F1 special

BATTLE TO WATCH: LEWIS HAMILTON AND NICO ROSBERG VIE FOR THE CROWN

Mercedes chases third championship title at this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix.

This weekend, we’ll finally learn who really has the upper hand when the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne heralds the start of the 2015 F1 season.

We all have our own opinions and here, for what they are worth, are my predictions for the new season. I have to admit I’m very glad I do not have to put money on the outcome.

Mercedes AMG Petronas F1

With 1 350 laps and 6 120km of almost trouble-free winter testing behind them, the new world champions must be the favourite for this year.

The Mercedes F1 W06, in the hands of both Lewis Hamilton, and Nico Rosberg has thrown down the gauntlet to all challengers.

The battle between the two drivers will be one to watch, with Hamilton chasing his third championship title and Rosberg determined to take the crown. With reliability and pace, what more can one say? It’s going to be very hard to beat.

Infiniti Red Bull Racing

With three victories against the mighty Mercedes juggernaut last season, the team will be hoping for a closer fight in 2015.

The new RB11 did not have an easy time in pre-season testing and completed 943 laps and 4 351km with a lot of stoppages and lost time.

It appears the Renault power unit and associated software were the problem. With Daniel Ricciardo – last year’s sensation – and team-mate Daniil Kvyat, anything is possible and I believe the young Australian will be in the mix again.

McLaren Honda

All the hype about the return of Honda has been overshadowed by the numerous technical problems of the power unit during winter testing – but let’s not forget the situation for all engine suppliers in initial testing last year was exactly the same.

Add to this the unfortunate crash of Fernando Alonso and the subsequent consequences to leave one in no doubt the team and the new MP4-30 face a very difficult period.

With just 1 751km and 380 laps under the belt, there is a lot of work to be done. How long this will take is anyone’s guess, but I don’t expect any fireworks until the end of the season – if at all this year.

With Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button, McLaren has a formidable driver line-up, but at present it will be impressive if Button and reserve driver Kevin Magnussen manage to even finish the Australian Grand Prix.

Scuderia Ferrari

Things certainly look a lot better in the Maranello camp with the new SF15-T having completed the testing with a fairly clean record and some impressive performance from both Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel.

A total of 1 182 laps and 5 423km appears to indicate Ferrari have made some serious improvements to the power unit and could be a challenger for podium positions this year, but victory against Mercedes power is not going to be easy.

The new managerial line-up are predicting podiums, but are not expecting wins until 2016 – a realistic viewpoint, I feel.

There is no doubt the latest contender is a much better car than the F14-T that Raikkonen could never get to grips with.

Let’s hope both the Finn and his team-mate can get back onto the form they showed during their championship seasons.

Williams Martini Racing

In my opinion, still liable to be the best of the rest, but the FW37 will face much stiffer competition this season.

Consistent performances last year were rewarded with podium finishes and between Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas, I believe we will see more of the same in 2015.

The team achieved 4 913km and 1 069 laps of testing and actually packed up early on the final day, saying they had completed all the tests required. Now that’s confidence. The combination of a great chassis and power unit should keep the team in the hunt.

Sauber F1 Team

Hoping for a better season than last year, Sauber’s C34 has gotten off to a good start, with 5 708km and 1 245 laps – second only to Mercedes – with a few problems, most as a result of the collision with a Williams resulting in a hasty rebuild in the first test at Barcelona.

Benefiting from the improved Ferrari power unit and an up-rated chassis, expect to see Felipe Nasr and Marcus Ericsson fighting for valuable points with the best of the rest.

Consistent performances last year were rewarded with podium finishes and between Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas, I believe we will see more of the same in 2015