Things you are most excited about for F1 in 2013

[rjbetty]

OK here are my picks:

Williams and Maldonado and the possibility of them building on 2012 to become regular contenders.
The progress of Nico Hulkenberg, hopefully WINNING Sauber's first independent race. But podiums at least. I hope they don't lose ground by losing James Key.
Lewis winning a race for Mercedes
Toro Rosso returning to more like 2011 form because the drivers build on experience
The progress of Marussia with full windtunnel and Pat Symonds, and KERS!
Really hoping one of those bottom teams finally gets that point, but I think Caterham may slip back a little due to lack of funds. Marussia being over 4sec off the pace is too much to make up, so unlikely except in a crazy race.
And an even closer field overall.

Feel free to add what you are most looking forward to, people.

[faithhaughtone]

Oh cool! interesting information about them. I hope Nico Hulkenberg will win this year. nice nice. thank you for sharing this to us dude :)

[Nem14]

Things you are most excited about for F1 in 2013
Even more political wrangling, and Bernie's exit.

[zako85]

The things I will be watching for

1. Teammate battles within Mercedes and McLaren
2. Button as team leader
3. Whether Maldonado has become wiser
4. What can Hulkenberg do with Sauber's moderately well rounded car
5. Grosjean

[Wasted Talent]

There's far too much to look forward to hopefully!

How will McLaren do - can Jenson win a second title and how will Perez do?
Agree with the above - can Hulkenburg get a win?
How will Lewis and Nico get on, will the Merc be competitive - probably yes, in some races?
If Massa gets a decent start to the season will he have to start letting Alonso past?
Can Grosjean keep the pace but make less mistakes/have more luck? Will Kimi be even better?
Can di Resta get a podium or two?
Can Marussia and Caterham close the gap?
Will Red Bull dominate again, and will Vettel dominate Webber?
Can Maldonado push- on and how will Bottas do??????

WT

[BDunnell]

Hamilton at Mercedes is, for me, the most interesting prospect in 2013, closely followed by Perez at McLaren.

[Tazio]

Changing my fundamental preference when referring to Lewis from "The Boss" to "The Monster".
That's important :dozey:

[Natalie.S]

I'm most excited about:

- Can Vettel further dominate the sport and if not how will he deal with that
- New race winners Hulkenberg, Perez maybe even di Resta
- Progress if any by the Toro Rosso boys
- Rosberg vs Hamilton
- a Kimi who can challenge from the start of the year
- an all out effort by Ferrari they must win a championship next year

There's so much to look forward to can't wait really

[gloomyDAY]

I'm excited about F1 in 2013 because:

- the new RB chassis and Vettel will beat down the competition.
- Ferrari will lose the WDC, then blame on everyone else except Alonso.
- Bunsen will burn Perez like a chicharon.
- Lewis will have to deal with a slow car, but still beat Rosberg.
- Renault (Lotus) will have to fire Grosjean for excessive crashes midseason.
- as Bottas beats Maldonado, the Williams garage will split.
- the McLaren team will hate life and end the season in 5th.
- Brawn and Niki Lauda will get into a fight at some point.

[Tazio]

Mercedes being a new fav team :)

[Koz]

I think this is potentially McLaren's weakest lineup since before Lauda in the 1980s. I'd love to see what they do.
How Rosberg will perform against Hamilton is the biggest question for me.
Will Massa's keep improving? How will Alonso handle it?

[zako85]

I think this is potentially McLaren's weakest lineup since before Lauda in the 1980s. I'd love to see what they do.

Perhaps. At the same time, McLaren was showing signs of having the fastest car throughout 2012. If they deliver a dominant car that doesn't break, Button and Perez could be big players in the 2013 championship.

[wedge]

Can't say I'm too excited about this season. I'm more excited about the next with radical changes.

Only thing the appetite has come close to being whetted is Lewis getting the maximum from the MGP/shades of 2009 season.

2013 Pirellis will be different to last year's with wider contact patch, different construction and tyre surface profile which will mean low tyre deg. Hopefully we will have the same style of racing as we did in the last half of 2012. The racing was too contrived for my liking with the tyre lottery and a habit of DRS being too effective. I prefer seeing the drivers and cars on the limit - maximum attack but not "egg shells".

