As Christmas draws near, 2015 gets one week closer. With only two seats left to be confirmed, (Plus Two if Caterham can return) I've decided to this week weigh my views on the driver and team changes for the 2015: F1, GP2/3 and IndyCar Seasons.
Formula One
Here's the 2014 Analysis and 2015 Line Up with commentary for the top 5 teams.
Mercedes
2014 Line Up- 701 Points 2015 Line Up
Hamilton- 384 Points 11 Wins Hamilton
Rosberg - 317 Points 5 Wins Rosberg
There's no other way to describe the 2014 Season for Mercedes that hasn't already been said. The dominance that they've achieved is something that not even Red Bull or Ferrari can say they've achieved. Anything other than a repeat would be a disappointment in 2015. And that includes the intense Rivalry. Rosberg has the mental and physical strength to come back fighting next year, as does Hamilton. It's just a question of whether the other teams can get in their way a bit more.
Red Bull
2014 Line Up- 405 Points 2015 Line Up
Ricciardo- 238 Points 3 Wins Ricciardo
Vettel- 167 Points Best Finish 2nd (Singapore) Kvyat
The many doubters of Vettel who believed his success between 2010 and 2013 could only be reinforced by his 2014 performances. This year he could not catch Ricciardo and there were times such as Britain and Monaco where he could rarely keep a lid on his frustration. On the morning of the Japanese Grand Prix, the announcement came that Vettel would be leaving the team after the season. It has since been confirmed that his new home is at Ferrari. Ricciardo cemented his place as best of the rest by being the only driver other than the two Mercedes to win a race. A feat he achieved three times at Canada, Hungary and Belgium. Whenever Rosberg and Hamilton wounded themselves, Ricciardo was always there to pick up the pieces. In 2015 Red Bull will hope to bring themselves back to the fight with the Mercedes. Both Adrian Newey and Sebastian Vettel leaving the team wont help. The variable in this equation is the New Arrival of Daniil Kvyat. One of the most feisty new racers of recent years.
Williams
2014 Line Up- 320 Points 2015 Line Up
Bottas- 186 Points Best Finish 2nd (Britain, Germany) Bottas
Massa- 134 Points Best Finish 2nd (Abu Dhabi) Massa
Many Pundits of the sport are expecting a return to the front for Williams in 2015, I personally have a more pessimistic prediction for the team. 2012 looked like a return to form for the Williams team that had suffered bad pace since 2004. However despite a win from Maldonado, the team lost more than one podium and points finish due to inconsistency from their drivers, Pastor Maldonado and Bruno Senna. he following year their pace was nowhere. One can't help but the yoyo effect Williams has had will repeat itself. Despite Bottas beating Massa over the course of 2014, Massa finished ahead of Bottas for the final three races of 2014. Massa will hope he can keep his edge over Bottas. Wherever they are in terms of pace next season.
Ferrari
2014 Line Up-216 Points 2015 Line Up
Alonso- 161 Points Best Finish 2nd (Hungary) Raikkonen
Raikkonen- 55 Points Best Finish 4th (Belgium) Vettel
Many, including myself, hoped 2014 would be a return to glory for the Prancing Horse. Many, including myself and many Tifosi were left with disappointment. From the first qualifying session it was apparent that Raikkonen was struggling with the change from Lotus to Ferrari, and except for stand out performances in Monaco and Belgium, it was a struggle that stayed for the year. It was apparent from the very first year that work was needed on the car, it was already worse than their 2013 car. The many personnel changes this year have made Alonso leave the team. Something not many were expected. It is a mystery as to what Ferrari promised Vettel that persuaded him to switch, but one must feel it's on the scale of whatever Mercedes told Hamilton that persuaded him.
McLaren
2014 Line Up-181 Points 2015 Line Up
Button-126 Points Best Finish 3rd (Australia) TBA
Magnussen- 55 Points Best Finish 2nd (Australia) TBA
With one seat all but confirmed for Alonso, the 2nd half of 2014 was a fight between the current drivers that, due to penalties (Belgium and Italy) and difficult races (Japan) for Magnussen, was won by Button, on paper anyway. I follow the view of many. My heart wants Button to fill the seat alongside Alonso following the year he's had. 2014 began in sorrow for Jenson after his father died. This was followed by the podium he never got to celebrate in Melbourne, which would end up being his only of the season. My head however believes Magnussen will get the seat. He began the season with many inevitable comparisons to fellow McLaren protégé Lewis Hamilton. No Matter the driver line-up a 3rd consecutive 5th place in 2015 would be unacceptable. Especially with the new Honda partnership.
Force India
2014 Line Up- 155 Points 2015 Line Up
Hulkenberg- 96 Points Best Finish 5th (Malaysia, Bahrain, Monaco, Canada) Hulkenberg
Perez- 59 Points Best Finish 3rd (Bahrain) Perez
Toro Rosso
2014 Line Up- 30 Points 2015 Line Up
Vergne- 22 Points Best Finish 6th (Singapore) Verstappen
Kvyat- 8 Points Best Finish 9th (Australia, Britain, Belgium) Sainz Jr
Lotus
2014 Line Up- 10 Points 2015 Line Up
Grosjean- 8 Points Grosjean
Maldonado- 2 Points Maldonado
Marussia
2014 Line Up- 2 Points 2015 Line Up
Bianchi (Race 1-15) Best Finish 9th (Monaco) N/A (Team Defunct)
Chilton (Race 1-16) Best Finish 13th (Australia, Bahrain)
Sauber
2014 Line Up- 0 Points 2015 Line Up
Sutil Best Finish 11th (Australia. Hungary) Ericsson
Gutierrez Best Finish 12th (Australia) Nasr
Caterham
2014 Line Up- 0 Points 2015 Line Up
Ericsson (1-16) Best Finish 11th (Monaco) TBA
Kobayashi (1-16 and 19) Best Finish 13th (Malaysia, Monaco) TBA
Lotterer (11) Best Finish RET (Belgium)
Stevens (19) Best Finish 17th (Abu Dhabi)
Indycar
The Merge of Sarah Fisher Racing and Ed Carpenter Racing has made this team a contender. Ed Carpenter will continue his driving on Oval role as well as his team owner role. Josef Newgarden also retains his seat.
With Hinchcliffe off to Schmidt Peterson Racing, Andretti has not announced a 4th driver alongside Hunter- Reay, Munoz and Marco Andretti.
Champion Will Power could reach breaking point as his well documented rival Simon Pagenaud joins him alongside Montoya and Castroneves at Team Penske.
With Briscoe out at Ganassi, no 4th driver has been announced alongside Dixon, Kimball and Kanaan, who all desperately need a better year than 2014.
AJ Foyt keeps Sato and attains Bryan Herta driver Jack Hawksworth. KV Racing keeps Bourdais while Rahal Letterman Racing keeps Graham Rahal.
The only new full scheduled team Fan Force United has confirmed Stefan Wilson. It is currently unknown whether his brother Justin will return to the series.
GP2
Red Bull young driver Pierre Gasly dominated post season testing while driving in the DAMS car. The Frenchman has been linked to a 2015 seat with the team alongside Stoffel Vandoorne.
Following Caterham's woes their GP2 team has been sold to Status Grand Prix. Who will run both GP2 and GP3 in 2015
So far the only confirmed drivers in GP2 are Julian Leal at Carlin, Arthur Pic at Campos and Andre Negrao at Rapax
So far Felipe Nasr is the only 2014 Graduate in GP2 to move to F1. He will drive for Sauber next year alongside Marcus Ericsson.
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