A few members of our team have been itching for the new F1 season to kick-off. Talk turns to testing times and title contenders on a daily basis; and the betting pool is filling up nicely. We share our thoughts on what, many believe, will be the most exciting Formula One season in decades.
Kyle Kock – Journalist
It’s not looking good for the Renault-powered cars, so as an unashamed Vettel fan, I’m particularly concerned about the defending champion’s chances this season. Mercedes seems to be the team to look out for, but as great a pair as Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg are, I feel that the “Fire and Ice” combination of Fernando Alonso and Kimi Räikkönen at Ferrari will be the perfect answer to the German team.
Mid-grid, I’m also looking forward to the battle between a rejuvenated Williams and new driver line-up at Force India, who also use Mercedes engines – especially because of Felipe Massa’s pace at the former and Sergio Perez out with something to prove at the latter. I think the championship will go to one of Ferrari’s drivers, and only hope that the Pirelli tyres play less of a role in strategy this year.
Nicol Louw – CAR technical Editor
This year marks a watershed moment in Formula One history – the engines have been downsized (1,6-litre V6), turbochargers will make a return and we’ll see the addition of advanced energy recovery systems in motorsport’s pinnacle formula (read the full technical story in the March issue of CAR ’14).
What does it mean for this season? Well if pre-season testing is anything to go by then we will see a shake-up like never before. Yes, the Mercedes powertrain seems to be the most reliable and quickest, followed by Ferrari with the incident plagued Renault powertrain a definite last. However, this can all change when the flag drops. Still, how many cars will finish the first race? Then there is the 100 kg fuel limit. Will cars have to slow down as the race nears completion to actually reach the chequered flag? All these questions will soon be answered.
Sudhir Matai – Associate Editor
Management… That’s what this year will come down to, which driver can manage his fuel load/tyre wear/power boosts the best. The best package seems to be Mercedes AMG, which, even Red Bull boss, Christian Horner thinks will dominate the season.
Hamilton (the most naturally talented driver in the field) will be in the fastest car and he’s already a champ so may get the better of Rosberg, who will probably run him closest for the title. I can’t wait for the Kimi/Alonso battle to explode as the Spaniard isn’t happy when challenged by a quick team-mate (I’ve already bet Smith and McLaren that the Iceman will prevail).
As for the rest well, it’s a lottery between (what I hear will be) regular mechanical failures and longevity rather than pace, which will mean a very unpredictable points’ race in 2014. And if (ex-Ferrari racer) Felipe Massa takes a race win before Fernando Alonso I’ll be laughing for days.
Ian McLaren – Associate Editor
The best modern Formula One driver on the grid, Fernando Alonso, has been challenging for recent championship titles despite his Ferrari consistently being off-the-pace. This is his year, though. New teammate Kimi Raikonen will keep him honest at the top of the points table but ultimately won’t be as consistent. Lewis Hamilton will be fast but between looking after his dogs, his love life and his twitter account he’ll, once again, let events off-of-the-track distract him from winning the title.
My only worry is that with Alonso starting from the front row this year, who else is going to provide us with the explosive come-from-the-back start-line blasts Fernando executed throughout last year’s season? Oh yes, and McLaren rookie Magnussen will be the reason Button calls time on his F1 career.
Steve Smith – Editor
I have mixed feelings about the season, to be honest. On the one hand I’m very happy we won’t see Vettel put 1,5 secs a lap on the field whenever he feels like it. Unfortunately though, someone else might. Inexperience with the new regs means we’re seeing significant differences in performance and reliability among the teams (at least in early season) and its very possible that a team like Mercedes AMG Petronas could do what Red Bull Racing has done in preceding seasons.
Yes, the new rules have shaken things up and I can’t wait to see the red lights go out in Melbourne, but the bottom line is that once again we’re going witness a season where engineering savvy and not driving ability determines the victors.