2019 Season previews.

[Pacific Edge]

I started this thread for 2019 season previews, not just from myself, but everyone else as well. So let's see how you see 2019 as a whole panning out.

My Preview:

Mercedes:
The most successful (actually, the ONLY) successful team (let's be honest) in the turbo hybrid era, and one of only TWO unchanged teams driver wise this year come into 2019 looking to keep that streak going. Yet there couldn't be a stranger contrast between their drivers, with Hamilton looking to add to his driver's title tally, and Bottas with a LOT to prove. They'll admit 2019 will be a fight, but that seems to bring out the best in them. Can't say much for Merc, their trophy room speaks for itself.

What they need: To keep humble, keep hungry, don't take their eye of the ball, and simply "keep on trucking".

Ferrari:
The Scuderia really put the wind up Mercedes in the first half of 2018, only to become their worst enemy during the second half and blow it completely. 2019 sees the end of the Vettel/Raikonnen pairing, and have signed Alfa Romeo Sauberstar Charles Leclerc to pilot what will arguably be the #2 car. Also no longer with the team is Maurizio Arrivabene, the Ferrari brass deciding that Mattia Binotto is the man for the job. With the weight of the Tifosi wanting them to put themselves back on top, and proving in the first half of 2018, that it IS possible, will 2019 be the year of the prancing horse?

What they need: To eliminate silly and costly errors, and to put the pressure on the opposition, not themselves. And achieve on both sides of the mid season break. Also, if Leclerc shows the same prowess he did at Sauber, managing the drivers could be "fun".

Red Bull:
New driver in the form of Pierre Gasly, and some new power from Honda. What hasn't changed is the same team principal that saw Sebastian Vettel to four world titles, and the ageless, ever present threat of Adrian Newey. Red Bull are looking to get on the top step more consistently, and REALLY show themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the title race. As F1's best customer team, RBR will look to show their horns to the works teams.

What they need: Honda need to really put the nightmare of seasons past firmly behind them and show that their performances with Torro Rosso were no fluke by showing themselves to be on par with Merc and Ferrari. Also with no seasoned face in the other car, Verstappen needs to put his emotions behind him, and really step up to become a leader, both to the team, and his teammate. Gasly, needs to do his part too to keep the RBR in the top 3 constructors.

Renault: Still lagging behind the other works teams of Ferrari and Mercedes, and even their own former customers, Red Bull, Renault really have to stamp SOME authority on F1. The excuse of rebuilding after the years of Genii neglect won't last forever, and at some point must begin to repay the faith and money put in by the parent company.
What they DO have is the fact that they nicked Daniel Ricciardo in a heist that caught even Red Bull unawares. The experince and understanding that he brings to the team from having spent years at a team at the top 3 could prove invaluable. Let's not forget Nico Hulkenburg, will 2019 be the year that he FINALLY sheds the mantle of "Mr. No. 7"

What they need: They need an engine that works more than sometimes, the power can slot them in 3rd place in engines, but in 2018, the results were lacking in places. Also, like his former teammate Verstappen, Ricciardo really needs to mould this team around himself, and lead a charge forward to play with the big boys, and not picking up scraps.

Haas: Easily (more like no contest whatsoever) the best brand new team F1 has seen recently, the team from the other side of the pond has showed that they can play with the big-ish boys in F1. 2019 shows a new look for the car, but some familiar faces behind the wheel, being the only team other than Mercedes to retain both drivers from 2018. Hass will want to really make a name for themselves by coming out top of the knife edge scrap that is the midfield fight.

What they need: Haas need to start coming out of Ferrari's shadow, and be their own team, with Sauber becoming the effective Ferrari no. 2 team, Haas need to keep showing that they are there to fight. Also 2019 needs to be the year that Grosjean and Magnussen curb their wild ways, and show more of the talent that got them into F1.

McLaren: In 2018 Mclaren looked a bit like the Emperor with no clothes. After bragging that their chassis was at least one of the best (if not the best), 2018 was the year where quite a bit of the folks at Woking were left saying "Oh." When the results with Renault power behind them showed their chassis in a less than flattering light. And of course, 2018 was the year that (let's be honest) McLaren successfully scared Fernando Alonso out of F1. But Mc L have NOT lain down without a fight. After a bit of soul searching, they showed good intention by getting the technical brains of James Key into their corner. Also a completely new driver lineup of Carlos Sainz Jr. and Lando Norris could really breathe some new life into the team.

