First round of testing is done... so who's going to win 2019?

[Jericoke]

If I were a betting girl (which I'm not), I'd have to say Vettel and Ferrari are on a lock for the WDC/WCC.

Of course, we saw last year that having the best equipment doesn't always translate to results.  We've also seen from the past that Vettel doesn't always do well when he has an 'equal' teammate.  LeClerc would have an excellent shot at the championship as a result.  Or they might find themselves with enough turmoil to let Mercedes or Red Bull get a run up the middle.

Naturally my 'dream' winner is Kimi in the Alfa Romeo. When he signed in 2018, that didn't seem feasible.  Now though, while I don't really expect it to happen, it wouldn't be a huge surprise.

[guest3164]

Well, given I am now less certain it will be Williams, I still do not see past Mercedes.  They have proven in the last few years that they can overcome a deficit and win.  Ferrari might be faster now, but Mercedes will make good on that enough to at some point cause Vettel to have brain fade.  Sadly for Leclerc I was only just reading how Binotto has pretty much admitted Vettel starts the season as number 1 driver and will be favoured as a result.

[cosworth151]

I doubt that we've seen the true potential of the top tier cars yet. They were more interested in actual testing of different setups than in setting impressive laps.

[lkjohnson1950]

Agreed. Mercedes is the team to beat. Lewis is much better under pressure than Vettel. Unless the Ferrari is much better than the Merc that will be the difference.

[John S]

I'm remembering testing in 2018 when Merc looked unassailable again, but blow me come the first races and it was Ferrari romping away with the wins. That's how much we can tell from testing, especially early testing.

Having said that the commentators do seem convinced that both Ferrari and Red Bull have the legs on Merc in the long run scenarios. they are pulling more consistent lower times than Merc over 15 to 20 lap runs. Obviously Honda power is still suspect in full race mode.

Still not sure if anyone else can challenge the top 3, Renault and Alfa seem best of rest at present; McLaren, STR and Haas look like the next tier - order to be decided.

Leaving both Williams, for the clearly obvious reason, and Racing point, for the historic lack of development & parts, to get their acts together as currently they look like back markers.

 

[Dare]

Ferrari will excel till the break and then Mercedes will
blow them away.

[Alianora La Canta]

I think Ferrari and Mercedes will both plausibly fight for the title, and it will be a Hamilton/Vettel duel (which makes me think Hamilton will win again, as Vettel is not Rosberg). The rest will be nowhere in comparison.

[Scott]

Reluctant to pick a winner, there are a few things I would like to see this year.

Any number of Alfa finishes ahead of Ferrari.

DR’s Renault pass and pull away from Max’s RBR...Crowning glory would be to put it a lap down on more than one occasion.

Leclerc drive Vettel bananas by easily matching his speed and grinning about it at post race interviews while Vettel digs out excuses.

Ok....I would like the WDC to be either of the Ferrari’s...don’t really care which one.

[Alonsofan]

Reluctant to pick a winner, there are a few things I would like to see this year.

Any number of Alfa finishes ahead of Ferrari.

DR’s Renault pass and pull away from Max’s RBR...Crowning glory would be to put it a lap down on more than one occasion.

Leclerc drive Vettel bananas by easily matching his speed and grinning about it at post race interviews while Vettel digs out excuses.

Ok....I would like the WDC to be either of the Ferrari’s...don’t really care which one.

That was all going so well until your last paragraph. What do you mean either Ferrari?? There is only one who has a chance, the other is just his blocker car.
To be honest you can't read anything into testing other than Williams seem to be in trouble and possibly Haas have a few niggles.

[cosworth151]

I'm hoping that Haas might receive a visitor or two from Maranello. I'm sure that the visit won't have anything to do with the electrical gremlins. 

[Scott]

That was all going so well until your last paragraph. What do you mean either Ferrari?? There is only one who has a chance, the other is just his blocker car.
To be honest you can't read anything into testing other than Williams seem to be in trouble and possibly Haas have a few niggles.

Either driver...I want Ferrari to take it from Merc this year and I think they have the best chance than any other team. 

I don’t think anyone here is naive enough to read very much into testing aside from reliability.

[Alonsofan]

I didn't think anyone on here was naive enough to think that Ferrari will not favour Vettel 

If any Ferrari driver wins the WDC it will only ever be Vettel 

[Calman]

It's simple folks ... that Beautiful Yellow and Black car will win the title in 2019!!



Best Regards,
Cal

[Alonsofan]

Is that a sneak peek of Williams developments to improve their car for this year? 

[Scott]

I didn't think anyone on here was naive enough to think that Ferrari will not favour Vettel 

If any Ferrari driver wins the WDC it will only ever be Vettel 

I’m not so sure.  Ferrari has historically been much more interested in the WCC than the WDC.  It will have more to do with mathematical chances after mid season.