Can’t believe how blank that McLaren looks on the side. Part of me expects there to be a sponsor addition for Melbourne. The papaya looked much better under natural light but the car looks more of a launch spec doesn’t it? Expecting detail to be added throughout testing, Aus, and early flyaways.
So come on the gents- what order of performance are you expecting from testing? I think Merc will run into reliability teething issues with their super tight packaging this winter but will be super quick when they run. Il go with 1) Merc 2) Williams 3)Ferrari 4)RBR 5)McLaren 6)Renault Think you’ll see Williams go really well out of the blocks whilst a couple of big guns find their way. Refined chassis and a Merc in the back. Red Bull and McLaren for me will ramp up the aero gradually and will out develop williams over the opening few weeks. Ferrari will be strong but whether they fight Merc depends on whether they’ve added any extra power or whether they’re still operating on essentially the 2017 PU. (Rumours they’ve a reliabilty issue on the 2018 one) Renault a team to keep an eye on late in season and into 2019.
McLaren aren't bringing the real car till Melbourne, which could be them lying to keep sponsors happy as they know they have a dud, but either way I expect them to be around Renault. I think Ferrari will bring false hope and top testing, with Red Bull right behind them. Mercedes to have a quiet test. and the rest to be as you were sadly.
Simply can’t see any Merc supplied team being remotely threatening to the works team, in any way shape or form. Don’t believe McLaren will threaten RB, they are likely to need 6 months of development and can’t see Renault being enything ithe4 than a mid field team. Whilst it’s stating the obvious tha5 the Merc PU is stronger than the Ferrari, I don’t think outright engine development will determine Ferrari’s performance deficit - their car was very strong last year but it did appear compromised with drag. If they can rectify that and bring a decent PU upgrade after the fly always they should be in with a shout.
I don’t think they’ll threaten but can see Williams being good on pace in the early testing whilst McLaren and Red Bull break in gently.
I know, we’re crying out for a better season. Don’t think we will see too much tomorrow timewise but of course reliability is important. Lots of eyes on the McRenault of course but Honda too...
