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The only new team for 2002. They have a vast budget and very competent staff. They are undoubtedly the team most likely to surprise this season. It is conceivable they could come in to F1 and be a ready made mid-field team, and this is what testing pace is indicating, although they will struggle on the tracks they haven’t tested at, such as Monaco, Melbourne, etc….
The design looks like a fairly conventional F1 car, obviously not wanting to take too many risks. The engine looks to be very promising however, with rumours of 850BHp common in the paddock
Mika Salo
Very good driver. Proved to be reasonably consistent when in F1 before. His season will depend upon the car more than anything he can do.
Alan McNish
Bit of an unknown quantity. Undeniably a superb sportscar driver, but possibly a bit old to be starting a career in F1. His experience could prove useful though.
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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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