With a three week br

Well, a wise woman once said that "The future is not set except what we make for ourselves."  I think it was Sarah Connor from the Terminator.  However, they are wise words so what has Midland got going for it in 2006?

Perhaps the one thing that appears immediately apparent is that the team's bosses don't really have an idea as to how to actually run a Formula One team.  Now, neither do I but while Collin Kolles and Alex Schnaider while no doubt intelligent people, they are businessmen not sportsmen.  What appears to be lacking at Midland is a team boss who is actually liked by those in the paddock.  So, enter Johnny Herbert.  Whilst not at the business end of running the team, Johnny's public and well liked face is the presence in the paddock that Midland have needed this year and perhaps should have been there from the start.

Midland's insistence on dropping the Jordan name and brand has ensured that only 30% of the polled support from this website will transfer it's allegiance to the new F1 team in 2006 while 25% will be heading for the BAR camp over the winter.  We suspect that of the 30%, these fans will only follow Midland based on it's driver selection for 2006.

Narain is apparently due to sign a race contract for 2006, having confirmed that his future lies in Formula One rather than in a seat driving for the Indian National team in the upcoming A1 Grand Prix racing series.  The driver has as yet to confirm who the drive is with, although a close friend already knows.   Tiago's future however is as yet unknown.  He holds the record for the most finishes in a rookie year and may yet go on to finish every race this season which may become a practically unassailable achievement but while no doubt a talented driver would Midland want to keep him on next year or is there another seat elsewhere?

Things are gradually falling into place for Midland next year.  The team have been assured of a Toyota engine supply, continuing the work started this season.  The team will receive the same engine as the works Toyota team and will assist in the development operation to improve the V8 powerplant.  They don't as yet however have a chassis in which to install the engine.  Work continues on the EJ15b chassis which most believe will become the EJ16 / Midland F101.  The car has run during the Friday free practice's and times have been less than encouraging to say the least.  Cooling is central to the EJ15b's problems.  The team are hoping to run the car at the Turkish Grand Prix in two weeks time but speculation is that the car won't run under race conditions at all.

So, Midland do have a lot of work to do.  What with constant rumour of yet another buy out and lack of commitment from their parent company, it's hoped that they can spend the time to bring the changes forward and to make Midland the success it clearly can be. 

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