It is often customary to write off drivers when, after a few years, they provide a few inconclusive results, or even a few that are occasionally promising. It is a precedent set by the F1 press who seem intent on ridiculing anyone who isn't winning at lest eight races a year, and out qualifying the whole field in a Tyrrell. F1 is like that, by it's nature, survival of the fittest.

It almost seems a shame therefore, that the West McLaren team are having such a hard time of being successful. What with all the controversy about exotic braking arrangements, 'magic' buttons on steering wheels, not a lot of people seem to think that someone, finally, has got their sums right, to a point of dominance that the Williams has had for so many years, driver dependent of course. It seems that, from a lot that is read, and of course, its some media hype, that Mr Newey waltzed in there, and said "No, do it this way", and all was well. You cannot, however, discount his input.

At the end of the line, someone has to drive the thing. At the moment, Mika Hakkinen is doing the driving. It is also noted in the press (at least in  the UK) that Mika is a bit of a media bore, not providing a 'personality' that the press require... funny that... how many times have you heard that, 'the car is great, we were just unlucky' etc.. You should see the coverage on Coultard and every word he says. Its all there. But again, its a big case of biting your lip, and remembering the sponsors. It took Mika some time, but now, with the bit between his teeth, and a good car, we are seeing that he can provide the goods. It takes more than a 2nd class driver to negotiate Monaco, despite what any commentator will tell you about set-ups, downforce etc.. I'm in no way his biggest fan, but as in all the teams, there are 2 drivers, and he's proving the greater, even if he's got the best car on the track, a little credit should be due for the fact that he's making the most of it.

It is unfortunate, that things are not a little more equal, and everyone isn't vying for pole all the way down the grid and that overtaking now seems to be a matter for the stewards to decide who's at fault. It's not the best racing ever seen, that's for sure, but it isn't the first year that a single team has completely dominated a season... and that goes back as far as motor racing does.

Possibly, we need another Gilles Villeneuve or another Fangio, Ascari or Nuvolari: someone who is really miles above the rest. It's a different story now, though, 'miles above the rest' is measured in milliseconds and the constraints to the cars are never going to produce surprises. However, looking into the past is a falsehood. The 'good old days' are always going to be now. In a hundred years, they'll probably be driving rocket powered scooters which fly by auto-pilot, and don't require a driver, and do about a 1000 miles per hour.

Just hope there's a Ferrari amongst them...

Dylan is fan of F1 and a bit of single seater driving at Brands Hatch. He claims to be "more of a watcher I suppose, ain't we all?"

Send comments to: dylan@rocketmail.com