Just hope 1-2 teams have not aced it.
More 2010/12 style multi driver WDC WCC please.
I'm in the same boat. Lat year they technically had the largest jump in pace of any team, but they were so far off in 2020 that it did not register in the points haul. This is despite not having the improved Ferrari engine in the second half of the year. I think the PU gain will easily be 0.5s per lap relative to their 2021 pace. At the last reg change in 2017 they had a real cash problem, so I'm not really sure how they are going to fare in new regs with a decent budget.
Don’t underestimate the force of having a few thousand of BMW engineers in the background during those years, same with Daimler, that makes a big difference, whatever your budget is.PlatinumZealot wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 6:11 pmThanks to sponsors Zhou attracted, Sauber will is close to the budget cap for 2022. Can only be a good thing for their development. The last time Sauber had good budget they were podium contenders. When they had manufacturer budget they contended for wins.
With 2 years old chassis and engine in 2020, and 3 years old chassis and engine in 2021, Renault/Alpine finished 5th in the championship (and fought for P3 when that car wasnt too old). So I doubt they finish 7th in 2022, with a chassis and engine that they focussed on in the last 3 years... and with the capped budget...*gcdugas wrote: ↑Sat Feb 05, 2022 11:07 pm1. I think that there will be more emphasis on suspension than ever before. Maintaining an effective "seal" with the new underbody tunnels will be high on everyone's list. Added to that the 18" lower profile tyres will require more movement and compliance from the actual suspension components than the old 13" tyres with taller sidewalls. Traditionally McLaren has always excelled in this area.
2. But also traditionally, in any year with massive new aero rules, Adrian Newey cars were the best out of the chute right away. True in 1996, 1998 and 2010 after the 2009 blown diffuser was outlawed. Adrian always debuted his cars very mature and it took the rest of the grid a full year to achieve 85% aero parity.
3. And we can't rule out that some midfield team sees something in the regs that everyone else misses. Look at 2009 when Ross Brawn saw the blown diffuser and they owned the rest of the grid for the first dozen races before Newey and Vettel could give them any trouble.
4. Merc traditionally excels at tyre temp management. Supposedly the 2022 tyres can be raced more aggressively for longer. This could gather the field closer if less is to be gained via brake heat to the rims etc.
5. Because of suspension issues, I would not be surprised to see McLaren beat Mercedes on merit for 2022 before Merc catches up in 2023. I think Red Bull is the favorite to win both titles this year... unless Ferrari surprises, and it would be a huge surprise. A dark horse would be for Renault's new engine architecture to bear fruit and move them into the top four a head of Ferrari.
Constructors Championship
1. Red Bull
2. Mac or Merc
3. Merc or Mac
4. Ferrari
5. Alpha Tauri
6. Aston Martin
7. Renault
8. Alfa Romeo
9. Haas
10. Williams
Wishful thinking should not affect speculations, though.Neno wrote: ↑Sun Feb 06, 2022 11:51 amIf Alpine is anything worse than top 4 and not in fight in podium for every race they are by 2025 out F1. So when you speculate doogie poo like that for 2022. You speculate manufacturers leaving F1. So I want you to include that into yours speculations and wishes.
Wishful thinking is everything what everyone writes in this thread. Which includes you. It's in definition of this thread under word speculation.DChemTech wrote: ↑Sun Feb 06, 2022 12:21 pmWishful thinking should not affect speculations, though.Neno wrote: ↑Sun Feb 06, 2022 11:51 amIf Alpine is anything worse than top 4 and not in fight in podium for every race they are by 2025 out F1. So when you speculate doogie poo like that for 2022. You speculate manufacturers leaving F1. So I want you to include that into yours speculations and wishes.
A team leaving due to persistent poor results may be a consequence, but why should it affect any predictions/speculations on pecking order?
If we want to really go back to the good old days, how about Ferrari, Alfa Romeo and Mercedes battling for the title? Pirelli were part of that too, of course. It fits the idea perfectly! And it would give a nice three team battle. What more could the fans ask?
If this gives us a super season why notJust_a_fan wrote: ↑Mon Feb 07, 2022 10:34 amIf we want to really go back to the good old days, how about Ferrari, Alfa Romeo and Mercedes battling for the title? Pirelli were part of that too, of course. It fits the idea perfectly! And it would give a nice three team battle. What more could the fans ask?