Happy new year to all, with the first post of 2016. And just like last year and the year before, this post instead of five predictions in previous years its seven predictions for 2016, if this happen or not this more of a fun post on what might happen.
Number 1, McLaren to score at least 120 points in the F1 Constructors' Standings in 2016.
McLaren only managed just 27 points last season with their brand new power-units from Honda which had massive faults from their internal combustion engine at the first few races of the season and their hybrid system for the whole of the 2015. With Honda could sort most of their problems from their power-units going into 2016 and McLaren having two world class drivers in Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso. I am predicting that McLaren will score at least 120 points in the F1 Constructors' Standings and that would be enough for at least the top five of the F1 Constructors' Standings in 2016.
Number 2, 14-0 wins for VW in the WRC this season.
Well this prediction almost happen in 2014 when VW won twelve out of thirteen rallies in 2014 with Sébastien Ogier and Jari-Matti Latvala. Volkswagen won twelve rallies in 2015 with Sébastien Ogier, Jari-Matti Latvala and Andreas Mikkelsen. And this year in the WRC, with Citroen having a limited program this season, if Hyundai and M-Sport teams don't win a rally in 2016, Volkswagen could do a white wash of rally wins this season may happen and I am predicting a 14-0 wins for Volkswagen in the WRC this season.
Number 3, Red Bull to win at least two Grand Prixs in 2016.
With Red Bull staying with Renault power next season (under Tag Huger name next season), I feel three things will happen for the team next season. Red Bull will finish in the top four of the F1 Constructors' Standings in 2016, out perform the Renault team, and finally ambitiously from my side of predicting that Red Bull will win at least two Grand Prixs next season as Renault will step up their power-units for 2016.
Number 4, Casey Stoner back in MotoGP as a Ducati wild card rider.
This might not sound stupid as it seems. With Ducati signed former MotoGP Champion Casey Stoner for 2016 in the role of brand ambassador and test rider for the MotoGP team. So don't be at all surprise if Stoner returns to Ducati in the premier class taking on a few wild card appearances this season in MotoGP.
Number 5, Manor to score at least a point in Formula 1 this season.
With Manor F1 Team using Mercedes power-units, Williams transmission and suspension components, and a brand new car from Manor for 2016. Despite, not signing driver yet for 2016 I am predicting that just like in 2014, Manor will score at least a point in Formula 1 this season whoever is driving the car.
Number 6, Ford to win LMGTE Pro Class at this years 24 Hours of Le Mans.
I must admit is prediction is very ambitious. Ford will returns to Le Mans for the first time in over 45 years and Chip Ganassi Racing building the new Ford GT which will be Ganassi's first time at Le Mans going head-to-head with factory likes of Ferrari, Porsche, Corvette and Aston Martin. With the team having a few races under their belt before Le Mans, so I am predicting that Ford will win LMGTE Pro Class at this years 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Number 7, Haas to finish ninth or higher in the F1 Constructors' Standings in 2016.
As it is Haas F1 Team's first season in Formula 1 and with history shows its usually a difficult first season for new Grand Prix team. However, this team will be different going into 2016 basically the Ferrari B-Team with most of the rear of the car will be the same as the 2016 Ferrari car includes power unit, gearbox and rear suspension from Ferrari. Esteban Gutiérrez coming in from Ferrari as a driver. And a world class driver of Romain Grosjean coming in from Lotus. With all those things and the most ambitious prediction for this year I am predicting that Haas will finish ninth or higher in the F1 Constructors' Standings in 2016 beating the likes of Manor, Sauber and maybe Toro Rosso for 2016.
As I said at the start of the post, this is a fun post on what might happen, would any prediction might happen? maybe one or two, I have to wait till late November to find out.
Basically the last post for 2015 as I am taking a few weeks off with my family and try to enjoy Christmas. All that means is a Happy Christmas/Holidays to you all and see you in 2016.
During my first post of 2015. I did a post on five racing predictions for 2015, and the post was really a fun post on five predictions that may happen in 2015. But the main question is did I got any right? let see:
Number 1, Citroen to win at least one rally in WRC this season.
First prediction was Right. As it did happen with Citroen with Kris Meeke winning the Rally Argentina back in late April for Kris Meeke first WRC win.
Number 2, Daniil Kvyat to win a Grand Prix by this seasons British Grand Prix.
No Grand Prix win before Silverstone for Daniil Kvyat. Best finish was a fourth place finish at Monaco before this seasons British Grand Prix. But, his best finish was at the Hungarian Grand Prix were Kvyat finished in second place ahead of team-mate Daniel Ricciardo. I got a prediction Wrong.
Number 3, Suzuki to take a podium or two in MotoGP this season.
No podium this season for the works Suzuki team this season in MotoGP. Best position for a Suzuki was three sixth place finishes between Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Vinales. Despite Aleix Espargaro took a pole position for the new Suzuki GSX-RR at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in mid-June. So once again I got another prediction Wrong.
