Second part of my Formula 1 2015 Season Review, this post will includes my top 10 Formula 1 drivers of 2015. And my final thoughts of Formula 1 2015.
Starting of with My Top Formula 1 drivers of 2015, this is the part who was in my top 10 this season, not in championship order, not in championship order, so his list doesn't includes the likes of Fernando Alonso, Jenson Button, Carlos Saniz Jr., Nico Hülkenberg, Romain Grosjean or Felipe Nasr to name a few, its just only opinion folks.
Anyway, here is my list below.
My Top Formula 1 drivers of 2015:
10. Felipe Massa (Williams) - Fast as ever, consistent, some great race performances at Red Bull Ring, Silverstone, and Monza this season, despite having a faster team-mate.
9. Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari) - On his day faster driver than his team-mate Vettel, a second place finish in Bahrain, and two third place finishes in Singapore and Abu Dhabi.
8. Daniil Kvyat (Red Bull) - Some impressive drives despite an underpowered car in Monaco, Mexico and Hunganoring, with the later finishing in second place in that race.
7. Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) - Some impressive drives despite an underpowered car in Monaco, Hunganoring and Singapore; with the later finishing in second place in that race.
6. Sergio Pérez (Force India) - Consistently fast and reliable this season, and impressive drives at Spa, Soshi, Austin and Abu Dhabi this season, with an impressive third place finish at Soshi.
5. Valtteri Bottas (Williams) - Some impressive drives at Bahrain, Montreal, Soshi and Mexico, with two third place finishes in Montreal and Mexico.
4. Max Verstappen (Toro Rosso) - Some impressive drives in his rookie season and despite his still only 18!, which include a fourth place finishes at Hunganoring and Austin.
3. Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) - A strong finish to the season with five wins, missed out on the drivers' championship due to Hamilton's mid season pace, nonetheless can be fast than his team mate if his late season form continues into 2016.
2. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) - Back to winning ways with three race wins this season at Sepang, Hunganoring and Singapore.
1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) - Best driver on the grid this season with eleven Grand Prix wins to concluded with his third drivers' championship this season.
Overall, possibly one of the most dominating seasons in modern era Formula 1, eleven wins from Lewis Hamilton to give Lewis Hamilton his third F1 drivers title and becoming the first British F1 driver to win back to back drivers' titles. While Mercedes once again taking sixteen out of nineteen wins and twelve one-two finishes. Upping the records from 2014 to give Mercedes another constructors championship to conclude Formula 1 in 2015. Bring on Formula 1 2016.
End of the two part posts of this seasons F1 review. A new shorter post soon. Bye.
Two parter Formula One season review of the 2015 season. In this post I will review each team of 2015. Which, I will say one sentence that will be positive with each team. And one sentence that will be negative for each team. So starting with Mercedes below.
Mercedes:
+ As you were from 2014, Best car and drivers on the grid with the F1 W06 Hybrid, Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton, with 18 poles, 16 race wins, a Constructors' Title and a Drivers' Title with Lewis Hamilton.
- Bad races in Hungary and Singapore, apart from that great season from Mercedes.
Ferrari:
+ Some great race performances from Sebastian Vettel concluding with race wins at Sepang, Hungaroring and Singapore, meaning Ferrari are back to winning ways after last season with no wins.
- And despite the SF15T is much improved then its predecessor, its not fast enough then the Mercedes from overall race pace, however a much improved engine and car from Ferrari.
Williams:
+ Some great performances from Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa this season, which includes podiums for Massa at Red Bull Ring and Monza, Bottas at Montreal and Mexico City, retaining third in the constructors' is a great positive for Williams.
- Lost too many podiums in the season with either their race pace or going wet into a race such as Silverstone where both drivers go have been on the podium.
Red Bull:
+ impressive performance from Daniil Kvyat in Hungary and Daniel Ricciardo in Singapore collecting a second place each for both drivers, despite having an under performing race car throughout the season.
