The Formula 1 Team: When One Man Falters And It All Falls Down

Who had the best car in 2008?

I believe it was Mclaren.

Who won the constructors title in 2008?

I believe it was Ferrari.

Why did the best car not win the constructors title?

I believe it was because of one person and one person alone.

And who is that?

Heikki Kovalinen…

Ferrari seems to have somewhat of a stranglehold on the constructor’s title don’t they? McLaren on too many occasions have won the drivers titles but yet still somehow manage to lose the one they really want.

This year more than ever the reason has been evident. One driver performed in the cockpit. The other did not. And in a battle where the opposing team has two proven quick drivers to have one driver who does not perform is just not good enough is it?

It’s not that I think Heikki Kovalinen is a bad driver. Possibly he should not have come in at such a high level. He just seems to lack that competitive edge that his team mate and opposing Ferrari team appear to have. To continue with the Finn, Mclaren have two options to gain the constructors title for 2009.

Option One: Work intensely over the winter period testing sessions with Heikki to force out of him the speed and tenacity required for top level action that Lewis Hamilton shows on most occasions.

Or

Option Two: Build a car so invincible that Lewis Hamilton will win the drivers title by such a margin that Heikki would only have to carry on his average points scoring tally to give Mclaren a constructor’s title.

Either way something needs to be done or Ferrari will continue to flourish in the team sport, even if they are void of having the number one driver.

To be fair to Heikki, he’s not the only poor mans teammate. Here’s what I think of the rest of the teams.

BMW: Kubica outshone Heidfeld, but Heidfeld still has pace.

Renault: Alonso demolished a lacklustre Piquet Jr.

Red Bull: Webber started strong, faltered towards the end, but for the first time outclassed DC in style.

Torro Rosso: Bourdais was strong and in most teams would challenge for number one driver, Vettel is just a wonder kid!

Williams: Both strong drivers, both in a weak car.

Honda: Both average drivers, both in a weak car.

Toyota: Both can outperform the car, but also both can produce average displays. Both however should be in better cars, especially Glock.

Force India: Sutil is promising, Fisichella is as always good but not spectacular.