Are Ferrari back for good?

Michael Schumacher has put the icing on a superb season by winning his ninth Grand Prix of the year in Malaysia. He had already won Ferrari's first driver's championship for over 20 years.

And the Italian outfit also clinched the constructors' championship for Ferrari for the second year in succession. Will Ferrari build on this year's success - or can McLaren fightback ?

Newcomers BAR have overtaken Jordan in the constructors championship - is this the shape of things to come?

The Malaysian GP will become the second GP of the year - will this result in a dull finish to the championship? Did the return to the USA work?

The British leg of the championship moves back to July after this year's April washout. It might also be the last GP at Silverstone. Will it move to Brands Hatch, or Donington - and should it move at all?

Give us your thoughts on the past F1 season and tell us your hopes and fears for the 2001 campaign.

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I am forced to make a comment in regard to all the ill informed discussion regarding Ferrari. Do F1 fans realise that Ferrari are a real constructor? They are not just a chassis builder with a bought-in engine like the rest of the teams including the Cosworth engined Jaguar/Stewart. Some of the absurd comments regarding never ending budgets and the like are unfair. Even from down here in the Antipodes McLaren and Williams do not look like they operate on a minimal budget. In fact many suggest that they speculate about the size of the Ferrari budget to deflect focus from their own gigantic resources.

The winner of a grand prix is now decided almost exclusively from the pits

  Colin Brown, UK

The last true British competitor (complete racing car) for Ferrari was BRM which is famous for being an unqualified disaster. Do English fans wish to be reminded of that? Ferrari make the entire car and always have done. Perhaps that helps explain their unrivalled popularity and image around the globe. Would Uncle Ron or Uncle Frank be so smug if they had to spread their skills over chassis AND engine. By the way is McLaren's engine an Ilmor or Mercedes? It appears to me to be a Mercedes funded British engine that is called an Ilmor only when it breaks and a Mercedes when it helps McLaren win. Has anyone thought why a company with huge resources (and a damn good pedigree) like Mercedes go out and pay someone to make an engine for them to call their own? Does that show everyone how difficult Ferrari's task is year in and year out.
Stephen , Australia

I think this season has been fantastic. Ferrari deserves both championships since they have fought long and hard for it. I think the future will hold many surprises with BAR and Jordan coming up in the ranks. Next year BMW Williams will win a few races (Ralf), but Montoya will be a disappointment. That is a disaster ready to happen (in my opinion). I hope I am wrong since he seems like a great guy.
Gian Santoro, USA

I was surprised BAR got 4th in the contractors' championship, given the car's poor chassis.

I expect greater things from BAR next season.

  Kimi Yukishige, Japan

It means that a talented driver like Villeneuve, and the high-powered engine supplied by Honda have more than compensated. I expect greater things from BAR next season.
Kimi Yukishige, Japan

I loved this year's fight for the championship, but the coverage in the U.S. has been poor.
Kirk Harris, U.S.

Having been a lifelong Ferrari fan I have experienced the low years, the near misses, and finally the ultimate F1 goal. It is always a stern test to lead from the front in any sport, but I think Ferrari doesn't suffer as much from the complacency that McLaren do, which makes me feel that we can retain the crown next year.

We have had a fantastic season of racing this year, but I believe that next year will be something special with Ferrari and McLaren battling for the honours with the resurgent Williams team not a million miles behind.
Miles Davies, UK

Would there be more excitement if there were more overtaking? The winner of a grand prix is now decided almost exclusively from the pits, this does not make for non-stop action either at the front or rear of the field. I have enjoyed the sport for over 10 years but I am equally, if not more, enthusiastic for motorsport involving motorbikes. This is not only because of its excitement but also the fact that the winner is decided by their riding skill and not necessarily what they are riding.
Colin Brown, UK

F1 has become increasingly predictable, and changes are needed. The 2001 season will be much better with Williams BMW being even better, with Renault coming back and BAR continuing to improve with Honda power.

The 2001 season will be much better with Williams BMW being even better, with Renault coming back and BAR continuing to improve with Honda power

  N Lewtas, UK

If new legislation does come into use over the aerodynamics of the cars, this to should make for more enjoyable viewing.
N Lewtas, UK

What happened to Jordan this year?! I don't understand how a team of their resources and backing can go from the brilliance of 1999 to the disaster that was 2000. I know that their designer is on the move, but that didn't happen until late in the season.

