Forum topic: F1 Predictions - Austrailia

Okay, I am not going to write a large post here but I would like to see who everyone is considering favorite for this weekends GP before we see how has the best car?

I am going to say:
1. S Vettel
2. N Rosberg
3. J Button

For the podium since I think Webber will have start issues and fall back into the pack, Hamilton will simple be to hard on the tires and will fade during the race due to either slowing down or extra pitstops and Lotus will be quick but I don't think they are in the top three teams yet.

My upset prediction will be K Räikkönen & R Grosjean for a podium if their off season pace shows to be true but most like second and third with Vettel still winning.

Championship will be between Red Bull, Mercedes & McLaren since even if Lotus has the pace Raikkonen & Grosjean simple will make to many mistakes to be contenders.

Championship prediction is as follows:
1. Red Bull
2. Mercedes
3. McLaren

I think it will be very close with Webber & Hamilton costing their teams points over the season that will see Mercedes teammates of Nico & Schumacher collecting on their mis-fortune.

World Championship prediction will be:
1. Vettel
2. Rosberg
3. Button

What do the rest of you think?

Right now I expect it to be Vettel winning the race, but I'm going to go with my heart and put Kimi on the podium, along with Button.

If the Lotus really is as good as they showed in testing, then Kimi could well win the race. Grosjean has tyre management issues still from what I understand, so he'll be quick, but will take a few races to get to grips with the tyres.

I don't see why you think Kimi will make too many mistakes to be a contender (provided of course the car is good enough). I would say Grosjean will be the weaker link in the Lotus this season, and will be the reason that they might not be able to challenge for the constructors title.

Webber will be the same as ever, good, but not great, Hamilton is going to crack I think under the pressure, and Button will solidify his position as McLaren's best hope.

I want to see Nico do well, and if the Merc is good, then he will.

Personally also hope that the Ferrari remains as slow as it is ugly, and driven by a Spaniard I don't like the team, don't like the drivers, so I want to see them get worse and worse

Austriala i reckon:
S Vettel
K Raikkonen
J Button

C Championship:
Red Bull
Mclaren
Mercedes/Renault (For me this is impossible to predict which one)

D Championship

Vettel
Button
Raikkonen

I think Vettel will run away with it again, boring but I think its what will happen

Button is good on his tyres which puts him infront of Lewis as he is way way way to hot headed! Alonso doesnt have the car behind him to contend. So Button looks a very good bet for second

Raikkonen i chose him because he seems to have a very good car behind him and his a great driver (no matter how much I hate him), Rosberg will be quick but he doesnt have the front end experience that he needs but maybe in 2013 Rosberg could be a regular race winner

Now i can make a prediction for Australia since FP1/2 are done.

Button - Pole

Button - Win
Webber - 2nd
Hamilton - 3rd

Kovalainen - 8th
Glock -10th

Pic - Last, -3 laps

HRT - Double DNF

I'm not going to read too much into P1 times, and P2 was rain effected, so it's still very hard to tell who is really where.

I fully agree Matt!! It does look as the Mercedes might have a straight line advantage but to hard to tell; which means I have to watch qualifying tonight !!

So, after the race, things are a touch clearer I'd say. But there was also a few people who had troubles they had to recover from, and some that Qualified well then ran into trouble.

Midfield looks to be real close right now too

Hot damn! So close to the prediction made on friday. Sepeng here we come.

Still got to watch the race, since that stupid sky/bbc deal came through, i can't watch it until a few hours from now.

I think that Lotus has some serious pace!

That red bull has alot of potential, after Sepang there will probably be an immediate upgrade for the car, after that point Mclaren's advantage will probably be gone. According to what was said, they have a setup problem with the rear end which is why Vettel had so much trouble, nothing a new part wont cure to make things easier.

I think Grosjean and Raikkonen are ones to watch this season, if Lotus get their act together, they could end up winning races by China or Catalunya.

Vergne has gotten an impressive first race under the hat as well, like Perez last year, he kept out of trouble and has alot of raw speed, i can see another frenchman getting that title in a few years if he applies himself well over this season and beyond.