What they need: Speaking of James Key, McLaren need him to attend to their chassis/aero woes, and fast. Sainz needs to do what he's good at, i.e. keep his head down, and drive quick, while Norris finds his feet. Norris for his part needs to show why he got the nod ahead of someone like Ocon, and really start to make a name for himself.

Racing Point: A team capable of churning out results on a budget that the top players wouldn't begin to understand, Racing Point also showed tremendous grit in powering through all their financial woes, AND losing all their points due to a change in ownership, this has proven to be a team that CAN (keep in mind they worked themselves up from the back of the grid after a revolving door of owners). The team can take heart from Sergio Perez' commitment to them. Also sticking with them is the considerable might of Mercedes in their cars.

What they need: Despite powering through their troubles,After all their difficulties, they still need to get off track stability back, in order to keep a solid base to improve on, and give some of their "betters" more than the occasional bloody nose. Also show that 2018 could have been the year THEY were best of the rest. And there is the proverbial "elephant in the room" of Lance Stroll, who's appointment over the promising Esteban Ocon, while predictable, did not sit well with many F1 fans (me included). Stroll needs to either beat Perez, or at least be close to him.

Alfa Romeo (Sauber): After a resurgent 2018, the team from Hinwil re-introduced themselves to the middle order fight in some style. 2019 However, could be a different situation, with Leclerc going to Ferrari, Alfa need to show that it was just as much machine as it was man. 2019 does bring some gifts though, in the form of Kimi Raikonnen, who maybe in the dusk of his career, but will be looking to make a splash in the same place as where his f1 career dawned. Antonio Giovinazzi is back too, and with a guaranteed full season ahead of him, will have a point to prove.\

What they need: AR need to be careful of complacency, a lot is going for them, but that midfield fight takes no prisoners. Kimi also needs to keep his enthusiasm up even when it sets in that he is no longer fighting at the front

Torro Rosso: STR no longer have James Key on the pit wall and design office, and their driver lineup has been cynically suggested to just be seat warming while the next crop from the RB junior program reach fruition. What they will be banking on is the improved Honda powerplant to keep showing that they are really on the rebound.

What they need: Kvyat really needs to step up, as much for the team as himself. Older, wiser, both he and the team need to show that some impressive results in 2018 with Gasly were no fluke, and that this is not just RBR Jr.

Williams: If McLaren's past few seasons were horrific, Williams' 2018 was positively Twilight Zone. Despite having Mercedes power, their 2018 performance left more than a few people asking "Wherefore are thou, Williams", and hasn't been helped by the fact that at the first day of testing, that question became VERY real. Williams have had just as much misery off track, losing several key design people, Martini sponsorship, and Lawrence Stroll's money too. This year Williams have taken a massive gamble on drivers with Robert Kubica who we all know is quick, but is he 100% fit and physically capable after his rallying injuries, and on the other side, Geroge Russell, who has the junior series credentials, but untested in the Big time.

What they need: A miracle.
But hey, if there's any one team that can bounce back from adversity, it's Williams GP engineering.

Pirelli: Since being F1's sole tyre supplier, Pirelli just can't seem to please, but to be fair, they are in the unenviable position where they are being torn in multiple directions trying to satisfy everyone. This year, gone are the days of the "Super-Hyper-Unbelievably soft compound" Pirelli this year will only advertise three compounds at the races, "Soft" "Medium" and "Hard", although the compounds themselves will vary from race to race.

What they need: Pirelli (obviously) need to deliver a tyre that provides decent grip, whilst also making for interesting strategies as well. Honestly, I think they just need to be left alone and given some space to do what they do.

