SimHQ.com - Motorsports Zone - Feature: F1 2005 Season Preview

Although the new Sauber is a quiet development of last year's car, it is a neat package. What has been surprising over the winter has been the switch from Bridgestone to Michelin tires and a public distancing of the team from Ferrari. The reasons why were made clear just before the season started with the news that BMW will be supplying Sauber with customer engines from next season. Despite Sauber being a private team this means that they have some of the best aerodynamic facilities in the sport and the pick of the most powerful engines!

Toyota (Red & White with Toyota & Panasonic logos)

14. R Schumacher

15. Trulli

If ever there was a team that need a good season it is Toyota! A low key entrance into the sport has been followed by driver cullings and power struggles within the board with the F1 project being used as a pawn within the political maneuverings. The car has had to have a complete redesign since its was launched as its initial testing proved to be disappointing. The team is now playing catch up and it seems that another season of disappointment seems likely despite having star drivers.

Red Bull Racing (Dark blue with yellow airbox & thin red and white stripes down the side)

16. Coulthard

17. Klein

Tipped by Frank Williams as the team most likely to spring a surprise the RB1 is a handsome car and shows just what a good job was done by the management before their replacement earlier this year. Cosworth have done sterling work on their engines with power now around 910bhp mark. David Coulthard has settled well and seems to be enjoying the number 1 status he enjoys (despite growing a truly horrid beard!). Klein had to fight hard for his seat against Vittorantonio Liuzzi with Klein only confirmed for the opening round at this stage.

Midland Jordan (Yellow with B&H on it)

18. Karthekeinan

19. Monteiro

Considering the state of Jordan it is no surprise that MInardi are hoping not to finish last this year! The evolution of the car over the winter has been restricted to that of amending the car for the new Toyota engines and altering the bodywork to suit the new regulations. As a result of this there will be no balance to the car and no attempt to claw back the downforce lost to the new regulations! Alex Schnaider, the new Russo-Canadian owner of Midland-Jordan is pressing ahead with plans to get Dallara to build next year's car and there has been some ruthless culling of staff with the team resembling Tyrell in 1998 ahead of their formal change to BAR. Considering Jordan seemed doomed anyway it is probably better to have ended this way but it is still an ignominious end to a great team.

Minardi (TBC black, white & red - principal sponsor is yet unannounced)

20. Leinders

21. Freidsecher

Soldiering on at the back of the grid as always Minardi, like Jordan, will be fielding two complete rookies to the series. Like Jordan both drivers have more than a modicum of talent. A season at the back is hardly new for Jordan but the little team are hoping that their continued faith in Cosworth may pay dividends with the little car doing well on the faster circuits. Minardi have asked for dispensation to bring last year's challenger to the first few races but surprisingly Ferrari have attempted to block this. There is little doubt that consensus will be reached but this episode has further soured the taste of most teams in their dealings with the Scuderia.

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