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Tuesday, December 31 Updated: January 7, 1:40 PM ET  Comments on Formula One drivers ESPN.com We spotlighted F1 drivers Cristiano da Matta and Giancarlo Fisichella. Here are your thoughts on their '02 campaigns and prospects for next season:
Cristiano will make steady headway in 2003, making great contributions to developing the Toyota. By 2005 he will be a strong competitor for the championship. Mike Ribas Ann Arbor, Mich.
I think Shorty has the ability to kick some tail in F1. Anyone who can dominate CART, with it's different types of tracks and numerous strong drivers, should be able to succeed in F1. I think he'll be tough competition for Schumacher, er, I mean the rest of the Formula One drivers. Sarah Quest Long Beach, Calif.
I predict that Cristiano will be a 10th- to 15th-place finisher in his first year in Formula 1. He will probably be the sixth best driver, with at least eight better cars ahead of him. With the points now paying down to eighth, he might get four or five this season. Robert Butler Germantown, Tenn.
If the car proves to be quick then Giancarlo Fisichella will be fighting with the top drivers and be a lot quicker then his teammate. Gianpaolo Centonze South Africa
Cristiano da Matta was definitely "da Man" in CART for '02. I know it was the right decision for him to go to F1 because we all know you don't get the opportunity all that often. On the other hand, I hope he forgets quickly how great it felt to win races. It is almost a given that Michael Schumacher will win the F1 championship again in '03 and it will probably be another boring season unless you happen to be a Schumi fan. I don't see Toyota, even with the talent of Cristiano behind the wheel, getting a sniff of the podium next year. Maybe in a couple of years. I do think that he will prove to the F1 community that, even within a team under development, he is a F1 champion of the future. Bryan Decker Arden, N.C.
With another year at Jordan under his belt, Giancarlo Fisichella should improve in 2003. Fisi won't be challenging the drivers from Ferrari, Williams or McLaren anytime soon, but he does have a shot at being the best of the rest of the pack. Most of Fisichella's problems in 2002 involved reliability issues with his Honda, but he'll have the improved Ford Cosworth to work with next year. He's always had talent, and next season he should score more points and maybe even sneak onto a podium. Emma Morgensen Seattle, Wash.
I think Cristiano may struggle at first but will score points in second half of the season consistently. I think he will finish ahead of teams like Minardi, Sauber, Jordan, BAR and maybe even Renault and Jaguar if their cars do not improve over last year's. Mickey Garcia Anahein, Calif.
Fisichella's a decent driver and Jordan isn't horrible. If the car is a notch or two better than last year, Fisichella should consistently score points -- especially now that more points are being awarded. Toby Harris Bowling Green, Ohio  Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories
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