Soldato
I can't wait to see the inter-team battle between Ham and Ros this season. This is going to be by far the most cerebrally challenging season for F1 Drivers in the history of the Sport.
F1 Testing 2014: Week 3 Bahrain
- Thread starter Shimmy
- Start date
Soldato
Soldato
Hahaha.
Soldato
Shame about Mclaren's running today, testing a new FW intended for Melbourne which had shipped over in time. Unfortunately engine problems thereafter though...
if ever there's a season to put a bet on one of the smaller teams winning Aus this would be it methinks!
if ever there's a season to put a bet on one of the smaller teams winning Aus this would be it methinks!
Soldato
Worth noting that the other teams have evolved from their launch spec cars aside from Mclaren who set their fastest time on launch spec.
Soldato
What are you trying to say? could it be that other teams was smart and upgraded their cars? or here we 2013 again?
Soldato
I'm saying that as far as I'm aware Mclaren haven't added any major new parts to the car whereas many other teams have, Mclaren did get a new FW shipped in last night which is Melbourne spec but they weren't able to run it today due to engine and electrical problems with the car.
Soldato
Yes I think so, given that we've seen Ros and Ham head to head etc. too and we haven't seen Alo and Kimi drive in the same team. I just have a feeling that if Alonso beats Kimi, Kimi will accept it, he seems to have mellowed out a bit and the Ferrari senior figures are saying he's matured a lot since his last stint with the team. I can just imagine him taking it on the chin now and getting on with it with a what will be will be attitude.
If Kimi beats Alonso then I can see Alonso getting quite upset with that... could be totally wrong though!
Either way that will be a fascinating battle as well...
And then there's so many others, Perez vs Nico, Massa and Bottas, Ricciardo and Vet etc. Can't wait!
Soldato
I think that the Ferrari is going to be poor. Nothing about the new car has caught my eye in testing.
Soldato
Alonso... Massa is faster than you.
I think "average", would be the best way to describe Ferrari.
What I find is that year on year, Ferrari produce a car which is decent, but never capable of fighting with RBR. Based purely on this, with regards to Ferrari producing a dominant car - I will believe it when I see it.
But, anyway folks, testing is now over.
RBR are struggling. However, if there was one team who can pull it back and finish the season with the fastest car on the grid, RBR are the guys.
Over the last 2 years, Merc have had a no-nonsense attitude. They got rid of the (highly decorated) Brawn and MSc as they were not upto the job. They wanted staff who could deliver. They recruited aggressively. The Merc bosses were clearly demanding results at any cost.
Finally, Merc appear to be the best prepared team and stand a good chance of doing well in the championship.
RBR's title rivals need to put as much of a points gap on RBR as possible. They need to finish RBR off before the Summer break. If they don't, then it wouldnt surprise me if RBR resume the season and demolish the opposition and any points lead.
Last year, RBR started the season on the back-foot, complaining about tyres etc. Lotus and Ferrari were the dominant force in races (Merc were dominant in qualifying). Alonso in particular, squandered points during this short period of dominance. If Ferrari (or Merc) do this again, then RBR will not be "broken" and could fight back to win the title.
I predicted before that RBR will win this year. Given Vettel and RBR's racing pedigree, I'm going to stick with my prediction. I'm expecting Vettel, Hamilton and Alonso to fill the top 3 places.
Caporegime
You keep saying this. The facts disagree. RBR was leading the championship after the second race. Vettel was leading after the third. This is not starting the season "on the back foot".
As always, you're entitled to your own opinion; you are not entitled to your own facts.
Soldato
God, I wish I'd thought of that line years ago....