Mercedes
Big things are expected of the former BAR team this year. They have long been built up as the favourites, and we have been hearing things like their engine having a 100bhp advantage. There is a lot of hype going on here.

But my instinct tells me that though Mercedes will duly enjoy their best season yet, and seem set to at least consolidate their standing as the 2nd best team, there is still more hype than substance. I don't see them utterly dominating and Red Bull struggling. But they certainly have their best chance ever of major success.

Much of this depends on which Lewis Hamilton we are getting for 2014. I am a huge fan of Lewis - his 2007 is just about the most impressive thing I've ever seen - but I am now going to say some strong things: I agree with Gerhard Berger's recent assertations, and the time has come for me to accept that Lewis is (currently) not the (overall) best driver in F1 (as he is at the moment) (please take note of the words in brackets - this is not set in stone forever) though fastest is something else...

I will lay it out now frankly, and say that until he gets rid of that woman for good, Lewis will never ever achieve his full potential - which is a shame as I think he is faster and more gifted than Sebastian Vettel. Or Fernando Alonso. And especially Kimi Raikkonen. I fully agree with The Black Knight (or was it Truefan32 - I get them two mixed up you know) who a year ago said Nicole messes Lewis up.

All this means that it could well be Nico Rosberg who is professional enough to take up the fight. If the Mercedes is really as good as some hope, I see him getting the WDC job done this year. He seems a driver who does better in a better car and comes ahead of Lewis more through studious, diligent work and application than outright raw talent I feel. I mean imagine Nico winning in a pig of a car. His wins have all come from the front/been inherited. Lewis is still the one who transcends.

Nico surprised most of us last year with his closeness in pace and performance to Hamilton. This led to some hyperbole and stuff saying he was better than Hamilton. I've tried to be as objective as I can, but still fully believe that Hamilton did marginally the better job.

Vettel will be very hard for either to beat. Daniel Ricciardo however, should be rather easier. Therefore, though the WDC may be out of reach again (by a little or a lot?), the WCC can be a real possibilty.



Ferrari
Another season, another set of hopes for the titles. This is beginning to look like the late 90's all over again. To be blunt, why are things going to be different this time? Do not think that just because the ruies have changed and everyone starts from zero, that this in itself means that Ferrari will suddenly be transformed. There is no real reason to think so. In fact, the team don't seem as good as Red Bull, so if anything, major regulation changes are prime conditions for the scud to lose yet more ground.

This may seem rather downbeat, but I have spent too many years stoking up high hopes during the pre-season only to see them dashed come the racing proper, as cold hard reality hits. Sadly, it seems there is no magic in F1. Alonso and Raikkonen could find themselves consigned to 4th and 5th places this season with not too many podiums.

This is though, pretty much the worse case scenario. Or is it? Are they going to do another 2012? I think not, and even if the worst happens, they should be fairly safe in 3rd in the constructors.

Having said all this, there are reasons to hope. Ferrari have realised that desperate times call for desperate measures(my-spacebar-has-gone-again,I-will-return-later-with-more...)