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2010 dark horses


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#1 F1Badger

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Posted 21 January 2010 - 11:32

A lot has been made of Schumacher's return, Jenson's move to McLaren, Alonso to Ferrari etc.

But will 2010 be the year of the outside bet?

Will we see Vettel deliver on his potential?

Will Rosberg find some consistency to match his promise?

Or will one of the new boys, Hulkenburg, Senna or Di Grassi raise a few eyebrows?

I'm looking forward to seeing how these guys go almost as much as seeing how all the big names get on.

Thoughts?

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#2 Muzzinho

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Posted 21 January 2010 - 11:39

Pechito Lopez is the man to watch.

#3 Captain Tightpants

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Posted 21 January 2010 - 11:40

I think too many people are making too much of Lewis Hamilton's position within Mclaren relative to Jenson Button. I don't think Button is going to blitz him, but at the same time, I don't think he's going to be humilated 19-0 in qualifying and the race.

#4 SAFC09

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Posted 21 January 2010 - 11:41

Button, Webber and Massa (if fully recovered)

#5 Jackmancer

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Posted 21 January 2010 - 12:49

Dark horse would be Barrichello, in the Williams. Both driver and team know how to win.

#6 robracer

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Posted 21 January 2010 - 12:59

The dark horses for me in 2010 are Renault and Kubica, they could be stronger than people expect.

#7 Jackmancer

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Posted 21 January 2010 - 13:04

The dark horses for me in 2010 are Renault and Kubica, they could be stronger than people expect.


2010 looks disastrous for them already. The three most important members left (Alonso, Briatore, Symonds) and sponsors left and Kubica was publicly questioning Renault, so the in-house loyalty and feelings arn't really good. Just like 2006 Renault was threatening to leave F1. In 2007 sponsors and Alonso left and they went from wins to points.

#8 robracer

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Posted 21 January 2010 - 13:06

2010 looks disastrous for them already. The three most important members left (Alonso, Briatore, Symonds) and sponsors left and Kubica was publicly questioning Renault, so the in-house loyalty and feelings arn't really good. Just like 2006 Renault was threatening to leave F1. In 2007 sponsors and Alonso left and they went from wins to points.


It's my opinion and it can't be changed. :wave:

#9 Desdirodeabike

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Posted 21 January 2010 - 13:13

I predict that it will once again be between Red Bull, McLaren and Brawn now Mercedes - just like last year. Except that McLaren will now be competitive from the start. However, if Newey have built a cracker, then I tip Vettel for the title. If not - I can realisticly see Schumi taking the title. Brawn and Mercedes are already being pretty bullish about their car.
I think the Ferrari will have another backfoot year. Due to aero problems, fuel economy and lets not forget the potential internal strife.

#10 Lord_Shaitan

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Posted 21 January 2010 - 13:14

Merc, Mclaren, Ferrari and RedBull are expected to be in the top-4. Any other team will be surprice. I pick Renault as a dark horse in 2010 season. In spite of few negative aspects, there are some positive too. Hope they will be amongst 4 best teams!

#11 One

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Posted 21 January 2010 - 13:15

Dark horse would be Barrichello, in the Williams. Both driver and team know how to win.

:up:

#12 Raincoat

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Posted 21 January 2010 - 13:17

NICO ROSBERG!! Bookmark this thread

#13 MadYarpen

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Posted 21 January 2010 - 13:44

hoping for renault, but all can see how it looks now. And another hope is rosberg kicking schumi's ass;)

Edited by MadYarpen, 21 January 2010 - 13:46.


#14 MegaManson

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Posted 21 January 2010 - 14:00

Pechito Lopez is the man to watch.


The same Pechito who han't driven a single seater in 3 years ? he will be a man to watch with regards bringing out safety cars

#15 Walsingham

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Posted 21 January 2010 - 14:36

2010 looks disastrous for them already. The three most important members left (Alonso, Briatore, Symonds) and sponsors left and Kubica was publicly questioning Renault, so the in-house loyalty and feelings arn't really good. Just like 2006 Renault was threatening to leave F1. In 2007 sponsors and Alonso left and they went from wins to points.


2009 was worse than 2008, and they had Briatore, Symmonds, Alonso, and sponsors so change may bring some fresh ideas about how to rebuild winning team. They were already heading towards rock bottom with Flav and Pat and it didnt look like those two had any idea to change that direction other than creative use of Piquet's crashing abilities. Its 50/50 I think

#16 Hames Junt

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Posted 21 January 2010 - 14:39

The dark horses for me in 2010 are Renault and Kubica, they could be stronger than people expect.


