Button at speed. The one to beat?
F1 Preview by Philippe Defechereux
Here we are, after a three-week hiatus, waging our reputation at the game of forecasting once again. Barring rain in Barcelona –somewhat unlikely in May- it should prove a little easier this time.
Perhaps not. Those three weeks were, in fact momentous, off the track. First, the volcanic plume from Iceland left a lot of F1 people ashen-faced in China (pardon the pun), as they wondered how or even whether they could get home to Europe. Good news, after a few stressful days, it all calmed down and everybody got home early enough to plan new tricks.
New tricks indeed. It is being reported that most top teams will have a brand new chassis for the European première. Let’s review the key changes we are aware of:
• All will now feature the famous new “F-duct” (except Red Bull). For those of you who were coughing through the ash cloud, the “F-Duct” is, well, a double set of ducts that channel fresh air, on command by the driver, from the radiator intakes to the rear of the car. In a straight, the fresh air flow can be directed away from the rear wing, thereby decreasing drag and increasing speed. In a corner, a valve cuts off this air flow, thereby restoring the downforce the rear wing is meant to deliver. Credit to McLaren for inventing that during the inter-season.
• All teams (no exceptions here) will also feature repositioned rear-view mirrors, as the FIA has now mandated they be attached to the chassis, not the vibrating bodywork. Better hindsight is always a plus in any discipline.
• Mercedes-Benz will have an entirely redesigned car, with new aerodynamics and an extended wheelbase in order to make it … “better balanced” say the corporate hacks; “more Schumi-friendly,” say the cynics. Old Michael downplays any breakthrough, a sure sign he thinks there might be one.
• Ferrari has also worked hard at improving aerodynamics plus fitting an F-Duct. Fisichella, their test pilots (remember him?) has used one of the four days per-season allowed by the FIA to road test the new package.
• Red Bull has been rather quiet, following their corporate style. They don’t like to make headlines, except on the track and with outstanding performance. This means the “Energy Drink” team will have even better wings for its drivers.
Lewis Hamilton and his new goatee, sans girlfriend.
• Renault remains the wild card. They certainly worked hard on their car as well during the intermission. Robert Kubica remains one of the top drivers in the field, while Vitaly Petrov is showing his mettle. He even completed a super pass on Schumi in China and finished the race. With a mother like he has and Putin’s support, this guy has a future.
• Of the other teams, Force India is the next best bet. Torro Rosso is also showing some strength. Williams and Sauber remain enigmas. Lotus says they’re now coming up to speed. Let’s state it frankly: with the ugliness of Max Mosley gone, and Jean Todt so far acting wisely behind the scenes, Formula 1 has at last returned to the fantastic fun it used to be.
Now a word about Barcelona. It’s a fast track, where it is difficult to pass –according to last year’s set-ups. Barring rain or a turn 1 smash-up, qualifying might yet again be critical to the final outcome. Barcelona is also, of course, Fernando Alonso’s home turf. So here’s our best bet recommendation:
Vettel, Button and Alonso on the podium. Possible outsiders, Hamilton, Webber and … Schumacher.
See you before Monaco, May 23rd.
Philippe Defechereux
New York City