ZX-Tex

iTrader: (15)

THIS THREAD MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS
SO DO NOT READ THIS THREAD
IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THE LATEST RACE

OK now that the season is off and running here are my gut feel predictions for the season. I am writing this before watching Bahrain qualifying (DVR recorded):

Constructor's Championship
1. McLaren
2. Red Bull
3. Mercedes
4. Ferrari
5. Lotus

Driver's Championship
1. Hamilton
2. Button
3. Vettel
4. Weber
5. Alonso

What a crazy season start so far. China in particular was really unexpected. If Schumacher's crew had not released him early who knows, it might have been Mercedes 1-2.

My wife is glad 'Kiki' (Kimi Raikkonen) is back.

Mobius

iTrader: (2)

I think qualifying today showed you cannot discount Red Bull this year. Yes, their car was weak first three races, but suddenly Vettel is on pole again, and Webber right behind.

The race tomorrow will be interesting given that the top finishers will have to pit early on to change out their soft slicks. And who knows how much sand will be on the track.

Also, I'm curious to see how many shots of the grandstands the FIA allows ... so far they have been absolutely empty.

Edit: I'm going with Vettel for a third. 2nd choice is Hamilton. I feel sorry for Alonso, stuck in a dog of a car.

ZX-Tex

iTrader: (15)

Watched the Bahrain race this afternoon. Another great race. Another surprising podium.

All of the racing so far is close. No team or driver is showing signs of impending dominance. It is going to be another very good season.

They should stop calling Raikkonen the 'Ice Man' and call him the 'Cold Fish'. He conveys about as much personality and joy as a dead tire. I know he has always been that way but jeez.

colincoon

iTrader: (1)

I'm happy that the Saubers are doing well again after having a rough few seasons. And I'm surprised that Force India is somewhat competitive.

Seems like there isn't a huge amount of separation between the front and middle runners, though obviously Caterham, HRT, and Marussa aren't with the pace.

njn63

iTrader: (4)

What's amazing is even though their car was weak they were 2nd in the constructor championship going into Bahrain. Meanwhile, Mercedes was 5th with a car that most regarded as a top contender.

I wonder if Red Bull found something and their car has this pace or if the circuit just suited their car better. Watching Vettel pull away from Kimi in sector 1 during the race was pretty crazy.

Glad to see Rosberg wasn't penalized. He made 1 move and neither driver was beside him when the move was made.

Mobius

iTrader: (2)

Watching Vettel leave the field by Turn 2 after the start was crazy.

Adrian Newey is a F***ing genius, I think.

hustler

iTrader: (6)

Constructor's Championship
1. McLaren
2. Red Bull
3. Mercedes
4. Ferrari
5. Lotus

Driver's Championship
1. Button
2. Vettel
3. Hamilton
4. Weber
5. Rosberg

hustler

iTrader: (6)

FIA needs to boot them after this season and welcome three new teams who can build cars and compete.

hustler

iTrader: (6)

I love Kimi because his interviews are hilarious and I don't think he takes ---- off anyone like Ferrari, and he still drives like a bauce.

richyvrlimited

iTrader: (1)

Eh? Button DNF and Hamilton was 8th, are you reading last weeks paper hustler?

Or was that your prediction for end of season?

Actual standings

S Vettel Red Bull 53
L Hamilton McLaren 49
M Webber Red Bull 48
J Button McLaren 43
F Alonso Ferrari 43
N Rosberg Mercedes 35
K Raikkonen Lotus 34
R Grosjean Lotus 23
S Perez Sauber 22
P Di Resta Force India 15

1 Red Bull-Renault 101
2 McLaren-Mercedes 92
3 Lotus-Renault 57
4 Ferrari 45
5 Mercedes GP 37
6 Sauber 31
7 Williams-Renault 18
8 Force India-Mercedes 17
9 Toro Rosso-Ferrari 6
10 Marussia-Cosworth 0
11 Caterham-Renault 0
12 HRT-Cosworth

Mobius

iTrader: (2)

Yeah. Mercedes has had two DNF's with Schumacher that really hurt them. McLaren has seeming forgotten how to run competent pit stops. I'm surprised Hamilton hasn't vented more than he has with the one radio transmission ("Ok what happened there, guys").

