Quote Originally Posted by steveaki13 View Post
Wow I was so excited about Jordan. They had finished 3rd in WCC in 1999 and now with there brighter yellow (which as a 14 year old really got me going) I was sure Trulli and Frentzen would win multiple races in 2000. My first real error in 2000. They looked OK early on but never got the results. In Monaco I was pumped 2nd and 4th was it? Anyway I was loving it but as we know I jinxed them. Anyway I loved Jordan but was hugely disappointed in them after 1999.
I felt exactly the same way abut everything you said. I loved all the colour schemes from 2000, they were so bright and unique, unlike 2014!! I liked the triangle airbox on the Jordan - that car looked lean and quick. A real shame about old Mugen-Honda engines. For 2000 I didn't want to believe this would have an impact, but it must have cost Jordan at least 1/4 sec.

BAR - The white livery was dull, but I think we all knew they would improve and score some points. However 4 4th places (i admit it I looked it up) and some 5ths and 6ths for Jacques was impressive. Zonta I always liked but he never really cut it in F1.
I liked the BAR livery. I tend to like white cars. The silver flashes looked great, and the whole car looked much more powerful and serious, whereas the mess (which I liked) of 99 reflected their chaotic season.
s -
Jaguar - The only things I recall about Jaguar in 2000 was Irvines 4th in Monaco and Herberts crash in Malaysia. They just rarely were seen from what I remember.
Yes this is what I remember too. I also remember Irvine mostly qualifying in the top 10. He was 7th fastest overall most of the season, but the car fell away later on, and Irvine ended up 9th, about +1.18sec off on average...

I remember being shocked at how badly Herbert was doing, having expected some great performances from him. His qualifying was shocking, starting 20th, 17th, 17th and 14th for the first races, and not scoring points all season.

Sadly, Irvine missed Austria due to stomach illness, replaced by Burti. Herbert ended up qualifying 16th and chasing Mika Salo home just missing out in 7th. Given Irvine usually went well at the A1 Ring, he would probably have scored rare points...

Also, Herbert drove well in Malaysia, running in the points and looking good for 6th until a suspension failure put him in the wall. He hurt himself and had to be carried out of the car - just as he was carried into his first one in 1989 due to his serious injury.

Benetton- I do remember there exciting podiums in Monaco and Canada. That was actually 2 great results when you look at it. Fisichella showing his class to find his way around the action and finish 3rd.
It was 3 podiums! Fisi came 3rd in Brazil too, beating the Jordans, but was promoted to 2nd. It was a better yeah than 1999, though ruined by a pathetic final few races, maybe due to a bad testing crash...

Sauber- Salo and Diniz. Meh... the line up wasnt great and the best memory I have about them was in Brazil when they withdrew and got hit by flying ad boards.
I was always VERY fond of Sauber, and just loved their lush livery. It looked even better in 2000 (a far cry from now!) I was also fond of Salo as a driver, and his helmet suited any car he drove. Both drivers' helmets suited the car. I remember being so excited at how strong that car was early in the season - it was right up there! Salo qualified 10th in Australia, beating Ralf. I always remember at the start he got up to a strong 7th and ran there for a long time. Later on, he was on for an easy podium in 3rd before the pit stops went wrong, sending him tumbling down. He recovered to 6th but was then disqualified by that Bauer guy (not Jack) who DSQd the Ferraris for their bargeboards in Malaysia 99.

Sauber then looked mega fast in Brazil until the wings failed. Then at Imola they started 10th and 12th, Diniz ahead, and Salo raced well, chasing Villeneuve the whole race for 5th. It fell away after that. Though I liked Salo, I didn't particularly rate him.


Minardi- Finally Minardi. What a decent car for Minardi and another nice livery. The engine was heavy and rubbish, but Mazzacane (maybe it was the name) captured my imagination and I was always following both he and Gene's progress. I remember the USA GP when Hakkinen followed Gaston for about 3 laps and Murray Walker was muddled about blue flags. haha.
OhmeGosh I remember the first time I clocked that livery. I was appalled and sickened and couldn't believe they were going to race that. But then it really grew on me and is now a favourite. Yeah I totally remember Indy 2000 too. When the weather changed, many drivers stopped, leaving M.Schumacher leading, Diniz 2nd(!), Mazzacane 3rd(!!) chased by Hakkinen who was angry about not being let through, not realising he was RACING Mazzacane. The order stayed like that for some time, i.e. more than just 1 lap.