F1 2016 Formula 1 Season

[Deleted member 1071]

I've always been a fan of Sebastian Vettel. However, I cannot escape the suspicion that he is becoming increasingly frustrated with his own often sub-optimal performances this season, his teams' management and F1 in general and that this is contributing to the seeming loss of "his mojo" (as Martin Brundle recently expressed). I admittedly saw Vettel clutching his first WDC with Ferrari by 2017 at the latest. It now appears that my prediction is highly unlikely. Signs of resignation are far more frequent than displays of brilliance (although, rarely, Vettel can produce them). Frankly, it would not surprise me if Vettel announced his retirement from the sport as of 2018. I hope that I am proven wrong.

Max Verstappen is a multiple WDC in the waiting. He, along with Lewis Hamilton, are the most formidable drivers on the current grid. Nico Rosberg stands a very good chance of becoming WDC this season. He should relish the accomplishment should he pull it off. I seriously doubt that he will ever again be granted the opportunity.

 

[SKY]

Agree. I would say Hamilton is still the top dog on the grid followed closely by Max. Probably Max has more talent and more focus, but I believe Hamilton's experience still weight more on the balance.

 

[Matski]

The Schumacher/Brawn era made Ferrari seem like a golden ticket, fact is though, it hasn't been for some time. Vettel + Golden Ticket Era Ferrari = WDC.... but that's not how it's working out, and he's clearly frustrated by that. We see the same at Mercedes, they know the V6T era Merc is a Golden Ticket... but one of them's going to lose out... hence the gollum like behaviour from Rosberg and Hamilton.

If RBR get the 2017 regs right, Max should stand a good chance. I'd still rather see two to three teams regularly on the top step of the podium though.

 

[SKY]

Agree. I can't see Ferrari turning into a winning team in the short term. RB and MB are the ones with stronger probabilities for the next years.

I anticipate a fierce competetion between Hamilton and Max for the upcoming WC.

 

[LaArtist]

No politics allowed on this forum, not even that I am afraid.

As for bad luck and reliability, it is part of the sport. It has happened before and it will continue to happen in the future. Remember how Ferrari messed up Massa's pit stop at the 2008 Singapore GP, that error cost him the drivers championship, and guess who benefited from that? Lewis.

My bad about the politix

and on the other thing, thats why i said, i guess its part of the game.

 

[chonkoa]

Agree. I can't see Ferrari turning into a winning team in the short term. RB and MB are the ones with stronger probabilities for the next years.

I anticipate a fierce competition between Hamilton and Max for the upcoming WC.

It depends on what Mercedes prefer. They may tacitly toss their weight behind Rosberg.

 

[Deleted member 1071]

I

The Schumacher/Brawn era made Ferrari seem like a golden ticket, fact is though, it hasn't been for some time. Vettel + Golden Ticket Era Ferrari = WDC.... but that's not how it's working out, and he's clearly frustrated by that. We see the same at Mercedes, they know the V6T era Merc is a Golden Ticket... but one of them's going to lose out... hence the gollum like behaviour from Rosberg and Hamilton.

If RBR get the 2017 regs right, Max should stand a good chance. I'd still rather see two to three teams regularly on the top step of the podium though.

I cannot escape the suspicion that Michael Schumacher had an uncanny ability to (himself) create the "nest warmth" within a team that he so required. I also suspect that Ross Brawn and Jean Todt realized this from the very beginning. Quite unique, I believe.

 

[tristatez28lt1]

Absolutely agree. Schumacher and Brawn put in the groundwork at Mercedes. In the past few years, Mercedes was and still is eating the fruits of this labor.

 

[klier]

Hahaha!!!

And the airtime Massa got is still absolutely crazy ridiculous! Mark that down boys.

 

[slicknick]

 

[WAND]

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[Deleted member 1071]

Somehow, I just cannot seem to shake the unsettling feeling that Nico Rosberg is going to drop the ball.

 

[klier]

Somehow, I just cannot seem to shake the unsettling feeling that Nico Rosberg is going to drop the ball.

Nothing unsettling about that, Nico just doesn't have enough talent next to Lewis.

It's going to be really exiting either way! Can't wait to see the qualification this afternoon.

 

[Matski]

Somehow, I just cannot seem to shake the unsettling feeling that Nico Rosberg is going to drop the ball.

Not that I've followed him that closely, but Nico's track record for pulling out a champions drive when he needs is virtually non-existent, his track record for messing it up under pressure is relatively high profile by comparison. Hamilton on the other hand, has had numerous memorable drives where he's turned it on when he needs to.

... But then it's Hamilton whose got all the work to do.

I'd be tempted to put money on;

1st HAM
2nd VES
3rd ROS

ROS to win the WDC

If Verstappen doesn't manage to get up with the Mercs, I'd predict;

HAM DNF
ROS DNF

ROS to be the WDC

 

[chonkoa]

Nothing unsettling about that, Nico just doesn't have enough talent next to Lewis.

It's going to be really exiting either way! Can't wait to see the qualification this afternoon.

Klier, I honestly can't believe I am agreeing with you.
Okay I like Max because he is another raw talent like Lewis - you like Max because he is Dutch.
But you are right, Nico is not as talented as Hamilton in my opinion.

 

[Matski]

Could this have been a vision of the future...

 

[Monster]

Qualifying results

Times
1 Hamilton Mercedes 1:38.755
2 Rosberg Mercedes 1:39.058
3 Ricciardo Red Bull 1:39.589
4 Raikkonen Ferrari 1:39.604
5 Vettel Ferrari 1:39.661
6 Verstappen Red Bull 1:39.818
7 Hulkenberg Force India 1:40.501
8 Perez Force India 1:40.519
9 Alonso McLaren 1:41.106
10 Massa Williams 1:41.213
11 Bottas Williams 1:41.084
12 Button McLaren 1:41.272
13 Gutierrez Haas 1:41.480
14 Grosjean Haas 1:41.564
15 Palmer Renault 1:41.820
16 Wehrlein Manor 1:41.995
17 Kvyat Toro Rosso 1:42.003
18 Magnussen Renault 1:42.142
19 Nasr Sauber 1:42.247
20 Ocon Manor 1:42.286
21 Sainz Toro Rosso 1:42.393
22 Ericsson Sauber 1:42.637

http://www.planetf1.com/news/qualy-hamilton-grabs-pole-position-in-abu-dhabi/

Once again Hamilton shows why he is currently the fastest driver in F1.

 

[klier]

Nico is not as talented as Nico in my opinion.

Have to disagree there, Nico is better than Nico

 

[Deleted member 25]

Yeah but why is nico better than nico though ?

 

[klier]

Because he is called Nico, DUH