Team-mate battles of 2012!

**Zico** · 13th Mar 12, 21:36

1) Vettel v Webber
2) Button v Hamilton
3) Alonso v Massa
4) Rosberg v Schumacher
5) Räikkönen v Grosjean
6) Di Resta v Hülkenberg
7) Kobayashi v Pérez
8) Ricciardo v Vergne
9) Maldonado v Senna
10) Kovalainen v Trulli
11) Glock v Pic
12) de la Rosa v TBD

**N4D13** · 14th Mar 12, 01:08

I'm going to say Rosberg/Shoe, just not to say what everybody else is going to say. Even though it isn't given as much importance by the press as Button vs Hamilton, this could also be a great rivalry in 2012, and it's definitely worth keeping an eye on.

**Mr Alca-Tazizzle** · 14th Mar 12, 01:26

;-

**Mr Alca-Tazizzle** · 14th Mar 12, 01:29

I think Massa is going to become Alonso's new test pilot sooner than later. I hope I'm wrong, but some one like Alonso takes a twitch car and makes it pointy. Dude just outs it on full sterring lock and with beter rubber, just puts it on rails Mark me!: Personally I think Fred and The Boss are going to tangle!

**steveaki13** · 14th Mar 12, 19:20

Mclaren: I think there are a lot of interesting team battles this year. Probably the best will be Jenson v Lewis, as they are closely matched and both have a realistic chance of a title.

Red Bull: I think Webber v Vettel will again be one sided to Seb.

Ferrari: And Fernando will probably crush Felipe.

Mercedes: Schumacher and Rosberg will also be a good one. Not sure which way it will go, I fancy Nico will just edge it.

Lotus: Kimi should beat Roman despite his break

Force India: Di Resta I think will beat Hulkenberg thanks to a better start to the season.

Sauber: I am intrigued by this one, I think Kobayashi will be solid and occasionally produce a great drive, but I think Perez will outscore him.

Toro Rosso: Not sure on this one, but I fancy Vergne might suprise us and keep close to Ricciardo, not sure whole will win out through.

Williams: I think Williams will struggle again this year, but I think Bruno Senna will push Maldonado aside.

Caterham: I think Kovalainens experience of the team will mean he will be quite a way ahead of Petrov.

Virgin: I think Glock will do his usual solid job, while Pic might fall into a d'Amnrosio and Di Grassi type seaon

HRT: Well, De La Rosa will keep the Virgins in sight and beat Karthikeyan most races.

**jens** · 19th Mar 12, 14:17

Looking at my own pre-season comments I have to admit that Schumacher has a greater chance of beating Rosberg than I initially thought. This is based on car characteristics. Mercedes was supposed to work on race pace for this year, but it looks like W03 eats tyres quite a lot, which doesn't suit Rosberg at all. Nico would rather shine in a car like RB8, which enables to push harder in the race without a significant drop-off.

But perhaps all is not doom and gloom yet. Perhaps Mercedes' high degradation was track-specific and they'll be more consistent in Malaysia.

**F1boat** · 19th Mar 12, 16:36

I hope that Michael will come on top this year, for a change...

**52Paddy** · 19th Mar 12, 18:40

Originally Posted by F1boat

I hope that Michael will come on top this year, for a change...

If his current form continues then he has every chance of getting on the podium and, in the right circumstances, winning a race. I would love to see him bow out of his second F1 career with a glorious season, especially a win.

**Garry Walker** · 20th Mar 12, 18:36

Originally Posted by 52Paddy

If his current form continues then he has every chance of getting on the podium and, in the right circumstances, winning a race. I would love to see him bow out of his second F1 career with a glorious season, especially a win.

There are people who would probably suicide over that thought.

**52Paddy** · 20th Mar 12, 21:27

Originally Posted by Garry Walker

There are people who would probably suicide over that thought.

And what a shame that would be.

**airshifter** · 21st Mar 12, 01:19

Originally Posted by Garry Walker

There are people who would probably suicide over that thought.

Haters will hate, and nothing much will stop it.

I'd like to at least see MS get to the podium. A win would no doubt bring back his celebrations of days gone by on the podium.

**i_max2k2** · 21st Mar 12, 06:02

I'm little more optimistic then hoping for wins from schumi, Rosberg has cracked under pressure whenever he has been in good positions, if Mercs remain fast, I'd expect better results and more consistency from Schumi.

**The Black Knight** · 21st Mar 12, 08:50

Originally Posted by i_max2k2

I'm little more optimistic then hoping for wins from schumi, Rosberg has cracked under pressure whenever he has been in good positions, if Mercs remain fast, I'd expect better results and more consistency from Schumi.

Last weekend was the first weekend since his comeback that Schumacher seemed to have the pace on Rosberg, not only outqualifying him but also being quicker in the race. It will be interesting to see what happens. I think to say Rosberg cracked under pressure it a bit harsh. If mistakes like the one he did in qualifying continue to happen then we can say he's a bottler but it was a once off so hard to pass judgement on it, especially since he generally has the legs on Schuey in qualifying.

