We’ve reached the final day in Formula One preview week here on The Lowdown. As is always the case, we end the week with predictions for the upcoming season. While the head of the field isn’t going to change, it is fun to take a look at how the rest of the grid might finish this season while they all play catch-up to Mercedes.
Formula One
F1 Power Rankings: Australian Grand Prix
Just because it’s season preview time doesn’t mean that we can’t continue with some usual features on the blog. As we are wont to do before every Grand Prix weekend, it’s time for the Formula One Power Rankings. Ahead of this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix, it’s a look at who is most likely to do well at the open round of the 2015 Formula One World Championship.
F1 2015 Season Preview: Drivers and Teams
For the third day of our 2015 Formula One season preview is a look at the drivers and teams that are contesting this year’s World Championship. We’re down one team from 2014 as Caterham has closed up shop despite a crowdfunded last ditch effort to pick up some prize money at Abu Dhabi. There are also a few driver changes at the head of the field to go over as well. It’s not a completely overhauled grid but there some big changes that you’ll want to go over before the Australian Grand Prix.
F1 2015 Pre-Season News Roundup
The second day of The Lowdown’s week-long preview of the 2015 Formula One World Championship continues with some of the recent big news that has occurred. While we’ll be covering the big driver and team moves heading into 2015 in tomorrow’s post, there was plenty more happening in the off-season. Chief among those stories are the on-again, off-again entry of Marussia in the 2015 championship and the fallout from Fernando Alonso’s accident at the Barcelona test.
F1 2015 Season Preview: Rules Changes
We’re less than one week from the 2015 Formula One World Championship. As is often the case, the season kicks off on the streets of Albert Park in Melbourne, Australia. The first day of our week-long Formula One season preview kicks things off with a look at the new rules for Formula One for the 2015 season. Unlike last season which saw wholesale rules changes with a new sets of engine, ERS and gearbox rules, this season sees a far smaller set of rules changes. This year, there are tweaks to the engine limit, aerodynamic regulations, sporting regulations and more.
Formula One: 2015 2nd Barcelona Test Recap
With less than two weeks to go before the first Grand Prix of the season in Melbourne, the second test at the Circuit de Catalunya near Barcelona was the final chance that the teams got to get ready for the 2015 season.
For some teams, it was more of the same. Mercedes was at the front of the pack while McLaren struggled to get some consistent running in. Other teams found some much-needed form. Williams found some speed in the final test of the pre-season and Force India finally ran their 2015 car with as much mileage in three days as McLaren had in three weeks.
Formula One: 2015 Barcelona Test Recap
After barely making it to the first test at Jerez after firing up the car for the first time the day before the test started, Lotus showed that the Mercedes engine is a lovely piece of kit. Two of the four days of the Barcelona were topped by Lotus, including the top time of the weekend.
While Lotus thrived, the likes of Red Bull, Ferrari, Williams Mercedes and McLaren all struggled for consistency during the first test at a track on the 2015 Formula One calendar. Sure, Mercedes is likely to dominate F1 for the second straight year but everyone looks a little vulnerable in testing.
Formula One: 2015 Jerez Test Recap
Usually the Formula One off-season seems to last forever before the stars of F1’s travelling circus return to the track for pre-season testing. However, if the two-month layoff between Abu Dhabi and Jerez seemed short to you, imagine how short it must have seemed for the teams.
After this first test, the off-season probably seemed far too short for McLaren who barely got any running in over the four days. Lotus was also hoping for a longer break as they missed the first day because they only fired their new Mercedes engine for the first time the day before the test began.
Up front, two of the familiar suspects found themselves frequently near the front of the timesheets with a very unexpected pair of faces in the top two all week.
Formula One: 2014 Abu Dhabi Post-Season Test Recap
While the 2014 Formula One World Championship may have wrapped up last week, that doesn’t mean that work has finished for the teams of the Formula One World Championship. After the season finale, the teams stayed on for another couple of days to learn some last lessons from their 2014 cars and start work on 2015.
F1 Power Rankings: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
So we’ve reached the final race of the 2014 Formula One World Championship. Normally, the 17 point gap between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg would be insurmountable under normal circumstances. However, thanks to the wonder that is double points, he’s not out of it yet. A couple of positions between the Silver Arrows can mean the difference between a championship and 2nd place.
You know, I didn’t like the idea of NASCAR’s new Chase format (or any of their Chase formats) but it worked brilliantly in practice. I don’t think double points is going to win anyone over unless Lewis wins the title. Even then, no one will like it.
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