- An unreliable and underpowered from Renault power unit this season, the Renault power units are still around 70-90bhp less than the Mercedes power units; fourth in the constructors' its not good enough, with the lateness of the engine deal on which power unit will use next season (which is now a TAG sponsored Renault power unit) may cost Red Bull next season.
Force India:
+ Some impressive performances from Nico Hülkenberg and Sergio Pérez this season, which include a third place finish for Pérez at Sochi, which conclude with a fifth place finish in the constructors' for Force India.
- VJM08 came too late to testing with car being too slow that cost them points earlier in the season; Force India could have finished fourth in the constructors' if the car was fast enough at the start of the season.
Lotus:
+ Impressive third place finish for Romain Grosjean at Spa, the E23 Hybrid has been a much improvement from the unreliable E22.
- Financial questions from the second half of the season has been the main headlines for the Lotus F1 Team in 2015, includes unpaid taxes and paying former drivers, Renault bought the team for 2016, Enstone-based team now back as Renault which means teams future is bright for now.
Scuderia Toro Rosso:
+ Both Carlos Sainz, Jr. and Max Verstappen are showing why they are in Formula 1 with some great performances, and some impressive drives from both Carlos Sainz, Jr. and Max Verstappen that may put him in a top team in 2017 season.
- An unreliable and underpowered Renault power units has cost Toro Rosso more points then they have this season, back to year old Ferrari power units next season.
Sauber:
+ 0 points last season, this season 36 points a much improvement from the team which includes a fifth place finish for Felipe Nasr in Melbourne.
- Giedo van der Garde court case was a very negative thing for the team at the start of the season, also mid-season development from Sauber has cost the team more point then they should.
McLaren:
+ A fifth place finish for Fernando Alonso at the Hungaroring last time out.
- 181 points last season, to this season with only 27 points, a very unreliable car due to the new Honda power unit unreliability, power units are over 100bhp behind of the likes of Mercedes power units; the worse season in McLaren history under Ron Dennis, its going to be a make or brake year for Honda next season to be competitive, overall an embarrassing season from McLaren Honda.
Manor-Marussia:
+ A miracle for the team to be even on the grid this season, not below 107% mark in qualifying is a big help for the team despite using 2014 Ferrari power units and 2014 car, twelfth place finish for Roberto Merhi at Silverstone, and for Alexander Rossi in Austin; Mercedes power units for next season.
- A strong 2016 car is a must, if not the new Hass F1 Team will overtake Manor Team next season.
In part 2 of Formula 1 2015 Season Review my top 10 Formula 1 drivers of 2015. And my final thoughts of Formula 1 2015.
But for now, end of post for now. A new post soon. Bye.
With Citroën taking a year out of the WRC next season, with an all new rally car in 2017. This post will be top six Citroën rally cars starting with Number 6:
Number 6: Citroën DS
Story: The Citroën DS is first Citroën car that started the ball rolling in rallying. The Citroën DS took three famous rally wins, Paul Coltelloni took 1959 Monte Carlo Rally win, Pauli Toivonen took 1962 1000 Lakes Rally win and 1966 Monte Carlo Rally win with the Citroën DS.
Number 5: Citroën Xsara F2
Story: Front wheel drive, 290 bhp, the Citroën F2 usually seen on tarmac rallies. When on tarmac in the WRC, usually with some brilliant results from the Citroën Xsara F2 despite it was only front wheel drive. Philippe Bugalski took two wins in 1999 with the Xsara F2 at that years Rally Catalunya and then Tour de Corse beating the four wheel drive WRC cars for victories which started the ball rolling in the WRC for Citroën.
