Review of the second round of the 2018 MotoGP season at Autódromo Termas de Río Hondo, Santiago del Estero in North Argentina.
In the MotoGP race (V-twin, V4, or Inline-four 1000cc four stroke class), that race was won by LCR Honda rider Cal Crutchlow on his Honda RC213V.
Second was Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider Johann Zarco on his Yamaha YZR-M1, he was quarter of a second behind Crutchlow at the end. While, third was Team Suzuki Ecstar rider Álex Rins on his works Suzuki GSX-RR, he was two and half seconds behind Crutchlow at the end.
In the Moto2 race (Inline-four 600 cc four-stroke class), that race was won by Italtrans Racing Team rider Mattia Pasini on the Kalex. Second was Dynavolt Intact GP rider Xavi Vierge on the Kalex, he was nine tenths of a second behind Pasini at the end of the race. While, third was Red Bull KTM Ajo rider Miguel Oliveira on the KTM, he was a second and a half behind Pasini at the end of the race.
While in the Moto3 race (single-cylinder 250 cc four-stroke class), that race was won by Redox PrüstelGP rider Marco Bezzecchi on the KTM. Second was Estrella Galicia 0,0 rider Arón Canet on the Honda, he was four and half seconds behind Bezzecchi at the end of the race. While, third was Del Conca Gresini Moto3 rider Fabio Di Giannantonio on the Honda, he was five seconds behind Bezzecchi at the end of the race.
Predictions for this weekends Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix at Shanghai International Circuit, on the outskirts of Shanghai.
So Predictions for the race, for the win I predict Lewis Hamilton for the race win in the Mercedes, Sebastian Vettel second in the Ferrari, and third place for Valtteri Bottas in the other Mercedes. Don't forget Kimi Räikkönen, the Red Bull drivers, the Renault drivers, the McLaren drivers, the Force India drivers. the Haas drivers and Pierre Gasly as well for a podium place.
Review of the second round of the 2018 F1 season at Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir for the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Overall the race itself was a great race to watch. It was the race where Sebastian Vettel controlled the race on his 200th Grand Prix start, on pole for Sunday's race, lead the race throughout. Despite a late charge from Valtteri Bottas at the end of the race, it was Vettel who was victorious to win this seasons Bahrain Grand Prix for Vettel's second race win of the season.
While, Valtteri Bottas finished in second place in the Mercedes, Bottas was seven tenths of a second behind Vettel at the end.
Meanwhile, Bottas's team-mate and Current Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton finished in third place in the other Mercedes to complete the podium despite he had to start in ninth place after a Gearbox change on Friday, Hamilton was six and half seconds behind Vettel.
Finally, a quick mention to Pierre Gasly in the Toro Rosso finishing fourth place in a impressive weekend from the former GP2 Champion, Gasly was sixy-two seconds behind Vettel.
Highlights of the race below, enjoy.
Rate the Teams and Drivers
Mercedes - 7
Lewis Hamilton - 7 (finished third)
Valtteri Bottas - 8 (finished second, fastest lap)
Ferrari - 8
Sebastian Vettel - 10 (pole, race win)
Kimi Räikkönen - 7 (DNF, Wheel)
Red Bull Racing - 6
Daniel Ricciardo - 7 (DNF, Electrical)
Max Verstappen - 5 (DNF, Puncture)
Force India - 5
Sergio Pérez- 5 (finished sixteenth, lap down)
Esteban Ocon- 6 (finished tenth, lap down)
Williams - 5
Lance Stroll - 5 (finished fourteenth, lap down)
Sergey Sirotkin - 5 (finished fifteenth, lap down)
Renault - 7
Nico Hülkenberg - 8 (finished sixth)
Carlos Sainz Jr. - 6 (finished eleventh, lap down)
Toro Rosso - 8
Pierre Gasly - 10 (finished forth)
Brendon Hartley - 6 (finished seventeenth, lap down)
Haas - 7
Romain Grosjean - 5 (finished thirteenth, lap down)
Kevin Magnussen - 9 (finished fifth)
McLaren - 7
Fernando Alonso - 7 (finished seventh, lap down)
Stoffel Vandoorne - 7 (finished eighth, lap down)
Sauber - 8
Marcus Ericsson - 9 (finished ninth, lap down)
Charles Leclerc - 7 (finished twelfth, lap down)
Next stop Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai for the Chinese Grand Prix in a weeks time.
Predictions for this weekends Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix at Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir.
So Predictions for the race, for the win I predict Sebastian Vettel for the race win in the Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton second in the Mercedes, and Kimi Räikkönen third in the Ferrari. Don't forget Valtteri Bottas, Red Bull drivers, the Renault drivers, the McLaren drivers, the Force India drivers and the Haas drivers as well for a podium place.
2018 Australian Grand Prix of the first round of the F1 season at Albert Park on the outskirts of Melbourne.
The race itself was a good race to watch. Current Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton took the lead at the start with Kimi Räikkönen and Sebastian Vettel behind him. By lap 19, Vettel took the lead after Hamilton pitted for tyres. With Hamilton stuck in traffic, Vettel took the advantage with a few fastest laps of the race, pitted for tyres a few laps later taking a advantage from a Virtual Safety Car; from the retirements of both Haas cars to re-take the lead just ahead of Hamilton and took a sizeable lead after that. Vettel stayed at the front to win this seasons Australian Grand Prix for his first race win of the season.
