2014 season: how would it be?

[astracrazy]

ye that and drs how fake can f1 get

[dren]

We already have obligatory pit stops since the teams have to run both sets of tires. This just adds to strategy and will allow teams to race harder since they know they will have to pit.

[dren]

2014 changes are less major (front wing narrowed slightly which means different endplates), Beam wing is removed at the rear, so rear wing endfences need to be strengthened). Diffuser stays the same but with no teams being able to seal the diffuser like we've seen in recent years, we'll see alot more bodywork on top of the diffuser and around the floor.

The virtual ban on EBDs and the removal of the beam wing are rather large changes. I also expect lots of aero bits around the back.

[henra]

As said a few months back, barring mechanical failures, Merc should be looking at nineteen 1-2 finishes next season.

Wow!
That's one bold statement!
May we remind you of this some time next year?
How could they possibly know how good their competition exactly is?
Their own strength OK, but the others?
Especially RBR?!
Is this whistling in the dark or do you seriously believe this at this point in time?
I'll wait with my speculations at least until I see the cars.

[motobaleno]

I think Mercedes is going to dominate in ways even Red Bull will get impressed.

As said a few months back, barring mechanical failures, Merc should be looking at nineteen 1-2 finishes next season.

why?

[Jonnycraig]

As said a few months back, barring mechanical failures, Merc should be looking at nineteen 1-2 finishes next season.

Wow!
That's one bold statement!
May we remind you of this some time next year?
How could they possibly know how good their competition exactly is?
Their own strength OK, but the others?
Especially RBR?!
Is this whistling in the dark or do you seriously believe this at this point in time?
I'll wait with my speculations at least until I see the cars.

Feel free to bring it up later in the season, hopefully I'm completely wrong. Too much noise at least on British coverage from Davidson about what a monster the Mercedes 'power unit' is for too long for it to be hot air in my opinion. Whilst Merc clearly can't know exactly how everyone else's 'power unit' stacks up, it's a pretty small paddock and pretty naive in my opinion to believe that nobody is talking to each other.

Probably worth stating as well that James Allen has frequently stated that widespread paddock belief is that Mercedes have a significant advantage on the 'power unit' front.

[godlameroso]

2014 changes are less major (front wing narrowed slightly which means different endplates), Beam wing is removed at the rear, so rear wing endfences need to be strengthened). Diffuser stays the same but with no teams being able to seal the diffuser like we've seen in recent years, we'll see alot more bodywork on top of the diffuser and around the floor.

The virtual ban on EBDs and the removal of the beam wing are rather large changes. I also expect lots of aero bits around the back.

Not to mention a shallower rear wing.

I think development for 2014 will center around the wings for the chassis side. The sidepods, cooling, and packaging of the power train and ancillaries will be crucial and teams need their designs to be flexible so that these three aspects can be upgraded as the season progresses. Powertrain development will also be huge. In a way the ban on EBD's are a good thing because it forces teams to look at other areas to develop. With luck and a lot of money invested they may be able to make the cars as fast as they were in the mid 90's hopefully however more teams are on par with each other.

[Moxie]

actually, if one wants to follow your reasoning, next F1 governance being as you say more trasparently relying on business and financial investors, then ferrari should get even more advantages...investors like stability you say...have you seen the distribution of colors among people attending f1 gps?

politics could be somewhat related with sport even in a distorted way but for sure purely financial interest is not

I must respectfully disagree with you. It is important to remember that Formula One the corporation ultimately derives its profit from viewership, and directly or indirectly in the advertizing intended for those viewers. Just look at all of the unused ad space on the MaRussia car. Lets also not forget that in 2012 there were 12 teams on the F1 Grid, and in 2013 there were only 11 teams. That is a lot of the F1 primary resource (potential ad space) going unused. More healthy, competitive teams translates to more advertising resources that can be sold.

As you mention, there are a lot of fans out there wearing red, and wearing the Santander Logo, but what about the other fans...Whose logo are they wearing?...Ad space wasted...F1 needs those fans wearing green shirts with GE logos, and orange shirts with Kingfisher logos.

[kooleracer]

I think next season the best driver will win, i dont think that there will be much disparity between Red Bull and Mercedes. I think Mercedes will have to most mechinacal grip, like beginning of this year where they dominated the traction sector in Spain for example. Also Mercedes might have a silver bullet with their DRD system they have been testing this year. Red bull will have the best aero-package. McLaren will be contending with Ferrari for place 5 till 8, Ferrari will be 0.2-0.5 off the peace because they are notorious slow starters. McLaren will be focused on their 2015 project with Honda don't think they will put all their resources and effort in the 2014 project. I think 2014 will be like the 1999 seasons but instead of McLaren and Ferrari it will be Mercedes and Red Bull. Lotus have lost a lot of key personnel, Ferrari will find it hard to adapt the new formula, McLaren will abandon the 2014 project half way during the season. I think Williams could end 4th in the championship they have a lot of hybrid technology knowledge and have a great gearbox and a Mercedes power unit.

I think it end up like this, because of driver line-up:

1.Mercedes (best overall package and only unchanged driver duo for 2014)
2.Ferrari ( will edge out Red Bull, but will have slower package but Alonso and Kimi will make up for that)
3.Red Bull (because of Daniel)
4.Williams
5.McLaren (because of Button and Magnussen)

Think Lotus will fall back because of lack of support by Renault. We all saw this year that the Red Bull engine on the Red Bull was different from Lotus i think next year this will be even more crucial. Think the works teams will have a significant advantage in 2014 because off the importance of the power-unit/ chassis integration.

The drivers that can win the championship are Hamilton, Rosberg, Vettel,Kimi and Alonso. I personally think for:

1.Hamilton
2.Vettel
3.Rosberg
4.Raikkonen
5.Alonso

[beelsebob]

3.Red Bull (because of Daniel)

I'm not sure that's really justifiable, even if you don't rate Daniel very well. Remember, this year Vettel alone would have won the WCC.

[kooleracer]

3.Red Bull (because of Daniel)

I'm not sure that's really justifiable, even if you don't rate Daniel very well. Remember, this year Vettel alone would have won the WCC.

I think daniel has potential but with great talent like Alonso,Kimi,Rosberg,Vettel and Hamilton. I don't think Daniel will be able to keep pace with those guys when the RBR10 isn't 1 sec a lap quicker than the rest. Grosjean beat webber in a car that was 0.5-0.8 sec slower than the RB9.I don't think Daniel will be much quicker then mark. So even if the Merc's and the Ferrari would be 0.2 sec slower compared to Vettel i don't think he would be able to beat those guys. With smaller gaps i think Kimi, Alonso, Rosberg and Hamilton will always beat Daniel. Daniel isn't bad but i don't think he is on par with the other drivers. Of Course if the RB10 is as dominant as the RB9 ended the season its a different story. But I really think next season the gaps between Ferrari,Mercedes and Red Bull will be really small and the driver can make a difference. Or do you rate Daniel as high as Vettel,Rosberg,Hamilton, Kimi and Alonso?

[Anon123]

1.Hamilton
2.Vettel
3.Rosberg
4.Raikkonen
5.Alonso

Kimi ahead of Alonso in the same car? I think some Kimi fans will be shocked next year...

[Jonnycraig]

I think next season the best driver will win,

Yet you have the best driver finishing second.

[SectorOne]

Yet you have the luckiest driver finishing second.

Yea it´s a bit weird...

[Juzh]

Yet you have the luckiest driver finishing second.

Yea it´s a bit weird...

Lucky how? Please elaborate.