Prediction - Red Bull have done a lot of things right this season. They purchased one of the strongest engines (if not most powerful), they have one of the best chief designers in Adrian Newey, and a committed driver lineup. If all of these things come together, the team will win races this season. If the team has gained access to the Renault electronics software then it could be a strong contender (the Renault launch and traction systems are considered the best on the grid). The team will be strong, and will be regular podium visitors.
Scuderia Toro Rosso - Team STR is the Red Bull sister team (owned 50/50 with Gerhard Berger). This season they move into the big league. The team used outdated V10 engines and updated RB01 chassis during the 2006 season; a loophole in the rules that allowed the teams predecessors, Minardi to compete. This year the team got Ferrari customer engines, and the same Adrian Newey chassis as its bigger brother (this has caused rumblings of disquiet inside F1 circles as “platform” sharing is not allowed until 2008).
Drivers - Vitantonio Liuzzi (Italian, 0 Wins) and Scott Speed (USA, 0 Wins)
Prediction - The team has a chance of elevating themselves from the back of the pack, to mid table or, at times, possible front runners. The drivers are both relatively unproven but if they have a good day, it could cause concerns at the front. Ferrari customer engines have never won though, and I doubt we will see one this year. The Adrian Newey car was obviously designed with the Renault power unit in mind, and as such may not be ideally adapted to the Ferrari one - certainly a team to keep an eye on though.
Etihad Aldar Spyker F1 Team - The Spyker team come from the Midland F1 team, which in turn was purchased from Eddie Jordan when he sold the Jordan F1 team. Spyker are a Dutch sports car manufacturer, they have competed in various other racing events, usually with Audi supplied engines. The team has signed to use a Ferrari customer engine in 2007 and the car looks to be a development of the F8-VI.







Article comments