[IceWizard]

The teamate battles between McLaren at Mercedes are number one on the list for me. I'm hoping that Jenson Button can recapture some of his 2010 and 11 form as if Perez beats him in his first season at Mc then I fear Jenson's F1 career could be up when his current contract expires. I think the Mercedes battle could be quite close. On one hand I'd like to see Hamilton triumph, but on the other if Rosberg gets beaten easily then it doesn't say much about Schumacher's driving in 2012, which I think was actually pretty decent.

[steveaki13]

I am not that excited yet about 2013, as I have a feeling it will be a Vettel whitewash.

However thgat said the Mercedes situation is going to be good. Can Mercedes design a season long front runner and can Hamilton rock Mercedes out of their slumber?

[zako85]

.. then I fear Jenson's F1 career could be up when his current contract expires.

Which is a long time time from now, didn't he sign something like a 5 year long contract in 2011? Either way, if he stays four more years and then retires, by most measures, his career by then will be considered relatively long and successful, and the exit fairly timely. I personally would not want to see him become a new Barrichello or Trulli.

[Koz]

Perhaps. At the same time, McLaren was showing signs of having the fastest car throughout 2012. If they deliver a dominant car that doesn't break, Button and Perez could be big players in the 2013 championship.

And yet Button did nothing with it, while Lewis was always fighting and let down reliability at the front...

My point is a dominant car may not be enough, the car has to be perfect for Button to shine, and I don't think that'll be a likely scenario for long enough to affect the championship.

[rjbetty]

I am not that excited yet about 2013, as I have a feeling it will be a Vettel whitewash.

However thgat said the Mercedes situation is going to be good. Can Mercedes design a season long front runner and can Hamilton rock Mercedes out of their slumber?

Hmmm I don't know Aki. I hope that isn't the case. Adrian Newey has said that Red Bull's 2013 preparations have been compromised by their battle in 2012. He's also spoken about the law of diminishing returns that happens with 'stable' rules. Then again, maybe he's just saying these things... I am aware that Red Bull might have dominated McLaren 98 style if all that stuff hadn't been banned through 2012.

Alonso and Ferrari just need to improve by 4 points to beat Vettel this time. They surely won't start that badly again. BUT then neither will Red Bull probably suffer the way they also did at the start of 2012. Also, Massa may be more of a problem for Alonso than he was last year.

Hard to tell with McLaren. They have been generally building and getting closer every year since 2009 so they may make another step ahead. I agree with Koz about Button. He is title material, but only if the car is... I think Perez is far too inconsistent to win the title yet.

I'm interested to see what Lotus can do as they seem to have been quietly building year on year, just like the Enstone team were from 2001-06 actually, so they may produce a car that is right there. With Kimi's rust shaken off and confidence high, he could be in with a real shout. Their development in 2012 was a concern but it seems this may simply have been from taking a wrong turn in their direction (DDRS etc). Once they dumped that, they seemed to close the gap again somewhat. I wanna see what Grosjean can do cos he stood out so much early on last year, but I feel he could be a little more subdued this time...

Hoping Williams will make a significant step up and Maldonado will be more consistent and reliable, but I've found out that Mark Gillan has now left :( so progress may be stymied. Also, if you think about it, the teams all seem more competitive because the blown diffusers were banned. The thing is is that Williams were probably slightly behind Sauber but ahead of Force India. In other words their true place may still be the midfield rather than at the front around Ferrari/Lotus/Mercedes territory.

Hard to tell with Sauber too. James Key has left - the team grew in competitiveness after he joined, so now he's gone...? They may lose ground compared to 2012. But then again, Sergio Perez has said he expects Sauber to take another step forward and maybe even win a couple of races! What's more, they have what I feel is a stronger driver leading the team... :)

Force India have impressed me by making a significant step forward every single year without fail. I wouldn't be surprised to see them edge a little (or who knows, even a lot!) closer once again. Mystery driver no.2 will surely be weaker than Hulkenberg though.

Toro Rosso have been told they aren't good enough by the boss and changes have been made. The drivers are now more experienced so 2013 could be to 2012 like 2011 was compared to 2010 for Alguersuari and Buemi. They have a LOT of ground in the WCC to make up though, but it would be nice to see them mixing it a bit more in the pack this year. Would be amazing for Ricciardo to get that podium he has aimed for - he knows it's very ambitious but it's good to aim high (especially since Dr Marko expects wins because Vettel got one!)

