Was this the most important race in Montoya's career so far?? - Page 2

Raoul Duke · 14 Apr 2002, 16:07 (Ref:260169)

To say that Montoya is slow compared to Ralf is a little far fetched. I would say it's more a case of them being evenly matched with Ralf having the upper hand at the moment.

Super Tourer · 14 Apr 2002, 16:27 (Ref:260181)

This is a tough track that doesn't seem to suit some drivers and or cars. If you look at the back of the grid Yoong failed to break the 107% by some margin, yet qualified at the other races this year.

If my memory serves me correctly, JPM had a rather subdued Imola race last year (no doubt someone will put me right on this!)

He looked strangely muted this race, I was expecting his usual 'blast from the start' - which didn't materialise, instead followed by total obscurity in the race.

You would have thought that the kerbs of Imola would have suited his press on, attacking style.

Damon · 14 Apr 2002, 16:36 (Ref:260186)

It's amazing how things change from race to race. If JPM wins the next one all will be rosey again. It's pathetic. By the way what is this about JPM being a whiner!? I've heard nothing but a load of media over hyping.

Also "he's the next Senna/Schu he/they were always quick. Ralf only came good as far as maturity is concerned when he joined Williams. Before that he was a bit of a Sato driving into his team mate race after race. Experts at the time were commenting that he was only in the sport because of his name and that he wouldn't be around very long. Look how things change. You don't loose talent after one weekend. This is the first race this year that Ralf has outpaced JPM over a full weekend so where all this is coming from I don't know.

R · 14 Apr 2002, 16:54 (Ref:260205)

Even if two drivers are in the same car, they do definitely not always have equal machinery. Montoya's car was set up for wet conditions, while Ralf's was set up for dry. Now, ask yourself: Did we see much rain today? It's a pity that some Ralf fans feel so insecure about "their" man that they have to bad mouth his team mate all the time (yes, it's shining through).

Sato san · 14 Apr 2002, 17:06 (Ref:260209)

everything turns around all the time . some people can't see further than the end of their arm !! . Juan is top class ,but he had a bad day today with his set up choice . Ralf is bloody good , he had a better day today . Even though Michael has got bags of talent he must be frightened of being beaten or is very insecure as he had to steal rubens car today !

you see , they all have there little dramas

R · 14 Apr 2002, 17:29 (Ref:260226)

They sure do, and TGF is boring to watch when he is out ahead on his own. He is fun to watch when he's being pressured, because then we get to see what he's made of (and this is not a slick reference to Jerez 97 and the like).

I want to see racing, not just someone who's parading around in front all alone.

f1canada · 14 Apr 2002, 20:11 (Ref:260321)

Let me start by saying that Im not a fan of JMP. Yet, to be sure, on this side of the pond anyway, he has legions of fans, and esp. in the US, due to his CART career and his truely overrated Indy 500 win. That said, it seems to me that maybe he is a little overrated, and just maybe, Ralf a little underrated. Remember when he was a Williams test driver, during the Jacques V era, he was very rarely as quick as JV in testing...

Mr V · 14 Apr 2002, 20:17 (Ref:260323)

Quote:

Originally posted by f1canada
his truely overrated Indy 500 win.

how was it over rated.....winning the indy 500 in his rookie attempt is hardly over rated!

EERO · 14 Apr 2002, 21:00 (Ref:260347)

Quote:

Originally posted by mr v

how was it over rated.....winning the indy 500 in his rookie attempt is hardly over rated!

And, he didn't just win, he WHUPPED 'em silly.

R · 14 Apr 2002, 21:10 (Ref:260356)

Indycars are more basic race cars, without most of the technological gizmos of the F1 cars - an Indycar favour the driver more than current F1 cars do.

Montoya would have shone in the 80s and early 90s when he would have been right up there with Senna and Prost. In today's cars it is a lot more difficult for a driver like him to stand out. The driver input is really small. TGF can do it because he has the entire team built around him, and is in the best car. It is tougher for Montoya. He will still be great though.

Damon · 14 Apr 2002, 22:39 (Ref:260421)

Quote:

Originally posted by f1canada
Remember when he was a Williams test driver, during the Jacques V era, he was very rarely as quick as JV in testing...

Testing has never and will never be a fair representation of form or talent. Pre-2001 season testing showed Prost on form and this year Mclaren set the pace. Often the opposite happens. As is clear with JPM.

Speed · 14 Apr 2002, 23:29 (Ref:260454)

In addition, drivers and testers try different setups and different components on testing sessions. Not a fair comparisson, Mr. F1Canada.

f1manoz · 14 Apr 2002, 23:47 (Ref:260468)

One bad race, and everyone now turns on JPM.

