We are fast approaching mid-season. Yes, I know, time flies. And the older you get the faster it flies. As a lad, my elders would tell me that the days and weeks rush by when you get beyond a certain age. They were right. I simply mention this for the benefit of our more youthful contributors.
Anyway, I thought it might be useful, amusing, or vaguely interesting to look back on my predictions for the season to assess the accuracy, or otherwise, of how things might go this year. You may remember that I suggested 10 things which might happen during, or by the close of, the 2010 season. I will take them in their original order, as I laid out the magic cards on January 4.
1. Hamilton and Alonso will tangle with each other – well, not yet they haven’t. Alonso has been too busy making mistakes on his own.
2. Rossi will win the MotoGP title – no, he won’t, not after his horrendous crash at Mugello last Saturday. Although badly injured, Valentino has – according to the reliable Rick Broadbent in The Times – “discovered a great rapport with morphine”. Blimey.
3. Schumacher will win a race – not yet he hasn’t, but he still can. If only Mercedes could recapture the magic of Brawn GP.
4. Audi will win Le Mans – this time next week we’ll know.
5. Bernie Ecclestone will prepare to retire – no comment.
6. The Renault F1 team will be a shadow of its former self – just plain wrong.
7. Räikkönen will come back to F1 – still think he might. However Red Bull, which had been linked to Kimi, has now signed Webber for another year alongside Vettel.
8. Vettel will move to Mercedes – I think he will eventually.
9. Lotus F1 will be best newcomer – correct so far.
10. Somebody will run out of fuel before the end of a race – well, not yet, but it’s been extremely close on occasion. Virgin should have paid attention here.
OK, not a great result at this juncture you will no doubt be thinking. And you’d be right. But now we’re off to Montréal where anything can happen, and often does. The walls are very close and the grid will be very tight. And then there’s Le Mans – a close-run thing between Peugeot and Audi for sure.
So, while we’re all stunned by the Rossi accident at Mugello and are suddenly acutely aware – by his absence on Sunday – just what a huge amount of excitement he brings to MotoGP, we have lots of other racing to look forward to.
Agree with the assessment of MotoGP sans Rossi Rob, but have you seen Moto2 ……. my goodness me (or words to that effect)
I’ll be in Montreal too!
:)
Looking forward to it immensely…The most anticipated Grand Prix meeting for yours truly in YEARS!
Why?
McLarens seem to legitimately have the legs of RBR right now and the Gilles Villeneuve circuit – with it’s long straights and very hard breaking points – could give ‘The British Team’ an edge with it’s Fduct and powerful Mercedes engine…AND, RBR are known to be fragile on it’s breaking systems (judging from Melbourne and Barca)!!!
Count on Safety Cars!
It feels like Alonso will NOT be World Champion (TOO many mistakes already) while RBR seem to have squandered too many chances by not converting their 7 poles into more Wins/Big Points…so, it feels as if the World Champion will come from McLaren.
It’s a coin toss between Button and Hamilton and ‘luck’ may play a part…
…however, as Mr Widdows says, there’s a great deal of unpredictability left.
I am loving the no-more-refuling era – It’s definitely put an extra element of motor racing uncertainty back into Grand Prix racing!
Moto 2, yes, but I wasn’t sure what they called it. Big bikes, smaller bikes, any bikes – just great racing, the kind of thing I’m not even sure I’d like to do even if I had no imagination. I am still sad/shocked at the absence of Rossi. The man is quite simply a hero, an absolute giant, but I guess that Pedrosa and Lorenzo are feeling a little more encouraged.
Have a great weekend R.Tanveer. Be hard not to. My prediction, and you know how good they are, is that McLaren will prevail. The car is almost there. All Messrs JB and LH have to do is avoid the walls, and each other. And the latter may be the hardest part.
RW
May I buy you (or whoever else is reporting on the GP for Motor Sport) breakfast on Sunday morning?
OR
I will be at an all night party on Saturday…may I buy you a few pints!
:)
I will be at the Queen Elizabeth hotel.
While I await the inevitable flak that will be coming this way over the sorry state of my predictions, I am reminded of something I saw sign-written on the front cowling of a Vespa the other evening.
Lovers of the famous Italian scooter gathered at our local pub at the end of a ride organised by the Vespa Appreciation Society, or whtever it’s called. There were some quite magnificent machines, from the very early days to the present, all beautifully restored and turned out.
On one of them was this. “Yesterday is history – Tomorrow is a mystery – Today is the golden age between.”
Enjoy today.
RW
That is a kind offer and I am not known for refusing either drink or party. But it is Mr Roebuck who is Our Man in Montreal and I dare not speak for him!
RW
How do I get in touch w Mr Roebuck?
The first book I ever bought as a child on motor sports was “Mario Andretti: World Champion” by N. Roebuck!
Will Nigel be up to partying on Saturday nite?
I’m told there’ll be plenty of ‘scenery’ at said party…
;)
Mr Roebuck, let me know if you’re up for some free drinks on Saturday night or a King’s breakfast on Sunday!!!