I personally rate Trulli very highly, and although some bad races were due to a few collisions, I still think the team let him down. Please, please, give we Jordan (and Trulli) fans something to shout about in 2001. Good Luck!!
Andrew Bowes, England

Watch out for Jaguar. Rumours have it Ross Brawn and Adrian Newey are joining in 2002. If I were a driver I would want to be driving for them..
Mario, Italia

Having followed every race this season, I think its actually been a good season. Three or four drivers could have won the title, but Schumacher's driving talent pulled him through. His partnership with Ross Brawn is the reason behind Ferrari's success, sharing the decisions and letting Michael drive to his limits.

McLaren need to work on their strategies and provide better reliability to challenge the Ferrari next year. Schumacher's brilliant start to the season won him this championship.
Steve Dobson, Brit in Canada

Being a huge F1 fan, I am extremely concerned for the future of this great sport. It has quite clearly turned into a four man race with the drivers for Ferrari and McLaren contesting victory every time. Although Schumacher is by far the most skilful driver and deserved the win, F1 has become more about the car you're in as opposed to the skill you have. The other drivers only ever have a chance if the McLaren/Ferrari drivers crash and something should be done to stop this dominating period and make the races more competitive and more exciting.
Nick, France

Forget about Ferrari and McLaren, the Minardi's will be up there with the best next season.
Billy, England

My fear is that 2001 will be as boring as 2000 or worse. With only two teams and four drivers winning races this year and with Shumacher winning the title because of McLaren's unreliability. I hope that BAR, Williams, Benetton and Jordan all are competitive so that the season is more exciting.

With Frentzen, Trulli, Montoya, Button, Villeneuve it is possible for more drivers to have a chance at the title if the cars are as good as the top two teams. Also this would show who the drivers are with talent and not just talk who drive the best car (Ferrari). Ferrari will not be the top team for ever just like McLaren, Williams, Benetton, Brabham, Tyrell, Lotus, Cooper, and all the other teams that have won the title in the past.
Karol Foyle, Australia

Jordan with full Honda backing and talented drivers like Trulli and Frentzen, who where a little unlucky this season, could be a force to reckoned with in 2001. I would see them fighting for places with Ferrari, McLaren and Williams.
Manna, Italy

McLaren still have the better car, performance-wise - it's just the reliability that is lacking. I think next year will still be a Ferrari/McLaren duel, with the fight for third place between BMW/Williams & BAR
Mark, UK

Ferrari have traditionally been a very emotional team - it remains to be seen if they fall flat on their faces next season or not. However, I suspect that with Michael Schumacher and Ross Brawn in charge of proceedings next year, it is very much up to McLaren to prevent another sweep. At last, as far as Ferrari are concerned, the boot is firmly on the other foot.
Jim, USA via England

I think that it has been a fantastic season. I think David Coulthard deserved more than what he got and that goes for Herbert, Irvine, Heidfeld - he came into F1 the same season as Button, I think its unfair the way Button has done so well yet Heidfeld with equal talent outqualifing Alesi.

Next season I think it will be closer and there'll be three top teams; Williams, Ferrari and McLaren. I hope Minardi do better with their proposed Supertec engine, think what it's done for Arrows.
Jim, UK

I disagree with Shiv's comments... Hasn't it always been just two teams who dominated. Lets look at the facts: Mansell v Senna (Williams v McLaren), Prost v Senna (McLaren v McLaren). Unless some other team begin to produce what they have promised then we're going to be having a Ferrari v McLaren battle for some time to come.
Steven Kidd, Brazil

This is probably the worst season in F1's history - only the top two teams won the seventeen races. I have not witnessed a single race where a driver's talent was exhibited. I still miss the Senna, Prost and Mansell days.
Shiv, USA

Firstly BAR are not new, the name BAR might be, but Reynard has been around for years. They are also big in other formulas (e.g. CART).

Where each Grand Prix is held will not make the championship more or less dull.

  Simon, UK

Where each Grand Prix is held will not make the championship more or less dull. Good competitive racing will make the championship more exciting. I think that Michael Schumacher, Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard will probably dominate 2001. I believe that Williams, BAR, Benetton (Renault) and Jordan will all start catching them up next year though, leaving a more open championship in 2002.

The British Grand Prix should move from Silverstone. In future the British Grand Prix should alternate between circuits, as it has in the past. This will give an incentive to improve the facilities at motor racing circuits in the UK, which are now well behind most of the world.

As well as Donington and Brands Hatch, the new Rockingham speedway [international circuit] may become a viable location for a Grand Prix in a few years. There is scheduled to be a round of the CART series there next year, and we may even see Herbert driving in it.
Simon, UK

I think it has been a good season for the top four teams with some good races, but it seems that the gap between the best and worst teams is wider than ever. Hopefully the success demonstrated by the BAR team will give further incentive to the less successful teams. As for Ferrari, they really do deserve it this time.
Antony De Meo, UK