We've seen the cars, we've seen the very limited testing. Time to make some predictions. Drivers: 1) Max Verstappen. Would be silly to bet against him right now. 2) Lewis Hamilton. He had a great 2023 and now the car is built to his desires, and the car does look competitive. 3) Charles Leclerc. Hopefully him and Ferrari don't self implode like usual. 4) Lando Norris. 5) Carlos Sainz. 6) George Russell 7) Sergio Perez 8) Fernando Alonso 9) Oscar Piastri 10) Daniel Ricciardo Teams: 1) Red Bull 2) Mercedes 3) Ferrari (I really hope I'm wrong, and they do better) 4) McLaren 5) Aston Martin 6) Visa Cashapp RB 7) Sauber 8) Alpine (could be 6th since they will likely develop better than the rest around them) 9) Williams 10) Haas
I predict Piastri outpaces Lando, opening the door for Lando to move to RB I predict Lewis starts strong, then fades quickly as Mercedes develop the car away from him and toward George (Toto scorned, gets his revenge) I predict Albon creates a dilemma for Mercedes after another strong showing in the Williams. They bring him up to the "big team". Ricciardo won't find his pace again, Lawson replaces him mid-season after a poor run of form.
It worries me that the RB20 has a bigger margin than last years car, but I am hoping it wont be for the whole season. Maybe Checo fails worse than last year and gets replaced by Daniel mid season, who scores some points to get him up to 10th.
I'm debating that right now for my fantasy picks. The problem is that the car is good, but weighted to Max -- and Checo crashed a lot of cars last year (actually, hold that thought -- interestingly enough, he only DNF'd twice, and only finished out of the points one other time. So he was objectively better than I remember him being.)
It is a 'team' sport so independent of pilot: RedBull - Certainly with Max as P1 for WDC + team WCC Then - Ferrari, Mercedes for P2 overall. P3 is sorted via Ferrari or Mercedes. The rest dont really matter but I would not be surprised by VCARB surprise in 4th. The utter RedBull DNA will not be denied lol
Interesting lyrics. I wonder if the Dutch still honour the king of Spain, when they have their own monarch. Having said that, their Prince, William of Orange, became King of England ! Oh, well ...
The first race will show that nobody knows anything. It will be race three that finally gives the cars their real tests as race cars. Race four will be the first event of the season that shows us who has what.
I hope so for him. He deserves a win now and again. So long as he doesn’t beat the Red Cars on the season.
Red Bull/Max certainly trying to go for 24/24. Suspect Merc and Ferrari sneak a win here and there but it'll be 20 wins for RB I think, probably all for Max unless he breaks down Merc and Ferrari to battle for 2nd. Aston, Merc and VCARB for 3rd?
Keep P&R nicknames for Hamilton out of F1. There is an F1 topic in the P&R section. Use that area dor your P&R needs. Robb
