So F1 2015 is over and if I'm honest it hasn't been a particular exciting year, at least not by recent standards. I can't put my finger on it, maybe it's the regs but overall the teams have been too spaced out and the expected battle royal between Ferrari, Williams and Red Bull never materialised. I guess there's always plenty to talk about though.
MercedesPretty much exactly as expected. Maintained 2014 performance advantage and with Hamilton holding Rosberg (who switched on far too late) at comfortable arms length to take a pretty easy championship. Singapore was baffling but apart from the odd flicker of a fight from Ferrari, Merc were peerless and to think I used to mock them for taking on ALL the technical directors.
I think Austin perfectly summed up the dynamic between to the two drivers. For the first time since they've teammates Rosberg put a move on Hamilton and actually made it stick, only to then make an inexplicable mistake and gift wrap the race and championship to Hamilton.
And dammit, I wish they'd be more flexible with strategy during the race. Let their drivers make a call to mix it up a bit.
FerrariThe new team structure has been refreshingly likeable and Vettle has definitely been rejuvenated by the change of scenery. The team made a very real step forward from 14 to 15, and hence can't be ruled out from pushing Merc all the way in 16. Kimi needs to up his game though, the past two years he's been much too far behind his teammate to the extent that he's actually one of the weakest links in the field.
WilliamsA comfortable 3rd in the constructors has to been seen as a success in their recent history. Yet, it's been frustrating. Some fairly fundamental weaknesses in the chassis has seen them slip firmly behind Ferrari, not to mention the infuriating pit-stop finger trouble. Beating Red Bull, the form team of the decade so far is indeed a formidable result but one has to wonder how much Renault contributed to that defeat. The drivers have generally got the most out of this package but it's difficult to see where Williams go from here. They lack the resource and infrastructural strength to really take on Merc and Ferrari. The low drag characteristic of the past two years has produced some good results but the resultant weaknesses in traction and short corners has left them vulnerable.
Red BullTop (or flop) of the politics this year. The Renault has certainly been a burden but there is no denying that the chassis was their weakest since 2008. Has Newey's scaled back involvement been the root cause? Is it just the natural cycle of F1? No dream team lasts forever. Mind you, they proved that they can still pull it together. The chassis weakness was systematically reduced throughout the year. Kyvat has also done a fine job, he's rarely spectacular but he's brought in the points just as well as Ricciardo. Considering Ricciardo beat Vettel with aplomb last year... that's no mean feat.
Force IndiaConsidering the lateness of the car and all the off season difficulties, 5th in the constructors and ending on a performance par with Williams has been mightily impressive. You could almost forgive them their annoyingness towards Manor. Perez has also pretty much usurped Hulkenberg as the unsung talent bubbling beyond a top car.
EnstoneHave to feel for the buggers. They have no idea from race to race if they're going to be there or not. I wish Renault would put them out of their misery. The car has been respectable enough, but with virtually no development it was inevitable they'd be the weakest Merc team. Grosjean has carried the team well all season, his podium at Spa was the mustard. I have to say his move to fledgling Hass team is bold. I hope for his sake he doesn't become the next Timo Glock gambling his future on a start up team when he could have easily enough secured a drive with a midfield team. If it doesn't work out I'd envisage him ending up in Indycar.
Toro RossoPossibly let down by unreliability and Renault. A decent enough to little chassis but boy, their most exciting driver pairing yet.
SauberNot as bad as 2014 obviously... But lacking resources and technical strength. Symptomatic of F1's current inequalities.
McLaren HondaWow... How the mighty have fallen. Honda bit off more than they could chew, one can only hope that they're hiding some kind of miraculous winter improvement. Two things are clear here. Honda are struggling and Ronspeak is more irritating than ever. It's a shame, a real shame. Because the one thing they've got right is being wasted. Alonso - Button has been their strongest line up for a very long time. For all his grumpiness Alonso has never given up for a millisecond and Button has ran him closer than any teammate since Hamilton... And for anyone who doubts Button's worth.. when was the last time Alonso actually got out scored by a team-mate?
Well... Unless you count 2007, when he and Hamilton ended equal on points then until now Alonso had
never been out scored by a teammate. Well done Jenson, well done.
ManorMassive achievement being on the grid at all. Extremely encouraging that they are now seemingly secure with new technical partnerships with Mercedes and Williams. Massive shame to loose Booth and Lowdon. Will have a fight on their hands with Hass.