Number 4, Porsche to win 2015 Drivers' and Manufacturers' titles in 2015 FIA World Endurance Championship season
Second prediction I got Right. Porsche did win this seasons Drivers' and Manufacturers' titles with Timo Bernhard, Mark Webber and Brendon Hartley behind the wheel. While Earl Bamber, Nick Tandy and Nico Hülkenberg won this years 24 Hours of Le Mans with the Porsche 919 Hybrid. Basically, a great year for Porsche in Endurance racing.
Number 5, Williams, McLaren and Ferrari will win a race each in 2015.
Yes Ferrari did win three Grand Prixs with Sebastian Vettel this season. But, Williams didn't win a Grand Prix this season, with Williams only managing four third place finishes between Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas. While McLaren wasn't even close to a Grand Prix win, with Fernando Alonso taking McLaren best finish with a fifth place finish in Hungary. So once again I got another prediction Wrong.
So basically I got two out of five predictions right. More fun predictions in 2016.
It was confirmed on Tuesday (22/12/15), that Nissan has axed its LMP1 programme with immediate effect and withdrawn from next year's World Endurance Championship.
A statement from Nissan stated that it had been concluded that the Nissan GT-R LM Nismo programme "would not be able to reach its ambitions".
It stated that it had "worked diligently to bring the vehicle up to the desired performance level".
The latest decision follows its withdrawal from the second half of this season's WEC after the cars disastrous debut in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in Mid-June.
In my opinion, not a major surprise this has happen as I said in a previous post, that my guess they may pull out of the series after missing the second half of the WEC season. Now with Nissan withdrawing from the WEC, that leaves only Porsche, Audi and Toyota as the only manufactures in LMP1 class next season.
It was confirmed yesterday morning (20/12/15), that Channel 4 is to become the new terrestrial home of Formula 1 television coverage in the UK from the 2016 F1 season on a three year deal, after the BBC which had been seeking to cut costs and relinquish the rights for the Formula 1 coverage.
Last month, the BBC had outlined plans to slash its television sports rights expenditure in coming years, and the broadcaster has now backed out of its deal with Sky Sports, which was set to run until 2018.
Channel 4 has stepped up to take the BBC's place despite interested from ITV, and will show 10 Grands Prix live, with no adverts during the live Grand Prix's, along with highlights of the remaining rounds, in a three-year deal till the end of 2018. While, Sky Sports will continue to show all Formula 1 sessions live on its own channel.
Overall, great news for Channel 4 with the three year deal, they wanted the F1 rights since 2011 I can recall, do expect Channel 4 will step up the F1 coverage for 2016. Although, very sad we have lost Formula 1 on the BBC due to the budget cuts from the corporation which has been the spiritual home for Formula 1.
Meanwhile, BBC Radio 5 Live has extended its commentary rights contract till 2021.
Channel 4, meanwhile, will announce details of its live Grand Prix schedule for 2016, and commentary team, in the beginning of 2016.
A new era beginning for both Channel 4 and Formula 1.
Review of Round Three of the 2015-16 Formula E season held at the Punta del Este Street Circuit in Punta del Este, Uruguay.
The race was won by Renault e.Dams driver Sebastien Buemi in his Spark-Renault. Second was ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport driver Lucas di Grassi in his Spark-Abt Sportsline, he was three seconds behind Buemi in the end. Meanwhile, third was Dragon Racing driver Jérôme d'Ambrosio in his Spark-Venturi, he was six seconds behind Buemi in the end.
Highlights of the race bellow, enjoy.
Next stop, Round Four of the 2015-16 Formula E season in Buenos Aires, Argentina for the Buenos Aires ePrix in seven weeks time.
It was confirmed on Tuesday (15/12/16), Jaguar will return to racing scene for the first time in over a decade with a programme in the 2016/17 Formula E championship.
Series organisers confirmed that Jaguar Land Rover will further "develop the future EV powertrain including motor and battery technology". Jaguar will also link up with Williams F1 team's own Williams Advanced Engineering division, which will be responsible for running the team and the development of the EV powertrain, having both brands worked previously together on the C-X75 hybrid supercar back in 2010.
Jaguar has a great racing history includes seven 24 Hours of Le Mans wins with the C-type in 1951 and 1953, D-type in 1955 to 1957, Jaguar XJR-9 in 1988, and the Jaguar XJR-12 in 1990. And three World Sports Car Championships Drivers' and Manufactures' titles in 1987, 1988 and 1991.
While Jaguar also dominate in touring cars, includes 1984 Drivers' Championship in European Touring Car Championship with Tom Walkinshaw winning with the Jaguar XJ-S. While the Jaguar XJ-S won the 1985 Bathurst 1000 race with John Goss and Armin Hahne behind the wheel.