Caterham - I have been really supporting these guys and the other 2 teams, but I am disappointed to see Tony Fernandes kinda quitting. That and lack of cash looks like stopping the progress. Since the 2013 car will just be the 2012 car with some extra bits, they may even drop back a little further off the pace, and behind Marussia even... Disappointing (I know I said that already, but I feel it so much I wanted to say it again :( ).

Marussia - Very interested to see how they progress with KERS (at least an extra 0.4sec per lap!), a fully windtunnel developed car, and Pat Symonds officially onboard. The signs look promising that they can make a good step forward. However, being over 4sec off the pace in 2012 seems to much to bridge at the moment to Toro Rosso etc.

ALL these things are really interesting to me. :)


But then again, it may be as Aki said and be a Red Bull whitewash... :( 2014 looks like it'll spread everyone out again (boo)

[Wasted Talent]

And yet Button did nothing with it, while Lewis was always fighting and let down reliability at the front...

My point is a dominant car may not be enough, the car has to be perfect for Button to shine, and I don't think that'll be a likely scenario for long enough to affect the championship.

No he did nothing.....three wins and three seconds count for nothing.

Don't worry, McLaren know exactly what they have in Jenson and they are very happy with who they have for next season

WT

[Ranger]

Hoping that:

- Webber maintains his best form throughout an entire season.
- The WDC goes down to the last race, I would hate to see another 2011.
- Grosjean pulling his head in and possibly winning a race.
- Williams winning another race or two.

That will be all for now, methinks.

[Bagwan]

I am really looking forward to seeing a good car from Mercedes .
They've been really quiet , but for the shoe lamenting the big money spent at Red Bull , as though he's pumping for some new finance for the team .

That's got to be a red herring , as he kinda disses the red team at the same time , and with it , his own achievements , as being down to the money spent .

I think it has to be obvious now , that they stopped development of that chassis in favour of next year's relatively early , and that may have been the tipping point for Lewis in this .


Now , all that said , the real reason I want to see this is that I would love to see the battle between Lewis and Jenson , as I think it would be epic , not just because of the drivers , but because of the history involved .

I'm also excited about hearing Pirelli talking about making the tires a little more sketchy , as they were a bit too easy last year .

[airshifter]

The best thing for me is that until the cars start hitting the track.... it's all just speculation anyway. Subtle changes can lead a car to suit one or the other driver better, and every off season creates changes.

I'm real interested to see how Perez and Hamilton do. One proven driver moving to a "lesser" car and a newer driver moving to a more "proven" car. It might be hard to judge how well Perez is doing though, as it seems Jenson is more particular than many drivers on how a car handles and is set up.

[Koz]

No he did nothing.....three wins and three seconds count for nothing.

Sure they do, but that isn't the whole story is it?
I think he underperformed with the machinery that he had.

[Knock-on]

I think Mercedes will sirprise a lot of people as will the McLaren. Lewis will monster the Merc and Jens will glide the Macca to a very interesting season.

Alonso will be in the mix and if any of them are on par with the Bull, then Vettel will get eaten.

Then we have possible changes with Bernie stepping aside which will start a bun fight with the teams scrapping for tit-bits.

All in all, it could be an interesting year.

[Tazio]

I think Mercedes will sirprise a lot of people as will the McLaren. Lewis will monster the Merc and Jens will glide the Macca to a very interesting season.

Alonso will be in the mix and if any of them are on par with the Bull, then Vettel will get eaten.

Then we have possible changes with Bernie stepping aside which will start a bun fight with the teams scrapping for tit-bits.