**F1boat** · 22nd Mar 12, 08:56

Originally Posted by The Black Knight

Last weekend was the first weekend since his comeback that Schumacher seemed to have the pace on Rosberg, not only outqualifying him but also being quicker in the race. It will be interesting to see what happens. I think to say Rosberg cracked under pressure it a bit harsh. If mistakes like the one he did in qualifying continue to happen then we can say he's a bottler but it was a once off so hard to pass judgement on it, especially since he generally has the legs on Schuey in qualifying.

He cracks under pressure. He was faster that Michael at qualy until Q3, when it seemed that he can get the pole. He failed and Michael made a decent lap. In the past, when he is in the lead or close to it, he gets nervous and makes mistakes. Like China 2010, or Singapore 2009 (I am not sure about the year, I have to admit). Maybe, if he wins a race, he will be calmer, but this first win will come very hard. I think that it is likely that Michael will score a win before him.
That is, if any of them wins a race.

**jens** · 22nd Mar 12, 10:50

Originally Posted by F1boat

---
Maybe, if he wins a race, he will be calmer, ---.

I think so too. Let's recall Sutil. In his first few seasons in F1 he tended to get into accidents just when he was on course for a points finish. At that time it was a very unique situation for a Force India driver, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, which created pressures. But once Sutil became a consistent midfielder, he got used to it and became a consistent point-scorer in 2010-11.

Also it is claimed that Button became much more confident after winning WDC. No he has no more pressures and can enjoy getting the best out of the car.

So I also think once Rosberg gets used to being a front-runner, he will have a more consistent run.

**52Paddy** · 22nd Mar 12, 12:56

Originally Posted by jens

So I also think once Rosberg gets used to being a front-runner, he will have a more consistent run.

I agree, but I hope, for his sake, a win comes sooner rather than later. It's his fourth of fifth season in F1 now and may (or may not) be his last chance to avoid going down the "journeyman" route. That would be a shame.

**keysersoze** · 22nd Mar 12, 13:50

Melbourne battles

McLaren: Button 1, Hamilton 0
LH edges Jenson on Saturday, but had nothing for Button off the start line, or for that matter, the rest of the race.

Reb Bull: Vettel 1, Webber 0
Webber gets the early qualifying edge, but Vettel showing he's not just a front-runner, and can battle his way up.

Ferrari: Alonso 1, Massa 0
Alonso proving he's worth every red cent. Massa gets a flyer of a start but his best lap was 1.6 slower than Alonso on that very lap. Very likely a chassis issue but the pundits are already warming up the bullpen.

Mercedes: Rosberg 1, Schumacher 0
Rosberg started to disappoint before his last lap troubles but he was a rocket at the start. Michael unable to capitalize on qualy pace.

Williams: Maldonado 1, Senna 0
Button aside, Pastor's was the drive of the race, and if he had managed to keep it together on the last lap, it would have been. Senna's William's debut similar to his uncle's--an early shunt.

Sauber: Perez 1, Kobayashi 0
Sergio makes up 10 places on the opening lap, which made his tire-saving talents truly pay off.

**jens** · 22nd Mar 12, 14:02

Originally Posted by keysersoze

Melbourne battles

Mercedes: Rosberg 1, Schumacher 0

Don't you consider this unfair? Schumacher was in front of Rosberg before retiring with gearbox problems.

**keysersoze** · 22nd Mar 12, 14:33

Continuation

STR: Ricciardo 1, Vergne 0
Both were impressive and it might have gone to the Frenchman, who drove like a seasoned vet, if it had not been for the last lap. The bottom line is that the Aussie made it to Q3, got sent to the back after a first lap incident, and came back to be in the points, albeit aided by the SC period.

Lotus: Raikkonen 1, Grosjean 0
Romain was squarely beaten in that corner and should have known that discretion is the better part of valor. Besides that and a lackluster start, RG was having a dream weekend. Unfortunately, those two areas are high-visibility.

Caterham: Kovalainen 1, Petrov 0
Heike by 4 tenths in qualifying was the difference. It was hard to judge who was better in the race, as both were on different tire strategies, and each had their problems. Vitaly kept Massa behind him for several laps and, later in the race, kept the Brazilian in view.

Marussia: Glock 1, Pic 0
Timo by 7 tenths in qualifying, and managed to get in front of the Caterhams at the beginning of the race. Pic acquitted himself well, but both need more time in the late-arriving car.

**keysersoze** · 22nd Mar 12, 14:44

Originally Posted by jens

Don't you consider this unfair? Schumacher was in front of Rosberg before retiring with gearbox problems.

It was close for sure, but didn't Nico pit from 4th or 5th with Michael behind him? I give Schumacher a lot of credit for the adjustments he's had to make (or wait for) and for outqualifying Rosberg, but Nico was in the points all day until the last lap tangle with Perez, and there was that blinder of a start.