April/May, 2002

F1 REJECTS POLL

Which of these events would you MOST like to see in 2002?    Raikkonen winning a race (38) 14%    Yoong scoring a point (52) 20%    A Sauber victory (102) 39%    Villeneuve leaving BAR (71) 27% Total Votes: 263

Not too many surprises here. Most of you want to see Sauber take their first race win. I think given the state of F1 in 2002, we'd all be happy to see anyone outside Ferrari, Williams and McLaren take a race win. A Heidfeld win is unlikely, now that Renault and Jordan seem to have more claim to Sauber's 2001 'best of the rest' tag this year. Actually, it seems the least popular option, Kimi to win (just 14% of you) is actually the most likely. There is a snowflake's chance in Hell that Yoong will score a point this year, and it seems that JV has no options but to sit tight with BAR and hope for a miracle!

March, 2002

F1 REJECTS POLL

Which of these tracks would you dump from the F1 calendar?    Imola (15) 7%    Barcelona (17) 8%    Nurburgring (23) 12%    Magny Cours (22) 11%    Hungaroring (128) 62% Total Votes: 205

There's been lots of talk lately about what the F1 calendar will look like in a few years. Near certainties to host GPs soon appear to be Moscow and Dubai, both of which have F1 tracks under construction at the moment. But which tracks will make way for the new races? Put another way, what is the current 'reject' track? Not a tough question to answer, it appears! With 62%, Hungary (usually the most boring race of the season) must go, or so you say. But more likely to depart the F1 scene is Imola and the Nurburgring, given that Italy and Germany won't be allowed 2 races per year for much longer. While 19% of you will be happy, we think that's a pity...

September, 2001

F1 REJECTS POLL

Which of these test drivers most deserves a race seat for 2002?    Luca Badoer (79) 40%    Marc Gene (38) 19%    Alexander Wurz (54) 27%    Ricardo Zonta (25) 12% Total Votes: 196

The work Luca Badoer has done behind the scenes at Ferrari has never been taken for granted by those at Maranello. He's hugely talented, super loyal - and also a reject with 0 points from his 56 races! We agree that he is the most deserving of a race seat, but it looks like it's not gonna happen soon. Runner-up is Alex Wurz, who failed miserably in his attempts to 'do a Panis' this year. He's stay as Nbr 3 at McLaren, leapfrogged by the man who was still karting when Alex made his GP debut, mini-Mika Kimi Raikkonen. Surprisingly (given his OK displays while subbing for HHF at Jordan), Zonta only got 25 votes. Oh well, it looks like these 4 will have to rely on injuries and team firings to get any further F1 chances...

May, 2001

F1 REJECTS POLL

Which of these possible sites would be the worst for a new GP?    Dubai (20) 10%    Lebanon (94) 50%    Moscow (42) 22%    Tunisia (32) 17% Total Votes: 188

There has been great talk about expanding the Grand Prix calendar into more exotic places around the world. These four sites were touted at the beginning of the season as the most likey, although recently China has also been suggested. Of course, it all is determined by where the money is, and with the 2008 Olympics going to Beijing, I reckon we'll see a GP there before too long. Of course, the winner here is Lebanon, perhaps no surprise. The second least popular is Moscow, but it seems that's where F1 is headed; the deal has been done, and Bernie must now decide which European GP gets the flick. Personally, I hope it's the Hunga-snore-ing, but it's likely to be either (or both) of the double-up GPs, Imola and the Nurburgring. Pity.

September, 2000

F1 REJECTS POLL

Do you think motor racing should have a place in the Olympic Games?    Yes (109) 52%    No (100) 48% Total Votes: 209

This is an interesting issue, it was also topical for us given the Sydney Olympics were happening just a few kilometres from where we live! Greg Norman had just called for the introduction of golf into the Games, and so why should motorsport miss out? In principle, I think 'Yes'. But at the end of the day, though, there are too many variables that go into motor racing to make such a competition even close to an even playing field for all competitors. Factor in the cost, and it just isn't viable. Pity!

