Dragging up an old chestnut:


So into the 4th race, how are the pre-season predictions shaping up now?


Incredibly, I am finding many similarities between the season and the simulated season I ran on Grand Prix 2! (It's here in this thread)

I had Red Bull only slightly off Mercedes (which I think they would be if there wasn't such a power deficiency in the Renault) I had Renault only 30bhp off in GP2. The big surprise in my season was the great initial form of Daniel Ricciardo, whereas Seb seemed slightly weak compared to his usual self. Incredibly, this is how it has turned out! I had Ricciardo consistently qualifying in the top few positions and getting strong podiums while Seb was more up and down and seemed to suffer more problems.


Mercedes are pretty much as expected, though on second thoughts, far ahead. They seem to have pace in hand. In my season, they were still very strong, though not totally dominant, but lost the title through so much misfortune, losing big results. In reality, they are getting the results, only failing Lewis in Melbourne.


As for Ferrari, well I had them 0.7 off but able to benefit thru reliability. They have turned out much worse.


In my Australia season, Kevin Magnussen starred in qualifying as he did in real life, while Jenson was 11th, as he was in real life! Ricciardo and Hamilton were on the front row as in real life. Bottas and Hulkenberg were around 7th to 8th with Perez 16th and Kobayashi doing well. Kobayashi had a significant turn 1 crash in Melbourne, as in real life! Vergne and Kvyat ran in the top 10 early on, as in real life (though Daniil retired in the game).


In my season, I had McLaren 4th best, but still quite a way from the top, though improved on the miserable 2013. Kevin Magnussen actually outscored Button in the end due to double points and scoring a shock win at Spa due to attrition.

The only thing I got really wrong was Ferrari being stronger in the game, despite being 0.7sec off, and surprisingly winning both titles through reliability.