The F2003GA won again today...Kimi finishes 2nd.

By Parminio
May 18 2003

Closing in on half way through the season, and it's anybody's title to win or lose. Although the MP4-17D is still a bit outclassed, it's doing far better than anyone had hoped at the beginning of the season.

The big deal for me isn't really who won today...but how. Although many have praised the F2003GA of being as much as 2 seconds a lap faster, an interesting thing is taking shape. Should the current pace continue (margin of victory wise) it will be the closest seasonal racing (again...time wise) in years. Want to know how we're doing this year vs. last year? McLaren having won the first 2 races,we'll just take the last 3 races that Ferrari have won. Here's the time difference last year to this year from the Winning Ferrari to the nearest competitor in another car. (Rubens finished 2nd but does not count. Only the car other than the Ferrari.)

2002 Imola: 19.755 back to R.Schumacher Williams
2003 Imola: 1.882 back to K.Raikkonen McLaren

2002 Spain: 36.630 back to J.P. Montoya Williams
2003 Spain: 5.716 back to F.Alonso Renault

2002 A1-Ring: 17.730 back to J.P.Montoya Williams
2003 A1-Ring: 3.62 back to K.Raikkonen McLaren

There are those I'm sure that will say it's all because Ferrari are taking it easy...or that Michelin have a better tire. I think Michelin have closed the gap a good bit, but I also think the other teams are just simply catching Ferrari. If the new MP4-18 is just a half second quicker, it could be enough to turn the tide on Ferrari.