2012 contenders....?

moonrover · Grand Prix Winner Joined: 07 Apr 2006 Posts: 1269

Again, Test reports showed confusing.
easy way is to wait for the first qualifying day, but still,
really curious who's the boss !

So could anyone guide me understanding which team/teams are more promising?

PS:(BTW I hate that dent before noses!)

bewildered_jim · Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2012 01:41 Post subject:

By all accounts;
i) RBR and McLaren are a bee's d&$^ apart
ii) Mercedes probably edge Ferrari and Lotus. Perhaps...
iii) Force India et al.
iv) Williams and then Caterham.

Really it's hard to recognize the F1 we know and love Rolling Eyes

Interesting questions:
i) If McLaren start close to RBR, will they pass them throughout the year?
ii) If Ferrari do start behind Mercedes/Lotus (...hmm), will they pick up enough pace to pass them? Yes, frankly.
iii) Which Force India driver will score more points? Hoping for PdR, and I think that might be the case.
iv) How close will Caterham be to the front? I reckon they will be in the same 'position' but much closer to the front.

So, that's 2012 sorted, bring on 2013.
_________________
"With its F1 coverage from 2012 set to play second fiddle, the BBC promises to get fans close to the true experience - of being Mark Webber" #HIGNFY @don_lyall

bawjohnson · F3 Racer Joined: 27 Mar 2011 Posts: 247

Over the last few years, it seemed that McLaren have started their season in Monaco, so it'd be nice to see them start the season from the front, and they have a proven track record of developing a car substantially over the course of a season.. RBR will always be quick, but gut feeling is that they won't be as fast straight out of the blocks this year due to two years of stableish regulations.. Of course they'll prove me wrong now by dominating in Australia.

I think Mercedes will have a strong package, sauber levels of strong at the beginning, however I'd expect to see them get stronger and stronger throughout the season, now they've ironed out the deficiencies from last years model, and with the best and the hungriest driver on the grid, i'd love to see either of them with regular podiums and potentially a win on merit, Canada last year, I almost had a lump in my throat in that brief period when Schumacher was chasing down Vettel.. Pray

Ferrari seem to be on the back foot slightly, it'll take a few races for them to unlock the speed in the car, if anyone's going to do it it'll be alonso, but i bet he's miffed at having to do it yet again, The problem they'll face in my mind is more internal - as has been pointed out, the tifosi will not stand for another period of poor results, and so heads will roll, fingers will be pointed, people will be sacked, messy appeals, the lot, all of which will only set them back further..

I think Di Resta should have the edge at Force India, he seems to have a very hard working and aggressive approach to his race craft, and doesn't seem to take many prisoners - I don't think Hulkenburg's previous experience will count for much here.

Caterham seem to have produced a solid car, and are producing the kind of progress that Force India should have in their first years. To go from a start up to this point in such a short time is remarkable frankly, there may be a freak podium in it for them, but hopefully they have a solid point scorer under them now.

Podge 90 · F2 Racer Joined: 31 Mar 2010 Posts: 486

I'm optimistic about Lotus. Before the suspension issue (and it seems after) they were/are bang on the pace. I'm hedging my bets on Kimi picking up a cheeky win this season.

Saying that though, I'm totally unconvinced by Grosjean. He won the GP2 title in a year were the field was mediocre, quite frankly, and until that point he was being out-performed by Senna, di Grassi, Petrov, Hulkenberg and Maldonado for a few years. I don't doubt he's a good driver, he's won in a various classes, but I don't think he's got that extra two tenths to be a Rosberg, say. Plus he was wholly underwhelming in his F1 debut.

McLaren are overdue a quick car out of the blocks, it's been the bane of their season for a number of years, and while I can't see Red Bull dropping any performance, I think the only way to truly challenge them is to hit them hard all season long, not only in the second half while Vettel is already 100 points ahead. The team seems to be exuding a positivity that was distinctly lacking at this stage last year, so fingers crossed.

Would be fantastic to see Schumacher grab a win and a truck load of points as well, but at this stage it's hard to judge the teams that are setting the mid-field times.

Speaking of which.........I'd love to see Ferrari have another nightmare season.

Anfield5 · Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2012 20:05 Post subject:

Here's my penny's worth.

RBR and McLaren will be good from the start with Vettel and both McLarens battling for supremacy (sorry Mr Webber).
Mercedes will be there abouts with Ferrari stuggling along at the start of the season, but making up ground later on (again).
Renault(sorry still cant bring myself to call them Lotus) will be ok, but dont expect too much from Raikkonen and Grosjean is not a potential podium sitter.

Of the rest I would love to see Caterham score points on a semi-regular basis, the car looks reasonably competitive and I can see them jousting with FI, Williams, STR for theose midfield finishes.

As for Marussia and HRT - I dont care whether they show up in Aus or not, they do nothing for the championship except get in the way of proper teams.
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bewildered_jim · Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2012 00:27 Post subject:

TokyoAussie · Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2012 04:38 Post subject:

HRT will be much closer to the front-runners this year. They will get to see the frontrunners more often than last year as they get lapped. Anxious

Podge 90 · F2 Racer Joined: 31 Mar 2010 Posts: 486

bewildered_jim · Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2012 12:31 Post subject:

Right folks: 'Money where your mouth is' time.

Drivers champ - Vettel
Constructors - McLaren
Surprise of the year - Force India
Disappointment - Ferrari and Williams.
_________________
"With its F1 coverage from 2012 set to play second fiddle, the BBC promises to get fans close to the true experience - of being Mark Webber" #HIGNFY @don_lyall

Podge 90 · F2 Racer Joined: 31 Mar 2010 Posts: 486

Drivers - Hamilton (I think I'll always say that)
Constructors - Red Bull
Suprise - Lotus/Kimi (in a good way)
Disappointment - Mercedes

bewildered_jim · Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2012 13:34 Post subject:

Ha, I always say Alonso which has worked out great in recent years...
_________________
"With its F1 coverage from 2012 set to play second fiddle, the BBC promises to get fans close to the true experience - of being Mark Webber" #HIGNFY @don_lyall

GJ · Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2012 14:33 Post subject:

Drivers champ - Button
Constructors - McLaren
Surprise of the year - Toro Rosso
Disappointment - Massa and Webber

Anfield5 · Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2012 19:48 Post subject:

Drivers Champ - Vettel
Constructors - McLaren
Surprise package - Caterham
Dissapointment - apart from HRT being allowed to continue. Sauber and maybe Ferrari
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moonrover · Grand Prix Winner Joined: 07 Apr 2006 Posts: 1269

my blind choices would be :

Vettel, WDC
Macca, WCC
Lotus, surprise
Dissapointment, Mercedes

Jon notbutton · Single-Seater Rookie Joined: 14 Sep 2011 Posts: 117

I can dream can't I?

Button for WDC
Mclaren for the constructors
Dissapointment (sadly) for Ferrari
Surprise package Merc or Caterham

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