Ferrari vs Mercedes: the new rivalry reaches the tipping point
It doesn't matter which team you support or which driver you hail the greatest. All talk out there is about the most formidable rivalry in the fashionable world of Formula One.
Sebastian Vettel versus Lewis Hamilton shall be the key battle to watch out for. While their respective teammates had their own moments last year, with Kimi recorded 3 podium finishes and 2 flying laps, Rosberg's form peaked in the second half of the season, where he finished with back to back wins at USA, Brazil and Abu Dhabi.
But with the entire chunk of the season yet to be sliced by drivers out there, there is already a commotion in the team garages. Hamilton, having already stated his intent to continue his sparkling form will be ready to go out all guns blazing in order to stop the Sebastian Vettel charge. The German, however, shall be hoping to make things count from the word go at Melbourne instead of waiting for the late season to pick up form.
Ferrari's Arrivabene, who's stuck with Kimi for 2016, insists that the Iceman shall do what it takes to give Vettel's championship hope in the new season a realistic chance. Bold and experimental, Ferrari's incredibly delightful design with the adoption of the push rod suspension, something whose absence Kimi cribbed about during 2014 shall add better handling to the smashing new looking car.
Vettel vs Hamilton in numbers
Lewis is an international superstar and in the grand fest of F1 where nothing can be taken for granted, Mercedes will be hoping that either of their drivers stand aloft the podium when the season ends. Hamilton's own record is an astonishing one, bolstered by 43 victories, 49 poles and 87 podium finishes. Fans would hope that the mighty German Vettel does his best in upsetting Hamilton's party. And, he's got the confidence and importantly, the stats in the kitty.
Having bagged 4 world championships punctuated by 42 victories, 46 poles and 79 podium finishes, Vettel is surely a guy you Lewis would be keen to keep off from his Merc's tail. On the circuit, both Sebastian and Lewis are utterly competitive, boasting of a proficiency in handling the speed wagons.
Off the track, while they don't exactly throw towels at each other, the playful rambling of the champagne on the podium may not necessarily indicate a peculiar fondness for each other.
What can Max, Alonso and Bottas do?
One would also hope to see some spectacular stuff by the Netherland born Max Verstappen, the 18-year-old top draw at Toro Rosso. Already tipped as the guy to beat a few years down the road, Max will be hoping to take his first race win in 2016. Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso however, will be eagerly hoping to extract the maximum from their MP4-31, the newborn from the McLaren-Honda factory.
After all, if their car doesn't fire, their respective careers would be in flames, on reckons. The big news in the form of Renault making a comeback through the RS 16 and an optimistic Force India-Mercedes although with their team principal, Vijay Mallya in the doldrums would be hoping to match the pace and efficiency of F1 WO7 Hybrid, the new samurai from Mercedes' stable, and everyone's 'car to beat'. Williams Drivers', Felipe Massa, who recently announced no intentions of quitting F1 despite failing to make it count in the last two seasons will be hoping for the young Finn, Valtteri Bottas to lead the charge.
All that said, we will refrain from indulging in mental math. It's best to have the likes of David Croft take us through the spectacle of international sport's most glitzy fest. It's lights out and away we go!
