So this weekends Australian Grand Prix at Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit, Albert Park, Melbourne.
So Predictions for the race, and for the win I predict Nico Rosberg for the race win in the Mercedes, Sebastian Vettel second in the Ferrari, and Lewis Hamilton third in the Mercedes. Don't forget Kimi Räikkönen, Red Bull drivers, the Williams drivers, the Force India drivers and the Toro Rosso drivers as well for a podium place.
Tuesday, 15 March 2016
Formula 1 2016 Season preview, predicting the season ahead
Today post is a 2016 F1 preview, all the teams and drivers. Also, predicting this seasons Drivers' and Constructors' Championships ahead for 2016. Starting of with last seasons Constructors' Champions Mercedes:
Mercedes: the team to beat for the Drivers' and Constructors' Championship this year. F1 W07 Hybrid looks fast and reliable in testing with many laps. Lewis Hamilton once again needs to defend his title. While, Nico Rosberg needs to challenge for the title and take it away from Hamilton, if not Rosberg might be another Stirling Moss.
Ferrari: Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen are retain for another season. SF16-H looks fast in testing, better car, better power units in testing so far. Challenging for both championships is a must for Ferrari.
Williams: Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa are retain for another season. FW38 looks fast in testing, top three in the constructors' standings must be their target this season at Williams ahead of the likes of Red Bull, Force India and Toro Rosso.
Red Bull: Daniel Ricciardo and Daniil Kvyat are retain for another season. Retain the Renault power unit for another season under the Tag Heuer name, not a lot of improvement from Renaults power units maybe still around 70-90bhp less than the Mercedes power units;. RB12 looks like a great chassis without the power unit and if the RB12 is on the right track Red Bull may shine. Top three in the constructors' standings must be their target at Red Bull this season.
Force India: Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Pérez are retain for another season. VJM09 looks like an evolution from the VJM008B from last season. Looks fast in testing, and possible for Force India to finish third in the constructors' standings this season.
Renault: Renault back as a constructor since 2010 buying back their old team Lotus from Genii. That means Renault power units back in, out goes Romain Grosjean and Pastor Maldonado, in comes Kevin Magnussen and Jolyon Palmer. RS16 looked more confident race car in the second test of two despite some reliability problems in the first test. Magnussen looks fast in testing. Sixth in the Constructors' standings must be the target but with an underdeveloped car and power unit eighth in the Constructors' standings might be the realistic target.
Toro Rosso: Renault power units out, year old Ferrari power units are in. While, Carlos Sainz, Jr. and Max Verstappen are retain for another season. STR11 look fast and reliable in testing with many laps. A few podiums may happen at the start of the season with the target of top three in the constructors' standings. But, with the handicap of using year old power units from Ferrari which could be 30bhp behind the 2016 spec and then some throughout the season so possibly sixth in the Constructors' standings might be the realistic target for Toro Rosso this season.
Sauber: new C35 came late to testing (the second test in fact), looked reliable so far in those four days of testing. Sixth in the Constructors' standings must be the target if the car and drivers are on form, more than likely eighth in the Constructors' standings will be their realistic target for Sauber this season. While, Marcus Ericsson and Felipe Nasr are retain for another season.
McLaren: Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button are retain for another season. Looks more reliable in testing compare this time last season, despite that the pace from the power unit from Honda is a little more stronger from the end of last season maybe still around 80-100bhp less than the Mercedes power units. MP4-31 looks like a great chassis without the power unit and if the MP4-31 is on the right track, McLaren may get a few podiums this season. And just like Sauber before, Sixth in the Constructors' standings must be the target if the car and drivers are on form.
Manor: Out goes year old Ferrari power units, in comes Mercedes power units, free use of their wind tunnel and Williams transmission and suspension components for 2016. Meanwhile, out goes Alexander Rossi, Will Stevens and Roberto Merhi; in comes Pascal Wehrlein and Rio Haryanto. MRT05 looks fast in the hands of Pascal Wehrlein despite the car had not a lot of laps in testing. Top ten in the Constructors' standings is the target this season with points is a strong possibly.
Haas: Ferrari power units, transmission and suspension components for 2016. Dallara builds the new VF-16. In comes Romain Grosjean and Esteban Gutiérrez. Top ten in the Constructors' standings is the target this season with points is a strong possibly. The car looks fast in testing matching times of Renault, Sauber and McLaren despite reliability problems in the second test. Top ten in the Constructors' standings is the target this season with points is a strong possibly in the team's debut season.