Schumacher's two DNF's so far would be frustrating for many, but he is in the best position of all - he just has to show up and race. He's The Man and has nothing left to prove or achieve. Everybody else is looking to be the next Schumi.

ZX-Tex

iTrader: (15)

I think Hustler was making Driver's and Constructor's Championship predictions, same as I was.

I was also waiting for Hamilton to have a radio meltdown after those two blown pit stops. Maybe he has a cooler head this year. Here is the official story on what happened with McLaren
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2...marsh-red-bull
So figure three stops for Hamilton and Button (I forget but I think they both did three) so that is 24 tire changes. So the odds of it not being something systematic (car or crew) are 1:24.

Yeah Schumacher is in an enviable position. You know he wants to win, but he does seem to be pretty relaxed in general.

curly

iTrader: (25)

We're predicting the final results of the season.

Mine:

Constructor's Championship
1. McLaren
2. Lotus
3. Red Bull
4. Ferrari
5. Mercedes

Driver's Championship
1.Button
2. Kimi
3. Vettel
4. Rosberg
5. Hamilton

I think my constructor's guess isn't far off, but driver's championship is any one's guess. Button 1st because he's got the best car and the coolest head. Kimi and Roman are over driving a not quite so good car (better than Ferrari) so they'll struggle where there talent isn't enough, but Kimi's stupidly amazing if you ask me. The last three are hail mary's. Who the ---- knows.

Efini~FC3S

iTrader: (4)

I'm so happy Kimi is back. I hated him at Ferrari (mostly cause I'm not a tifosi) but I love him at Renault. I could care less how the guy interviews. He's a straight shooter, he parties like a rockstar, and he can drive.

I hope McLaren can pull their heads out of their ***** soon. Too many lost points in the first four races. I'm a Button fan so I hope he can win it all again. I know he's probably not the best driver on the grid, I just like him better than Vettel, Alonso, and Hamilton. Hell, I would love to see Webber win too but I gave up on him after the meltdown at the end of 2010 (he had the WDC in the bag...).

So far this year has been much much much improved over last year. I could barely stomach watching Vettel dominate last year. Unfortunately, Bahrain looked a bit similar to last year.

ZX-Tex

iTrader: (15)

I remember. That was really ugly. I remember watching Weber walk back to his pit after he crashed in Korea. He looked like... well... like he had just lost the Championship.

njn63

iTrader: (4)

My prediction:
1. McLaren
2. Red Bull
3. Lotus
4. Mercedes
5. Ferrari
6. Sauber
7. Williams

Driver:
1. Vettel
2. Hamilton
3. Button
4. Webber
5. Kimi
6. Alonso
7. Schumacher

I think the constructor will be a dogfight between McLaren and Red Bull. I hope Red Bull takes it but McLaren started with the better car this year so it's a uphill battle.

hustler

iTrader: (6)

Yeah, it's on the top of the post, lol.

He'll melt down and act like a child soon enough.

He's the king.

hustler

iTrader: (6)

Whoever wrote that article needs to go back to 6th grade and learn how to use pronouns.

IcantDo55

iTrader: (11)

Been following for about a year now and I'm really enjoying the series. Speedvision coverage leave a little to be desired, I like listening to the announcer saying things like..."what are we looking at?"...classic.

Picked up this book to help familiarize myself with the cars, good read.

"Haynes Red Bull Racing F1 Car Manual"

Redbulls domination last year was hard to watch but this year so far had been great. I think Lotus has a win coming up soon. That car was FAST last weekend. I also bet if Vettel had the exhaust system Webber was running in China he would have placed much better.

Mobius

iTrader: (2)

The manual is awesome.