February 16th, 2005 10:37 AM

consider leaving F1 with several constructors championship is not bad at all.

the big question is,

"how being a champion team affect the sales of ferrari standard rides?"

**nicolodeon** · February 16th, 2005 10:53 AM

Go Ferrari! Ferarri has arguably the best F1 team ever. They are the oldest surviving, the most well known, and the most loved team in Grand Prix Motor Racing. Ferrari produced/hired some of best drivers in F1 history (Juan Miguel Fangio, Peter Collins, Jacky Ickx, Niki Lauda, Giles Villenueve and Michal Schumacher). Vive Cavallino Rampante!