Team-mate battles of 2015

[The Black Knight]

BUT-ALO. Considering car’s unreliability I am unsure, how much of a guide the points are… or anything we have seen about them so far. But the ‘Button phenomenon’ works again - sure he has the ability to “somehow” get points. It really is an exceptional skill. He even outscored Hamilton, even though we all know he needed luck for this to happen. And now he is ahead of Alonso. So Button is a top driver? - he is just like a wolf dressed as a sheep - looks very unoffensive, but when the season is over and you count the scores, he is up there with the best.

Yeah, Button isn't as exciting a driver to watch as say Vettel or Hamilton but he's clearly an extremely gifted driver up there with the best of them. If he outscores Alonso this year, he will be the first driver to do so in Alonso's career, having also done it to Hamilton. Yes, luck will play a part in it but that's part of the game too I guess.

[rjbetty]

Mercedes - Hamilton
Rosberg has tried a more race-oriented approach as opposed to the qualifying approach of 2014. It hasn't worked.

Ferrari - Vettel
With a car that suits him and is more competitive, Kimi simply hasn't been good enough. I think he shaded Seb in race pace early in but Vettel was settling in and is now ahead in all departments. Kimi has had some misfortune, but I think it's also true that 'you make your own luck' - there have simply been too many mistakes.

Williams - Bottas
He should be further ahead of Felipe but hasn't done well enough. He still marginally gets the nod.

Red Bull - Ricciardo
Kvyat was written off too early and sure enough he is coming into his own, and even has more points than Ricciardo! Still I think Ric is ahead, as you'd expect given his experience.

Force India - Perez
A tough one, but on balance I have to. Hulk has qualified better but lost too many points. He hasn't impressed enough on sundays.

Lotus - Grosjean
Consistent in qualifying - 15/1 is extremely impressive imo. Pastor seems to be trying a race-oriented approach but is still to finish in the top 6 whereas RoGro has a podium. Still being Pastor too much but has had bizarre misfortune too.

Toro Rosso - Verstappen
Both drivers have lost many points but clearly Verstappen is the one for the job, though the more experienced in cars Sainz heads him in qualifying.

Sauber - Nasr
Easily ahead of Ericsson on points, but also beaten by Marcus too often.

McLaren - Alonso
Narrow margin in qual for Alonso, bigger gap in races, even though Button has more points.

Manor - Stevens
Kinda by default as the 2nd car hasn't been able to be given much priority, but Stevens has still done ok.

[steveaki13]

Mercedes - Hamilton clearly wins this at a canter, seems tougher, better and more together than Rosberg this season.

Ferrari - Raikkonen started OK but I think Vettel has moved further and further away to easily win this one.

Williams - Bottas edges it for me. He has not been as good in 2015 as I had expected but in a season which is slightly disappointing he edges it IMO.

Red Bull - Tough. Both drivers have made errors and both have done well. I think Daniel is still the better overall and has won this duel for me.

Force India - I think Perez has done a super job this season and has shown Nico up at times. Hulkenberg has made errors and been all round disappointing in my eyes.

Lotus - Grosjean has been the better. Maldonado still makes to many errors and gets involved with stuff. On pace they are close, but I would rather have Romain.

Sauber - Tough one. I have been impressed by Nasr's ability at times and Ericcson's being in the right place. Nasr appears the better driver to me though.

Toro Rosso - Verstappen. Both youngsters have been very impressive at times and both have been a breath of fresh air too. Max just has that something extra to allow him to claim those two 4th places.

Mclaren - Hmmm....... close call. Alonso is probably as expected slightly quicker, but I will actually give my gong to Button. He is consistant and calm which is what Mclaren need. I think Fernando is still all in all to hot headed.

Manor - Tough call. I thought Mehri did a good job v Stevens give the situation. Rossi has also done well. Stevens has been there throughout and probably just edges it all. Close call though.

[AndyL]

Yeah, Button isn't as exciting a driver to watch as say Vettel or Hamilton but he's clearly an extremely gifted driver up there with the best of them. If he outscores Alonso this year, he will be the first driver to do so in Alonso's career, having also done it to Hamilton. Yes, luck will play a part in it but that's part of the game too I guess.

Interesting stat! Though he hasn't been outscored, Alonso has been beaten by team-mates twice in the championship standings, on countback. Once by Hamilton of course, and once by... Tarso Marquez

[jens]

Interesting stat! Though he hasn't been outscored, Alonso has been beaten by team-mates twice in the championship standings, on countback. Once by Hamilton of course, and once by... Tarso Marquez

Actually by Trulli as well, if we count races in which they were team-mates in 2004 (points score 46:45).

[AndyL]

Actually by Trulli as well, if we count races in which they were team-mates in 2004 (points score 46:45).

So it turns out this Alonso guy is a load of rubbish

[steveaki13]

I love the fact that Tarso Marques beat Alonso in a pointless season.

I think it was Malaysia that season Tarso outshone him on track.

[rjbetty]

I love the fact that Tarso Marques beat Alonso in a pointless season.

I think it was Malaysia that season Tarso outshone him on track.

Yeah it was, I think Alonso must have had some issues though since he's a bit of a specialist at that track.

Nurburgring as well. Tarso also did well there in '97.

[jens]

Wikipedia shows that Marques got his 9th places finishes in Brazil and Canada - both were races with lots of DNF-s. I don't remember Marques ever outshining Alonso during 2001 - it was Alonso, who had the skills to mix it with Benettons, Arrows, Burti, on occasion others, regularly. But reliability rates were pretty low that year, and if you happened to simply finish in the "right race", where lots of rivals fell off, you could get a good position.

[steveaki13]

Wikipedia shows that Marques got his 9th places finishes in Brazil and Canada - both were races with lots of DNF-s. I don't remember Marques ever outshining Alonso during 2001 - it was Alonso, who had the skills to mix it with Benettons, Arrows, Burti, on occasion others, regularly. But reliability rates were pretty low that year, and if you happened to simply finish in the "right race", where lots of rivals fell off, you could get a good position.

Generally of course he didnt, but Malaysia saw Tarso out qualify him by half a second and run ahead most of the race until a tyre blow out I think.