Yeah, true fans. Pathetic really.

I bet most were probably just waiting for this so they could slag him off.

Valve Bounce · 14 Apr 2002, 23:47 (Ref:260469)

......don't fix it. Aparently after the car went so well at morning warm up, JPM's team decided to make a couple of minor alterations to the set up, and the rest is history. Also, teh track temp was 21 degrees which didn't help. But let's face it, the F2002 was just too good on teh day.

Wrex · 15 Apr 2002, 00:19 (Ref:260487)

Quote:

Originally posted by Damon
Not the warm up lap, the initiation lap to the grid (when they do run at full pace or close to it).

If this is the case, why did'nt they fix it on the grid? :confused:

I'm not sure about understeering problems, wet set-ups or little green men peddling from the inside of the car. In the end it does'nt matter. Worse case senario, is the Monty had 1 bad race. Not exactly a nail in his career coffin.

Also, the above circumstances would'nt have changed the result. Ralf would have got the jump at the start (from the clean side) and Monty would have finished 4th anyway. A gap of 20 seconds or 2 seconds would still have brought home 3 points.

And while we should'nt read anything into JPM's performance today, it should be noted that Ralf was faster, for whatever reason, once again.

Can anyone here give an unbiased honest opinion?

f1manoz · 15 Apr 2002, 00:26 (Ref:260489)

Yes, Ralf was faster today. Ralf drove the better race. JPM had a bad day. Bad set-up or not, JPM would have finished behind his team-mate.

Why is the concept so difficult to accept by everyone?

Rick · 15 Apr 2002, 01:14 (Ref:260539)

Without starting another bunfight, is it just urban myth that all Ralf's team mates have been faster than him? Anyone got the figures (Qualifying/fastest laps)- particularly second half of seasons? Has anyone here done a comparison of drivers over the last few years eg Fisi faster than Ralf, Ralf faster than so and so etc - would be interesting for someone with good computer skills - not me!

Valve Bounce · 15 Apr 2002, 03:01 (Ref:260609)

Quote:

Originally posted by Wrex

And while we should'nt read anything into JPM's performance today, it should be noted that Ralf was faster, for whatever reason, once again.

Can anyone here give an unbiased honest opinion?

WREX, I did in my post directly above yours. It seems that the revised settings upset the balance of the car.

Damon · 15 Apr 2002, 08:57 (Ref:260734)

Wrex; As I said in the rest of the post the team decided to leave the car and put the problem down to a cold set of tyres (the car was fine in warm up as JPM was 3rd quickest only a couple of tenths down on the Ferraris) . They assumed this would self correct itself after a few laps but it never happened.

Tristan · 15 Apr 2002, 13:47 (Ref:261109)

Yes, but Hakkinen IS themost boring person on the face of this earth.... More so even than Minardifan!!

EERO · 16 Apr 2002, 01:15 (Ref:261650)

Quote:

Originally posted by f1manoz
Yes, Ralf was faster today. Ralf drove the better race. JPM had a bad day. Bad set-up or not, JPM would have finished behind his team-mate.

Why is the concept so difficult to accept by everyone?

Its not hard to accept, what is hard to accept is the assumption that on the basis of yesterday's performance, he's worthless.

Mania · 16 Apr 2002, 01:20 (Ref:261652)

Quote:

Originally posted by EERO

Its not hard to accept, what is hard to accept is the assumption that on the basis of yesterday's performance, he's worthless.

It would be nice if some of the die-hard Monty lovers also accept the opposite of that - dont you think EERO?

Rem last year when all the vultures came out for Ralf just because he had a poor end to the season?

I havent forgotten that - and I doubt whether a lot of Ralf fans have either. But anyway, you have a point - Montoya isent a bunny behind the wheel - he's just not as fast as Ralf.

J.McClane · 16 Apr 2002, 01:23 (Ref:261657)

Possibly, but if it was Monty and Shu fightin' for position, you know Monty would have a go. Unlike Shu Jr.
Overall Monty is a far better racer than Shu Jr is.

Mania · 16 Apr 2002, 01:29 (Ref:261664)

You can keep dreaming on that one J.

J.McClane · 16 Apr 2002, 01:34 (Ref:261671)

Keep dreamin' on what one?

Even Stevie Wonder can see that Monty is better than Shu Jr.
I'll bet you that Monty will lift the Champ trophy before Shu Jr does, and while Big Shu is still around Shu Jr will never lift that trophy.

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