Season's predictions !

[pino]

- Massa to win the drivers title
- Ferrari to win the constructors title
- Jarno to finish the season with a dozen points
- Exciting performances from trio Maldonado/DiResta/Perez
- Full recovery for Kubica

[Dave B]

- Massa to win the drivers title
- Ferrari to win the constructors title
- Jarno to finish the season with a dozen points
- Exciting performances from trio Maldonado/DiResta/Perez
- Full recovery for Kubica

Ha ha.
Ha ha.
Ha ha.
Ha ha.
Agreed.

[jens]

Oh, so these look like proper predictions already rather than just "expectations". :

Looks like it will be between Vettel and Alonso and this year may well turn in the Spaniard's favour if the Ferrari is indeed the best car in tyre management. Webber won't be far behind (more like 2009 than 2010 though) and Massa will have a better season, but not enough for the WDC.

Tricky one is Mercedes. Looks like they may have done a "BMW Sauber 2008" - after long winter testing struggles finally coming back strong by the start of the season. Actually this year with all those tyres and potentially messy races could be a good chance for a relative outsider to have a say in the points race, aka Frentzen '99 or Kubica '08. But for that Rosberg/Schumacher must really capitalize on all the opportunities that might arose (if they really have clear 3rd fastest car and close to Top2). Let's see, what Brawn can think out for that.

Pace-wise Hamilton could beat Button more comfortably since the latter isn't really that good in less than perfect cars. But Button is usually capitalizing well in strategies, so he could make some decent rises in those tyre-chess races from poor grid positions, where he will be after Saturdays far more often this year. Maybe a race win for McLaren in the second half of the season (a'la 04 & 09) if they can improve well.

Heidfeld will put in his usual solid season with consistent points finishes. Barrichello, Kobayashi and perhaps even Alguersuari will have some impressive races, which could even threaten a podium position on a rare occasion. Force India has been underwhelming, but Sutil will be points-material in wet races. Petrov? Points here and there, but still doesn't match Heidfeld for consistency. Maldonado? Pérez? Di Resta? All struggling in the first half of the season, some decent performances in the second half. On average over a full season they all get beaten by team-mates though. Especially for di Resta it is challenging to join F1 circus after 4 years in touring cars.

Lotus opens their points-score. Maybe by the second half of the season they can be closer to the tight midfield and Q3 slots.

Glock may well get fed up of trundling at the back in a lonely fashion in that Virgin and leaves the team after 2011 as a result. Would mean the end of his F1 career? Hard to get into better teams.

[pino]

Ha ha.
Ha ha.
Ha ha.
Ha ha.
Agreed.

I will remember this post and will bring it up at the end of this season :

[BDunnell]

Some utterly rash predictions of my own, then:

Schumacher to win a race. Rosberg to not win a race.

None of the drivers in the three 'new' teams will score a point.

[markabilly]

Schuie wins one last time....
Red Bull marches on unless it gets itself DQ'd for flappy wings or something else

Webber will be very strong early and then something will not go as wellwith his car as it does with Vettel and Vettel will take home the WDC over Alonso, after Ferrari doe something stupid within the pits as to race strategy to keep its record alive for team managers losing races and WDC titles...


what is it up to now? about 5 years or so? or maybe it is just a four year streak....I can not remember

[UltimateDanGTR]

Vettel for champion again after a magnificent fight between himself, Webber and Alonso. Mclaren close points wise by the end of the season but not close enough thanks to poor results in the first few races. Button uses his skills of looking after tyres to really challenge Hamilton, even more than last year.

Rosberg takes at least 1 victory, as does Massa.

Virgin and HRT fail to score points, but Lotus manage a handful.

Maldanado is slower than the Hulk, Ricciardo gets a driver at STR before the season ends, Di Resta is on the pace of Sutil and the Sauber drivers shine.

and I'll be brave and say Heidfeld claims a race victory.

[keysersoze]

Button is a master at managing tires: I predict he will be outqualifed (naturally) but will generally finish ahead of Lewis. If Pirelli starts to produce harder tires Lewis will probably benefit the most.

Massa will narrow the gap significantly between himself and Fernando.

Petrov-Heidfeld qualifying battle will be even.

Rosberg gets his first win.

Both Heike and Jarno outscore both Toro Rosso drivers, and Tost will run both Buemi and Alguersuari (sp?) out of the team.

[CNR]

some drivers will not be as hard on their tyres and will need one less pitstop
1/2 the number redbull pole positions

[Tazio]

Schuie wins one last time....
Red Bull marches on unless it gets itself DQ'd for flappy wings or something else

Webber will be very strong early and then something will not go as wellwith his car as it does with Vettel and Vettel will take home the WDC over Alonso, after Ferrari doe something stupid within the pits as to race strategy to keep its record alive for team managers losing races and WDC titles...


what is it up to now? about 5 years or so? or maybe it is just a four year streak....I can not remember

Kimi 2007 3 years since they put a beat down in the WDC. You breaking the stead fast rule of the pusher You are drinkig your own Kool-aid