2012 Formula 1 Season Preview - The Closest Season Ever?With 13 teams ready for the first Grand Prix of the season in Bahrain after pre-season testing, some say that this season might be the closest one in Formula One history. The difference between the teams seems not very big and now more than ever it is flawless driving that will make the difference. Let's look at what is new for this season:
Rule Changes:- Grands Prix have been extended to 160 km (= 100 miles). During the duration of a race, any driver must make two pitstops during a period after the first 10 per-cent of the race and before the final 10 per-cent of the race. Stops outside of said window are of course allowed too, but cannot replace either forced pitstop.
- For the next six seasons, Avon Tyres will be the exclusive tyre supplier for Formula 1. The company provides a soft grooved tyre for dry conditions and wet tyres for rainy conditions.
- On the grounds of safety, the height of the nosecone has been reduced. This has led to the development of the so-called "platypus nose" as the aerodynamically most valueable solution
- Race bans will now only be given for full Grand Prix weekends (i.e. for two races, four races etc.) and will take effect at the Grand Prix weekend following the announcement.
- Whereas suspended race bans used to go until the end of the season, suspended race bans will now be valid for 10 Grands Prix. Furthermore if a rule violation that is punishable by a race ban triggers the suspended race ban, said race ban is not added to the total number of races a driver is banned for.
- Success ballast is, from the Japanese Grands Prix onwards, unlimited and will still be reset after every third Grand Prix weekend.
Season Calendar:
Gulf Air Bahrain Grands Prix - Bahrain International Circuit - 10/11 March (head-to-head with F1RWRS)
Petronas Malaysian Grands Prix - Sepang International Circuit - 24/25 March
Mitsukoshi Japanese Grands Prix - Fuji Speedway - 14/15 April
Hyundai Korean Grands Prix - Korea International Circuit - 21/22 April
Petrol Ofisi Turkish Grands Prix - Istanbul Park - 5/6 May (head-to-head with F1RWRS)
Alice Grands Prix of Europe - Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello - 12/13 May
Tiffany Monaco Grands Prix - Monaco Street Circuit - 26/27 May
Santander British Grands Prix - Donington Park - 9/10 June
Intelsat United States Grands Prix - Barber Motorsports Park - 23/24 June
Rogers Canadian Grands Prix - Streets of Vancouver - 30 June/1 July (head-to-head with F1RWRS)
Targobank Große Preise von Deutschland - EuroSpeedway Lausitz - 21/22 July
Telefónica Grandes Premios de España - Valencia Street Circuit - 4/5 August (head-to-head with F1RWRS)
Campari Gran Premi d'Italia - Autodromo Nazionale Monza - 22/23 September
Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Yas Marina Circuit - 7/8 October
Airtel Indian Grands Prix - Buddh International Circuit - 27/28 October
LG Grandes Premios del Uruguay - Street Circuit of Punta del Este - 17/18 November
Petrobras Grandes Prêmios do Brasil - Autódromo José Carlos Pace - 24/25 November
Avon Tyres Singapore Grands Prix - Marina Bay Street Circuit - 8/9 December
Team Preview:Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team#1: Robert Kubica
#2: Nico RosbergThe name "Mercedes" is still worth a lot in F1, apparentely, the team managed to lure the reigning world champion to their team for the second time in three seasons. Nico Rosberg returns to the team for which he worked as a test driver in 2010, he is very much interested in proving he can bring it in the top leauge.
Prediction:
Top 4Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro#3: Nathan McKane
#4: Robert WickensA change at the top of Ferrari's management led to the loss of world champion Kubica to Mercedes and of fuel supplier Shell to McLaren. With Nathan McKane coming from Mercedes and the signing of Robert Wickens, the new management have a tough act to follow with Ferrari looking for their third WCC in a row: at least their qualifying pace is still looking very great.
Prediction:
Top 4Red Bull Racing Honda#5: Jenson Button
#6: Lewis HamiltonIn a controversal decision, the Austrian drinks company did not extend the contract with Sebastién Bourdais who left for IndyCar. Instead the team keeps Honda engines and Jenson Button but has added Button's 2010 team mate Hamilton to the team. With one of the best driver pairings in the world today, Red Bull is looking for their first title in F1.
