77 replies to this topic

[Okyo]

Odd a vote has not been started yet. So, preseason testing is over. Dear say we can make at least a more or less accurate image of whose struggling and what teams will be fighting for the top places. Were on a verge of a season that might be one of the most unpredictable, spectacular and exciting ones in a long time. A chance for new teams to emerge as top dogs, a chance for new and old drivers to show what they got and join the elite. Will it be a Mercedes podium? Will Ferrari show that they've been hiding their pace? Will Williams finally start a season on the right foot and be back to the glory days? Will RedBull manage to get their car running? Heck, will anyone cross the finish line without problems?   

Vote! 

Edited by Okyo, 06 March 2014 - 06:31.

[Anderis]

Nobody will win. 100% of cars will retire.

[Bloggsworth]

10 out of 10 for grammar. Pace car to win.

[Rybo]

Hamilton or Alonso. I think the Merc's might run into so trouble leaving Alonso to pick up a surprise win.

[Exb]

At the moment I just can't see past the Mercedes, they have looked ahead of the rest at all points through testing so I think it may come down too which one of them is most reliable (or encounters less problems), if not I think whichever one of them starts on pole (as I think they will play it safe for the first race and not allow their drivers to race).

Really hope McLaren are up there though and if a McLaren driver can't win I wouldn't mind seeing Williams or even Force India get an early win.

[A.Fant]

Went with the heart over the head and voted Bottas.

 

I just have this nagging feeling that the FW36 might just have the best race pace in the field and that Bottas will exploit this better than Massa. With Mercedes history of eating through tyres and Williams' impressive fuel consumption in testing it may not be entirely crazy.

 

The safe bet is of course Hamilton, but that's a rather boring way to vote.

[senna da silva]

The RBR is obviously a quick car. If they sort out their software/cooling issues I see no reason why Vettel can't pickup where he left off.

[jrwb6e]

Most likely a Mercedes driver, but even with all the software problems, Alonso's pace in the Ferrari was fairly formidable.  I wouldn't count him out.

[Okyo]

10 out of 10 for grammar. Pace car to win.

No need for sarcasm. It's an international forum, mistakes happen as not everyone has English as their mother tongue. Is it possible by any chance to edit the topics name?

[UPRC]

I think everyone can agree that it'll be a Mercedes, and I was tempted to vote for Lewis, but Nico managed to get quite a lot of laps down in testing. I feel like he might have a slight edge, at least in the first race.

 

So I say Nico.

Edited by UPRC, 05 March 2014 - 17:09.

[MikeV1987]

I say Rosberg will get the jump on Ham and win it.

[Zava]

I think the forum allows about at least 20 options for votes, even if you don't want to have the whole grid as options, I think you should've at least involved the force india drivers.

[Okyo]

I think the forum allows about at least 20 options for votes, even if you don't want to have the whole grid as options, I think you should've at least involved the force india drivers.

To be honest, i've thought about it after i posted it. I'll add them if a single person wants to cast a vote. Hulkenberg has stated that they probably wouldn't have managed a 1:33:xxx if they tried, and he also mentioned that the Williams has rear downforce out of the corners that his car simply doesn't. Hence, i didn't add them. All these teams mentioned have been called out by someone (track side, drivers etc.) as having a chance of a win. RedBull was added as they were noted as having a brilliant car, but no reliability. They've been speaking about updated cooling outlets for Melbourne, so there is a chance. 

Anyways, I'll add Force India, as i'll consider your comment as a opinion that they are worth a vote.

Edited by Okyo, 05 March 2014 - 17:23.

[Markn93]

Max Chilton. 

[SlickMick]

I think everyone can agree that it'll be a Mercedes, and I was tempted to vote for Lewis, but Nico managed to get quite a lot of laps down in testing. I feel like he might have a slight edge, at least in the first race.

 

So I say Nico.

If everyone can agree it's Merc then there's no need to have a poll. At the time of my post more than half the people think it'll be someone else!

[ch103]

I voted for Felipe.  I think a Mercedes powered car is going to win it and decided to take a punt on Felipe.

[sennafan24]

 

The safe bet is of course Hamilton, but that's a rather boring way to vote.

I disagree, given how strong his teammate is.

 

I went for Lewis, but Nico is a strong 2nd favorite in my book.

 

I think Button could be very strong though, and I will never discount Ferrari's reliability if things get rough out there.

[P123]

It's wide open.  Reliability will come into it more than it has in recent years, so based on reliability and speed, one of the Williams (I'll guess Bottas).  On pure speed, probably Merc (more likely Nico), but they have looked a bit more fragile.  McLaren and Ferrari could also take it, and I'm sure Red Bull will be top 10 in qualifying with the race being a whole other challenge for them. 

[sabjit]

The RBR is obviously a quick car. If they sort out their software/cooling issues I see no reason why Vettel can't pickup where he left off.

 

Don't think they will be near the front for a while my friend.

 

They may be quick in the corners, but like all renault powers, they lack the straight line speed.

[undersquare]

I do see Lewis as a bit more likely than anyone else but it could easily be Nico or a Williams.  If they hit trouble then Hulk/JB/Kev.

[senna da silva]

Don't think they will be near the front for a while my friend.

 

They may be quick in the corners, but like all renault powers, they lack the straight line speed.

 

I just don't trust that team. I want Lewis to win and testing has been great, but I have a sneaking suspicion that there will be surprises.

[undersquare]

I just don't trust that team. I want Lewis to win and testing has been great, but I have a sneaking suspicion that there will be surprises.