Number 4: Citroën DS3 WRC
Story: Replaced the old Citroën C4 WRC back in 2011 after new rules were introduce to the WRC. The DS3 WRC uses a new Citroën 1.6 litre four cylinder turbocharged engine underneath that produces 275 bhp. The Citroën DS3 WRC took 24 WRC wins in five seasons altogether in the WRC in the hands of Sébastien Loeb, Sébastien Ogier, Mikko Hirvonen, Dani Sordo and Kris Meeke. The Citroën DS3 WRC took Citroën to two WRC Manufacture titles in 2011 and 2012. And Sébastien Loeb took two WRC Drivers' titles in 2011 and 2012.
Number 3: Citroën ZX Rallye-raid
Story: Created in 1990, Citroën ZX Rallye-raid uses a Citroën 2.5 litre four cylinder turbocharged engine underneath that produces 330 bhp. Citroën ZX Rallye-raid was created to contest the Paris-Dakar Rally and it did. Ari Vatanen took victory in Paris-Dakar Rally with the Citroën ZX Rallye-raid in 1991. While, Pierre Lartigue took Paris-Dakar Rally wins in 1994, 1995 and 1996 with the Citroën ZX Rallye-raid. Overall the Citroën ZX Rallye-raid took four Paris-Dakar Rally rally wins.
Number 2: Citroën Xsara WRC
Story: Début back in 2001. The Xsara WRC uses a Citroën 2 litre four cylinder turbocharged engine underneath that produces 315 bhp. The Citroën Xsara WRC took 32 WRC wins in five seasons altogether in the WRC in the hands of Sébastien Loeb, Carlos Sainz, Jesús Puras and François Duval. The Citroën Xsara WRC took Citroën to three WRC Manufacture titles in 2003, 2004 and 2005. And Sébastien Loeb took three WRC Drivers' titles in 2004, 2005 and 2006.
Number 1: Citroën C4 WRC
Story: The Citroën C4 WRC is possibly the best rally car Citroën has ever created. Replaced the old Citroën Xsara WRC back in 2007. The C4 WRC uses the same engine from the Xsara WRC that produces 315 bhp from a 2 litre four cylinder turbocharged engine. The Citroën C4 WRC took 32 WRC wins in five seasons altogether in the WRC in the hands of Sébastien Loeb and Sébastien Ogier. The Citroën C4 WRC took Citroën to three WRC Manufacture titles in 2008, 2009 and 2010. And Sébastien Loeb took four WRC Drivers' titles in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.
Rendez-vous dans un Citroën ans de temps (See you in a years time Citroën).
Toro Rosso has agreed a deal to use 2015-specification Ferrari power units next season, as it was confirmed yesterday (4/12/15), restarting an engine partnership which previously ran from 2007-2013.
Toro Rosso has been supplied by Renault for the past two seasons, but the fallout between the senior Red Bull team and the French manufacturer left its future plans unclear.
Toro Rosso will take Ferrari's 2015-spec engine, while fellow supplied teams Sauber and new team Haas will use 2016-spec Ferrari power units.
In my opinion, this is no major surprise that the news has happen. As this has been rumoured for a few months now that Toro Rosso will return back to Ferrari power for the 2016 F1 season.
This is not the first time that the Faenza-based team used year old Ferrari engines. Back in 1991 as Minardi, Minardi used 1990 Ferrari 3.5 litre V12 engines in their 1991 F1 car the Minardi M191. Which took Minardi to seventh in the Constructors' Standings with six points from Pierluigi Martini taking all the points, with two fourth place finishes at Imola at Estroil in 1991, giving Minardi their best constructor finish in Formula 1.
It was confirmed on Friday (4/12/15), that Red Bull Racing will run a TAG-branded Renault power units for the 2016 season, after striking a naming rights deal with Swiss watch manufacturer TAG Heuer.
Red Bull publicly fell out with Renault in 2015, with Red Bull leaving Renault at the end of the season, due to poor reliability and underpowered Renault power units which concluded with a fourth place constructor finish this season for Red Bull.
