2012: Is it the Beginning of the End?

Whether you are someone who believes in superstitious or in facts, 2012 is a special year. This is the year when the Mayan calender ends, End of the World Doomsday has been predicted for this year as per astronomically or even astrologically, Lots of events are in pipeline. This is year when we are going to find out if the Planet X-Nibiru really collides with Earth or Is it about the severe solar storm that is gonna be good enough for destroying the planet. Or will severe natural disaster happen which might be the root to the end of the world. We really have not much time left to know of these things. {It has to be noted that Pirelli are really worried about this, At a recently concluded test in Barcelona, Pirelli supplied tyres that was not brought in from its factory in Turkey which generally deals with race weekend tyres, Instead the tyres supplied to the teams were from unspecified location and this move was aimed to compare the tyres from this location are upto the mark as per the ones back in Turkey factory. This is to ensure in case of a natural calamity when the main factory is not operational they can source an alternative}

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Williams and Renault on Podium

We have seen in the past and we are seeing now as well as how a team out of the blue comes out strong, Wins a championship or two and finds itself in the horizon as they search for their roots again. We also know that Form is temporary and Class is permanent. It should be very interesting to see how a Team like Red Bull who are just a sport drink manufacturer having brought out a struggling Formula 1 Team now finds itself in the mixed bag of fighting for championship and even defending it now, but having a man like big A is just bonanza any team would like. This year is litmus test for this team as it would be interesting to see where they end up, if they don't win the championship this season one has to wonder how they recover from the loss, Many Teams in the past have come into F1 and left, We have some famous manufacturers who have come and gone but only very few teams have stayed in F1 for some decades now. And for those teams, F1 is like their breadth. As I said earlier, If some team loses itself out of the championship race having won it in the previous year, It might take some time for them to recover from the loss, When was the last time you saw Williams winning the championship or Even winning the race, This is the exact reason why some manufacturers find it hard to stay in F1, Remember how Toyota used to spend their resources here, Even with so many resources, they found it hard to win a championship. But the Team like Red Bull shouldn't find it that tough because they have all the right ingredients to keep on defending their championship. On the other hand, this season, the strings of few drivers are very lose, the properties of their elastic limit are very low and for some it is beyond the Hooke's law far beyond their elastic limit, for those, this is make or break season, if they don't perform well this time around, they may very well find themselves out of the reckoning for a Top seat next time around. It is the beginning of the end.

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Testing Roll

We can't always predict or judge a performance on the team based on their pre season performance, the laptimes don't always help you at this time but still few teams have really stood out. Red Bull and Mclaren who don't always go for a qualifying simulation in these times are quite solid on the long runs, but the real winner of the test is the Team from Enstone who are celebrating their 20 Years in F1. Lotus are looking strong and they ended the pre season in a exact way as to how they started the show. Few other teams have also got a chance to be in the highlight reel. And many reckon this should be the closest ever F1 season.


Red Bull

They didn't have a greatest start of all, they found themselves waiting for the parts on the opening day but on any given day they either topped the charts or were the best of the rest {as some teams ran a supersoft compound and were doing qualifying simulations} But reliability is one term Red Bull wouldn't like to have, Remember how in the past they had a car but were suffering from reliability issues, In the pre testing again, they had some kind of Electrical issues and also Gear Box issues, One has to see how they package their KERS this time. While their nearest rivals say Red Bull are hiding something from the rest, It was really interesting to see how they covered their rear from the curious photographers and journalists at the final pre season testing, Nevertheless those who wanted to have a look at the rear got a nice chance when car did roll out, As a part of update package they got, they had a revised Exahust configuration and new front and rear wings, but one has to wonder if the real update is elsewhere. And with these reliability issues hampering the Team's preparation, they have far low mileage compared to their rivals, With a total of 941 laps or 4300Km as their mileage with the current car, they should have got just enough data to work on, but even Red Bull would agree that by the pre season testing form, Few teams have really caught up and will be on their toes for the championship. On the drivers side, Webber looks much better prospect compared to last time around, And the high officials of Red Bull say still a lot has to come from the defending champ Vettel but the onus will be on Webber to win the championship, something that has been missing from his kitty bag. If the car doesn't have in it then Webber's task will be to match the pace of his teammate, His task is so cut out this time. Would be interesting to see if Webber call it 'quit' at the end of the season.