So predictions time, who's going to win the World Drivers' Championship this season for 2016? My prediction is Nico Rosberg for his first World Drivers' Championships this season for a few reasons because of the end of last season form which includes five poles and three wins in the last five races, updating to the Pirelli tyres, performance and reliability in testing.
Also, if Rosberg doesn't win the title might be another Sir Stirling Moss, where Moss was runner up to the drivers' title four times during the 1950s and with two of the three of them behind team-mate Juan Manuel Fangio and I think Rosberg won't expect it either. For the last three season he has been as fast as team-mate, so this season is a make or brake season for Nico Rosberg to be champion or not.
But, if Rosberg doesn't step up Lewis Hamilton could take his fourth World Drivers' Title if things goes his way. If not, Sebastian Vettel will do it in his Ferrari if the reliability and pace is there and could take his fifth World Drivers' Title. Also, don't count out Kimi Raikkonen will also challenge for this years title as-well, Raikkonen will go into this season as the dark horse for the title which could be his last season in Formula 1. It will be another close drivers' championship once again this year in my opinion, as it might go down to the wire in a record breaking twenty-one Grand Prix season.
My top three prediction for the Drivers' Championship are:
1st Nico Rosberg
2nd Sebastian Vettel
3rd Lewis Hamilton
Constructors' Championship: I will predict that Mercedes to win the constructors championships once again. And don't forget Ferrari, they will be certainly be challenging the constructors championship as-well.
My top three prediction for the Constructors' Championship are:
1st Mercedes
2nd Ferrari
3rd Force India
Predictions for this weekends Australian Grand Prix in the next post, for now, Bye.
Mercedes: the team to beat for the Drivers' and Constructors' Championship this year. F1 W07 Hybrid looks fast and reliable in testing with many laps. Lewis Hamilton once again needs to defend his title. While, Nico Rosberg needs to challenge for the title and take it away from Hamilton, if not Rosberg might be another Stirling Moss.
Ferrari: Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen are retain for another season. SF16-H looks fast in testing, better car, better power units in testing so far. Challenging for both championships is a must for Ferrari.
Williams: Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa are retain for another season. FW38 looks fast in testing, top three in the constructors' standings must be their target this season at Williams ahead of the likes of Red Bull, Force India and Toro Rosso.
Red Bull: Daniel Ricciardo and Daniil Kvyat are retain for another season. Retain the Renault power unit for another season under the Tag Heuer name, not a lot of improvement from Renaults power units maybe still around 70-90bhp less than the Mercedes power units;. RB12 looks like a great chassis without the power unit and if the RB12 is on the right track Red Bull may shine. Top three in the constructors' standings must be their target at Red Bull this season.
Force India: Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Pérez are retain for another season. VJM09 looks like an evolution from the VJM008B from last season. Looks fast in testing, and possible for Force India to finish third in the constructors' standings this season.
Renault: Renault back as a constructor since 2010 buying back their old team Lotus from Genii. That means Renault power units back in, out goes Romain Grosjean and Pastor Maldonado, in comes Kevin Magnussen and Jolyon Palmer. RS16 looked more confident race car in the second test of two despite some reliability problems in the first test. Magnussen looks fast in testing. Sixth in the Constructors' standings must be the target but with an underdeveloped car and power unit eighth in the Constructors' standings might be the realistic target.
Toro Rosso: Renault power units out, year old Ferrari power units are in. While, Carlos Sainz, Jr. and Max Verstappen are retain for another season. STR11 look fast and reliable in testing with many laps. A few podiums may happen at the start of the season with the target of top three in the constructors' standings. But, with the handicap of using year old power units from Ferrari which could be 30bhp behind the 2016 spec and then some throughout the season so possibly sixth in the Constructors' standings might be the realistic target for Toro Rosso this season.
Sauber: new C35 came late to testing (the second test in fact), looked reliable so far in those four days of testing. Sixth in the Constructors' standings must be the target if the car and drivers are on form, more than likely eighth in the Constructors' standings will be their realistic target for Sauber this season. While, Marcus Ericsson and Felipe Nasr are retain for another season.
