Article: Formula 1 - Battle in the Midfield

[Forza Bianchi]

Lotus Renault
At the moment they have the fifth fastest car, but that could change very quickly with the upcoming off throttle blown diffuser ban - and it potentially compromises the rest of their season (depending on how badly they are affected). At the start of the season they were quite strong, but are unlikely to outdevelop the teams ahead of them - the loss of Densham wouldn't have helped either. They don't seem to value to the experience of Heidfeld and the feedback he brings to the team, so they could struggle even more if they decide to replace him with Senna.

Sauber
With James Key, two strong drivers and a car that manages it's tyres well, things are looking positive for the team. They haven't struggled with less experienced drivers and Kobayashi is picking up valuable points for them. I wouldn't be surprised to see them ahead of Renault at Silverstone.

Force India
When it comes to talent and technical feedback, the team have two strong drivers, but Force India don't have a huge budget. They lost a few important people last year but them seem to coping fine with it. Unfortunately getting the car into Q3 has proved to be challenging, but Di Resta is already so good and has so much potential that I think we'll see him doing quite well in the latter stages of the season.

Torro Rosso
They are about to switch their focus to the 2012 car, so I wouldn't expect them to do well in the latter stages of the season. Even though the Constructors show them ahead of Williams, I don't think that's a true indication of pace - in fact I'd say they are probably slowest of the midfield at the moment. Not sure how strong their technical team is, but I imagine that anyone really good would be moved to Red Bull. One problem for them over the course of the season is that they have two inexperienced drivers who are desperate to get their hands on a Red Bull seat.

Williams
Not only are they set to gain the most (out of the midfield team) from the upcoming ban, but the car already looks to have potential. Although they haven't been scoring many points in the races, Maldonado's been getting the car into Q3 so the car can't be that bad. The experience of Barrichello should benefit them as well. Where they might suffer is their greater focus on 2012, including their shakeup of the technical department and the switch to Renault engines.


At the end of the year, where do you expect these teams to finish in the Constructors Championship, and why?

I think:

5th Sauber
6th Renault
7th Force India
8th Williams
9th Torro Rosso

 

[Sportydan]

The battle in the midfield is as good as any in the grid,

Lotus Renault should get fifth (even with restricted hot blowing diffs), a good pairing and should get another few top 6 finishes, they will fall behind Mercedes as i think development wont be as strong.

Sauber are looking like like a team on the improvement, with their car easy on tyres, a different strategy could net them some nice finishes, but i dont think they will contest Reanult.

Force India - The force India is seems to be lacking pace lately, but if Sutil can get a few nice finishes and Di Resta some it could be an alright season, i still think Torro Rosso will finish ahead, they have a nippy little car.

Williams - Its been a bad season so far for Williams, i expect them to look ahead and try build a decent car for 2012.

My predo :

Renault
Sauber
Force India
Torro Rosso
Williams

 

[Big Ern]

Renault, just off the battle with ferrari & Mercedes, better drivers would probably put them up there more often
Sauber, a good driver in his debut driver, and, for me, one of the best drivers onthe grid, but the car isn't so great
Torro Rosso, 2 drivers scared for their seats and starting to pull it out of the bag, not a bad car
Force india, A rookie and a driver whose mind is possibly elsewhere atm, the car is also a bit hit or miss
Williams, Engine doesn't have the power, appears to have a good aero package, old driver and mistake ridden youth.

 

[Masanari]

Good article I would rep you for it but I have to spread it around.

My prediction is:

Sauber - I think their two drivers are very good and do not seem to make many mistakes, their car seem decent and also very good on it's tyres which has helped them score points already this season and I think they will continue on in this vain.

Renault - I think the new exhaust restrictions will hit them the hardest of any team in the grid, however Renault have always been good at developing their car so they should be able to claw some of the loss back. I think their major weakness is their drivers; Petrov has improved a lot this year but I do not think he has a long term future in the sport, and Heidfeld is steady but underwhelming and his career statistics of zero wins sum him up really. I would like Renault to give Senna a chance just for curiosity more than anything else.

