The best Ferrari?

[pD F1]

Of the recent Ferrari success, the F2002 and F2004 have both been 'beautiful' outstanding cars, bringing almost complete domination, which do you think was the best out of the F2002, or the F2004?

[BootsOntheSide]

The 2002 car was more successful, but maybe last year's rules make it harder for a team to dominate completely, because of the semi-random qualifying element and full-weekend engines (of course, both elements will be exaggerated this year - it probably won't give the title to the wrong team, but it will reduce the winning margin). The rival teams were theoretically stronger going into 2004 than 2002, but we all know that McLaren and Williams both completely under-performed, and Renault only looked likely to beat Michael on merit twice, Monaco and France. Difficult question, but I'm going to say 2002 - every aspect of that car was perfect.

[Jordi]

I'd say 2004... Ferrari brought their new car and dominated at the start of the season. Reliability was improved - remember Rubens not starting several races in 2002. IT's true that unlike in 2002, Schumacher failed to be on the podium at every race, but considering the opposition this year (I feel BAR and Renault 2004 were stronger than Williams and McLaren 2002) they still got a car on the rostrum on every race.
And the F2004 is basically quicker (thanks to tyre development mainly admittedly) than the F2002 - by a margin.

[Snrub]

I think the F2002 tended to blow everyone away more in the races, so my vote goes to it. A lot of the races were a lot closer in 2004 than in 2002. Granted, MS didn't push particularly hard in 2004 for more than a few laps. The F2004 was more reliable, but everyone's reliability has gone up in recent years. Also keep in mind that in 2002 Williams had a lot of poles. Stratagy or tires I'd say, but Ferrari/MS often had to get past them and still had impressive win margins.

[pD F1]

Well Malaysia, Australia, Bahrain, Nurburgring, Hungary, Suzuka, Hockenheim, 2004 were all races that MS just ran off into the distance in and were never really challenged. But yes, I agree with the 2002 Ferrari, that was marginally bertter, not least because unlike in 2004, it consistently really just left everyone behind in races, and didn't fall back a bit in the latter races, (the gap between the other teams decreasing!). Remember in Malaysia 2002, MS collided with JPM, had to get a new nose and that ended chances of a win, on the first lap and Monaco 2002, well, TGF was right with DC all race, but because its so hard to overtake there, it gave DC enough protection to hold off the Ferrari and win the race (Monaco being Monaco, the start really does depend on everything - anything can happen there and it usually does!)

[captain crunch]

As Enzo himself would have said, the best Ferrari is the next one. But then that wouldn't answer the question. I personally think the F2004 is the better, basically because of the two years extra development that went into it. The F2005 will be better again, of course.

[Bleu]

Of course the cars come better every year unless radical rule changes happen.

Thinking about best car, cars should be compared to other cars that year. That makes F2002 better than F2004.

Of course F2004 was faster than F2002, and even F2003-GA was faster than F2002.

[Marbot]

The most beautiful,probably IMO the 95 Ferrari (195 was it)whereas the 94 and 96 Ferraris were very odd looking things.

[Mr V]

Originally Posted by martyn bott

The most beautiful,probably IMO the 95 Ferrari (195 was it)whereas the 94 and 96 Ferraris were very odd looking things.

Agreed, the 1996 car was a horror, where as the 94 (412 T1) was a beaut. Incidently, the 1995 car was called the 412 T2

[Kicking-back]

Some of the 1950s ones were probably "the best" Ferraris.

[Knowlesy]

The two best looking Ferraris for me have been the 412 T2 and the F2003GA. Such elegant cars both of them.

F2004 looks quite hideous. F2002 is very nice, but looks rather dated now.

[luke]

My favourite Ferrari were the ones that didn't win.

No, seriously the F1-90, that Nigel Mansell and Alain Prost drve in 1990. It also gave Ferrari its 100th win, and had a semi-automatic gear box.
It was also a very nice looking car, and had two great drivers.

[luke]

I forgot to mention, I also liked the F1-2000. I just loved it.

[Rennen]

I couldn't call the current cars "Beautiful"!...however when they are winners like the current Ferrari's are then they must be!

For me the most "Beautiful" Ferraris were the 1961 Shark nosed cars...and they were winners too!

[foreversideways]

Shark Nose and the Lauda one.

[Peter Mallett]

Got to express some disappointment in this thread.

the Dino 246 was pretty good but the Super Squalo was a dog. (Sadly fatal for one driver). Yes, the Sharknose was a masterpiece. But what about the D50 which Enzo "stole" from Lancia?

The sad thing is that Ferrari goes way back beyond 1989 or whatever and very few think about those days.

Come on folks give the question some thought!

[Rich R]

1970 312b1 is one of my favourites, along with the 158 from 64, the 78 312t3 and the 94 412t1. but personally i find most of the ferrari f1 cars a bit dull compared to the companies racing sportscars and gt's from the 50's-60's.

[foreversideways]

Ok point taken will get the book out.

[foreversideways]

But also Peter, some of these guys on here dont go back beyond 1989

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

The sad thing is that Ferrari goes way back beyond 1989 or whatever and very few think about those days.

Substitute 1997 or 2000 in there.

The Lancia D50 was nice and a good idea too. Although all cars of that era compare with the Maserati 250F and all lose! Although the Dino was nice, I agree.

The shark nose was lovely, but I am not a great fan of the '60s small cars.

The early 312s are nice, especially when you can see the engine. I do also like the mid-70s 312Ts when they lost the big air box. Lots of ducts that I think, oddly, add to the look. Even the white doesn't annoy.

The turno cars are nice. I like that era, but they aren't good looking cars. Although they tended to look better than most. With the exception of hte McLarens that had very little add ons. Just engine, tub and wings.

Prosty's 641 was lovely. Cars around this time did look decent.

Then Ferrari's became horrible, peaking in horribleness in '96. The others after got better, but they don't do anything for me. Although they are some of the better looking cars on the grid.

Its the 641 for me.

If we are talking performance? Well I prefer Ferrari's with a decent engine that carrier the rest of it along, until it blows up.

[Peter Mallett]

Originally Posted by foreversideways

But also Peter, some of these guys on here dont go back beyond 1989

Exactly, so as the man said. Get those books out!

[Dani Filth]

the 641 of course . but also the F92A .. was lovely

[Jordi]

Just what are we talking, the best Ferrari or the <i>best-looking</i> Ferrari? If it's that, then the Gilles Villeneuve 1982 126C2 without front wing is second to none.

[Dani Filth]

do u have a photo of the car . without the front wing ??

[Jordi]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...illessaf82.jpg
Just look at it, opposite lock, the lines in the car are pure, without any winglets, big fat slicks, and of course St. Gilles at the wheel.