McLaren: Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button are retain for another season. Looks more reliable in testing compare this time last season, despite that the pace from the power unit from Honda is a little more stronger from the end of last season maybe still around 80-100bhp less than the Mercedes power units. MP4-31 looks like a great chassis without the power unit and if the MP4-31 is on the right track, McLaren may get a few podiums this season. And just like Sauber before, Sixth in the Constructors' standings must be the target if the car and drivers are on form.
Manor: Out goes year old Ferrari power units, in comes Mercedes power units, free use of their wind tunnel and Williams transmission and suspension components for 2016. Meanwhile, out goes Alexander Rossi, Will Stevens and Roberto Merhi; in comes Pascal Wehrlein and Rio Haryanto. MRT05 looks fast in the hands of Pascal Wehrlein despite the car had not a lot of laps in testing. Top ten in the Constructors' standings is the target this season with points is a strong possibly.
Haas: Ferrari power units, transmission and suspension components for 2016. Dallara builds the new VF-16. In comes Romain Grosjean and Esteban Gutiérrez. Top ten in the Constructors' standings is the target this season with points is a strong possibly. The car looks fast in testing matching times of Renault, Sauber and McLaren despite reliability problems in the second test. Top ten in the Constructors' standings is the target this season with points is a strong possibly in the team's debut season.
So predictions time, who's going to win the World Drivers' Championship this season for 2016? My prediction is Nico Rosberg for his first World Drivers' Championships this season for a few reasons because of the end of last season form which includes five poles and three wins in the last five races, updating to the Pirelli tyres, performance and reliability in testing.
Also, if Rosberg doesn't win the title might be another Sir Stirling Moss, where Moss was runner up to the drivers' title four times during the 1950s and with two of the three of them behind team-mate Juan Manuel Fangio and I think Rosberg won't expect it either. For the last three season he has been as fast as team-mate, so this season is a make or brake season for Nico Rosberg to be champion or not.
But, if Rosberg doesn't step up Lewis Hamilton could take his fourth World Drivers' Title if things goes his way. If not, Sebastian Vettel will do it in his Ferrari if the reliability and pace is there and could take his fifth World Drivers' Title. Also, don't count out Kimi Raikkonen will also challenge for this years title as-well, Raikkonen will go into this season as the dark horse for the title which could be his last season in Formula 1. It will be another close drivers' championship once again this year in my opinion, as it might go down to the wire in a record breaking twenty-one Grand Prix season.
My top three prediction for the Drivers' Championship are:
1st Nico Rosberg
2nd Sebastian Vettel
3rd Lewis Hamilton
Constructors' Championship: I will predict that Mercedes to win the constructors championships once again. And don't forget Ferrari, they will be certainly be challenging the constructors championship as-well.
My top three prediction for the Constructors' Championship are:
1st Mercedes
2nd Ferrari
3rd Force India
Predictions for this weekends Australian Grand Prix in the next post, for now, Bye.
Monday, 14 March 2016
Williams signs Paul di Resta as reserve driver for the 2016 season
It was announce early this morning (14/3/16), former Force India driver Paul di Resta will be Williams reserve driver for the 2016 season.
Di Resta, made the step up to Formula 1 with Force India in 2010 first as a reverse driver then a Grand Prix driver in the following season, and spent three seasons recording a best finish of fourth on two occasions.
Di Resta returned to the DTM in 2014, where he won the title back in 2010, with Mercedes following his F1 exit after losing his drive at Force India, will combine the ongoing drive in DTM with his new role at Williams and would stand in for regular drivers Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas, if one of the drivers is unavailable.
di Resta joins test driver Gary Paffett and development drivers Alex Lynn and Lance Stroll in the Williams line-up.
Di Resta, made the step up to Formula 1 with Force India in 2010 first as a reverse driver then a Grand Prix driver in the following season, and spent three seasons recording a best finish of fourth on two occasions.
Di Resta returned to the DTM in 2014, where he won the title back in 2010, with Mercedes following his F1 exit after losing his drive at Force India, will combine the ongoing drive in DTM with his new role at Williams and would stand in for regular drivers Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas, if one of the drivers is unavailable.
di Resta joins test driver Gary Paffett and development drivers Alex Lynn and Lance Stroll in the Williams line-up.
