Atlas F1

Qualifying Differentials

Brazilian GP Edition

Ready for Round 2? As we said in the first edition of Atlas F1 Qualifying Differentials, we are going to keep an eye on the battle between teammates throughout the season by race and overall totals.

The measurement is simple. We compare the intra-team difference in seconds on Saturday. Some may say compensation must be given in the favoritism between the number one and two seats within the team. We, on the other hand, do not grant that pardon. For better or worse, our analyses will be on the perfect world of egalitarian status in intra-team rivalry.

So, here we go. The season is still young, but the differentials are rolling in. Let's see which drivers deserve bragging rights for the next two weeks.

Brazil Differentials

Notables

  1. Barrichello. Rubens is two for two in 1996. If it wasn't for Villeneuve's domination in Melbourne, the Brazilian would have been at the top of both competitions so far. As we said last time, experience may play the big descriptor here. However, Jan Magnussen has had a good amount of seat time. I doubt many people predicted such a one-sided effort from the new Formula One team. Have Stewart made a mistake at number 2?
  2. Panis. The second effort against Nakano puts Olivier second in the second round of qualifying differentials by over 1.1 seconds again. If that isn't enough seconds for you, wait until the end of the season when Panis punctuates the reality that the Japanese make better tires than drivers.
  3. Herbert. Being one of two journeymen in Formula One, Herbert proves why his seats have been in better cars. Besides Larini's second place on that dark day at Imola in 1994, Nicola has struggled in inconsistent roles since 1992. However, Herbert must be given his due. The guy stays on the heels of his old teammate of last year who is currently powered by Renault and is sponsored by a terrible tasting cigarette manufacturer.
  4. Hill. We all know Damon is World Champion. However, is he really this good? Or, is Diniz really this bad?
  5. Villeneuve. We all know Jacques is predicted to be World Champion. However, is he really this good? Or, is Frentzen really this bad? Seriously though, Frentzen dominated his opponents in '94 and '95. His ability to out-qualify his teammates along with the notion that he was the man to beat Schumacher earned him a spot at Williams. After two races, along with a questionable season against Herbert last year, Frentzen looks to be M.I.A.. Amazing.
1997 Differentials


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