While, Current Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton finished in second place in the Mercedes, Hamilton was five seconds behind Vettel at the end.
Meanwhile, Kimi Räikkönen finished in third place in the other Ferrari to complete the podium, Räikkönen was six seconds behind Vettel at the end of the fifty-eight lap race.
Highlights of the race below, enjoy.
Rate the Teams and Drivers
Mercedes - 7
Lewis Hamilton - 8 (pole, finished second)
Valtteri Bottas - 6 (finished eighth)
Ferrari - 8
Sebastian Vettel - 9 (race win)
Kimi Räikkönen - 8 (finished third)
Red Bull Racing - 7
Daniel Ricciardo - 8 (finished fourth, fastest lap)
Max Verstappen - 7 (finished sixth)
Force India - 5
Sergio Pérez- 6 (finished eleventh)
Esteban Ocon- 5 (finished twelfth)
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 Sebastian Vettel for the race win in the Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton second in the Mercedes, and Valtteri Bottas third in the Mercedes. Don't forget Kimi Räikkönen, Red Bull drivers, the Renault drivers, the Williams drivers, the Force India drivers and the McLaren drivers as well for a podium place.
Today post is a 2018 F1 preview, all the teams and drivers. Also, predicting this seasons Drivers' and Constructors' Championships ahead for 2018. Starting of with last seasons Constructors' Champions Mercedes:
Mercedes: the team to beat for the Drivers' and Constructors' Championship this year. F1 W09 EQ Power+ looks fast and reliable in testing with many laps. Lewis Hamilton looks to retain his title. While, Valtteri Bottas retains for another season, who looks fast in testing.
Ferrari: Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen are retain for another season. SF71H looks fast in testing, better car, better power units in testing so far. Challenging for both championships is a must for Ferrari.
Red Bull: Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen are retain for another season. Retain the Renault power-units for another season under the Tag Heuer name, maybe still around 40-60bhp less than the Mercedes power-units. If the RB14 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: Esteban Ocon and Sergio Pérez are retain for another season. VJM11 looks like an evolution from the VJM10 from last season. Looks fast in testing, and possible for Force India to retain fourth in the constructors' standings once again this season.
Williams: Out goes Felipe Massa into retirement. In comes Sergey Sirotkin alongside Lance Stroll who is retain for another season, although signing of Sergey Sirotkin could be question as both race drivers looked slow in testing compared to test-driver and former Grand Prix winner Robert Kubica. FW41 looks slow compare to last seasons car FW40, sixth in the constructors' standings must be their target this season at Williams ahead of the likes of Haas, Force India and Toro Rosso.
Renault: Nico Hulkenberg alongside Carlos Sainz, Jr. are retain for another season. R.S.18 look fast in testing. A few podiums may happen this season and fourth in the Constructors' standings might be the realistic target for Renault this season.
Toro Rosso: Renault power-units are out, Works Honda power-units are in. While, Pierre Gasly and Brendon Hartley are retain for another season. STR13 look fast in testing despite the Honda power-units are still lacking in power (maybe still around 60-80bhp less than the Mercedes power units). Sixth in the Constructors' standings might be the realistic target for Toro Rosso this season.
Haas: Kevin Magnussen and Romain Grosjean are retain for another season. The Dallara built VF-18 looks fast in testing matching times of Renault, Toro Rosso, Force India and McLaren. Retaining eighth in the Constructors' standings might be the realistic target once again for Haas this season.
McLaren: Works Honda power-units are out, customer Renault power-units are in. While, Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne are retain for another season, although Alonso will share his McLaren duties with Totota in World Endurance Series throughout 2018. McL33 looks more reliable car in testing compare to last season, although not bulletproof. McLaren will be a contender for podiums, if not race wins and fourth in the Constructors' standings might be the realistic target for McLaren this season.
Sauber: Out goes Pascal Wehrlein and in comes Charles Leclerc alongside Marcus Ericsson for another season. C37 looks reliable in testing, with the team using 2018 spec power-units from Ferrari with sponsorship coming from Alfa Romeo. Sauber target for this might be finishing ninth in the constructors' standings ahead of the likes of Williams, Force India and Toro Rosso.
So predictions time, who's going to win the World Drivers' Championship this season for 2018? My prediction is Sebastian Vettel for his fifth World Drivers' Championships this season because of performance and reliability in testing. The improvements from Ferrari might be enough for Vettel to win this seasons title.
But, if Vettel doesn't step up Lewis Hamilton could take his fifth World Drivers' Title if things goes his way. Don't count out either Valtteri Bottas and Kimi Raikkonen will also challenge for this years title as-well. Don't even count out both Red Bull drivers as-well, Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen and even Fernando Alonso too will go into this season as the dark horses for this season title if both Mercedes and Ferrari drivers' struggle. It will be another close drivers' championship once again this year in my opinion, as it might go down to the wire.
My top three prediction for the Drivers' Championship are:
1st Sebastian Vettel
2nd Lewis Hamilton
3rd Valtteri Bottas
Constructors' Championship: I will predict that Mercedes to win the constructors championships once again. And don't forget Ferrari and Red Bull, 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 Red Bull
Predictions for this weekends Australian Grand Prix in the next post, for now, Bye.
