Ok people... testing is over and Australia is up next. So, who will win the WDC this year and WHY?
LH. Peak of the career in performance. Mercedes has built the car for him to win in. If not him it should be Bottas but that would be something extra-ordinary. Id rather see Ferrari win this with either driver but they lack the organization to evolve the car as quickly as Mercedes and seem less flexible when comparing both operations.
Sorry to say but LH...I wish it wasn’t the case but during Barcelona they were (again) too fast. Ferrari did well and so did RB but this was also the case last year. If they (mercedes) will be like last year (and unfortunately they will...) the Championship will be quite boring though. Ciao Oscar
Max, gambling on the fact that the renault engine is improved enough to challenge (they've not had the 2018 spec engine in the car yet so far as I know)
Renault apparently use 0.1L of oil per 100km, Merc/Ferrari are at 0.6. Quite why Renault isn't operating at the limit is beyond me.
My understanding is that Renault is taking a conservative approach on HP with the idea that reliability is a more valuable than pure power.
If they got the qualifying power they'll be challenging....overtaking near impossible so even with race power down, both Red Bull drivers have the talent and balls to defend attacks from powerful cars. But I agree with your other statement RE Vettel also. I'm happy if any Ferrari or RBR driver wins the title.
I agree, if Vettel can keep a cool head and just drive he will win it all. LH is due for some bad luck this year.
Again I believe it goes back to winning some poll positions. If you put Hamilton back he has a greater chance of a traffic accident or breakdown in the first 2 laps. It haunted Max all season. Hamilton has been super consistent in getting on the front row for years. Its a definite advantage because you're free of the possibility of carnage.
Seb ! Ok, its far from sure, but God I hope so. The car was quickest at Barcelona, if not on the long runs at least we should qualify well. As we know these cars are wide and not easy to pass..... If though Merc run away with it in the first races my interest will rapidly nose dive. I’ll be honest, they really get on my tits. All ready I have ruled out ever buying one of their kraut boxes ever again, and that is despite having one of my life heroes involved in their team......and NO ELTON I am not referring to you !
Rumor has it that the last lap that Alonso had to get to 2 place was with the Renault engine at full power. I'm guessing a lot of teams are doing some sandbagging until Melbourne.
Urkel, even though the odds were stacked against him all year with unsettled aero, engine management issues, favouritism within the team for Bottas, wrong set ups from the team, incorrect calls for pitting, insurmountable gains made throughout the year from competitors copying MB designs and naturally, intermittent officiating on rules from race to race. He overcame incredible odds and it was all due to the fans he managed to collect another WDC although F1 has remained his second interest for several years.
Hopefully someone who deserves it, fights for every win, and wins by determination and skill and not just through a mechanical advantage.
I vote Seb, but unless the FIA adjust the rules mid season, I doubt Mercedes can’t get both titles again. It’ll be a snorefest again if it happens, and bottles isn’t allowed to beat elton by Mercedes, so there’s not even a chance of in-team rivalry to keep anyone interested. Let’s hope ferrari, or at least someone, managed to find a big step in testing, otherwise F1 takes a few more steps toward being finished
