Force India - Mercedes
As a team that invariably produces a solid car year in year out, Force India should be in pretty good shape in 2014. From the start, they have always improved every year in some form. Last season, they only went off the boil because the tyres were changed. They had actually designed a very strong car, and unlike other teams had actually taken into account the tyres. Therefore they had earned their advantage and it was very harsh that it should be taken from them. But it was the right thing to do as the steel belted tyres were too unsafe.

If it hadn't been for that change, plus the fact that the team committed many errors, which saw retirements from strong positions and Paul di Resta sent out of Q1 when the car was good not once, but about 4 times, Force India could most certainly have taken 5th in the WDC ahead of McLaren on merit. That would have been a fine achievement and a confirmation of what the team are capable of.

The operational errors were a real concern though, and they cost di Resta in particular many points. Adrian Sutil was a solid returnee, and actually impressed very much by being on it right away, and it was one of the biggest shames of the season to see him tumble out of the lead towards the end of the Australian GP and just get swallowed up by a mass of cars, and almost his team-mate too. Sutil did lose out a lot too early on when the car was great, but overall he fell a little short of di Resta.

It was a shame that he wasn't able to do more to prevent such a fall in Australia, but more so that he in particular went missing after the car changed mid-season. It would have been nice to see more inspirational moments, as well as avoiding his criticism of the car post season. He can consider himself fortunate to have bagged a Sauber drive, as there are more worthy candidates out there. But he did a good job. Maybe Bianchi wouldn't have banked the same points and the team could have lost 6th, who knows.

But now, in Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez who are both entering their fourth seasons, Force India can boast a line-up that could possibly be their strongest ever - and that includes the Jordan days - if you take into account where the drivers are on their development curve, and go by the performance they can actually be expected and ready to deliver for 2014.

Hulkenberg needs no introductions, and like many, I am a fan and he is one of my favourite drivers. Never once enjoying the year-on-year continuity at a team that is so important, he will have no problems settling in, especially as he already knows the team from recently. Taking into account that like Martin Brundle and Jos Verstappen, Hulk has rarely enjoyed continuity and has always had to settle into new teams (just look at Hamilton to see how hard it can be), it makes his performances maybe even more impressive.

I sing Nico's praises along with the many others who do. But interestingly in Gerhard Berger's interview, he said that Hulk was a little overhyped. Now this takes being as objective and stoic as possible, removing feelings, but despite liking Nico very much, I have thought this.

Hulkenberg is a driver who seems to have few weaknesses. He can qualify, he can race, he hoovers up points as well as showing great flair, he has a good attitude through good times and bad, and is generally one of the nicest genuine guys around. But despite all this, there is a nagging doubt that he may be A+ material, like Hamilton, maybe just A.

Hear me out! I'm just being as realistic as possible and being cautious because if it is the case, it will be found out. I have in mind Giancarlo Fisichella. In a lot of ways, Nico reminds me of him, and part of the reason I support Hulkenberg is that I believe he will go on to the be the driver I hoped Fisi would be. They are similar in that even though Fisi wasn't the all-time greatest, both drivers spent FAR too long in midfield teams while lesser drivers enjoyed the plum seats. They are both capable of amazing underdog results. And they are both among the more likeable people around (though Fisi was rattled during his Renault years, and unfortunately this maybe spilt over to an innocent person or two) - but where these two drivers will differ is that Nico will not wilt in the heat at the top; he is too strong and professional for that.

McLaren dumpee Sergio Perez joins to create an all-new line up, which truth be told was maybe a little stale in 2013. I think Perez may actually surprise some people in how close he is to Hulkenberg - in qualifying trim anyway. Do not see him as a failure, he is still a very worthy driver, and depending on how he has taken his rejection, can either be a strong driver, or sink a bit. But I don't think anyone expects him to genuinely outdo Hulkenberg at all.

If it's all able to gel, Force India should be in for a swag of points. The Mercedes is the engine to have, it appears. Maybe talk of regular podiums and even wins should be cast down for a more realistic single podium, or maybe two.



Grand Prix 2 - F1 2014 Simulation (continued)
Round 9: Britain
Row 1: Mercedes, Nico ahead
Row 2: Red Bull, Ricciardo ahead
Row 3: Ferrari, Raikkonen ahead

They finish this way except Vettel takes 3rd. Alonso was on course for 4th but was overhauled by Ricciardo. The Force India's (Hulk ahead) Grosjean and Magnussen complete the points.


Round 10: Germany - Hockenheim
A good one this.
Top 6 qualifying the same as Silverstone, but Hamilton pole and Nico 4th.
GO! Great start from Rosberg to take the lead. Trouble at the back as Massa's car is launched violently over the turn 1 exit kerb, bounding through the gravel and is out. On lap 2, Button breaks his wing and has to pit. On lap 3 Raikkonen spins! Both at the back fighting through. Raikkonen is pretty much the fastest out there today! Vettel is only 5th, then he retires lap 15. But he is still jammy in that this happened on a rare, less competitive day.