Team

Red Bull Racing – If there ever were a team in the pit lane, which could throw a party which didn’t end until six in the morning, it would be Red Bull Racing. I remember shouting them down in my 2005 Preview, that the team would be a one hit wonder and once things go wrong, which I expected very quickly, the team would pack up and leave. Thankfully, I was mistaken and the team went on to be one of the biggest surprises of the year. From marketing, to getting close to the fans, Red Bull Racing were your team, gone were the politics, which hit many of the large manufactures, and in were making yourself heard and expressing your views, not on the same level as Millwall Football club, but a more friendly version.

Red Bull Racing is the sort of team we need more of, a serious but more relaxed approach to Formula One, that’s why I’d put them in charge of my Ultimate team.

Chassis

McLaren MP4-20/Mike Gascoyne – McLaren put together one of the fastest and most beautiful cars in the pit lane, from its first turn of the wheel the McLaren MP4-20 marked itself out as the bench mark for other teams, if it hadn’t been for reliability faults, for sure we would had been talking about a different world champion. But Toyota’s Technical Director Mike Gascoyne knows how to turn out a quick car in a couple of months, with Toyota being the only team to test their 2006 contender. Mike Gascoyne was also responsible for Jordan’s first win, and Renault’s involvement back to the front. Now he aims to turn Toyota into a race winner, his experience and hard work are vital for Formula One success.

If Mike Gascoyne worked on the McLaren MP4-20, we could probably get the ultimate racecar, which is why I’d have these two in my ultimate team.

Engine

Toyota RVX-05 – One of the most reliable and quickest engines in the Formula One field. The RVX-05 powered this years Toyota’s and Jordan’s enjoying two pole positions and six trips to the podium. Although at times it was outpaced by quicker machinery, the RVX-05 would stand the distance and where others dropped off, the RVX-05 gained.

The RVX-05 was apart of the final era of V10 engines, but that wouldn’t stop me placing it in my ultimate team.

Tyres

Michelin – Although apart of one of the darkest days during 2005 (American Grand Prix) Michelin showed the Formula One world that they could last the distance, out pacing Bridgestone in all areas and winning every single race they participated. Great for a single lap and excellent at long distances.

Not only did they field the majority of the Formula One paddock, they will be fielding my ultimate team as well.

Drivers

2005 saw a number of drivers raise their game, whether it be a change of competition or a change of car, this season saw a fresh wave of new talent taking on the old timers.

Kimi Räikkönen - Fast, ambitious and exciting, Kimi was always on a charge from the midfield and would skilfully move his way up the order. Pushing a car to the limit and at times over it, Kimi proved to be a class act of 2005, taking the fight to Fernando Alonso only to be let down my mechanical blows. But given the right equipment, this guy flies.

Jarno Trulli – Italy’s forgotten son, Jarno’s stellar qualifying laps and endless defending deserves some credit. Putting a car on the front row of the grid when it was only worth sixth takes some effort and then he defends his position in what seems a slower car. Since his front row slot in a Jordan some years back, Jarno has become the Ayrton Senna of qualifying laps, much to the annoyance of his teammates.

Kimi Räikkönen and Jarno Trulli are my two ultimate drivers, as they have shown in 2005, they can handle whats happening and pull together something special.

Friday Test Driver

Ricardo Zonta – Regularly in the top three during Friday’s Practice Sessions, Ricardo knows how to set up a quick, balanced car. A trusted tester, with years of experience from racing with BAR and Toyota last year, give Ricardo a fast car and some new tyres and he’ll pop in a quick one.

Ricardo is also one of those drivers who do extremely well at testing and exploring the nature of the car, and he’s the man I need in my ultimate F1 team.

Race Weekend

Japanese Grand Prix – Not only one the most exciting races of the season, but one the most exciting races ever seen. A wet/dry qualifying session mixed the grid up putting many of the fastest drivers (Kimi, Alonso and Montoya) at the back, with Ralf Schumacher and Jenson Button right up at the front. The race would prove an interesting affair, Montoya crashed at the end of the first lap and Ralf suffering with a three-stop stratergy was left way down the order. Alonso and Kimi worked their way up the order, Alonso putting his money where his mouth is with an ambitious overtaking manoeuvre around the outside of Michael Schumacher into the single-file 130R. Kimi would end up hunting down race leader Giancarlo Fisichella during the remaining 10 laps, passing the Renault driver on the last lap.

Overtaking was pretty rare during 2005 due to the new regulations, but a change of lead on the last lap was a moment to saver, which left everybody on the edge of their seats.

Therefore the pick and mix grid and a gruelling grand prix places the Japanese Grand Prix in my ultimate package.

2005 Ultimate Package

Team: Red Bull Racing
Chassis: McLaren MP4-20/Mike Gascoyne
Engine: Toyota RVX-05
Tyres: Michelin

Driver 1: Kimi Räikkönen
Driver 2: Jarno Trulli
Friday Test Driver: Ricardo Zonta

Race Weekend: Japanese Grand Prix