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I dunno, it's hard to stay on top after a significant rule change. Also, I believe the FIA has banned Merc's FRIC 2.0 suspension, so even if everything else stayed the same in 2017, Merc would be at a disadvantage right off the bat. Don't get me wrong, HAMBOT are great drivers and I think the car will have a lot going for it, I just think Red Bull, Ferrari, and McLaren are going to be a lot closer this year.

I dunno, maybe it's just wishful thinking.

atg wrote:So in one of the worst kept secrets in F1 Bottas has officially joined Mercedes and Massa comes out from a Mansell-esc retirement.

Will be interesting to see how Bottas goes at Merc. I'm feeling he'll be a solid #2 to Hamilton, but wont push him. Hamilton should be favourite to win the season if Merc can keep their advantage.

Definitely, with their budget and R&D - they are miles ahead of any other team in car performance I think.

Thanas wrote:

atg wrote:So in one of the worst kept secrets in F1 Bottas has officially joined Mercedes and Massa comes out from a Mansell-esc retirement.

Will be interesting to see how Bottas goes at Merc. I'm feeling he'll be a solid #2 to Hamilton, but wont push him. Hamilton should be favourite to win the season if Merc can keep their advantage.

Definitely, with their budget and R&D - they are miles ahead of any other team in car performance I think.

The gap has been getting smaller since 2014, and the rule changes to engine dev and aero do give other teams a big opportunity to play catch up or leapfrog Merc. But yeah they should be favourties still.

atg wrote:

Thanas wrote:

atg wrote:So in one of the worst kept secrets in F1 Bottas has officially joined Mercedes and Massa comes out from a Mansell-esc retirement.

Will be interesting to see how Bottas goes at Merc. I'm feeling he'll be a solid #2 to Hamilton, but wont push him. Hamilton should be favourite to win the season if Merc can keep their advantage.

Definitely, with their budget and R&D - they are miles ahead of any other team in car performance I think.

The gap has been getting smaller since 2014, and the rule changes to engine dev and aero do give other teams a big opportunity to play catch up or leapfrog Merc. But yeah they should be favourties still.

Yeah, about those rule changes....They most likely won't change anything.

Well, it's probably gonna go one of two ways:

1. The increased drag from the larger tires will make engine power king. In that case, Merc will have the edge, because they have the best power unit.
2. The massively increased cornering speeds will make chassis setup more important than raw power. In that case, I'd give the edge to Red Bull, because their chassis always seems to be the best.

I do agree that it's going to be one of the big teams who takes it all. None of the midfield runners have the staff, budget, or skill to develop a winning car, unless they randomly stumble across the perfect setup or get lucky circumstances during the race. But really, I'm not holding my breath for that.