2015/16 Formula E - Mexico City ePrix - Round 5 Recap
Review of Round Five of the 2015-16 Formula E season held on the shorter version of the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez circuit in Mexico City, Mexico. As it was the first Formula E race on a permanent race track.
The race was won by ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport driver Lucas di Grassi in his Spark-Abt Sportsline for his second race win of the year. Until, Lucas di Grassi was later disqualified of his victory as di Grassi's first car was found to be underweight.
So therefore, Dragon Racing driver Jérôme d'Ambrosio was promoted to take the win in his Spark-Venturi. Second was Renault e.Dams driver Sebastien Buemi in his Spark-Renault, he was a tenth of a second behind d'Ambrosio in the end. Meanwhile, third was Renault e.Dams driver Nicolas Prost in his Spark-Renault, he was twenty-five seconds behind d'Ambrosio in the end.
Highlights of the race bellow, enjoy.
Next stop, Round Six of the 2015-16 Formula E season in Long Beach, U.S.A. for the Long Beach ePrix in three weeks time.
The race was won by ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport driver Lucas di Grassi in his Spark-Abt Sportsline for his second race win of the year. Until, Lucas di Grassi was later disqualified of his victory as di Grassi's first car was found to be underweight.
So therefore, Dragon Racing driver Jérôme d'Ambrosio was promoted to take the win in his Spark-Venturi. Second was Renault e.Dams driver Sebastien Buemi in his Spark-Renault, he was a tenth of a second behind d'Ambrosio in the end. Meanwhile, third was Renault e.Dams driver Nicolas Prost in his Spark-Renault, he was twenty-five seconds behind d'Ambrosio in the end.
Highlights of the race bellow, enjoy.
Next stop, Round Six of the 2015-16 Formula E season in Long Beach, U.S.A. for the Long Beach ePrix in three weeks time.
Thursday, 10 March 2016
Alexander Rossi back at Manor as reserve driver
It was confirmed yesterday (9/3/16), former Manor Racing F1 driver Alexander Rossi has rejoined Manor as its official reserve driver for the upcoming season, meaning he will perform simultaneous IndyCar and Formula 1 roles in 2016.
Rossi, who recently signed to race in IndyCar for Andretti Herta Autosport after losing his drive with Manor this season, after the team signed Pascal Wehrlein and Rio Haryanto, will also attend eleven Grands Prix with the team with Rossi's first event with Manor in 2016 will be the Russian Grand Prix in late April.
Rossi made his Formula 1 debut with Manor towards the end of 2015 at the Singapore Grand Prix, taking part in five races alongside Will Stevens, with a best result of twelfth place at his home Grand Prix at Austin in late October, before losing his drive for 2016.
Don't be at all surprise if Alexander Rossi will race for the team in 2016 for one way or another.
Rossi, who recently signed to race in IndyCar for Andretti Herta Autosport after losing his drive with Manor this season, after the team signed Pascal Wehrlein and Rio Haryanto, will also attend eleven Grands Prix with the team with Rossi's first event with Manor in 2016 will be the Russian Grand Prix in late April.
Rossi made his Formula 1 debut with Manor towards the end of 2015 at the Singapore Grand Prix, taking part in five races alongside Will Stevens, with a best result of twelfth place at his home Grand Prix at Austin in late October, before losing his drive for 2016.
Don't be at all surprise if Alexander Rossi will race for the team in 2016 for one way or another.
Monday, 7 March 2016
2016 WRC Round 3 recap - Rally Mexico
Recap of the last round of WRC from last weekends Round three of Rally Mexico.
Last weekends was the third round of the World Rally Championship at at the Rally Mexico (4th-6th March) that was won by Jari-Matti Latvala in the works Volkswagen Polo R WRC. While, current WRC champion Sébastien Ogier finished second in the works Volkswagen Polo R WRC, Ogier was over a minute behind Latvala at the end. Meanwhile, M-Sport World Rally Team rally driver Mads Østberg finished third in his Ford Fiesta RS WRC, Østberg was 5 and half minutes behind Latvala at the end of the rally.
Meanwhile in WRC-2 class (Group R5, R4, Super 2000 and Group N4 spec cars), that was won by TGS Worldwide OU driver Teemu Suninen in his Škoda Fabia R5. Teemu Suninen finished in ninth place overall, he was 18 minutes behind Latvala at the end of the rally.