All in all, it could be an interesting year. Thanks for helping spread Hamilton's new nick-name I created.
http://www.motorsportforums.com/f1/156726-things-you-most-excited-about-f1-2013-a.html
I hope he really whips some ass this season. :angryfire :p :

http://www.mlbcapwholesale.com/images/caps/Monster%20Energy%20Hats/Blue&Black%2059fifty%20ID6500330.jpg

[Tazio]

The teamate battles between McLaren at Mercedes are number one on the list for me. I'm hoping that Jenson Button can recapture some of his 2010 and 11 form as if Perez beats him in his first season at Mc then I fear Jenson's F1 career could be up when his current contract expires. I think the Mercedes battle could be quite close. On one hand I'd like to see Hamilton triumph, but on the other if Rosberg gets beaten easily then it doesn't say much about Schumacher's driving in 2012, which I think was actually pretty decent.I've never been a big fan of "Jense" but I don't see him going down without a fight. I've watched his F1 career unfold and has proven to me that he can jack his team partner (at times / for a season at least) no matter who it was. He is much better than he was and not just because he has driven better machinery at his last two teams, he has polish. Poncho Gonzales better come in with his dukes up or JB is likely to knock him out by the third round. And what if his F1 career finished when his current contract expires, he has acquitted himself well for his talent I'd say, and will move on to what I believe to be a prestigious post driving career, however he is not one of my homeboys so I can understand your concern. Plus who are they going to replace him with? Will di Resta have gotten his mind right in another year, I doubt it?
They'd have to replace him with Alonso :confused: :bandit:
I don't see Lewis doing the monster mash on Britney in 2013, NR is as fast as or faster than JB, just not quite (by a hair) as sure footed IMO, But that might just be the car. :bandit:

[Big Ben]

that there's going to be that one thing you could do on a Sunday afternoon if nothing better comes up.

[driveace]

Well I still think the Bulls will be strong,and Vettel winning lots of races BUT this will be boring again ,SO I hope the Merc can be quick out of the box,and Lewis takes some good imfo from his old team,and the dark horse could be Kimi. Alonso will be there too,if the Italians can get the red car sorted.Think probably Massa and Webber are in the last year with their present teams too .

[CNR]

with lewis and Mercedes both hard on tyres how many laps before pit stops

[zako85]

I would strongly disagree with those predicting that 2013 will be a boring year because Vettel will likely win.

Yes, Vettel won this year, again, but was 2012 a boring year? Not at all. Fernando Alonso lost by just a few points, and a banal lucky or unlucky event could have swayed the championship competition either way. Considering that there will be relatively little technical regulation changes in 2013, we can expect once again a year with a closely spread field of cars and lots of close competition. The only relative disappointment to me is that it's possible that Lewis Hamilton once again will not be driving a car that's as good as he deserves.

[steveaki13]

I would strongly disagree with those predicting that 2013 will be a boring year because Vettel will likely win.

Yes, Vettel won this year, again, but was 2012 a boring year? Not at all. Fernando Alonso lost by just a few points, and a banal lucky or unlucky event could have swayed the championship competition either way. Considering that there will be relatively little technical regulation changes in 2013, we can expect once again a year with a closely spread field of cars and lots of close competition. The only relative disappointment to me is that it's possible that Lewis Hamilton once again will not be driving a car that's as good as he deserves.


On the other hand, though the rules are stable and Red BUll finally got the hang of 2012 at the end, with Vettel winning 4 or 5 races and being way faster in Brazil. So if its stable from the end of the season Vettel could be quite unstoppable.

[jens]

First glimpse of view on 2013 tells that probably we are not going to get a ground-breaking year with the regulations relatively stable for the last year and the same teams still expected to be at the top. Still, it can be a great season of racing, like 2008 was despite being the last season of a set of regulations. Or like 1997 was.

I have to agree with those, who say that the performances of Pérez and Hamilton are among the most exciting prospects of the new season. Thankfully we have finally got a change in the line-ups of top teams, so some new blood has got a chance to take on the big guns.

In addition to that I have to admit that I am really looking forward to seeing some new drivers in the places of Webber and Massa soon too. Those guys have been hanging around for some time and are hardly going to grab a WDC any more. But still, for a change to happen a midfield driver really has to impress to convince a top team to hire him. So in addition to SP/LH performances I am also excited about several young guns in the midfield (Hülkenberg, Ricciardo, Vergne, Bottas, but why not Maldonado, Grosjean, the two Force India drivers and whoever else can impress as well) and whether they can impress enough to get their careers really take off and join top teams.

[Knock-on]

Possibly Paddy Lowe to join Toto at Mercedes?

The Mercedes Monster is gathering speed. I wonder if the people that laughed at me when I said Lewis will be in the hunt for the title this year are still laughing :D

[steveaki13]

Its looking better and better for Mercedes and their drivers.