Williams - Like Petrov Maldonado is improving but again I do not see a long term future for him in F1, Barrichello I think should just retire, yes his feedback will be useful but for me Williams need a boost and I think an young exciting driver would bring that which is why I was disappointed they dropped Hullkenberg just when he was finding his feet in F1, that said I would also like to see Massa go there when he leaves Ferrari. There car seems good and I think the only major reason why they have not been getting better results is because they have struggled with their blown diffuser, but with the new restrictions Williams should benefit a lot from them and I see them climbing the grid.

Torro Rosso - Both drivers are driving for their careers so they should be very motivated in outperforming each other and as long as it stays harmonious it can only be good for their performance. Their car seems to have decent race pace and if they continue to adopt riskier race strategies than then I think someitmes it will pay off and they could score a few points here and there.

Force India - I think the Sutil legal issue has potential to drag the team down a bit, I also do not think the car is that great and it is only di Resta's excellent driving that is allowing it to finish high up in Q2 and challenge for Q3, although many times they are only scraping into Q2. I hope Force India get rid of Sutil even if he is not prosecuted and bring in Hulkenberg, the two young drivers could really energise the team.

 

[cosicave]

I agree this is a very good article. Therefore this response of mine is woefully inadequate, since I must get to bed in time for an early rise.

I fully expect Lotus Renault to finish 5th in the Constructor's Championship, and agree that Williams have completely lost their way. I predicted their demise the very day Frank terminated Damon Hill's employment, and although Villeneuve rode on the crest of that car's brilliant wave, waves inevitably ebb when they lose their vital life-force.

 

[u408379965]

Great thread. Anyone think it's worth promoting to article?

I think Renault will hold off Sauber. The next three are harder to predict, the battle could be, and probably will be, decided by an unexpectedly good result. This is where I think Sutil could make the difference for Force India, especially in the wet where he has a knack of getting his car higher than it has any right to be.

Toro Rosso have impressed me this season, they've been more active with developments than in previous years and their double-floor concept was very clever. Williams will probably focus more heavily on the rest of this year as they look to gain sponsorship and momentum for next season, but I have a feeling Toro Rosso will just pip them to 8th.

 

[genjigonzales]

Great thread. Anyone think it's worth promoting to article?

Only one person can answer that, but it's very much an article-type OP.

I don't think Williams can recover much this season so I think they'll wind up bottom. I agree with AG that Toro Rosso have been impressive and I think they'll stay ahead of Force India. The doubt for me is around Renault and the excellent Sauber. Renault are a good chunk of points ahead at the moment but it's a different ball game from this point on, possibly especially for Renault and/or Mercedes. I think Renault will manage to stay ahead of Sauber but it'll tighten up between them towards the end of the year.

 

[Mclarwum]

Did Lotus have a blown diffuser?

If not, what impact will this ban have in bringing them towards the midfield? Will they now be able to mix it up as I believe they have been creeping a touch closer?

If this is OT then i'll remake a thread, but I am surprised they are not being considered/discussed - likely because it's a non issue and I give them more credit than deserved

 

[nh-f1]

Did Lotus have a blown diffuser?

If not, what impact will this ban have in bringing them towards the midfield? Will they now be able to mix it up as I believe they have been creeping a touch closer?

If this is OT then i'll remake a thread, but I am surprised they are not being considered/discussed - likely because it's a non issue and I give them more credit than deserved

Apart for the teams that weren't running it, I don't think it'll do much to the pecking order, just slow the lap times down, because they can't get on the throttle as quick as they used to.

But, I expect Team Lotus to be within the midfield at the end of this season. They are creeping closer with every race, apart from a few where they have struggled, but all teams have their good and bad tracks.

Oh, and how come Mercedes aren't involved in this, cause Renault are 3 points ahead of them as things stand