111 replies to this topic

[Anderis]

It's really hard to predict. One thing is that with major rule change, there's often one or two teams which get it right and start the season with massive advantage over others. On the other hand, new engines may mean worse reliability, what should be in favour of multiple different race winners.

[Balnazzard]

What I expect  is to see Mclaren and Mercedes being strong at the beginning of the season while Red Bull and Ferrari are struggeling, but improve over the season. Lotus will go downwards while Williams makes the biggest improvement of all teams. Fight will be tight between Alonso and Kimi in Ferrari, Magnussen will positively suprise, while Vettel will continue to dominate inside Red Bull, Ricciardo will meet the same fate as Webber.

 

2014 champion? If Kimi doesnt win it, then I hope Hamilton will or heck even Button or Nico Rosberg or some big suprise....and as much as I would want Vettel's streak to end, I would still rather have him winning 5th champ than Alonso winning his 3rd....not that Alonso wouldnt deserve it, but I just cant stand him. But its between Mercedes and Ferrari drivers and Vettel, would be quite suprised if anyone else would take it....if Mclaren would enter the season with utterly dominating car, then maybe Button could repeat 2009, but I doubt it. As for WCC it's also between Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes

 

Oh and there most certainly will be more techincal DNFs than in last few years....above all else, no matter who wins the championship, lets just hope the fight will be tight and that there are more than just one or two teams fighting for wins....worst case scenario is that one team will dominate the entire season (though if it's Ferrari or Mercedes, then atleast there would be the fun to see Alonso vs Kimi or Ham vs Nico). Mercedes maybe having the most powerful engine, but also more unreliable than others, just like in V10 era.

Edited by Balnazzard, 26 November 2013 - 15:05.

[kimister]

Oh and there most certainly will be more techincal DNFs than in last few years....above all else, no matter who wins the championship, lets just hope the fight will be tight and that there are more than just one or two teams fighting for wins....worst case scenario is that one team will dominate the entire season (though if it's Ferrari or Mercedes, then atleast there would be the fun to see Alonso vs Kimi or Ham vs Nico). Mercedes maybe having the most powerful engine, but also more unreliable than others, just like in V10 era.

 

I expect that..., fastest but it would be useless if they cannot even finish the races 

[ezequiel]

For starters the actual technical development as opposed to running overweight, outdated cars filled with drivers that were deemed not good enough for F1 or any other premiere European racing series

 They are not overweight or outdated. And which counsil of elders determined the drivers were not good enough for F1 or other premiere European racing series?

[Lazy]

No idea.

[DanardiF1]

 They are not overweight or outdated. And which counsil of elders determined the drivers were not good enough for F1 or other premiere European racing series?

 

Exactly. If all were fair, I'd easily take Scott Dixon, Simon Pagenaud and co. over the likes of boring Charles Pic.

[alframsey]

I really don't know what to expect from next season but I hope Merc are strong and can give Lewis a car capable of challenging at every single race, I truly believe he can make the difference if he has a consistently competitive car to drive. Also can't wait to see Kimi vs Alonso! It's going to be amazing and if the Ferrari is there or thereabouts they will take the WCC imo.

[klyster]

Hopefully I'm totally wrong but more of the same to be honest. 

[Kelateboy]

**How did the gear ratio rule for next year go? Was there a fixed set of ratios for all year or something?

 

The gear-ratio will be fixed for the whole year. In the event the teams got it totally wrong sometime during the season, they could apply for the FIA to have it changed, but it can't be done on a systematic basis.

[DanardiF1]

The gear-ratio will be fixed for the whole year. In the event the teams got it totally wrong sometime during the season, they could apply for the FIA to have it changed, but it can't be done on a systematic basis.

 

I suspect Red Bull will be appearing in a lot of FIA technical notes over the course of the year relating to gear ratios...

[Eff One 2002]

 

EDIT: Goddamn asterisks ruining my Star Wars references.

It's ok champ, I got it despite the censorship...

 

As to my expectations, I expect 2014 will be a better season than this year, not that it would have to be all that great to achieve that distinction... 

Edited by Eff One 2002, 27 November 2013 - 06:46.

[Kelateboy]

If Ferrari or Mercedes become dominant and start racking up the WDC/WCC why would they need Vettel?

Both teams are well staffed with proven championship winning drivers. I dont see them taking a risk.

 

I don't believe any team will be dominant in the next year or so. There will be plenty of opportunities to upgrade and tune-up your engines throughout the season, and a dominant start will not necessary mean a dominant finish. It will be a development war throughout the season, but this time, it will be centred around the engines rather than aerodynamics. A dominant RBR rival would not require Vettel, as there is no reason to upset the apple-cart. But in the event that 2014-2015 is close without anybody getting the upper hand, then Vettel's status as a 4-time champions, would be deemed attractive to established teams like Ferrari and Mercedes. Besides getting a 4-time WC, they are also indirectly weakening RBR in the process.