I agree there, the Renault engine has a big advantage if you look at it in terms of fuel consumption, and they must have started designing this years car a long time ago, surely.

#17 Rob

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Posted 21 January 2010 - 14:45

Tonio Liuzzi will impress in the Force India.

Jaime Alguersuari will surprise many by how well he goes relative to Buemi.

#18 Pingu Pi

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Posted 21 January 2010 - 14:48

The dark horses for me in 2010 are Renault and Kubica, they could be stronger than people expect.


i agree with you, with the renault engines fuel consumption advantage this really could be a massive benefit, and renault really didnt seem to push the development on last years car so they probably threw a lot of resources on this years. They are definitly the dark horse for me this year if there is one.

#19 Owen

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Posted 21 January 2010 - 14:49

I'll keep an eye on the Hulk.

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#20 dslammers

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Posted 21 January 2010 - 15:28

I think Sutil and the Force India team will be the dark horse for 2010. They have a Mercedes engine, so they could be making the step this year. I expecting them just outside the top 10.

Edited by dslammers, 21 January 2010 - 15:28.


#21 Xaus

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Posted 21 January 2010 - 15:37

I think Sutil and the Force India team will be the dark horse for 2010. They have a Mercedes engine, so they could be making the step this year. I expecting them just outside the top 10.

This.

I believe they'll be well in the midfield scoring a good chunk of points (8th and above. not counting the 9th, and 10th place points) and both drivers really need to prove their worth assuming the car is finally capable of being competitive. Liuzzi needs to show Red Bull that it was a mistake to drop him and Sutil needs to finally live up to the mini-hype that crops up everytime he puts a Force India where it doesn't belong--- and Raikkonen isn't around to take him out!

And another one would DEFINITELY be Williams. They've got a strong development/technical driver in Rubens and a driver who I think is the REAL next Schumacher (if you even want to use that arguably stupid label) instead of Vettel.

#22 TURU

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Posted 21 January 2010 - 15:58

... and a driver who I think is the REAL next Schumacher (if you even want to use that arguably stupid label) instead of Vettel.


How can you call Hulkenberg, the real next Schumacher when he has never driven single race in F1 :drunk:. I know that he was superb in lower series, but it means nothing untill he proves himself in F1. There were many drivers in the past who were great in other series but achieved nothing in F1. :cool:

I believe, Renault will be a dark horse (hopefully best four and maybe some podiums). Just a premonition based on some good feelings as well as facts.

Edited by TURU, 21 January 2010 - 16:02.


#23 Kooper

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Posted 21 January 2010 - 16:00

Heidfeld, for sure.

#24 Xaus

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Posted 21 January 2010 - 16:06

How can you call Hulkenberg, the real next Schumacher when he has never driven single race in F1 :drunk:. I know that he was superb in lower series, but it means nothing untill he proves himself in F1. There were many drivers in the past who were great in other series but achieved nothing in F1. :cool:

I believe, Renault will be a dark horse (hopefully best four and maybe some podiums). Just a premonition based on some good feelings as well as facts.

I'll gladly eat my words if he turns out be just another Piquet Jr... :)

#25 TURU

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Posted 21 January 2010 - 16:10

I'll gladly eat my words if he turns out be just another Piquet Jr... :)


Well, I hold you to your word :lol:


#26 BiH

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Posted 21 January 2010 - 16:33

my crazy predictions


darkhorse team: williams
darkhorse driver: nico hulkenberg

new team that will surprise: lotus


i dont think there will be brawn like start to season this year. the battle will be between mercedes and red bull at the front.




#27 Clatter

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Posted 21 January 2010 - 16:40

I agree there, the Renault engine has a big advantage if you look at it in terms of fuel consumption, and they must have started designing this years car a long time ago, surely.


I think Renault's possible fuel advantage is greatly exaggerated. I'd take the extra power anyday.

#28 metz

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Posted 21 January 2010 - 16:41

Who said Hamilton was the only dark horse?  ;)

#29 giacomo

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Posted 21 January 2010 - 16:50

2010 dark horses? Renault. Williams.

#30 mclarensmps

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Posted 21 January 2010 - 17:31

Glock in the Virgin Manor, both of the Force India drivers.

I think Force India is quietly moving further up the grid without anyone taking any notice. I guess it's because of the team's name :(

#31 Jackmancer

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Posted 21 January 2010 - 18:30

Literally speaking though, Ferrari is the dark horse :rotfl:
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#32 seltaeb

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Posted 21 January 2010 - 18:48

Dark horse would be Barrichello, in the Williams. Both driver and team know how to win.