Careful RT, there are laws against stalking.
Well, John, by the time i’m through stuffing Nigel with shot upon shot of Vodka and Red Bulls in the company of the hot young ladies, I won’t be the one doing the stalking…
…Nige might not even make it in time for the Grand Prix!
Ha ha!
We’ll put the PARTY into the phrase “Partying In Montreal”!!!
Which means, i’ll be seconding in as ‘Guest’ Motor Sport Magazine correspondent for Round 8!
[I wish!]
;)
All the best to Vale for a speedy and full recovery. I hope his teammate picks up the trophy this year since Rossi won’t.
Great quote off the Vespa there, Rob.
Oh, bring on Le Mans!!!
the 125cc and Moto2 races are simply fantastic, pitty the MotoGP race has to come along and ruin the whole thing…….
Only hour esteemed Editor-in-Chief can deal with the matters raised above.
A Moto Gp race has never ruined my day, quite to the contrary. But, thank goodness, we are all different and here we have an opportunity to express our differences within the laws of libel and defamation.
Meanwhile, I’d like to see Paul di Resta given a chance at Force India. Maybe not around the hazards of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve but some time before the season is out. I know that Mr Mallya has made it as clear as only he can that he wants a Force India driver on the podium in Delhi. Would be a good moment.
RW
Oh Dear.
I have a feeling that I am about to see another prediction blown away. I really should learn to keeo my head below the pit wall.
Last night, at Le Mans, the Peugeots took the first four places in practice and therefore hold the provisional pole. And they did some very, very quick laps. Maybe Audi are sand-bagging but I fear that may be clutching at straws as that’s not really their style.
It will, as ever, come down to reliability so maybe they wound those Peugeots up to please the home crown on a Wednesday evening.
Great to see Antony Davidson and Alexander Wurz out in the French cars. Under-rated, both.
RW
R Tanveer
Don’t despair as many a journo has got into the game from strange start points
I expect a full report on the partying and, please, try and get her name and telephone number.
predictions are just that – but its good fun, the MOTO Gp is brilliant – will miss Valli but i heard he reckons he is coming back in time for Brno- good luck mate – wouldn’t it be grand if James Toseland got his bike for afew races – Silvertstone please note….
I’m with you Rob, i reckon Anthony is an extremely talented driver and very quick – not quite sure i understand why he is not in a GP car but history is full of excellent drivers not having the opportunity [or money] another one i rate is Gary Parfett and would like to see F1 give more test drivers a chance on say friday –
Paul di Resta [along with Dario and Marina Franchetti's] great Scots names [i'm part scots so am very proud of them] but apart from Merc scewing up his race win in DTM as they are with Nico – can anyone reasonably tell me why? or is itjust marketing – if so Merc – go away – just supply engines and leave the grubbiness to others
Rob, i am so envious that you rode with Denny in a Can-Am. had the pleasure of meeting him at gosh i think it was the Silverstone TT – years ago i think he was driving a Rover ? oh my memory fades – would be nice to do a retro on Denny – one of my fave photo’s is the one in 1967 with Jimmy and Denny sharing the podium – it doesn’t get better
Hooray! or something like that. I am partially vindicated, having predicted that Audi would win at Le Mans this year. And boy, what a resounding victory this was. I am ‘over the moon’ for Audi – great car, great team and great people. This is not an advert for Audis, this is a fact.
Yes indeed, I was very lucky to get a ride with Denny Hulme and yes, he was such an interesting and funny man. Gritty, dogmatic, fiercely determined but with a soul and lots of intelligence. I spent time with him in New Zealand many, many years later and he was wonderful company, going along with me to some of the Peter Jackson Formula Atlantic races and making plenty of pithy, unrepeatable comments on the patricipants………………….
Referring back, briefly, to Le Mans the Mansell accident was quite a shock, especially as he had set so much store by getting out there with his boys and putting on a good show.
Were Nigel and Herr Schumacher to meet in a bar they would surely be wondering about the wisdom of a comeback……………………….Difficult times for two very different racing drivers.
RW
Rob you were nearly proved right in your first prediction when Alonso got the jump on Hamilton after their pitstops in Montreal. As a proud Audi owner, I was pleased they managed to prove you right in your Le Mans prediction. Don’t think Mr Schumacher will win a GP this year unless he gets lucky at a wet dry race later this year, Spa maybe? His driving at Montreal left a lot to be desired, will be surprised if he races in F1 next year.
Tony – thanks! Lucky you having an Audi. I had one once and I loved it. So reliable, so predictable, nice motor car.
Alonso and Hamilton in the pit lane. Great stuff, loved it, two real racers who really want it. But look, they are bound to tangle one of these days.
Schumacher? The debate rumbles on. Two things – the car is no good and Schumacher hasn’t forgotten how to race and how to knock people off the road. He will be back, I reckon.
Here I go again, those were predictions. Ugh!
RW