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Atlas F1 is going to keep an eye on the battle between team mates throughout the season by race and overall averages (again). 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 once more. With two qualifying sessions completed for 1999, the differentials are on a roll. Let's see which drivers deserve bragging rights.
Brazil Notables
- Barrichello. Not only did Rubens have a fantastic Saturday overall, but he managed to strongly dominate his new teammate Johnny Herbert for a second time. Herbert, who was our overall Differential Champion in 1997, had a hard time against Alesi at Sauber in 1998. Now, it looks like the new surroundings will continue the negative trend on Herbert's differential. This battle will be interesting to follow as Barrichello has proved he can run with the best, and Herbert, who has easily earned veteran status, can still be looked on as unproven dark horse.
- R. Schumacher. Is Ralf the "real deal"? He is definitely the a brightest spot at Williams so far this year. After excellent development against teammates Fisichella and Hill, Ralf has matured into a very strong and battle tested opponent. It would be wise of Zanardi to forget his recent glory and treat Ralf as in a position of authority, not a colleague as it looks like Zanardi's learning curve will be lengthy. Ralf Schumacher is definitely making the slope steep for the Italian.
- Fisichella. Giancarlo is, in a big way, two-for-two against Wurz. The Italian, not unlike former teammate Schumacher, is coming in to his own while teammate Wurz is learning excuses. Alex is better than this. Or, is he? San Marino should be interesting to see which Wurz shows up.
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