2003 is gone...here comes 2004.

By Parminio
December 30 2003

At the start of the season, none of us dared hope that we would have a shot at being competitive until at least half way through the season when hopefully, the MP4-18 would be ready. In the end, it wasn't that bad...not bad at all.

The 2003 season was a good one for McLaren; the best we've had since 2000 to be sure. The aged MP4-17D did us all proud at the hands of Kimi Raikkonen, and if not for a few miscues on Raikkonen's part would have seen him crowned world champion. Considering that McLaren were hoping to 'close the gap' to Ferrari and Williams, I'd say it was a job very well done and far beyond what any of us expected.

The 2004 season will be here soon, and already hopes are high at camp McLaren. David Coulthard and Pedro de la Rosa both are praising the MP4-19, the latest challenger from team McLaren. Smashing track records in testing may not account for much in the grand scheme of things, but both drivers are on record as saying that it is a much improved machine. The 2004 season seems to be shaping up well for us already, and hopefully the reliability can be ironed out and we'll see our black and silver on top once more.

That said, McLaren Fans would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone from everywhere, no matter who you support, a safe and happy New Year. Drink, be merry, BE SAFE.

As this will be the last story published this year, I and I alone will hand out the McLaren Fans awards for this past season.

Here they are:

Driver of the Year: Mark Webber. This young man got into a dog of a car and flat out drove the wheels off of it, giving the Big Cat not only some good points finishes, but a great deal of hope for the future. This award is not given to him lightly. It's my opinion that he just did more for Jaguar and it's fans than anyone could hope to ask.

Drive of the Year: Michael Schumacher at the A1 Ring. What can you say? Anything that could have gone wrong did go wrong for Mike and Ferrari. Even a pit stop fire that could have gone REAL ugly REAL fast was handled like a group of guys flipping burgers and having a few beers in their own back yard. The most stress displayed seemed to be Mike wiping the debris from his visor. With it all, he drove one hell of a race and took the win.

Team of the Year: Renault. Everything from blinding pit stops to the design crew fielding a very superb car makes them the clear choice. Giving up a good deal of horsepower, Renault made the best of a fine chassis, and some VERY innovative race strategy to make the most of their season, and did very well. Good job!

Pit crew of the Year: Renault. If you need to know why, you didn't watch the races.

Rookie of the Year: Zolt Baumgartner. As Johnny on the spot for Jordan, Zolt had just a few hours notice that he'd be driving. Having never raced an F1 car before, he showed very well...so well in fact that it landed him a full time drive for the 2004 season. Well done!

Car of the Year: McLaren MP4-17D. 2 Years old. Totally outclassed. Missed the world title by 3 points. Enough said.

Bonehead of the Year: Jaques Villenueve. After talking trash about Button before the season and stating that if Button beats him he'll retire...JV got his butt handed to him, and didn't race the last race of the season. After all of that, he still tried to find a ride...to no avail. Even if he didn't keep his word, the whole of F1 kept it for him. Good job all!

Boss of the Year: Jean Todt. What can you say? With all of the flack, and as hard as the season started out for Ferrari, Jean held it all together and brought Ferrari back to the top with Mike at the wheel...as they've done for the last 4 years.

Wyatt Earp Award: Paul Stoddard...who came out with both guns blazing during the season and BLASTED nearly the whole of F1. Not that it was the politically correct thing to do, and earned him a few enemies I'm sure, but it was THE balls move of the year. It paid off...Bernie paid him to pipe down. Well done Paul!

Underachiever of the Year: David Coulthard. Kimi 91, DC 51. Kimi 2nd in the points, DC 7th. Need I say more?

Dumbest Move ANYONE has seen in Ages: Ralph Schumacher at Hockenheim. Just take a left right into the side of Rubens please...just hit him...there you go...WELL DONE! Now then...buy your way out of a 10 positions on the grid penalty with 50,000 dollars. WELL DONE AGAIN!

The What the Hell is he doing in a car award: Antonio Pizzonia. Don't EVEN get me started.

Worst Team of the Year: Sauber. Great engines, Ferrari support, dog of a car. Spent all the money on a wind tunnel. That's about it.

Worst Team Management: Jordan. Eddie sues, loses. Squanders money, let's go of key people, takes a team that won in 1999 to a team barely beating Minardi in less than 4 years.

Best Team Management: Ferrari. Constantly producing top notch cars while still maintaining top notch personnel. VERY well done.

and finally...the big two:

Best looking Driver: Kimi Raikkonen. The kid is on the bedroom wall of every girl from Finland to Florida.

Worst looking Driver: Justin Wilson. The guy just looks like someone took him out back and beat him half to death with an ugly stick. Lurch anyone?

See you all in 2004!
Happy New Year!