F1 2016 champion (Poll please)

andicole0 · 15 Feb 2016 at 11:22

Before it all kicks off properly and before we see the cars perform in a test, could we have a poll of who people think will win this year.

I would be inclined to say Hamilton again but I have a feeling he's lost his fire, does that open hings up for Rosberg? Vettel of course and who could rule out Kimi. To be fair the list should probably include all 2106 drivers -

ROMAIN GROSJEAN FRA HAAS F1
ESTEBAN GUTIERREZ MEX HAAS F1
PASCAL WEHRLEIN GER MANOR RACING
ALEX ROSSI USA MANOR RACING
WILL STEVENS GBR MANOR RACING
RIO HARYANTO INDO MANOR RACING
JENSON ]BUTTON GBR MCLAREN HONDA
FERNANDO ]ALONSO ESP MCLAREN HONDA
LEWIS HAMILTON GBR MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS F1
NICO ROSBERG GER MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS F1
DANIIL KVYAT RUS RED BULL RACING
DANIEL RICCIARDO AUS RED BULL RACING
JOLYAN PALMER GBR RENAULT SPORT F1
KEVIN MAGNUSSEN SWE RENAULT SPORT F1
SERGIO PEREZ MEX SAHARA FORCE INDIA
NICO HULKENBERG GER SAHARA FORCE INDIA
FELIPE NASR BRA SAUBER F1
MARCUS ERICSSON SWE SAUBER F1
SEBASTIAN VETTEL GER SCUDERIA FERRARI
KIMI RÄIKKÖNEN FIN SCUDERIA FERRARI
MAX VERSTAPPEN NED SCUDERIA TORO ROSSO
CARLOS SAINZ ESP SCUDERIA TORO ROSSO
VALTTERI BOTTAS FIN WILLIAMS MARTINI RACING
FELIPE MASSA BRA WILLIAMS MARTINI RACING

And yes Manor are still saying they could use all three reserve drivers.

Andi.

tummelv · 15 Feb 2016 at 11:31

Hamilton for the title surely? Maybe Vettel as a dark horse if Rosberg's improved form is continued into this season and he gives Hamilton a good fight/they take points off each other by getting into scraps.

mmj_uk · 15 Feb 2016 at 11:34

It pretty much depends on who has the best car.

I beg to differ about Hamilton he's a naturally gifted racer so I think he'll do better when he's relaxed and not under pressure, also Rosberg has looked like a defeated man in recent times.

Quartz · 15 Feb 2016 at 11:35

About half of that list have a good chance if they have a good reliable car beneath them. So, between team-mates, absent reliability problems:

Haas - Grosjean
Manor - Too close to call between Stevens and Rossi
McLaren - Alonso
Mercedes - Too close to call
Red Bull - Ricciardo
Renault - No idea
Force India - Too close to call
Sauber - Nasr
Ferrari - Vettel
Toro Rosso - Verstappen
Williams - Bottas

KiNgPiN83 · 15 Feb 2016 at 12:01

tummelv said:
Hamilton for the title surely? Maybe Vettel as a dark horse if Rosberg's improved form is continued into this season and he gives Hamilton a good fight/they take points off each other by getting into scraps.

I've got a feeling Rosbergs 'good form' will turn out to be Lewis not fully concentrated after winning last year and partying/travelling/whatever too much taking his edge away. I can see Lewis spanking Rosberg over the first few races then Rosberg breaking again.

Spuj · 15 Feb 2016 at 12:05

For me it still has to be Hamilton.

As much as I would love Vettel in the Ferrari to take it, I can't seem them closing up the gap enough to challenge the WC. Maybe a few more race wins then last year but I don't believe it will be enough.

If Rosberg has improved on last year and can carry over his end of season form there is a small chance for him, however in all honesty I don't think so.

Hamilton for me.

MooMoo444 · 15 Feb 2016 at 12:12

If Mercedes keep their dominance, then I can't see Rosberg doing it. He's just too much of a #2, and gives places away too easily when challenged.

andicole0 said:
who could rule out Kimi.

Everyone? He's a shadow of his former self, doesn't seem to care anymore. Puts in a good weekend every few months, but obviously not WDC material.

Kris_90 · 15 Feb 2016 at 12:34

I'm voting for Seb, this season could be epic if Ferrari has caught up with the Mercs

Guerrilla · 15 Feb 2016 at 12:55

I still think Mercedes will have an advantage, so I think it'll be Hamilton again, my hope if that i'm either completely wrong or there will at least be some competitiveness there.

The_Abyss · 15 Feb 2016 at 13:13

The only sensible answer is Hamilton. Any other answer is just a long shot so someone can come back to this thread in 9 months time and look intelligent and smug

So I'll say Vettel

The_Abyss · 15 Feb 2016 at 13:14

I'd also include Stoffel in that list of drivers, for the long shot that the McLaren once again turns out to be irreparably poor and Fred stomps off and sits the season out with an 'injury'. Mind you, if that's the case he's not going to be winning any races...

deuse · 15 Feb 2016 at 15:23

Hamilton or Vettel.

Guerrilla · 15 Feb 2016 at 16:38

The_Abyss said:
I'd also include Stoffel in that list of drivers, for the long shot that the McLaren once again turns out to be irreparably poor and Fred stomps off and sits the season out with an 'injury'. Mind you, if that's the case he's not going to be winning any races...

Vandoorne is due to race in Super Formula.

Not saying what you said couldn't happen but still miht be a little less likely

koolpc · 15 Feb 2016 at 16:47

CaptainRAVE · 15 Feb 2016 at 16:53

Hamilton seems like the best bet, but I really hope it is closer this year.

Nismo · 15 Feb 2016 at 17:55

Vettel.

Rosberg will be more competitive this season and he and Hamilton will take points off each other (i.e. crash) more often

Duke · 15 Feb 2016 at 18:51

Vettel.

All aboard the Ferrari hype train

Terminal_Boy · 16 Feb 2016 at 10:03

Hamilton, with Vettel keeping him honest.

Junglist · 16 Feb 2016 at 10:05

Terminal_Boy said:
Hamilton, with Vettel keeping him honest.

This. Yes, Rosberg finished 2015 strongly but I don't see him having enough to compete with Hamilton or Vettel over the year

XeNoN89 · 16 Feb 2016 at 12:44

Hamilton or Vettel. Hopefully there are a few of them fighting for the top, I got seriously bored last year, even being a Hamilton fan.