FIA/FOM: The FIA's turbo hybrid era, has been slightly underwhelming at the very least, the engines have been compared to everything from a diesel tractor to an electric angle grinder, also not helping is that one team has swept all the driver's and constructor's championships. Fans have also been less than impressed with the racing (or in some cases, lack thereof)., something that they (and FOM) have been at great pains to rectify, even going so far as to recruit a team, headed by no less than Ross Brawn himself to sort out. New regulations in car design have been adopted, but the proof will be in the pudding. As far as FOM is concerned it was a case of "The King is dead, long live the King" but a change in leadership has in some areas left the same old rumblings, the fight with F1's established circuits, some less than top notch racing, the need to expand the fanbase without alienating existing and long time fans, all the while juggling the teams who all have their own agendas (the last of which is like herding cats). Oh, and as mentioned above, trying to get the most out of Pirelli

What they need: On a whole, they need everything to come together this year, and at the end of the day revitalise fan interest in F1, and keep in the top formula motorpsort in the world. FOM need to balance their "gimmicks" to make things interesting, but not tacky.

[yannicksamlad]

Interesting analysis there .
I shan't attempt to match it, but for what it's worth , here's my preview , team by team ..

Mercedes. May not have an engine advantage in 2019, and may not have the best chassis. But they do have Lewis. So they'll still be winning, although Bottas chances of cementing his place and adding a couple of wins to his total seem slim.
What they need - keep Lewis interested and happy and they'll do fine. Let him invite his friends to races , and have a new haircut at regular intervals. Maybe another title ( but maybe just one ?) comes their way .

Ferrari . May have the best 'package' , so should be plenty of wins. Charles will rattle Sebastian , so a drivers title may not arrive.
What they need - keep Sebastian calm, and yet let Charles fulfill his potential . This may not be possible . But maybe a constructors title?

Red Bull. Looks like they sniff glory with a real potential for multiple wins. May have to take a few grid penalties, but that might not be too bad overall. They'll back Max all the way - I don't think he can prevail as World Champ, but I'm sure he'll win some races. Pierre will be roundly ignored
What they need - a slip-up by Mercedes and Ferrari , and lenient stewards. If they don't get wins..they'll start talking about leaving again

Renault. Will attain respectability; new engine looks a bit better. Some grid penalties will hold them back, but in the right conditions - they will get a podium , surely. And that might be Nico. Nico may in fact get the best results..
What they need - to keep within range of the front even at tracks they don't like, so that Renault keep spending the money

Haas. Will do a solid midfield job with a decent engine in a reasonable chassis . Will have no idea how to do better without doubling their budget. Will issue very strange press releases
What they need - to learn to be happy they are racing in F1, and keep Romain calm and Kevin away from the stewards

McLaren . Are going to have a much better year with a better engine (relative to the others) and a much better chassis. Will pick up points but get nowhere near a podium. Will conclude they need to be with a manufacturer, but be unable to say this out loud
What they need - Red Bull to flounce off out of F1 in two years and Honda to return to them with a proven competitive engine. For 2019 - they need to be happy with some points and should also try to have some more writing on the car.

Toro Rosso. New Honda should give them some points, but is the chassis missing James Key? Honda prioritising Red Bull and no James Key - I think they might struggle a bit, particularly as the season goes on.
What they need - the drivers need to show they're competent , with flashes of real speed. Otherwise they'll be in danger of ejection. At no time should they overtake a Red Bull.

Racing Point. May struggle in 2019; notwithstanding the extra money , their engine doesn't seem likely to give them an edge over AlfaSauber and Haas, and McLaren and Renault are going to be tougher to beat.
What they need - a new name for a start. Enough points to keep the backers and BWT happy and Lance needs to stay close to Checo

AlfaSauber . Will enjoy a popular resurgence as a decent car and very nice engine keeps Kimi from falling into ignominy. Antonio needs to beat Kimi a few times to keep an F1 drive ( otherwise he'll join Stoffel)
What they need ; nothing really, they've got money, a good engine , Fred to run it all. So long as they get some good points .

Williams. A(nother) year at the back seems likely. May at least get points a couple of times, but the engine isn't going to give them a big advantage, and I'm not sure the chassis is going to help them get ahead of the others. Robert won't get a fairy tale comeback, and George will likely be decent , but not pick up much reward.
What they need; a completely new set of regs to re-discover a chassis/aero advantage. For 2019, 10 points might be the limit without a freak result. So they need a freak result

[Pacific Edge]

Good point/angle about keeping Hamilton happy, never thought of that