The build-up to the new Formula One season is always exciting and it is like a journey into the unknown. Even though there is great anticipation, the pecking order largely remains unchanged. It seems only yesterday that we were celebrating Lewis Hamilton’s title triumph in Abu Dhabi.
As we head into the 2015 F1 season, the odds are firmly with the Mercedes AMG team. With the same driver pairing, stability in the technical staff and regulations, there’s no reason why they won’t build on their success from last year and hit the ground running in 2015. Lewis Hamilton learnt a big lesson last year which was that he didn’t need to out-qualify Nico Rosberg to win the title, but just out-race him on the Sundays where you earn the points. He did that to great effect, beating Rosberg in a straight fight on more than one occasion and he would be looking to do more of the same this year. For Nico, this season is critical for him to show that he can bounce back – another season of being beaten by Lewis could relegate him to a virtual number two role so detested for years by people like Massa and Webber. It will take a miracle for anyone to beat Mercedes this year and the winter testing times indicate a two horse race.
Behind Mercedes, things get very interesting. Ferrari, Williams and Red Bull Racing have all been very closely matched through winter testing and this could provide one of the big stories of the season. Ferrari have completely wiped the slate clean and start 2015 with a whole new team as well as a new star driver in Sebastian Vettel. Kimi Raikkonen remains but he looks rejuvenated in a non-Alonso dominated team. The team has taken a big step forward over the winter and technical chief James Allison has led a good re-structure.
Williams were the strongest opposition to Mercedes last year and being a customer team of the German engine giant will once again help them. Valtteri Bottas was one of the stars of 2014 and there’s no question that another strong season from him could put him in line for a potential Mercedes seat for 2016. The big target for Williams this year will be to win at least win one race – something which they didn’t manage to do last season despite having a faster car than Red Bull who won thrice.
Daniel Ricciardo was the man to deliver those three wins for Red Bull and he starts this season as the established star in the team, with new boy Daniil Kvyat joining him from Toro Rosso. The car has looked very well balanced in winter testing but once again they go in to the new season facing a power deficit to the Mercedes powered teams. The Renault engine is believed to be as much as 70 horsepower down on the Mercedes or as one Red Bull insider told me “it’s like taking a pen to a knife fight”.
The engine manufacturers are now all allowed to make a certain number of modifications through the season which means that both Ferrari and Renault have the opportunity to close in on Mercedes. The flip side is that Mercedes could also develop more but common logic says that starting from a higher platform means less potential to gain.
Beyond the top teams, Lotus seem to be more competitive this season aided with the Mercedes engine while Force India have been battling financial worries. Team bosses Vijay Mallya and Bob Fernley admit that they head to Melbourne on the back foot after only doing the final two full days of winter testing. Toro Rosso have an all new driver line up with a combined age of 37! Carlos Sainz and Max Verstappen are both drivers with famous fathers in the sport but have earned their place on the grid through strong performances in the junior categories.
Rule Changes
Power units: Each driver is restricted to four power units during the season. Should a driver exceed the total, a grid penalty will be imposed.
New penalties: In addition to the five-second penalty introduced for 2014, race stewards also have the option to hand out ten-second penalties in 2015.
Points: Double points will no longer be applied for the season finale.
Nose designs: New regulations mean designs become more uniform. 2014 layouts like the anteater & twin tusk have been outlawed.
In-season test: there will be two in-season two-day tests, down from four in 2014.
The upcoming Formula One season has one of the youngest grids ever and will feature a number of rookies.
Who moved where
Sebastian Vettel: Red Bull Renault to Ferrari
Fernando Alonso: Ferrari to Mclaren
Daniil Kvyat: Toro Rosso to Red Bull
Carlos Sainz Jr: Formula Renault 3.5 Series to Toro Rosso
Max Verstappen: European Formula 3 to Toro Rosso
Marcus Ericsson: Caterham to Sauber
Felipe Nasr: GP2 to Sauber
Will Stevens: Manor F1
Roberto Merhi: Manor F1