The team had held exploratory talks with the Volkswagen Group about entering the sport as an engine supplier for the start of the 2018 F1 Season, but that negotiations came to a halt following the emissions scandal that broke in mid September. While, plans to obtain power units from Mercedes, Honda, and Ferrari fell through as-well.
Therefore, Red Bull had no choice but to stay put with Renault for 2016, but under TAG Heuer branding instead of the Reanult name. Red Bull's Team principal Christian Horner named Renault's partnership with Mario Illien and his company Ilmor as a reason for staying with the manufacturer for 2016.
In my opinion, this is no major surprise that the news has happen. Red Bull couldn't get a power unit deal from Mercedes, Honda, and Ferrari due to how comparative Red Bull chassis are. There was no option but to stay with Renault, this time paying for the power units with rumours they're paying Renault €30 Million for them next season. After Renault bought the Lotus F1 Team on Thursday and will return to Formula 1 in 2016 as a full-time works team for the first time since 2010.
It was confirmed late Thursday evening (3/12/15), that Renault has finally completed its planned takeover of the Lotus Formula 1 team, after lengthy negotiations, meaning it will return to the sport as a fully-fledged works outfit from the 2016 F1 season.
Renault signed a letter of intent with Lotus to buy the team after this seasons Japanese Grand Prix, just before the Enstone-based team was due back in court over unpaid taxes, but only now has the deal been officially signed off by both parties, with Renault buying from previous owners Genii Capital believed to be worth €100 million.
Renault, which previously owned the Enstone-based team from 2002 to 2009, claiming both the Drivers' and Constructors' Championships back-to-back in 2005 and 2006 with Fernando Alonso as Champion, had already re-deployed Renault staff at the squad's factory.
"Renault had two options: to come back at 100 per cent or leave," said Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and CEO of Renault, which has acted as an engine supplier in recent Formula 1 seasons.
"After a detailed study, I have decided that Renault will be in Formula 1, starting 2016. The final details supplied by F1's main stakeholders gave us the confidence to accept this new challenge."
Ghosn made clear: "Our ambition is to win, even if it will take some time."
Overall, great news for the team if Renault deal didn't happen to buy the team, I do believe it would be the end for the Enstone-based team making 470 people redundant.
Can the team return to winning ways for 2016? No due to an under-develop car and power unit. But, can the team win in a few years time? possibly as Renault will be in Formula 1 for the long-run. Don't forget when Renault bought the Enstone-based team off from Benetton in 2000, it took Renault five years to win their first Drivers' and Constructors' Championships with Fernando Alonso as Champion that season.
Meanwhile former Renault's works team Red Bull Racing will run a rebranded Renault power units next season, after its fallout with the firm. With Red Bull hinted on Thursday that it could run a TAG Heuer-branded unit, posting a tweet with the words, 'Swiss Engineering to close the gap next season, TAG Heuer and Infiniti Red Bull Racing 2016'.
So last weekend (27-29/11/15) was the annual Monza Rally Show and three main drivers who was at the Rally was current Yamaha MotoGP rider and nine times Motorcyling champion (seven MotoGP/500cc champ, one time 250cc champ, 125cc champ) Valentino Rossi, former Toro Rosso and Force India driver Vitantonio Liuzzi, and current Hyundai WRC driver Thierry Neuville.
So the Rally itself, the final results saw Yamaha MotoGP rider Valentino Rossi won this years Monza Rally Show in his M-Sport spec Ford Fiesta RS WRC.
Second was Thierry Neuville in his Hyundai i20 WRC, he was 52 seconds behind Rossi at the end. Meanwhile, Roberto Brivio finished in third place in his Ford Fiesta RS WRC, he was 65 seconds behind Rossi at the end. While rally new boy Vitantonio Liuzzi finished in tenth place overall in his Ford Focus RS WRC, he was nearly 3 minutes behind Rossi in the end.
Here's a YouTube video of some of the Show's highlights from last week.