While in WRC-3 class (Group R1, R2 and R3 cars) that was won by Saintéloc Junior Team driver Michel Fabre in his Citroën DS3 R3T. Michel Fabre finished in fifteenth place overall, he was over 68 minutes behind Latvala at the end of the rally.
Highlights of the rally bellow, enjoy.
Next stop, Round Four of the 2016 WRC season for Rally Argentina in seven weeks time.
Last weekends was the third round of the World Rally Championship at at the Rally Mexico (4th-6th March) that was won by Jari-Matti Latvala in the works Volkswagen Polo R WRC. While, current WRC champion Sébastien Ogier finished second in the works Volkswagen Polo R WRC, Ogier was over a minute behind Latvala at the end. Meanwhile, M-Sport World Rally Team rally driver Mads Østberg finished third in his Ford Fiesta RS WRC, Østberg was 5 and half minutes behind Latvala at the end of the rally.
Meanwhile in WRC-2 class (Group R5, R4, Super 2000 and Group N4 spec cars), that was won by TGS Worldwide OU driver Teemu Suninen in his Škoda Fabia R5. Teemu Suninen finished in ninth place overall, he was 18 minutes behind Latvala at the end of the rally.
While in WRC-3 class (Group R1, R2 and R3 cars) that was won by Saintéloc Junior Team driver Michel Fabre in his Citroën DS3 R3T. Michel Fabre finished in fifteenth place overall, he was over 68 minutes behind Latvala at the end of the rally.
Highlights of the rally bellow, enjoy.
Next stop, Round Four of the 2016 WRC season for Rally Argentina in seven weeks time.
Wednesday, 2 March 2016
Gymkhana Eight Review
For the last five years', I have done posts on Gymkhana Four, Gymkhana Five, Gymkhana Six, and Gymkhana Seven. This week, Ford, Hoonigan and Ken Block bring out their new Gymkhana video onto YouTube called: "KEN BLOCK'S GYMKHANA EIGHT: ULTIMATE EXOTIC PLAYGROUND; DUBAI" (video below).
And just like Gymkhana Five and Seven, its shot on the streets of Dubai, United Arab Emirates; as he uses parts of the city a personal gymkhana playground to film around. Using his trustworthy Ford Fiesta ST RX43 that produces 650 bhp. Enjoy the video below.
KEN BLOCK'S GYMKHANA EIGHT: ULTIMATE EXOTIC PLAYGROUND; DUBAI
What my thoughts about the video. Equal as Gymkhana Five and Seven (if not better) if you have to compare it with any of Ken Block's previous Gymkhanas. I thought it was still edited well, the multiple use of Go-Pro cameras' inside and outside on the ST RX43, I enjoyed the aerial shots above as-well as the change of scenery with using Dubai instead of using a City in the state of California. Also, I enjoyed Ken was doing multiple doughnuts with the ST RX43 around the aeroplane while it was slowly moving.
Overall I liked the video, is it better than the previous Gymkhanas' of past, so far with nearly 2 million views on YouTube since Monday in the space of 24 hours, its another 80 million views to catch up with Gymkhana Five record. Overall, another very cool video from Ken Block.
And just like Gymkhana Five and Seven, its shot on the streets of Dubai, United Arab Emirates; as he uses parts of the city a personal gymkhana playground to film around. Using his trustworthy Ford Fiesta ST RX43 that produces 650 bhp. Enjoy the video below.
KEN BLOCK'S GYMKHANA EIGHT: ULTIMATE EXOTIC PLAYGROUND; DUBAI
What my thoughts about the video. Equal as Gymkhana Five and Seven (if not better) if you have to compare it with any of Ken Block's previous Gymkhanas. I thought it was still edited well, the multiple use of Go-Pro cameras' inside and outside on the ST RX43, I enjoyed the aerial shots above as-well as the change of scenery with using Dubai instead of using a City in the state of California. Also, I enjoyed Ken was doing multiple doughnuts with the ST RX43 around the aeroplane while it was slowly moving.
Overall I liked the video, is it better than the previous Gymkhanas' of past, so far with nearly 2 million views on YouTube since Monday in the space of 24 hours, its another 80 million views to catch up with Gymkhana Five record. Overall, another very cool video from Ken Block.
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