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Tony Annesar, readaBet.com?
An in-depth Betting Preview of the F1 2002/2003 season.
Please note betting verdict was published after the Australian GP.
The renamed Benetton team has high hopes for 2002. Renault have never been people to do things by half and there are signs that a promising season lies ahead. Last season the team improved massively throughout the year with Fischichella achieving some respectable finishes, and eclipsing Button consistently. Renault have claimed they will start the season on a par with Sauber, i.e. just behind the big three teams. This is possible but I don’t rate either of the drivers particularly well at this point. Likely to be a good car, with results not matching the potential. Hopefully they will sign Jacque Villeneuve mid season and get some real results.
The R202 promises much. The most interesting technical point has to be the 111degree wide angle V10 engine. When it debuted last year it was horribly down on power, but with each update it became more competitive. With the development put in over the winter it is likely to be one of the better engines on the grid in Melbourne. Michelin tyres could work out well, although I fail to see how they plan to beat Mclaren and Williams when they are the tyre to have.
Jarno Trulli
A very difficult driver to understand. His qualifying form is more often than not electric, last year he got the Jordan much further up the grid than it should have been, however it never seemed to translate into race results where he often seemed to be trailing round at 7/10s. He’s undoubtedly got the skills, and this could be the year that makes or breaks him as a driver. He will have to overshadow Button like Fischichella did in 2001.
Jenson Button
It’s simply got to get better. After such an impressive debut year, 2001 must have been a real culture shock to the much treasured – at least in the UK - Jenson. His talent is there for all to see but he really struggled last season. If Renault can provide a fast, reliable car this should make it much easier to turn things around.
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| Betting Verdict |
1pt Mclaren to win Constructors Championship at 7/1
Drivers Championship - Coulthard for the title 12/1 is an excellent price. In Australia he was emerging as the main challenger to Schumacher, even with a misbehaving engine management system that kept launching him off the track. Admittedly much of his hopes rest upon the performance of the Michelin tyres and Mercedes engine, but that’s motorsport. Michael Schumacher at 2/5 is a non-starter.
Constructors Championship – The ominously good form of Ferrari has given them very poor odds at ½, but this is based on Michael Schumacher dominance. If Coulthard and Mclaren can raise their game, particularly when Ferrari run the new car for the first time to take advantage of the inevitable teething problems then they have an excellent chance at the title. Another major factor is the simple fact that if Coulthard is challenging for the title, then Schumacher is not running away in the points and so teammate performance will have a much larger effect on the outcome. This is where I feel Mclaren are better equipped to make a challenge with rising star Kimi Raikkonen.
Take the 7/1 on Mclaren winning the Championship
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