Prediction:
Top 4Vodafone McLaren Honda#7: Sebastian Vettel
#8: Vitantonio LiuzziHaving been left in turmoil after Lewis Hamilton's departure, McLaren responded well by signing Sebastian Vettel. McLaren goes with a blast from the past by signing a Honda engine contract and getting support by Marlboro who have increased investments into F1 after the tobacco sponsorship rules of the EU were loosened. This new combination is gonna need some time to find itself, though.
Prediction:
MidfieldAdidas Stefan Grand Prix Hyundai#9: Shinobu Katayama
#10: Milos PavlovicThe good news for Stefan are that they have managed to get significant financial support by signing a sponsorship deal with sports clothing giant Adidas. The bad news are that their testing results do not look promising. It might be a tough year for Stefan, but the team is financially secure for years to come.
Prediction:
Lower MidfieldRenault F1 Team#11: Romain Grosjean
#12: Alexandre-Laurent VoecklerWith things being the same as they were at the end of last year, you'd think Renault are in a good position for 2012. Well, according to testing, you'd be sorely mistaken. The Renault engine seems crippling, especially over one lap, and it will require all the skill Grosjean and Voeckler can muster to get good results this year.
Prediction:
BackmarkerSauber F1 Team Ferrari#14: Pastor Maldonado
#15: Evgeny RestovOn the basis of a few great results at the end of last season, this team radiates confidence from every pore of their being. Whilst jokes about "Socalist Sauber" are going around like cake, the car is looking reasonably promising and so are the drivers.
Prediction:
MidfieldSahara Force India F1 Team Hyundai#16: Davide Valsecchi
#17: Paulo SerafimWith their first win in F1 finally on the table, the team is looking to make that a more common occurance, but it's gonna be difficult. While Valsecchi has indeed won a Grand Prix last year, many doubts over his skills are not removed yet and even optimists doubt that Hyundai-chosen Paulo Serafim will achieve much in his debut season.
Prediction:
Lower MidfieldCanon WilliamsF1 Honda#18: Esteban Guerreri
#19: Takuma SatoIn a shocking development, Patrick Head was removed from his position with the team ... and as much as this is enraging old-school fans: it seems like this was the right move. With Takuma Sato returning to F1 and Esteban Guerreri geting a full-time drive after his Mercedes showings the team has reasonably talented drivers to give their very good chassis to.
Prediction:
Top 4Nokia KQ Motor Sports Hyundai#20: Sergio Pérez
#21: Mizuki UkawaIn a driver swap, Pérez and Maldonado switched teams and right now Maldonado looks like the winner of this exchange. The KQ has lost a bit of its edge which will cost KQ in the team championship, especially with the team formerly known as Super Aguri and Lola making leaps forward.
Prediction:
BackmarkerEA Sports Brabham Racing Organisation Hyundai#22: Michael Schumacher
#23: Rubens BarrichelloWith Honda starting the final phase of their F1 withdrawal, Super Aguri looked left on the sidelines until Michael Trick and a few Japanese investors bought up the team. After managing to "convince" the Brabham family to lend their famous name, everything looks set for a good season. Even though the team's lead driver has announced his retirement after 2012, there are some reasons to be optimistic.
Prediction:
MidfieldLola Cars F1 Renault#24: James James Davies
#25: Nicolás FontanaIn the surprise deal of the season, James James Davies rejected a good offer from Red Bull to sign with Lola. With testing showing the one-lap deficits of the Renault engine, it remains to be seen whether that decision was JJD's masterpiece or whether it will lead to his downfall. Unfortunately, the latter seems more likely right now.
Prediction:
Lower MidfieldMarussia F1 Team Renault#26: Johnny Cecetto, Jr.
#27: John BeanThe newest team in Formula 1 is run by Russian sportscar manufacturer Marussia. While the team is very eager for their debut in F1, all signs make it look like 2012 will be a learning season and points, if at all possible, will be extremely hard to come by.
Prediction:
Backmarker