The red Bull aero is great but they've sacrificed everything else, and this year that's not going to work.  Even with a simple V8 all defined to the last detail they couldn't keep the kers reliable, so now this year they're toast IMO.  This is no longer a formula for extreme, it's a formula for integration. 

 

JMHO of course, we will see; but until SV finishes a race in the top 6 I'm not worrying, personally.

[Rybo]

I just don't trust that team. I want Lewis to win and testing has been great, but I have a sneaking suspicion that there will be surprises.

Marko said they were two months behind, Vettel said it would take retirements to even reach the podium. While they will bring updates, so will all of the other teams.

[Anderis]

The fact that Williams is ATM a favourite number 2 to win the races early this season according to F1 fans, puts a big smile on my face.

[ConsiderAndGo]

Hamilton win. Slam dunk. (Pending reliability of course).

[Owen]

I believe one of the AMG Mercs will take it, everyone is saying they will have the advantage on pace. Let's say Rosberg.

[JHSingo]

The fact that Williams is ATM a favourite number 2 to win the races early this season according to F1 fans, puts a big smile on my face.

 

How ironic it would be if Massa in the Williams was faster than the Ferraris.

Edited by JHSingo, 05 March 2014 - 18:38.

[jrg19]

I think due to the possibility of not finishing, Mercedes will employ tactics or a plan that will be discussed before the race that whoever is leading will not be attacked, potential for 43 points off the bat is to big to pass up. 

[demet06]

One of the Mercedes teams will win. They seem to be ahead in all the important areas. They have the power, reliability, pace and probably most importantly, fuel economy. The Ferrari seems to have everything but the fuel economy. Reports came out of the Bahrain test about the Ferrari being thirsty, whilst Mercedes, McLaren, Williams and Force India all ran race distances with no problems of fuel saving. I fear the Renaults are weeks, if not months behind in terms of reliability and power, as their top speeds were way down on Ferrari and the Mercedes teams.

So based on the test results I think either Lewis or Nico will win as they did the fastest race sims but they weren't the most reliable. If they trip over themselves then the Williams boys could find themselves fighting for the win. That would be some story, Martini Williams Racing winning. 

[ForzaGTR]

I'm going for this podium:

 

1. Hamilton (I  just think it's his year, it's why he came to Merc)

2. Rosberg (Very, Very close behind)

3. Jenson (He's very strong in Oz)

Edited by ForzaGTR, 05 March 2014 - 19:01.

[SR388]

Remember Melbourne 2008? Going to be like that.

[Kingshark]

Either Hamilton or Rosberg.

 

No one else will even come close.

 

Just IMHO.

[BobbyRicky]

I hope Vettel wins. That would result in the most epic forum-meltdown ever.

[skc]

Just curious, I've seen a lot of people say the RB10 is a quick car. What is this view based on exactly?

[P123]

Just curious, I've seen a lot of people say the RB10 is a quick car. What is this view based on exactly?

So far, rumours from AMUS about the reaction of rivals to The RB10's cornering speed, JB's comments on being passed by Ricciardo and mention that Merc's own analysis has the RB10 as carrying most speed through corners. Looks like there may be a good chance Red Bull have maintained their strong aero advantage.

[kraduk]

Nobody will win. 100% of cars will retire.

 

but someone can still win as long as they do 90% of the distance

[kraduk]

How ironic it would be if Massa in the Williams was faster than the Ferraris.

i think thats a dead cert, at least for a while

[kraduk]

So far, rumours from AMUS about the reaction of rivals to The RB10's cornering speed, JB's comments on being passed by Ricciardo and mention that Merc's own analysis has the RB10 as carrying most speed through corners. Looks like there may be a good chance Red Bull have maintained their strong aero advantage.

 

yes but they may well have dont that as they arent looking after the power unit properly. Lets see what their pace is when the have a proply cooled car that runs reliably 

Edited by kraduk, 05 March 2014 - 21:33.

[paulogman]

I think it will be Rosberg because by luck his car won't break.
I think the early races will be lotteries in that sense.

[turssi]

Raikkonen should repeat his feat from last year! Or Williams to get a win could be nice as well!

[Juan Kerr]

Hamilton win. Slam dunk. (Pending reliability of course).

When is everyone gonna realise just how important reliability is? 3 car failures and all the momentum has gone to your teammate let alone anyone else outside of the team. Circumstance always wins the Formula 1 world championship every year.

[PoleMan]

I'd love to say Alonso, but based on what we've seen so far, and the strength of the drivers, I'll go for Mercedes, with Rosberg winning the first race to the checker.

[AyrtonSauna]

With reliability the main factor for the 1st race,I'd go for the most reliable drivers. Button,Alonso or Raikkonen.

[RockBrocaine]

Whoever it is, they will have a Mercedes engine behind them.

[RockBrocaine]

When is everyone gonna realise just how important reliability is? 3 car failures and all the momentum has gone to your teammate let alone anyone else outside of the team. Circumstance always wins the Formula 1 world championship every year.

What circumstance win 2013? Don't say tires either.

[bogi]

John Rambo

[Coral]

Lewis will win. Welcome to 2008!

[alframsey]

Imo it is quite likely to be one of the Merc drivers and I voted for Lewis, could just as easily be Nico though and it was a tough call. I really am looking forward to who deals with this set of regs best out of the two, many people saying it is perfect for Nico but I feel Lewis is being done a disservice.

[Dan333SP]

Massa. It's gonna be 2008 all over again, Massa v Lewis for the title.

[DanardiF1]

How ironic it would be if Massa in the Williams was faster than the Ferraris.

 

Just that the Williams is faster than Maldonado's Lotus is enough to put a massive smug smile on my face...