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2007 F1 Season preview - Part 1 - McLaren, Renault and Ferrari

By: Karthik :+: Under: Cars, Formula 1, Motor Racing, Sports
On: ⋅ March 2, 2007 ⋅  Email this post ⋅  Print this post ⋅ Post a comment
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With 17 days left for the season opener in Melbourne, Australia we decided to update all you lazy fans on the 2007 season. The new insignia, the new drivers and how they did in testing. And a little bit of prediction for the first few races of the season.

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes:

McLaren have two new drivers in the cockpit. World champion Fernando Alonso along with rookie Lewis Hamilton. It’s ironic that Alonso switched from the most reliable team last season to the least reliable one (well at least as far as the front runners go). It also looks like Lewis Hamilton has been thrown in the deep end by Ron Dennis. If the MP4-22 is the least bit reliable, Alonso should not have a problem challenging the others for a win, but that remains to be seen. Lewis will also be the first black driver ever in F1. Hope the pressure does not get to him.

ING Renault:

Renault has to win the trophy for the ugliest car on the pit lane. Well that was until Honda decided to put the world on their car (more about that later). Heikki Kovalainen from the Renault Driver Development program joins Giancarlo Fisichella. Although he will be a rookie, he has racked up an abundant amount of test miles and race simulations. If the R27 was anything like it has been for the past couple of years, the only thing that can stop it would be it running out of gas. This is no way means that Renault are capable of challenging anyone, well they need a driver who can step up. Fisi has on occasions won races, but it will be his make or break year in 07.

Marlboro Ferrari:

The boys are looking good, real good. I was understandably a little sad that Michael Schumacher left, but after seeing Felippe Massa win the last race in style, I am the least bit worried. Massa showed the rest of the pack on how it’s done after setting a new lap record in Bahrain this week in testing. Alongside with Kimi, Ferrari seem to have a very strong package. Reliability has never been a major issue, but we will have to wait and see. The departure of Ross Brawn from the team might have an impact, but with their current form and speed, I doubt that anyone will be talking about Ross.

My predictions for the first 3 races, Melbourne, Malaysia and Bahrain:

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