1999 Season Preview

1999 Season Preview

Zanardi - Williams No.1	So what's new in 1999? There's a new venue for a start, at Kuala Lumpur, where the Malaysian Grand Prix will be run on a brand new purpose built circuit. There's a new team, and who could have missed the arrival of Craig Pollock's British American Racing on the scene. Particularly when chassis builder Reynard starts hinting at a debut victory. And there's some new faces. Alessandro Zanardi arrives fresh from Indy Car success, but will that be enough to reverse the recalcitrant Williams' fortunes? Rising star Ricardo Zonta is another newcomer, taking second string at unproven BAR.
There are also some old faces in new seats. Jacques Villeneuve takes up the challenge with new boys BAR, his car looks very smart but does it really go? Ralf Schumacher joins Zanardi at Williams, and if Ralf can keep the consistency and speed he showed at the end of last season this could be his breakthrough year. Heinz-Harald Frentzen swaps seats with Ralf in joining Jordan, but it remains to be seen whether this will help him overcome his recent lacklustre performances. Pedro Diniz takes a step up from the tailender Arrows and gets a chance to mix it in the mid-pack with Sauber, taking Johnny Herbert's place. Johnny meanwhile, who seemed unhappy partnering Jean Alesi last year, moves to Stewart alongside Rubens Barrichello. This looks a promising driver line-up, and if the car is right we could see more of Stewart this year. But on the whole you'd be a brave man to bet against another titanic battle between last seasons two front runners, McLaren and Ferrari, and their respective number 1's Mika Hakkinen and Michael Schumacher. McLaren technical director Adrian Newey has a well established winning habit, but Ferrari has a passion for success and the best driver in the pack. It would be a surprise if McLaren were as far out in front in Australia as last season however, because everybody is now on the same Bridgestone tyres (albeit with four grooves rather than three). And there is no denying that Ferrari were closing the gap in the second half of last year.
Jordan have a real chance of leading the chase, the team having also improved rapidly at the end of last season with Damon Hill securing their maiden victory, although the impact of Gary Anderson's departure is an unknown factor. Another trying season looks on the cards for Williams and Benetton however, the renamed Supertec engine is perhaps too far off the pace for a sustained title challenge.	JV plays with his new toy
Sauber now have the 1998 Ferrari engine which should give the team a chance of running at the head of the chasing pack, although Ford have been investing heavily in Stewart who now have a strong driver team. And, of course, BAR have Jacques Villeneuve so anything is possible! Things don't look too good for Prost, who seem to have lost their way, or Arrows who seem to be in complete disarray. Even the perennially underfunded Minardi must fancy taking that scalp this year. Predictions are a dangerous thing, but my money goes on Michael Schumacher making it third time lucky to the drivers championship, with McLaren retaining the constructors title. But then, I might be lying!