Monza qualifying

[nichosnz 0]

And their listening skills, you yourself have expressed the importance of the co-driver Jens.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

I've experienced the importance firsthand in a not so fun situation! It is simple though, there could be no rally without the co driver and it is often forgotten how important they are. People say Richard Burns was the champion in 2001, but it was Richard Burns and Robert Reid who were the championS.

[nichosnz 0]

The championS of each year have very seldom been two drivers with a different native tongue. I did know the number of time but have missplaced to book.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

True, I think it has been almost ten years but I cant remember the pair who won it. But in recent years it has been Burns/Reid, Gronholm/Rautiainen, and then the four championships of Makinen/Mannisenmaki (98-99)/Harjanne(96-97). Looks like Gronholm/Rautiainen will win this year, so it will be five Finnish pairs in the past six years!

[nichosnz 0]

With the events of 2002, it is hard to think that in 2000 the success of Gronholm/Rautiainen and that of Peugeot was almost completly out of the blue. Most people thought Makkinen and Mitsi would make 5 in a row.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

And it seemed like it for a while as well. Same last year, Makinen started the season excellent but then things started to go wrong.

[nichosnz 0]

That sort of thing happens from time to time. Twice in a row must have been quite frustrating, not as bad as it would have been if he'd never been champ though.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

After four championships it probably wasnt as frustrating but he still could have taken a fifth or sixth. This year must have been real frustrating for Makinen, he has retired out of most every single rally this year, after winning the season opener in Monte Carlo.

[nichosnz 0]

He only won that out of Citroen's stupidity.

By the way I found the book. Only 3 driver pairings (of differing nationalities) have finished in the top three in the final standings, on 8 occasions.

Hannu Mikkola (Finland)/Arne Hertz (Sweden): 2nd 1979, 2nd 1980, 3rd 1981, 3rd 1982, 1st 1983, 2nd 1984.

Ari Vatanen (Finland)/Dave Richards (UK): 1st 1981.

Michele Mouton (France)/Fabrizia Pons (Italy): 2nd 1982.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

I do remember now, there was a big documentary in July on Ari Vatanen and Dave Richards championship year, when rally was still manual shifting knuckle busting craziness!

[nichosnz 0]

Jean Todt was the co-driver for Guy Frequlin, and the pair of them came second that season. The current BAR vs Ferrari, then driving Ford vs Talbot Sumbeam.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Wow I never knew the midget was once a co-driver, you learn something new everyday...

[nichosnz 0]

I thought you would have known that one Jens. Did you know Bernie tryed (but failed) to qualify for the 1958 Monaco GP.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Had no idea about Todt the Hamster, but I recall hearing about Bernie's attempt to qualify at Monaco. I think they mentioned it on the broadcast in May, John Watson said something about it.

[nichosnz 0]

Ok, I'll try to see what else I can suprise you with then.