Fire up the engines ...
LONDON: Team by team prospects for the Formula One season starting in Melbourne on Sunday, listed in 2016 championship order: Bottas has replaced world champion Nico Rosberg in the big move of the offseason. The Finn did most laps in testing (628) and Mercedes the most kilometres (5 102).
Hamilton did 468 laps and was slightly slower. Mercedes have won 51 of the 59 races since the V6 turbo hybrid power units were introduced in 2014. Last season they were on pole in 20 of 21 races. Maintaining that domination will be tough, and new regulations have given rivals a chance to close the gap.
Fourth successive constructors’ title or runners-up. Hamilton is the favourite for the drivers’ crown. The initial signs are that Renault have made a step up with the power unit, even though there were reliability problems in testing. Red Bull may not have revealed their true pace yet, but appear to be behind Mercedes and Ferrari. Verstappen and Ricciardo will be fighting each other as much as rivals. Top-three finish. Race wins possible. Raikkonen was fastest in pre-season testing and Ferrari, who failed to win a race last year and have kept a low media profile over the off-season, appear to have raised their game.
If that form translates into race results, and they can develop while avoiding the strategy blunders of old, that will be good news for those eager to see an end to three years of Mercedes domination. The SF70H car and new regulations seem to be much more to the liking of Vettel and Raikkonen.
Championship contenders. Possible first constructors’ title since 2008. Vettel challenging for his fifth crown. Raikkonen expected to retire at end of the season. Last season was the team’s best ever and they are now looking to crack into the top three.
That looks a tall order for a privatelyowned team already punching above its weight, but holding on to fourth is possible. Perez is now the effective team leader and will be hoping to build on two podiums last year. Ocon is a rising talent and will be pushing the Mexican Zak Brown is now running the show, but the headlines have made depressing reading.
Sixth last season after ninth the year before, once-mighty McLaren are in danger of slipping back down the order. Power-unit problems hampered testing, with far fewer laps than rivals, and the car was well down on straight-line speed. Alonso’s frustration is growing, while the chances of the double champion staying next season are shrinking. Vandoorne is a top talent, but will struggle to shine.
Downward spiral. Honda must act fast. Sainz is very highly regarded and in Hulkenberg arrives from Force India, eager to stand on the podium for the first time.
This year’s car should be a substantially better beast. The target is fifth place overall.
ambitious points. – Reuters Fifth at a pinch, but
The Swiss team are using year-old Ferrari engines this time.
Reliability should be good, but they will be down on speed and can expect to be lapped regularly.
Last, occasional