intra-team battles: why 2014 is a great year for F1

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zeph
zeph
1
Joined: 07 Aug 2010, 11:54
Location: Los Angeles

intra-team battles: why 2014 is a great year for F1

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With all the negative threads here in the General Chat section, I'd like to have a thread about something good in F1 this year, the intra-team battles!

The most visible right now is -of course- between Hamilton and Rosberg, but think about it:

Vettel/Ricciardo
If it wasn’t for the DSQ, Ricciardo would be ahead by 7 points right now. He also out-qualified Vettel twice, and while the grid penalty caused him to start the race from P13, he finished fourth, with Vettel starting from P11 and finishing sixth.
I don’t necessarily think he is better or quicker, but he sure seems ready for the challenge. And I don’t think Vettel is gonna take that lying down.

Button/Magnussen
Only three points apart in the WDC, the rookie took Button to task in AUS, whereas the former champ had the upper hand in the second and third race. I think Button’s experience gives him the upper hand for now, but how long that will be the case remains to be seen.

Alonso/Raikkonen
So far it looks like Alonso has got this sown up, but I don’t expect it to stay that way. I still think Alonso will end up higher in the final standings than Raikkonen, but I don’t doubt that the latter will give him much more competition in the races ahead. It is unfortunate that they have to slug it out with a donkey cart tied to their back.

Hulkenberg/Perez
Both have a point to prove, and it looks like they have a car to do it with. Hulk looks more consistent overall, but today Perez showed that he can beat his teammate when everything is working for him.

Massa/Bottas
Massa has made it clear that he is not gonna back down for anybody, least of all his young upstart teammate. Bottas may be a little quicker, but twice he has not been able to overtake his more experienced colleague.

Vergne/Kvyat
I have been surprised by the rookie! He seems ready and able to challenge Vergne.

I haven't seen enough of the other teams to really know what's going on there, but there'll be similar challenges there, no doubt!

Moxie
Moxie
5
Joined: 06 Oct 2013, 20:58

Re: intra-team battles: why 2014 is a great year for F1

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I most strongly disagree!!! I must admit that the Hamilton/Rosberg battle for the lead was fun to watch. However, for much of the points paying positions ran in two by two formation. Inter-team battles are often an interesting side story, but a side story none the less. Once again I think we will watching a season where the interesting battles are for rank in the middle of the field.