Mark Webber

[nichosnz 0]

Stoddart stated earlier in the year that "Webber will be in the Minardi next year, unless I can trade him for something worth a lot to the team"

Sounds like a Jaguar hint to me.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

To add to that, Stoddart also said that their engine for 2003 was on the podium at Monza.

[nichosnz 0]

Webber will be hopeing that next years Jag starts at least as good as this years one looks to finish.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Must be, and with Minardi (likely) getting Cosworth engines he must be hoping that the Minardi doesn't leapfrog the Jag once again

[nichosnz 0]

That could be embarassing. For Webber, Lauda and Jag.

[daz 0]

Now that I would love to see .

Seriously though - it would be great to see the Minardi challenging for points once in a while and not just bringing up the rear all the time....

[nichosnz 0]

I do think it is possible too, at some stage (hopefully 2003). All the other teams waver a bit in there acheivements from year to year. Minardi doesn't always have to be in the bottom 2.

[rodders47 2]

I think it is more then possible for Minardi to be in the mid runners next year. Just think about it !! they ARE the underdogs now but Stodart is not a looser , as shown by his airline business, AND the team are working towards reliabilty, well they have almost achieved that apart from the last race, so it seems to me like the chassis is not HALF bad, just needs more punch in the rear end , so if they get the COSWORTH engine, I predict that Jaguar will be the tail enders next year, maybe chased by Arrows if they return !!!!!

And maybe M. Webber woulkd not do himself any harm staying with Minardi !!!!

[daz 0]

I reckon that if the engines up to scratch, Minardi could probably be on the same level as Jordan or BAR. I really don't think there chassis is that bad so with a bit more grunt who knows what could happen...

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

The team and other teams have said Minardi have not succeeded in the past due to poor engines. In 2000 they were able to qualify for races with a two year old Cosworth!! It will be excellent to see what happens next year.

[nichosnz 0]

And 1999 it was 3 years old wasn't it and they also qualified then. But Rod is right Stoddart is no loser. I would like to see Jos or some other good driver in the Minardi next year, because with the same engine as Jordan it would be nice to compare them. Jordan have Fisi so he will blow away Minardi if they have a pair of pay drivers, even if Minardi have a better chassis.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

That is true, I think Verstappen though is pretty much finalised for Minardi so we will have a good comparison.

[nichosnz 0]

I hope so.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Hurmie you are Dutch right? what is the Dutch press saying about Jos's current situation?

[Sato 0]

well over here in aus mark was on a show and he said he would know and tell where he was going in about 6 weeks, but thats was like 6 or 7 weeks ago atleast by now

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

LOL you can never trust deadline's given in F1, we were supposed to hear about Arrows 5 weeks ago, about Minardi's engines last weekend, and the drivers at Jordan two weeks ago! :lol:

I hope Mark gets a good drive for next year though, it would be fun to see an Aussie do great in F1.

[nichosnz 0]

Get rid of Ralf and put Webber in a Williams.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Ooo I like that, would be great!

[nichosnz 0]

Webber has passed more cars this year than Ralf, Webber will drove round a problem longer that Ralf, Webber is a better character than Ralf.....

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Webber has a cooler English accent than Ralf...

[nichosnz 0]

I agree Jens, I mean I can tell the difference detween the accents of Heidfeld, Frentzen and Michael, but Ralf sound too much like his bro, we need an Aussie twang up there.

[rodders47 2]

Hi Jens,

Mark Weber has an Aussie accent, go Aussie Go Oh Oh Oh :-)

But in all honesty he has proven his need to be in a competitive car.. After his efforts in the Sports car class etc and what he has been able to do with a sometimes ailing Minardi, he should be in the McLaren along with Kimi, I am a D.C fan but somehow he is not with it lately !!!!

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Here we are at the DC thing again, he has had virtually his whole career in a top car and hasn't capitalised. So why would he next season? I say its time for a change at Mclaren.

[Rohan 0]

yea Minardi with a crossworth or ferrari power they might just be able to create skid marks when they start lololol........engine matters but their chasis is humurous......and also who would want to drive for Minardi since they have the bad name...lol so there only gonna get the newbie's and they dont stand a strong chance of getting a points finish!

[nichosnz 0]

Actually Rohan, Minardi produce quite good chassis that are hindered by the engine.