2016 Pecking Order Speculation and Fantasy Thread

[SiLo]

I just get the feeling Ferrari will be incredibly frustrated when they close the gap again but still find themselves 2nd or 3rd in most of the races.

[Juzh]

RB to dominate like they did in pre-V6 years.

[SiLo]

RB to dominate like they did in pre-V6 years.

Ambitious!

[PlatinumZealot]

Everyone is overlooking Toro Rosso as a top three car even with the mighty 2015 Ferrari engine. They had just as much downforce potential as the top teams we just didn't see it because they purposely ran the car with low DF. I know where I am placing my bets!

[Nathanael F1]

Everyone is overlooking Toro Rosso as a top three car even with the mighty 2015 Ferrari engine. They had just as much downforce potential as the top teams we just didn't see it because they purposely ran the car with low DF. I know where I am placing my bets!

I don't see how that will happen. I think a 2016 PU will have a significant advantage over a 2015 PU.

[efuloni]

At the end of the season this is what we will see on WCC:

1. Mercedes
2. Ferrari
.
.
3. Williams
4. Red Bull
.
5. Aston Martin / FI
6. Toro Rosso
7. McLaren
.
.
9. Renault
10. Sauber
11. Haas
12. Ex-Manor

[nanocustic]

I might want to put Ferrari closer to Mercedes with the whole Hoylegate thing hehe

[PlatinumZealot]

Everyone is overlooking Toro Rosso as a top three car even with the mighty 2015 Ferrari engine. They had just as much downforce potential as the top teams we just didn't see it because they purposely ran the car with low DF. I know where I am placing my bets!

I don't see how that will happen. I think a 2016 PU will have a significant advantage over a 2015 PU.

Won't be more than 20hp I bet. Engines soon approach limiting returns.

[FW17]

In case Ferrari and Mercedes are dead equal and only tyre choices differentiating them..............

Mercedes play the pseudo number 1 policy with LH and RB

While Ferrari have a clear number 1 with Vettel from race 1

Will KR finish the season with Ferrari or have an explosive blowup and leave?

[SiLo]

In case Ferrari and Mercedes are dead equal and only tyre choices differentiating them..............

Mercedes play the pseudo number 1 policy with LH and RB

While Ferrari have a clear number 1 with Vettel from race 1

Will KR finish the season with Ferrari or have an explosive blowup and leave?

I can already see Rosbergs face for the entire season if that happens.

[livinglikethathuh]

In case Ferrari and Mercedes are dead equal and only tyre choices differentiating them..............

Mercedes play the pseudo number 1 policy with LH and RB

While Ferrari have a clear number 1 with Vettel from race 1

Will KR finish the season with Ferrari or have an explosive blowup and leave?

With RB you meant Nico Rosberg, not Red Bull, I presume?

In that case you're right, having a clear #1 will help Ferrari.

I dont believe Kimi will get angry with it, he's happy with being the #2 at Ferrari and he loves Vettel, so no big deal.

[WaikeCU]

Everyone is overlooking Toro Rosso as a top three car even with the mighty 2015 Ferrari engine. They had just as much downforce potential as the top teams we just didn't see it because they purposely ran the car with low DF. I know where I am placing my bets!

I don't see how that will happen. I think a 2016 PU will have a significant advantage over a 2015 PU.

This, sadly. I wonder how this would pan out when putting tokens to use in upgrading the PU. Will Ferrari further support the 2015 PU? Or are upgrades only made on the 2016 PU.

[ME4ME]

My basic 2016 expectations:

- Ferrari to catch up to Mercedes but not beat them. Vettel in with a shot of taking WDC.
- Hamilton meltdown
- Williams drop down the order (they don't seem to know what they're doing, operationally one of the worst teams, car has performed badly in slippery conditions since 2014, they didn't solve that in 2015)
- Renault at the back of the grid racing Sauber
- Sauber to be as lackluster as in 2015
- Toro Rosso taking a big leap forwards thanks to better reliability
- Force India to continue to impress
- Red Bull to be stuck with the same PU deficiency
- Mclaren-Honda taking a big step forward, but not enough for podium finishes
- Manor to stay at the back of the grid
- Haas to be hugely inconsistent. Still better drivers and PU then Renault..
- Last year for Kvyat at Red Bull. Massa to leave at the end of "16, Kvyat to take his seat.

Mercedes - Ferrari - Force India - Williams - Toro Rosso - Red Bull - Mclaren - Haas - Renault - Sauber - Manor

(last 4 teams rarely taking any points at all)

[erlik]

My prediction: exactly the same situation as 2015 (except some team names changed).

My fantasy: Mercedes/Ferrari (hard battle for WDC/WCC) ... 0,3s off everyone else (close to the first two teams, battle for podium finish and maybe some win) .... except Marussia / Sauber (ok, I am not fantasizing that much )

[continuum16]

WCC:
Merc (9-10 wins)
Ferrari (7-8 wins)
+<.3s Williams (1-2 wins, none after summer break)
+<.5s FI/Aston (good strategy, could steal a win)
+<.5s McHonda (win near end)
+<.7s. STR
+<.6s RBR (not as reliable as STR)
+<1.1s Renault
+<1.3s Haas
+<1.3s Sauber
+<1.5s Manor

All teams will score at some point

WDC:
VET (7 wins)
ROS (7 wins)
HAM (4 wins, has meltdown when things don't go his way, huge rift at Mercedes)
BOT (1-2 wins, top 6 at every race)
RAI (1 win)
PER (maybe a win, 2-3 podiums)
MAS (handful of podiums)
BUT (surprise win, maybe Singapore, podium or 2)
HUL (a podium, nothing spectacular, just solid)
VES (podium unlikely, not impossible)
ALO (unmotivated, beaten by button in average car, leaves/retires)
KVY
SAI
RIC
GRO (will destroy GUT, signed as kimis replacement)
PAL
MAL
NAS
GUT
ERI
RSI
STE