Absolutely spot on. Williams is due for a strong year and I think their new driver lineup has fantastic balance. If Rubens feels comfortable (and supported) in his new environment, I can see him on the podium. It'd be great to see Rubens and/or Nico give Williams its first win in a long while.

#33 Darth Sidious

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Posted 21 January 2010 - 18:55

Mark Webber. Last time I checked on Bwin he was 34-1.

:eek:

and now maybe Nico's become a bit of a dark horse, too.

#34 korzeniow

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Posted 21 January 2010 - 19:26

Renault will be dark horse and this isn't only wishful thinking :wave:

#35 fullthrottle

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Posted 21 January 2010 - 20:59

I'll keep an eye on the Hulk.


Me too :)

#36 THE "driverider"

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Posted 21 January 2010 - 21:10

Hamilton, Schumacher, Vettel & Alonso are all favourites.

Dark Horses for Championship:-
Button
Massa
Webber

Dark Horse for Wins:-
Barrichello
Kubica

#37 STRFerrari4Ever

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Posted 21 January 2010 - 22:25

Dark Horses for 2010 are Scuderia Toro Rosso & Sebastien Buemi(Yes you heard it here first!)
The STR5 will show stunning pace and Buemi will put in brilliant qualifying performances and solid points finishes(with the chance of a podium) :smoking:

#38 klyster

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Posted 21 January 2010 - 23:34

Hulkenberg is my guess.

#39 noikeee

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Posted 22 January 2010 - 00:01

I think Sutil and the Force India team will be the dark horse for 2010. They have a Mercedes engine, so they could be making the step this year. I expecting them just outside the top 10.


Agreed, I'm just not sure whether Sutil or Liuzzi will be the stronger of the 2, but I'm expecting Force India to be upper midfield. The teams has grown stronger and stronger lately, with their midfield rivals (Sauber, Renault, Williams, Toro Rosso, the now defunct Toyota) all in a period of instability for various reasons, so they could very well get ahead of them all.

But I'm not seeing a real dark horse for wins and championships, we're in a slightly weird situation now with 4 top teams all tipped as clear favourites way ahead of the rest, and 8 big name drivers (ok 6 big name drivers if you feel Rosberg and Webber don't qualify) in their seats. I can't see anyone other than these guys challenging for the top places. Kubica, the Williamses and Force Indias might grab a podium here and there but I can't quite imagine anything more than that.

We're not gonna "have a Brawn" this year.

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#40 Sausage

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Posted 22 January 2010 - 00:58

Hulkenberg will be an easy top10 driver all season if the car is somewhat decent. He is in the top4 drivers as far i'm concerned

#41 Andrew Hope

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Posted 22 January 2010 - 02:40

Force India as a team, di Grassi as a driver.

#42 AndreasF1

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Posted 22 January 2010 - 02:53

Tonio Liuzzi will impress in the Force India.

Jaime Alguersuari will surprise many by how well he goes relative to Buemi.


This is exactly what I don't see happening :rotfl:

#43 AndreasF1

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Posted 22 January 2010 - 02:55

I think too many people are making too much of Lewis Hamilton's position within Mclaren relative to Jenson Button. I don't think Button is going to blitz him, but at the same time, I don't think he's going to be humilated 19-0 in qualifying and the race.

:up:

#44 teejay

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Posted 22 January 2010 - 03:09

Hulkenberg will be an easy top10 driver all season if the car is somewhat decent. He is in the top4 drivers as far i'm concerned


Top 4?

Come on, I think everyone will agree he is a talent, but to rate him top 4 in a field he has never raced against... a bit ambitious.

#45 ZenSpeed

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Posted 22 January 2010 - 05:24

Literally speaking though, Ferrari is the dark horse :rotfl:
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you beat me, damn :rotfl:

#46 Craven Morehead

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Posted 22 January 2010 - 08:04

Glock in the Virgin Manor


Virgin Manor? Is that like some kind of backhole anti-matter alternative to the Playboy Mansion?

#47 One

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Posted 22 January 2010 - 08:47

Force India as a team, di Grassi as a driver.



I kinda agree tp this, speak about Dark horse.


Rubinho in Williams
Sutil in ForceI
Nick in USF1. :smoking:

#48 SAFC09

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Posted 22 January 2010 - 09:10

Virgin Manor? Is that like some kind of backhole anti-matter alternative to the Playboy Mansion?


:lol:

#49 SAFC09

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Posted 22 January 2010 - 09:11

a bit ambitious.


Just a bit ?

#50 Muzzinho

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Posted 22 January 2010 - 09:13

Liuzzi will blow Sutil away this year, and could take Hamiltons seat in 2011 in a direct swap.