Motorsport News: Russ Bond's Weekly Report

Toyota

Toyota brings its TF106 for returning drivers Ralf Schumacher

Ex-Ferrari driver Rubens Barrichello, finally out from the shadows of Michael Schumacher, is up against a strong teammate in Jensen Button. (Photo: Honda F1)

and Jarno Trulli, with what is expected to be a very potent RVX-06 engine. The new engine formula could well give Toyota the boost it needs to make it into the 'elite three' of Formula 1. In my opinion, it is time for both Schumacher and Trulli to be gone, and bring one solid young gun in to shake up the team in terms of speed and results.

Williams

If there is one team that I hope has a really successful year, it is Williams, if for no other reason than to rub Jenson Button's nose in the dirt. Button, as you may recall, paid not to drive the Williams this year and in so doing stayed with Honda, so if there is any justice Mark Webber and new boy Nico Rosberg, last year's GP2 champion, will hand Mr. Button his head on a platter every race weekend. Helping Williams do this task will be Cosworth, who will power the new FW28 with its CA2006 power plant. Cosworth and V8 go together like milk and coffee. Look for Williams to be a serious contender in 2006.

Honda

Honda

American Scott Speed, winner of the Red Bull F1 challenge, finally realizes his dream to drive in F1. (Photo: Red Bull F1)

comes to play with its new RA106, powered by the RA806E engine for Jenson Button and Eddie Irvine, oops, sorry Rubens Barrichello. Barrichello is likely to find out life after Ferrari is not the greatest thing, just like Irvine did before him. Honda could make an impression, and they will have to if Button is ever to win a Grand Prix.

Red Bull

Red Bull gave its team "wiiings" from the first time it competed last year, after taking over the struggling Jaguar squad. This year, the RB2 will have prancing horses in the back, and it remains to be seen if that is a good thing or not. Sauber, who previously used Ferrari power, was asked to move every time a red car showed up in the mirrors. Will the same be true for the Bulls? David Coulthard will probably bring home the lion's share of the points, but Christian Klien, who has been fast and benefits from a fair bit of F1 and Jaguar experience, could do well also.

BMW Sauber

BMW

A humbled Jacques Villeneuve, one of only three championship winners currently in the series, will have his work cut out for him if he plans to keep up with "Quick" Nick Heidfeld. (Photo: BMW Sauber F1)

Sauber has probably the most exciting line up of drivers in Canadian Jacques Villeneuve and Nick Heidfeld, but for the former it may be short-lived unless JV gets strong backing from his team this year and puts in a solid performance. Heidfeld has long been the 'ideal' teammate, and with JV more cooperative than ever, since returning to the sport he loves so much from close to a year of watching from the sidelines, look for a more peaceful and cooperative partnership than in previous Villeneuve pairings. The chassis will be the cleverly named F1.06 mated to the BMW P86 engine. Testing has gone well for the new outfit, and if Villeneuve is ever to win another Grand Prix, it will have to be this year.