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Mclaren

If looks are key to success, then Mclaren is a sure winner, Like with every launch of theirs in the past, it was usual blah-blah for them. They were with the routine of claiming how they are going after the championship but in recent seasons, they had a bad car and spend half the season trying to develop it and then go for the fight. And even Mclaren would agree that this season they should be hoping to start off well. And if they do, With all the resources they have, it would be quite possible for them to Clinch both the championships. Like Red Bull, Their pace has gradually improved having started in a spot of bother, wanting for pace. After the third test, guess it is all good at this British Team. On the mileage front they are looking far better then Red Bull, 1066 laps, {i.e. over 4800kms} and both their drivers have mutual respect for each other, but it is high time Lewis starts to regain his winning ways, 2011 was definitiely not a season Lewis would have hoped for, Although he picked up some form late last season and should hope that the momentum is with him

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Ferrari

2011 season didn't go according to their plan, What did they do? Half way through the season they decided to focus on their 2012 contender. As a result you have one of the not so good looking cars on the grid. But whats their form like..? It is 'Mysterious'! How many times have you seen rival drivers and teams call their opponent mysterious? Here you have one. Over the course of Testing, one thing is for sure, The car is solid and reliability is not an issue here. This car has run for over 4900kms {i.e. over 1090 laps} But they haven't got the chance to be in the spotlight, they found themselves wanting for more pace and the entire team admits that a lot of work has to be done on the car. But with resources not an issue, this is one of the classic teams on the grid and don't be surprised if they pull of some nice wins over the season or find them fighting for the championship. It's just a matter of time when more performance parts are added and the car would be right at the top. The limelight is on Massa, Having been associated with Ferrari for long time there is a sense of attachment for the team. But they had it all, its high time he performs or matches the pace of Alonso. 'The band is too lose here'

Mercedes

They got two drivers who can give their best provided they have a car that can fight for wins and championships. Nothing is wrong with the driver line up, The Technical staff is quite good with Aldo Costa, Geoff Wills and Bob Bell all highly reputed personals. The Technical staff is led by Ross Brawn and one can't comment on his skills, Resources ain't a problem for the Team. Norbert Haug has all the ingredients, thats the same reason why he is not satisfied with two fourth place finishes on the trought. And who wouldn't be. With so much at their control, 2011 was not an ideal season for them with no podiums to their name, Haug always stresses on the fact that the team is under rebuilding but if they can't do it in three years this saga will go on and on. They have taken over a championship winning team but I agree when the Team was under Brawn they wouldn't have been able to spend much but two years down the line, you should be looking at wins and championships now, not hunting for podiums. The pre season testing form is so good for this team. Having started off with 2011 contender they have got enough data that they would have needed to understand Pirelli's, their 2012 car rolled out a bit late and the delayed roll out should be in the favour and on the mileage front, they are topping the charts with a combined mileage of over 5400kms of which 3800kms are done on their 2012 car, the car did top the charts on few occasions and the momentum is with the team to move up the ladder, the 'Moment' is now for Mercedes GP

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Lotus

Okay, this is the team that was Renault some time ago, the process of re branding has been done completely. They have shaken up their driver up and one familiar force returns to the grid, if motivation is not an issue and if the car is right, Championship is what he has come for. To partner him Romain Grosjean has been recruited and he knows what it is to work with Enstone team. Having missed the test for a design failure, they returned back quite strong exactly where they left off at the first test. Reliability is a slight concern but again the car is looking good and the team should be hoping for the right momentum all through the season and not like how it ended up last season. Like the forward exhaust last season, Adjustable Ride Height would have played a key factor in distinguishing from others but again the car is still good to start off, For sure the bet is on this team to climb up the ladder if they don't the midfield pack are too close for their comfort as well.

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Force India

The partnership with Mclaren-Mercedes are in their favor. They are an ever improving team on the grid, 2011 was an beauty for them and they late momentum they picked up played quite a major role in the constructors table. Vijay Mallya would be disappointed if the team doesn't finish in Top 5 but the time is very right for them to see where they would proceed from here, As their Deputy Principal Bob Fernely said, their ambitions has to be clear for them to work. Do they have it in them to go for Championships? The force of billion people are with them. Before the pre season testing began, Many predicted and picked Force India ahead of Lotus to climb up the ladder but after the pre season testing, many hearts at the Silverstone factory would have sunk to see Lotus moving slightly at a top notch. But still this team looked consistent on race pace and they had a bit of spotlight on topping the charts on few occasions. They are just slightly above Red Bull infact both the teams are separated by a few kms on mileage front. But this is what you would expect from mid field team. On the drivers front Adrian Sutil has been replaced having his spent entire career here, Nico Hulkenberg has been drafted in. Last season's rookie of the year Paul di Resta has been retained. Both are known for the pace and on the reliability front the team is struggling. The question would remain “Will Force India score their much awaited podium at the Indian GP?”

