2007 Formula One Season Preview
Here is a brief look at what is in store for the 2007 F1 season
The 2007 Formula One season is just around the corner, as the series begins a new era without two of their most renowned stars.
Seven-time champion Michael Schumacher opted to retire from F1 racing and has been replaced by Kimi Raikkonen in his Ferrari ride. Juan Pablo Montoya has chosen the NASCAR Nextel Cup series as his destination.
So can Fernando Alonso carry the burden as Formula One’s paramount figure? Can Felipe Massa or Giancarlo Fisichella enter into elite status? How will Raikkonen respond to the pressure of replacing Schumacher?
2007 Formula One Champion- Fernando Alonso: Over the last two years, Alonso has been peerless, and the only two guys that could beat him are no longer in the series. Alonso has fourteen wins and two F1 championships since 2005, so there is no reason to believe that he will be unseated in 2007. Alonso joins McLaren after his triumphant tenure with Renault.
Who will finish runner-up- Giancarlo Fisichella: Alonso’s former Renault teammate will play the role of the bridesmaid in 2007. He may continue to lurk in Alonso’s shadows, but he is now top dog at Renault. Look for Fisichella to win multiple races in 2007.
Who will win the season opener in Australia- Felipe Massa: Ferrari will discover that there is life after Michael Schumacher. The debut of Ferrari’s brand new sleek F2007, which replaces the 248 F1, will visit victory lane in its inaugural outing.
Who will win the Monaco Grand Prix- Giancarlo Fisichella: Despite his two previous substandard finishes of 6th and 12th, Fisichella will finally win his first race at the 3.340km course.
Who will be the best of the first-year drivers- Heikki Kovalainen: Kovalainen will be paired with Fisichella at Renault in 2007 after three seasons as a test driver. Kovalainen will edge out McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton, Spyker’s Adrian Sutil, and Super Aguri’s Anthony Davidson as the series’ top newcomer.
Who will have the ‘breakout’ season- Robert Kubica: Kubica made his Formula One debut in 2006 after supplanting Jacques Villenueve, and competed in 5 additional Grand Prix events. His highest finish was third, but his potential is apparent. Kubica could very likely become the F1 series’ next first-time winner.
Which Formula One driver is likely to follow Montoya to the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series- Felipe Massa: To my knowledge, Massa has expressed no interest in making the transition to NASCAR Nextel Cup, however, with the immediate impact that Juan Pablo Montoya has had, Nextel Cup owners may attempt to follow this trend. Some may endeavor to lure away another young Formula One star. Perhaps the Brazilian is just what Nextel Cup owners will be looking for.
