I think there could be 2 dark horses for race wins but not titles. Renault - Nick Heidfeld shows consistent times in testing and it looks like they have the pace for a win. For me Petrov doesn't seem to impress me. However one problem for Renault may be reliability. Toro Rosso - Alguersari (Spelling?) he also shows good consistency and I think they might have the pace to push for wins aswell. Cant wait for season to start, so what do you guys think?
Toro Rosso? No. They showed decent pace in testing last year and then they were exactly where they were expected to be when the real business started. They also have a very small budget, so they only bring one or two upgrades over the course of a season. Their double floor concept is very interesting though. I don't think Renault will win either. I think they'll have the third best car, which in Kubica's hands could have delivered a win or two, but not in Heidfeld's. He's solid but he's incapable of transcending the level of his car to such an extent that he could topple the likes of Vettel and Alonso in superior machines. Unless he inherits a win due to unreliability I think it'll be another barren year for Renault.
I think Sauber could be a dark horse. With James Key, things have been going really well for the team and I hope that their driver line is strong enough to challenge the others. Ferrari went with a push rod suspension and said it was the right move for them. Sauber also have Ferrari equipment and also have gone for push rod, and this could bring real benefits for the team. Not Torro Rosso - I just don't see them challenging the better teams - they set good lap times today but on the longer runs they don't look very good.
Sauber could be very strong as the season unfolds as they have secured a lot of funding and will be able to make a lot of improvements as the season goes. Not sure about Torro Rosso, I don't know enough about their situation to make a valid comment.
I think the only way Alguersuari will win is in the rain if EVERYBODY ****s it up, there's just too many good cars ahead of him. But I wouldnt be surprised of a podium in a wet race
What about Force India? Does anyone think they will emerge as a top midfield team or will their recent restructuring result in them having a struggle to get into Q2? We havent really heard much about them throughout testing and their lap times are nothing special.
Nah Toro Rosso are not going to be in the mix in my opinion. But Nick Heidfeld is certainly a dark horse.He will get a podium In 2011 I am sure of that but unless anything goes wildly wrong with Red Bull, Mclaren, Ferrari and Mercedes I don't see them winning a Grand Prix on pure pace.
Hopefully renault can come back to the top this year. Sadly not with our ace card Kubica so it may be more of a challenge