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Sauber

This team has seen it all but under James Key, they had the momentum but it soon fell off and both the parties split. This team had one of the silent pre season buzz. They topped the charts somewhere but nothing could be predictable and like their nearest rival, Reliability is a key to success here. Kaumi Kobayashi known for his aggressive driving is now finding himself in a strange place of comfort. Sergio Perez is looking far better bet. 4926Km of mileage is good but does the team have right ingredients to move up the ladder? Don't be surprised to see finish at same position or even worse this season as from a proper mid field team, Nothing great is expected.


Toro Rosso

They always wanted to move up the ladder but never did, They didn't have a major technical shuffle. But they found that the drivers are more or less to be blamed. They are going with a fresh line up but Danniel Ricciardo is looking their main man not because Vergne is far behind but because Ricciardo has some kind of race experience. They looked pretty good at testing sessions by putting in some good laps with option tyres? But yeah the midfield pack is so close and if they climb up a place or two, we have to give them a credit and of course to their sister team for supporting them more or less

Williams

You got history behind you but still find yourself wanted. What do you do? Reinvent yourself? For Williams this is the season for hope with huge technical reshuffle. They needed resources and they got two drivers who can pay for that. I know Bruno Senna won't like this. But yeah, Solid mileage has been put up by this team and they had a fair share of spotlight as well, They went with a constructive strategy and not often they wanted to hunt the timesheets. They struck to their programme and are right there with most number of laps done by a team second only to Mercedes. With over 5300kms and a reputed people behind the work of the car, Some kind of Success is imminent, Expect the huge gains throughout the season as they slowly make their way to the top, A place where they want to be. This is one of the midfield to look out for. And they return to their favourite engine supplier. What else you need?

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Caterham

They have a partnership with two strong teams, Renault and Red Bull. Right people are designing the car. Some people have joined the technical team and some are going to soon. They were the best of the new teams but now they are on the hunt for points. Heikki himself admitted that not a lot of qualifying simulations has been done but nevertheless the team finds itself in middle of the pack hunting down. Downforce is the key. Vitaly Petrov joins the teams as Trulli exists. KERS has been added to the show which will bring in some significant gain to the team's prospective. They should be joining the already crowded midfield pack


HRT

New Owners have come in, Technical reshuffle has been done, Partnership with Williams for some components. Narain karthikeyan has been reatined and Pedro de la Rosa makes his come back to the race seat. They have the oldest driver line up. They didn't have a proper testing due to the late passing of crash test. But they had a shake down and the car was driven down for a filming session by the 'Fastest Indian' who claims that the new HRT is a 'step up'. He should have made a word of caution of what he exactly meant, Surely he didn't mean they are going to be above Caterham. Did he?

Unlike other Teams, HRT livery is a bit odd in terms of sponsors, TATA are the one of the few sponsors and they have to Thank their driver for bringing in a huge company on board. This however doesn't cement his place on the long run as the team would admit.

Marussia

They are cautious of what they speak, Like HRT they didn't do any tests. Crash tests haunted them even after they did a filming session, The car is looking pretty good and they went the Mclaren way. Why not, They have the partnership with them which is more or less similar to what Force India has. On the long term this team is looking far better and they have got someone who can help them to climb up the ladder.




In the end, After looking at how the teams stand up in terms of testing, One has to say, Red Bull are in a place of bother, They got few teams breathing down the neck, unless there is some sort of a magic from the Big A. Red Bull would be finding themselves on a rollercoaster ride. It will be the beginning of the end for the team who might go down like other famous team who also had a spotlight to share at some point but now finding themselves wanted. Mercedes might too frustrated top stop focusing on F1 if they don't make a step up. Everyone in the team is frustrated at recurring fouth. Ferrari knowns they are losing their magic touch thanks to the people who contributed some kind of magic in the past and have now left the team. They have to show the world they can move on from the past. The crowded midfield pack means more racing to watch out for. Gone are the boring days where the TV footage would be limited to Top 3 positions, It is the beginning of a new era. HRT can't find itself hunting for new leaf, They had it enough, if they don't climb up, Wouldn't be surprised if they call it 'quits' soon




The wait is not too long now, The beginning of something exciting is here!

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