Your predictions for 2006 - Part One
There are numerous changes coming to Formula One racing for next season - new rules, new team owners, perhaps even a new team. Over the past few weeks we have been quizzing you regarding your views on these changes via our homepage vote. Here are just some of the rather interesting results...
As was the case this season tyres are going to be a big talking point in 2006. The key change is the return of tyre changes during races. The FIA banned them for 2005 in a bid to cut lap times. However, with engine sizes dramatically cut next year, the governing body now feels it safe to reinstate them. And it seems you agree - over three quarters of voters said the move was a good idea, with only one in five wanting to retain the current system.
Bridgestone suffered under the one-tyre-per-race regulations this year. They won just a single Grand Prix - at Indianapolis after all the Michelin runners pulled out. All that could change next year, though. Not only are tyre changes back, but Bridgestone will have at least two more teams in their armoury - Williams and Toyota. We asked you how many races Bridgestone would win in 2006 and you agreed things are looking much brighter for the Japanese tyre supplier. Over 60 percent of you believe they will take at least six victories, with 20 percent saying they will win 11 times or more.
‘Slow but steady’ was probably the best way to sum up the final season for Formula One’s famous yellow team. For 2006, Jordan become Midland MF1 Racing, but will the change of ownership bring a change or fortune? We asked you whether the new 2006 team are likely to better Jordan’s ninth place in this year’s constructors’ championship and you were optimistic of their chances. Almost 45 percent of voters said they would indeed finish higher, with a further 26 percent predicting they would at least match their 2005 showing.
Sauber are another team under new ownership for 2006, having been bought out by BMW, formerly engine partners with Williams. Will the changes bring added success to the now German-Swiss team? You think so. An overwhelming 76 percent of you said the team would score more points under the Munich car giant’s leadership in 2006 than Sauber managed in 2005. Only eight percent felt their tally will go down.
If Super Aguri get their entry application accepted and can be ready in time for the new season, then we will have 11 teams rather than ten on the grid for 2006. But is more teams a good thing? You certainly believe this to be the case. In fact, well over half of you said you’d like to see 13 or more teams competing for the FIA Formula One World Championship.
Coming soon in Part Two - your views on Rosberg versus Webber at Williams, Barrichello against Button at BAR and the Newey effect at Red Bull.
