So who is/will be 4th?

[FPV GTHO]

Taking the teams with the most realistic shot (Williams, Toyota, Renault and Red Bull) the results so far have been

AUS: Rosberg 3rd, Alonso 4th, Nakajima 6th, Glock RET, Piquet RET, Coulthard RET, Trulli RET, Webber RET.

SEP: Trulli 4th, Webber 7th, Alonso 8th, Coulthard 9th, Piquet 11th, Rosberg 14th, Nakajima 17th, Glock RET

BAH: Trulli 6th, Webber 7th, Rosberg 8th, Glock 9th, Alonso 10th, Nakajima 14th, Coulthard 18th, Piquet RET

Is 3 rounds enough to start predicting? Bahrain is interesting because of the spread from 6th-10th, maybe we'll need Barcelona's results to have a more accurate view, especially as they'll probably qualify 2 by 2 each team down the order.

[RaiseYourFist]

Dont forget that Glock also qualified in the top 10 in the first 2 rounds and got screwed over by Rosberg in malaysia

[rocketracer]

Originally Posted by Ralf's Girl

I think that's harsh on Williams - Nakajima doesn't seem to be up to much right now, but I'd be surprised if they end the season so far down in the standings.

the mid field is really very fierce this season, and even though williams is very much a favorite team, i think after the dust settles that it may well pan out this way...

But it's only a hunch, and based on 3 rounds, i say it with no real conviction at all!

...oh and time has proven that it is only the fool who underestimates williams, so i do realise that i will likely be proven very wrong!

[alonso11]

must be Renault, budget would suggest Toyota, experience Williams, but really and truly the most talented (and motivated) people are at Renault IMO

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by alonso11

but really and truly the most talented (and motivated) people are at Renault IMO

Flav thinks so too.He expects them to be right behind BMW now! Although the strategy does seem to be relying mostly on Alonso and his six-tenths!

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/66788

[Wrex]

To get behind BMW, they may have to knock off McLaren first

[RaiseYourFist]

I dont think BMW is ahead of McLaren, their whole race strategy was ruined in Malaysia because of the penalties and in Bahrain i really dont know why Kovalainen was so slow, maybe his setup was just not the greatest?

[Marbot]

I haven't seen anything yet that would suggest that Renault are the fourth best team.Indeed,so far a certain 'Ozzy' has been putting the Renault engine to equal if not better use.I'm still betting that Honda will have surprised everyone by mid-season.

[alonso11]

Renault's pace was rather nice today and with the 4 WC titles they scored over the last 3 years I doubt they would do some quick laps just to get the media attention. So far in Melbourne, Sepang and Bahrain their friday pace was really in sync with the rest of the weekend so I think there is hope

they did find something during the last test (quite possibly the mass-damper that was parking in their garage unused since 2006 mid-season ), just how far will it get them is unkown yet but their realtive pace improved and thats the bottom line.

[Knowlesy]

Definitely improved! The second session times are probably misleading as the pacesetters run more representative fuel levels, but they have certainly moved forward you feel.

[FPV GTHO]

There was speculation during the pre-season that when Renault first tested their Melbourne aero, it wasnt any better so they abandoned it.

They would certainly be looking to make a jump with their Barcelona spec aero if that was true.

[Saied]

My first post on 10/10th's, hello everyone!

Voted for Renault. Their initial very poor pace at the start of the season was something of a surprise to me.

It appears they are starting to make some real progress now.

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by Saied

My first post on 10/10th's, hello everyone!

Voted for Renault. Their initial very poor pace at the start of the season was something of a surprise to me.

It appears they are starting to make some real progress now.

Welcome!

Yes,there is progress there,but I would look to where Piquet has qualified for a truer reflection of that.

[JohnSSC]

Welcome, Saied.

Yes, Renault seem to be moving forward.

To Martyn's point though I still believe that where Piquet qualified is a truer reflection of the talent available in that particular seat as opposed to a reflection of the car's potential.

I know he has qualified "closer" to FA this season but I thought that more of a fluke than talent.

[Knowlesy]

And so it proved.

[Marbot]

Piquet isn't a good 'racer' yet,but he was never very far away in any of the qually periods or free practice periods.

There is no doubt,however,that Renault have improved to a position that probably still includes RedBull and Toyota.Unfortunately for Renault (and quite oddly) Webbers run of 'luck' may see the 'customer' team grab that fourth slot!

[Wrex]

I can't imagine that going down well in France either.

[Ralf's Girl]

Originally Posted by martyn bott

There is no doubt,however,that Renault have improved to a position that probably still includes RedBull and Toyota.Unfortunately for Renault (and quite oddly) Webbers run of 'luck' may see the 'customer' team grab that fourth slot!

I think he was probably due a run of luck. He may need a bit of help from DC if they want to finish 4th though.

[Mr V]

It's clear to me that if Renault want 4th in the WDC, it doesn't matter how quick their car is, they need to get rid of Piquet jr.

It's no wonder that Fernando prefered him as a team mate over Heikki.

[Wrex]

Interestingly the lead drivers in each of the contenders is line astern

7. Jarno Trulli Toyota 9
8. Mark Webber Red Bull Racing 8
9. Nico Rosberg Williams 7
10. Fernando Alonso Renault 6

* Sorry, I do not seriously think Honda are a contender for 4th.

As I said earlier, its the No.2's that could make all the difference. I think Renault and Williams could suffer because of that, and RBR if Coultard cant stop hitting things.

[rocketracer]

Originally Posted by Wrex

Interestingly the lead drivers in each of the contenders is line astern

7. Jarno Trulli Toyota 9
8. Mark Webber Red Bull Racing 8
9. Nico Rosberg Williams 7
10. Fernando Alonso Renault 6

* Sorry, I do not seriously think Honda are a contender for 4th.

As I said earlier, its the No.2's that could make all the difference. I think Renault and Williams could suffer because of that, and RBR if Coultard cant stop hitting things.

yep i think you're right there, but perhaps nakajima has been better than expected, quietly achieving. I have the suspicion he will have some shocking races, but he may well prove himself to be the best midfield "no.2".

Coulthard is seriously on the slide, but once his mouth tightens up a bit, so should his focus and performances... (here's hoping anyway!)

glock is probably the best prospect of the lot. Solid so far, but yet to come into fruition.

And piquet just seems to be too much of daddy's boy. If senior distances himself a little, i get the feeling that jnr may get some more much needed backbone about him and start racing with more steel and less over-excitement. However, i get the feeling he only has the drive in the first place because of dad's promises and talk on his behalf, so i dont hold too much hope.......

[Mekola]

Did I mention the possibility that Renault could reborn at the second part of this season? Kinda like 1996 Ferrari campaign. And attention, because both Alonso and Piquet could have good results then. If not, 2009 could be their second chance.

[Hendrik]

I'm not sure about Renault. They're really optimistic after Barcelona, but the overall performance was still mid-field, not more. Reminds me of 2007 when Renault was talking about a strong comeback after almost every race.

[Super Hans]

Originally Posted by Hendrik

They're really optimistic after Barcelona, but the overall performance was still mid-field, not more.

They've been in the rather over-subscribed midfield battle all season, but at least now they appear to be at the front of it.

[Dutton]

I'll go for Honda.