Post by schumi on Mar 1, 2010 15:55:17 GMT
Yes, I know it's early, but I'm excited. The first race of a new season is when we get to see who's made progress over the winter, and where the teams all stand relative to each other. Of course, it's a given that Schumacher will be a head and shoulders above the rest, but behind him there will be some interesting tussles. Thirteen teams will line up on the grid, as we welcome newcomers Virgin, USF1, Campos Meta and Lotus.
Obviously there'll be a lot of interest in the McLaren duo of Button and Hamilton. Try as they might, the media haven't been able to get a bite from either Brit on the rivalry between the two of them - probably because they're both busy doing their own jobs and concentrating on winning, which is exactly what they should be doing.
The McLaren has been going well in testing, with Hamilton saying it's better than previous models, and Schumacher installing them as favourites, but Button is a little more conservative with his opinion.
In the FIA's annual attempt to introduce a stupider rule than they have previously, refuelling is banned for 2010, which means heavier loads on the tyres. Button's smooth driving style should compensate for the wear, but Hamilton will need to be more careful.
Ferrari have, in my opinion, the best matched duo, with Massa returning from injury seemingly better than ever, and the headstrong Alonso, whose capability ensures the two red cars will be pushing each other all the way.
But while the two team-mates may be fully focussed on the job in hand, Ferrari have lost the plot, and are criticising anyone and anything - bitching about Max Mosely, the new teams on the grid and, more pertinently, the FIA. Now, you'd think with former employee Jean Todt being president of the governing body, Ferrari would continue the same, shall we say, leniency, when it comes to decisions going their way, but this latest outburst might have lost them favour. We shall have to wait and see.
Mercedes (the old Brawn GP) have two new drivers in Schumacher and Rosberg, and the latter is feeling a little left out, bless him, as all eyes are rightly on the return of the genius. Ross Brawn himself says Michael is "pretty close to the driver he used to be before retiring", and you can't doubt his fitness or passion, but will his time away have dulled the sheen? I still expect him to better Nico though.
Brawn also says Mercedes aren't the front runners, but they're not far off the pace. That's to be expected with the team who won the championship, as others will have had more time to develop their newer models, but look out - there could be a new diffuser row brewing (yes, really), with rumours suggesting they'll be running a new super diffuser at Bahrain. Indeed, Brawn has confirmed they'll have a new package, and Rosberg has said: "the car will make a big step forward in Bahrain. It'll be almost like a new car, so everything might be completely different once we are there." But at the moment this is only a rumour.
Those are the three big teams, but let's just mention a few who might rain on their parade. Red Bull made a huge leap in performance last year, finishing second in the constructor's championship, and will be looking to propel Vettel and Webber back up in amongst the front runners. Of the two, Vettel is more exciting for me, and is more than capable of challenging for the title if the car he's in is competitive. Not sure how motivated Webber will be as he's rumoured to be quitting at the end of the year, but that could give him the drive to push harder in his final season.
Williams have been tipped as dark horses, with Nico Hulkenberg raising a few eyebrows with his pace during testing. Old timer Rubens Barrichello will be his team mate, ensuring a mixture of both youth and experience.
And finally some say Sauber are worth a tip, but as far as I'm aware they've only announced one driver, in Pedro de la Rosa. To be honest I can only see them making up the numbers.
Whatever happens, for me this year I have my enthusiasm back and am really loooking forward to cheering for Michael again. Sure there'll be plenty to talk about over the coming season, and I hope you'll all join me.
Obviously there'll be a lot of interest in the McLaren duo of Button and Hamilton. Try as they might, the media haven't been able to get a bite from either Brit on the rivalry between the two of them - probably because they're both busy doing their own jobs and concentrating on winning, which is exactly what they should be doing.
The McLaren has been going well in testing, with Hamilton saying it's better than previous models, and Schumacher installing them as favourites, but Button is a little more conservative with his opinion.
In the FIA's annual attempt to introduce a stupider rule than they have previously, refuelling is banned for 2010, which means heavier loads on the tyres. Button's smooth driving style should compensate for the wear, but Hamilton will need to be more careful.
Ferrari have, in my opinion, the best matched duo, with Massa returning from injury seemingly better than ever, and the headstrong Alonso, whose capability ensures the two red cars will be pushing each other all the way.
But while the two team-mates may be fully focussed on the job in hand, Ferrari have lost the plot, and are criticising anyone and anything - bitching about Max Mosely, the new teams on the grid and, more pertinently, the FIA. Now, you'd think with former employee Jean Todt being president of the governing body, Ferrari would continue the same, shall we say, leniency, when it comes to decisions going their way, but this latest outburst might have lost them favour. We shall have to wait and see.
Mercedes (the old Brawn GP) have two new drivers in Schumacher and Rosberg, and the latter is feeling a little left out, bless him, as all eyes are rightly on the return of the genius. Ross Brawn himself says Michael is "pretty close to the driver he used to be before retiring", and you can't doubt his fitness or passion, but will his time away have dulled the sheen? I still expect him to better Nico though.
Brawn also says Mercedes aren't the front runners, but they're not far off the pace. That's to be expected with the team who won the championship, as others will have had more time to develop their newer models, but look out - there could be a new diffuser row brewing (yes, really), with rumours suggesting they'll be running a new super diffuser at Bahrain. Indeed, Brawn has confirmed they'll have a new package, and Rosberg has said: "the car will make a big step forward in Bahrain. It'll be almost like a new car, so everything might be completely different once we are there." But at the moment this is only a rumour.
Those are the three big teams, but let's just mention a few who might rain on their parade. Red Bull made a huge leap in performance last year, finishing second in the constructor's championship, and will be looking to propel Vettel and Webber back up in amongst the front runners. Of the two, Vettel is more exciting for me, and is more than capable of challenging for the title if the car he's in is competitive. Not sure how motivated Webber will be as he's rumoured to be quitting at the end of the year, but that could give him the drive to push harder in his final season.
Williams have been tipped as dark horses, with Nico Hulkenberg raising a few eyebrows with his pace during testing. Old timer Rubens Barrichello will be his team mate, ensuring a mixture of both youth and experience.
And finally some say Sauber are worth a tip, but as far as I'm aware they've only announced one driver, in Pedro de la Rosa. To be honest I can only see them making up the numbers.
Whatever happens, for me this year I have my enthusiasm back and am really loooking forward to cheering for Michael again. Sure there'll be plenty to talk about over the coming season, and I hope you'll all join me.