McLaren target 3rd place
 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/moto...ne/8281526.stm

Who would have thought that after Germany, they would even be able to joke about overtaking Ferrari this year. Back then, McLaren only had 14 points to Ferrari's 32 and the car was struggleing.

However, although Kimi is doing a spectacular job in the Ferrari and pretty much matching Lewis, Kovy is picking up points as well. Moreover, do Ferrari need to keep an eye on Toyota?

How much will Ferrari rue not having a strong 3rd driver to secure points by the end of this season.

Stop being such a McLaren fan.

You just wait, just wait until next year.
No one will have any excuse when Princesa de Asturia Alonsita beats everyone down in the Ferrari for an entire season.

Hopefully McLaren overtakes Ferrari in the run for the 3rd place overall.

It'll probably end in tears.

If Massa has been unaffected then he'll definitely give Alonso something to worry about.

It will be very funny if after all the noise about great battle between Ferrari and McLaren, Brawn GP ends even stronger :-)

atleast the season has not ended in failure for a Mercedes team http://www.motorsportforums.com/imag...ies/tongue.gif

I'm sure Kimi will be turning down his rev's and not pushing too hard after todays news, as he might want to help his possible future employer...http://www.motorsportforums.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Funnily enough Kovalainen's efforts in the duel of second drivers might be decisive and just enough to bring McLaren that P3, because although he hasn't scored big points, he has been scoring at least some points on a consistent basis, whereas Ferrari's replacements are yet to get into the points.

You old cynic you http://www.motorsportforums.com/imag...ies/tongue.gif

I'd actually be disapointed if Kimi didn't push all out to help Ferrari, I'm really coming round to the guy (as a driver no question, but the public face has taken a *lot* of warming to) and would like the think he'd see it thru till the end - and then next season try and destroy them *g*

Being the professional that he is I would be very surprised if Kimi doesn't give his best.
However:
Ferrari doesn’t have the car or the #2 to hold off McLaren.
They'll take the 3rd place consolation in a cakewalk

Not so sure. Suzuka is an aero track; an area McLaren still lag behind in. I'd be very surprised if Lewy sticks it on pole and wanders of into the sunset but Ferrari are hardly going to set the world on fire in the final races either. Whoever gets third place they'll limp to it.

That's a good point. plus I think Ferrari are in slightly better shape in the engine use department. Not a full three races worth. But I read last week That Ferrari, and STR were leading in that department. It could come in handy at interlagos were Hp's are a premium at altitude.
I still pick Mclaren though!

I agree - McLaren by a nose. But only because they have two drivers scoring at the moment.

McLaren is only fast at slower circuits, meaning there not really lying great chances of surpassing Ferrari in points in the next 3 races.

Yep!! I fully concur. http://www.motorsportforums.com/imag...ies/bigcry.gif
It remains to be seen how many in the team will be pulling their hair in frustration.

I can't see McLaren winning at Suzuka. In my predictions I put him 6th. This track should suit Red Bull, especially Webber as Vettel, like Hamilton, hasn't raced there in F1 before.

Toyota and Raikkonen have traditionally gone well there. Here's what I predicted for Japan if anyone's interested:

1. Barrichello
2. Webber
3. Button
4. Raikkonen
5. Vettel
6. Hamilton
7. Trulli
8. Alonso

If the whole track is like the second sector in Spa, Red Bull should score 1-2. But I don't know how will the engine situation with Vettel unfold.

I wouldn't class Monza a slower circuit and Hamilton was on pole there... Suzuka is fast also but varies to Monza with sweeping bends especially in the first sector. I would expect Mclaren to do well there..http://www.motorsportforums.com/imag...lies/smile.gif