August, 2000

F1 REJECTS POLL

What do you think Alain Prost should do next?    Keep his team (22) 21%    Sell his team (15) 14%    Start taking Prozac (70) 65% Total Votes: 107

Gotta admit it, this one was a bit of a joke poll ... naughty us :-) 37 of you decided to answer seriously, and interestingly of those who did, most thought Alain should give it another year. The right answer was, of course, to take Prozac - but chances are Alain's onto much harder stuff by now, given another nightmare weekend at Monza. I think he should indeed give it another year - Jean Alesi still seems motivated, so he has something there to work with, and whatever engines he gets next year, they have to work better than his hapless Peugeots. If during next year results don't come, or at least competitiveness isn't on display, I reckon the Prof should throw in the towel.

July, 2000

F1 REJECTS POLL

Thus far in 2000, which team is 'The Best of the Rest'?    Jordan (23) 19%    Williams (55) 44%    Benetton (19) 15%    BAR (27) 22% Total Votes: 124

If you take a look at the Championships after the Hungarian Grand Prix, when we halted this poll, you can see that McLaren and Ferrari have 112 and 111 points respectively. The next closest is Williams on a mere 24. What a joke. What's more, there is just 12 points in the Constructors' race between third and sixth. None of the lesser teams has stood up as a distinct Number 3 to the big boys - so we asked you who was performing the best on average. You went with the points as far as Williams were concerned, but Benetton came last in the poll, despite leading both BAR and Jordan in the Championship. Put that down to one A. Wurz, I say. Anyone want to vote for Arrows? Bad luck.

June, 2000

F1 REJECTS POLL

Of these three, who would you least like to have as your team boss?    Ron Dennis (45) 31%    Jean Todt (33) 23%    Frank Williams (67) 46% Total Votes: 145

One wonders exactly what it is like to have a day to day relationship with the three most influential team bosses in the paddock - Williams', McLaren's and Ferrari's. Despite the fact that most of us have no idea, we see no problem on making snap judgements based on people we've never met. :-) On this score, the sullen and taciturn (well that how I see him portrayed in the media) Frank Williams is the least liked: the man who can't hang onto his World Champs. Frankly, no surprises here (pun not intended). Our favourite (or least-least-liked) in this terrific triumvirate is the gnome-ish Jean Todt, which makes the Todt-forehead-cam (used in the French GP) a real winner!

May, 2000

F1 REJECTS POLL

Who do you think will score more points this season?    Jenson Button (127) 76%    Jaguar Racing (40) 24% Total Votes: 167

This is a question that would have been unthinkable before the start of the season - Jaguar coming in with all Stewart's experience behind it and 2 top drivers; Jenson Button the pathetic rookie who shouldn't even be in F3000. But as the season has progressed, the Williams package is a clear third best, and Jaguar are struggling to say the least. The answer looked obvious - Button for sure, and 76% agree - but following a great drive by Eddie Irvine in Monaco, they both have 3 points with plenty of the season left to run.

April, 2000

F1 REJECTS POLL

Out of these 3 drivers, who do you think is most likely to be replaced by the end of the season?    Nick Heidfeld (20) 18%    Johnny Herbert (69) 62%    Alexander Wurz (23) 21% Total Votes: 112

After three Grands Prix, these three drivers were arguably the least successful drivers in the field. Heidfeld a regular on the last row of the grid, Johnny running in the last 3-4 during the race, and wunderkind Wurz disappointing greatly. However given the policitcal situations, it was probably right that Herbert be the most likely one to get turfed out - although as I type, there are rumours that Antonio Pizzonia may get a Benneton drive later this year!

March, 2000

F1 REJECTS POLL

Did Schumacher have the Melbourne GP under control in the early laps, as he claimed?    No, Ron Dennis was right (65) 55%    Yes, Ferrari was cruising (54) 45% Total Votes: 119

This one was an interesting issue - the start of a brand new season and the McLarens take off from the start with Schumacher dropping behind. Two retirements and a sure victory later and a war of words ensues between Ron Dennis and Ferrari as to exactly how much Michael was "pacing himself". We here at F1 Rejects sure disagreed - therein lay the genesis of this poll question. It was a close one too, with just 9 votes in it.