I didnt laugh, but I am generally a happy sole.

So Im always laughing.

:laugh:

[AndyL]

Possibly Paddy Lowe to join Toto at Mercedes?

The Mercedes Monster is gathering speed. I wonder if the people that laughed at me when I said Lewis will be in the hunt for the title this year are still laughing :D

I think you are over-optimistic for this year Knockie :) Even if all these changes at the top prove successful in the long run, it will take a while for the effects to work through the team and car. It may even be disruptive enough to set them back in the short term.

[Knock-on]

It's not just this Andy. There have been lots of quiet changes going on at Brackley and I think they're ready to hit the ground running this year. I also think the two drivers they had in 2012 were not getting the most out of the package.

Can't wait. :D

[schmenke]

:s nore:

[rjbetty]

I so wanna see Mercedes succeed but they are once again talking the talk, same thing they do every year Pinky...

I'd like them to win the WDC in 2013. It will happen as soon as I finish looking out of my window watching the aerial bacon display.

*wonders if own words will be on menu in November*

[rjbetty]

I am really looking forward to seeing a good car from Mercedes .
They've been really quiet , but for the shoe lamenting the big money spent at Red Bull , as though he's pumping for some new finance for the team .

That's got to be a red herring , as he kinda disses the red team at the same time , and with it , his own achievements , as being down to the money spent .

I think it has to be obvious now , that they stopped development of that chassis in favour of next year's relatively early, and that may have been the tipping point for Lewis in this.

Sadly they also said this for each of the 2011 and 2012 seasons... And I predict the 2013 car will be abandoned very early to start work on 2014. Mind you, I do tink Mercedes will come good eventually if they actually put some decent money in. Look how hopeless Jaguar used to be, and where they are now (though the cat on the engne cover has now become a bull!)

[steveaki13]

I always wondered if Mercedes would always be looking at 2014 anyway. Massive Engine changes and being Engine designers they might see that as a good place to start and try and grab a real advantage.

[F1boat]

I am looking forward to see Jenson as a leading McLaren driver. I think that he will have an even better season than 2012. I personally hope that the championship battle will be between him and Seb :)

[longisland]

Here's my wish list even some may be remotely possible.

On regulations change;
1) Change in DRS deployment zone. E.G. no DRS allowed in Monza or Sepang. 100% DRS in Monaco & Singapore. In short, more DRS in tight twisty tracks and less DRS in Tilke domes
2) Offer a choice between grid penalty or no constructor's point for gearbox or engine change exceeding the quota
3) Allocate an extra day for testing during race week. Something like the young driver's test in Abu Dhabi except this may be held before or a day after the race
4) Replace the hard standing run off areas with gravel or sand in Tilke domes. Driver's are penalized for deliberately or accidentally cutting through the run offs
5) Extra set of tires allocated for teams getting into Q3 and mandatory lap within 107% lap time of the pole sitter

On teams

1) Caterham and Marussia to score points
2) Williams and Sauber to continue the good form last season
3) Suaber to score maiden victory
4) Mercedes to start challenging the top teams
5) 50 million extra for Lotus to maintain the in season development
6) Fewer mistakes from Mclaren
7) Less complicated Ferrari
8) More reliable Redbull

On drivers

1) Kobayashi and Kubica to return
2) Won't miss Massa, Di Resta, Petrov, Ricciardo & Vergne
3) Hulkenburg, Perez and Grosjean to win a race
4) Fewer silly GP2 mistakes from the likes of Maldonado, Perez & Grosjean
5) Perez outscoring Jenson, Maldonado to score consistent points and Pic & Guitierrez scoring points to shrug off the pay driver tag
6) Chilton, Guetierraz & Bottas to do something special

[Coulthard Fan]

You are a weird one Dr Rappaccini

[Coulthard Fan]

Seeing if Hamilton can turn a very average team into consistant front runners!
Nico is a very average driver nothing special at all! Has some good moments but nothing exciting at all!
I will like to see how Chilton gets on hopefully he can get Marussias first point!

[Coulthard Fan]

If I'm honest I'm more looking forward too the GP2 title race! Hoping Calado can win it, and secure an F1 drive for 2014