2015 season review
Well, that wasn’t a
classic.
I finished moderately
ahead, which is good, but it was a bit down on some other years. In
racing terms, the total dominance of Hamilton, especially in the
first half of the season, made the title race a concept rather than a
reality.
Mercedes
Probably
increased their margin over the field compared to last year.
Reliability improved to near perfect, pit stops were all good and the
only black spot was a perplexing (some would say suspicious, but I
think that’s a bit conspiracy theory) loss of pace in Singapore.
Their engine remains the best, though Ferrari narrowed the gap, and
the car itself was one of the best, making it formidable almost
everywhere.
Ferrari
Made
a great leap, from 4th
to 2nd
this year (the opposite of Red Bull). Vettel fits the team like a
glove, and, whilst Raikkonen was lacklustre, the two drivers actually
get along. Right now they seem the team likeliest to challenge for
the title in 2016 but there remains a significant pace deficit to
Mercedes. They were the only team to win this year, other than
Mercedes, and the only other team to get a pole position (I think).
Williams
They
came 3rd,
for the second year in a row. After the recent years of woe, this is
a great result, but the team must be disappointed not to have
narrowed the gap to Mercedes. The driver lineup is very
well-balanced, but some strategic errors (the team seems overly
cautious) probably cost points. More downforce is needed. I expect
them to achieve podium results next year again, but they really need
to get another win under their belt.
Red Bull
As
well as slipping dramatically down on pace, despite two very
impressive drivers, Red Bull also managed the impressive feat of
pissing off every engine manufacturer with their incessant whining.
On track, the car was weak on top speed but the chassis remains very
good, arguably the best on the grid. On slower circuits, the Red Bull
was competitive. I do not think they’ll make much headway next
year.
Force India
A
great year for the team after a difficult start. Late to the tests,
then stuck without upgrades for about half the season. But when the
B-spec car and upgrades rolled in, Perez and Hulkenberg made the most
of it. The two drivers are very well-matched and where one seems
weak, the other seems strong (Perez is good at Yas Marina, Hulkenberg
at Interlagos). Perez got another podium, and whilst Hulkenberg’s
never had one, he did win Le Mans this year. The team may be acquired
by Aston Martin.
Lotus
If
Force India had a difficult year, Lotus’ was a triumph of team
spirit over economic reality. Literally visited by bailiffs and
locked out of their own hospitality unit, Lotus survived on borrowed
sandwiches and joie de vivre, achieving an almost incredible podium
at Spa for Grosjean (whose departure from the team was due to its
inability to guarantee its presence on the grid when Haas came
knocking). They return to being Renault next year, which will
hopefully revive their fortunes.
Toro Rosso
The
little sister of Red Bull, Toro Rosso had a pair of newcomers who
performed very well indeed. Verstappen’s overtaking prowess (and
occasional exuberance, though I think Monaco was the only blatant
mistake) is well-known, though I think Sainz has been a little
overlooked (and more unfortunate with reliability). Next year they
have Ferrari engines [albeit the 2015 version]. They may actually be
faster than Red Bull, which is sticking with Renault, so we shall
see.
Sauber
A
so-so year for the Swiss team, but after its first and only failure
to score any points in 2014, I imagine they’d take it. Finishing
8th
also means they get some prize money. Nasr and Ericsson seem decent
drivers, though it can be hard to tell with a backmarker team.
McLaren
Easily
the worst year I’ve ever seen for McLaren. The car itself seems ok,
but the Honda power unit is a dog. Although a dog can protect your
house from burglars, cheer you up when you’re down, and is a great
companion. As well as being well down on raw horsepower, the electronic
aspects seem just inefficient/ineffective, so on long
straights the power runs out and the car is something crazy like
160bhp off the best. There are positives and negatives, looking
forward. The problems seem reasonably understood. But there’s
limited scope for development. McLaren need to leap back into at
least the midfield. They’ve got a fantastic pair of drivers, but
they need an engine that bloody works. Worth noting they’ve been
more patient and friendly with Honda than Red Bull have with Renault.
Manor
Just
scraping onto the grid, this was always going to be a place-holder
year for the team. And so it proved. Trundling at the back a day and
a half behind everyone else must be pretty miserable, and they’ve
lost Graeme Lowdon (former team principal when it was Marussia),
which is a shame as he seemed to have his head screwed on right.
However, next year they’ve got a Mercedes engine, so that should
help propel them to challenge for points. If not, they may sink.
Haas
Not
on the grid this year, but they will be next, with Grosjean and
probably Mexican eyebrow-enthusiast Gutierrez. The team will have
Ferrari engines and many other bits from Ferrari. In fact, some think
that all the work Haas has done this year in the wind tunnel (all
legitimately, but far more than would be permitted had they been on
the grid) is, ahem, helpful to Ferrari. I think Haas will hit the
ground running in 2016 and definitely score points. The likes of
Sauber should be worried about being pushed further down the pecking
order.
So,
who will the contenders be for 2016?
Hamilton
is an obvious one. Rosberg may be. He was poor in the first half of
the year but ended with six consecutive pole positions and three
consecutive victories. Vettel is another obvious candidate.
But
beyond them? Very speculative, but Ricciardo and Kvyat could be in
with a shot, though that depends on Renault getting their act
together. I do not think Williams will be able to compete as their
engine may be a few races behind Mercedes in terms of upgrades, and
the team needs more downforce. Alonso/Button could, but that’d
require one hell of a comeback from Honda and I don’t think there’s
sufficient flexibility to make the necessary changes.
In
all likelihood, it’ll be a Hamilton versus Rosberg versus Vettel
contest.
Morris Dancer
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