I'm hoping that 2016 provides a bit more excitement on the track, as I'm getting rather tired of the off track politics being far more worthy of discussion. We basically need Ferrari to close the gap on Merc and the midfield to compress a bit. Pirelli are trying to increase the so called tyre "cliff" again so cue plenty of whinging from the drivers and crying from Red Bull when they discover that the tyres can't handle the ample downforce their car will have.
Pre season testing is shorter than ever and so in many more vital than it ever has been before to sooth out and teething problems in a new car.
MercedesAnyone who is wearing their sensible shoes would have no hesitation in confidently predicting Mercedes to be the clear favourites to take a championship hat trick. And let's be honest Hamilton will stop sulking in time for Melbourne and there will be little to stop him from romping to title number four and becoming that little bit more insufferable. I'd like to see Rosberg take this one but as good as he is (and he is a damn fine driver) he's always going to be second fiddle to Hamilton.
I see the status quo being maintained, it won't be until 2017 at the earliest this team is knocked of its perch.
FerrariExpectations will be huge both internally and externally.. they're certainly the best placed to take on Mercedes and a bigger haul of victories than 2015 would certainly be no surprise. But a full on tilt for the title is a stretch too far for two reasons. One, Mercedes still enjoy the relative comfort of their turbo hybrid era advantage and two, the Vettle - Raikkonen is weaker than Hamilton - Rosberg. But it would certainly be fun to see Hamilton and Vettle go head to head in relatively equal cars.
I sense P2 again in the constructors but plenty of finger waving.
WilliamsIt is claimed that they stopped development on this cars early to focus on next year's which promises some significant changes. This is the standard kind of blurb from any F1 team, but it's true that if the team have any design on challenging for wins then some fundamental weaknesses in both the car and operations need addressing. It'd take a brave man to predict a win on merit but I have little doubt that on the right day in the right circumstances Massa or Bottas could sneak a plucky victory. It's unlikely that they can really threaten Mercedes or Ferrari, I think they'll have a job on their hands to contain Red Bull... but the next step in the team's overall recovery is now required.
I think a smattering of podiums are on the way, but no real chance of wins.
Red BullSo all the uncertainty about what engine the team would have will have played havoc in the cars new cars development right?
Bull @#$%&, with their resources this will not be a problem. Anyone with an ounce of sense would have developed the new car with the Renault in mind and Newey has tonnes of it. Newey and his team will be fully on top of the weaknesses of the 2015 chassis, and if Renault make any kind of step forward then a rerun to 2014 form at the very least is on the cards if not a bit better.
I imagine the Renault will ultimately thwart a title challenge, but the odd sneaky win can not be ruled out we know that Ricciardo can take a race by the throat.
Force IndiaOr should we say "Aston Martin"? Look debonair rebranding or not it's going to be hideously difficult to improve upon P5 in the championship, indeed they did marvellously well to achieve that this year. But ahead of them are teams with deeper resources and stronger infrastructure, behind them are a team with renewed works status and a sleeping giant in the form of McLaren. No, I'm sorry but it's downhill from here.
In lieu of a Perez patented tyre conservation demo to the podium I'll refrain from making any personal forfeit bet... There'll be no running through the streets naked for me.
RenaultThey have their work cut out for them in the short term, but let's not be too dispirited. This team know Renault inside out. Developing the new car for the engine will not be a problem as they'll have plenty of data from the past plus now'll with more secure funding they can go forward with confidence. There's some doubt if Maldonaldo and Palmers contracts will be honoured but maybe that's not a bad thing, I do doubt Maldonaldo's ability to lead a team, and Jean Eric Vergne would have been a nice prospect for them.
I see no reason why Renault should not be on terms with Force India.
Toro RossoThis is going to be interesting.. But I fear they're going to be on the back foot. The oldest spec engine on the grid, even Hass and Manor will have better power trains. This is a shame because the car was a neat little package this year and Verstappen and Sainz deserve good cars to show what they can do.
In Danger of slipping behind Sauber.
SauberMeh. Could climb a spot or two up the championship due to misfortune of others.
MclarenWell.. I'm going to give Honda the benefit of the doubt. It can't be as bad as this year can it? If Honda improve then McLaren have a chassis and drivers to get right back up there... If rather fewer sponsors to fund it.
ManorNew funding, new car, new power train. Very exciting.
Will still back of the grid though though.
HassIntriguing business plan, inspiring technical partnership with Ferrari.
Most likely to be fiddling around the back with Manor but with some prospects of producing a real surprise or two.