2014 Formula One: Top-5 teams to watch out for this season
The 2014 Formula One season starts Friday with the first practice session of the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park, Melbourne. New rule changes have meant that the F1 pecking order that was established over the last few years could change completely. Red Bull might be four-time defending champions in both the Drivers and Constructors' Championships, but that trend could well change this year. Here are NDTV's Top-5 teams to look out for this season.
The 2014 Formula One season starts Friday with the first practice session of the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park, Melbourne. New rule changes have meant that the F1 pecking order that was established over the last few years could change completely. Red Bull might be four-time defending champions in both the Drivers and Constructors' Championships, but that trend could well change this year. Here are NDTV's Top-5 teams to look out for this season:
Red Bull:
2014 is being tagged as the year when Sebastian Vettel's four-year reign as world champion will end. With the teams being forced to build their cars pretty much from scratch, the defending champions are struggling to even finish testing laps. There's apparently some tension between Red Bull and Renault with the 2014 car being seen as a ticking time bomb, with some fearing that Red Bull might not even be able to finish the Australian GP. But not many are counting Red Bull out just yet. If they manage to fix their engine and overheating problems, they could well be one of the biggest contenders once again.
Ferrari:
Ferrari haven't won the World Championship since 2007. Will this season end the six-year wait? There's no doubt that Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso form the most formidable driving pair on the entire circuit. It is the first time since 1954 that Ferrari has fielded two world champions in the same team. However, the biggest question mark remains over the Ferrari engine. The teams having Mercedes units hold a clear edge in pre-season testing.
Williams:
Last season saw Sir Frank Williams' team score just five points and drop to number 9 in the World Championship. But a number of factors have combined to ensure that Williams is high on confidence ahead of the 2014 season. The Renault engine, which other teams are having problems with, has been swapped for a Mercedes unit. A number of new sponsors have also come on board strengthening their financial status. There's also been a welcome boost in the cockpit, with a highly motivated Felipe Massa joining the team.
McLaren:
After failing to register a single podium finish in 2013, McLaren have begun a massive rebuilding process. With team principal Martin Whitmarsh being ousted, the legendary Ron Dennis is hands-on once again. Rookie driver Kevin Magnussen, meanwhile, is likely to keep teammate Jenson Button on his toes.
Mercedes:
Red Bull's woes have made Mercedes the favourites to win the title this season. The W05, the most complex F1 car ever produced by the team, has been by far the most impressive car in pre-season testing. Lewis Hamiltoin will be the trump card as far as driver potential is concerned, with Nico Rosberg who won 2 races last season also very capable of keeping the team in the top half of the championship. Hamilton, who is being tipped to win his second world title has warned the rest of the field that there is still "more to come" from the Mercedes car.