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The DiS 2009 F1 Season Predictions thread
So, new season round the corner, what does everyone reckon will be the score?
Renault seem screwed. The car failed 2 crash tests, and they were TWO SECONDS off Williams at the last test. Will be interesting to see if they pick up before the new season starts in the remaining tests. Shame, Alonso is an amazing driver (as the last half of last season showed) - would be a waste if he's at the arse end of the field for the season.
Been said Toyota need a win to guarantee their involvement in the future. May go balls to the wall to get some silverware?
Williams seem quick in testing, but they did last year, and Nico's podiums aside were nowhere at most of the tracks. I want Williams to succeed again. Think Nico's the biz as well if I'm honest
Red Bull and Force India I reckon will struggle at the start of the seasondue to their late car launches (Red Bull = later this month, FI = early March). Toro Rosso will struggle as well if they use RB hardware again if my predictions are true.
Ferrari, McLaren and BMW all look in good shape, though Ferrari reliability looks a bit suspect - car only covered 100km in a full day test due to issues.
Rumour has it that the FOTA may allow in-season testing again due to the new regs/KERS stuff coming in. I can see why they outlawed it in the first place, but if everyone's KERS is all to cock and only 5 cars are finishing the races, it all looks a bit daft. Ideal solution (in my opinion) would be to allow in-season testing up until say, Silverstone (or another midpoint race) to give everyone the chance to sort out the cars, but at the same keeping testing costs down compared to last year.
Williams and Toyota have strange shaped diffusers. May have found a loophole in the regs. If they have, its my belief there will be much tinkering from the other teams to copy them.