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First image of this year's radically changed Sauber
livery for the C34, featuring an all new driver line-up. (Image source: skysports.com)
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Ready, Set, GO! As its hard to believe its once
again time to kickoff another formula 1season, which looks like I'll be trying
vainly to watch; Err listen to, as we'd purchased tickets to the (March 14th) Two
Cellos concert before I discovered when F1 began. Alas, it'll be a semi-tough
way to start off the year, since I'm NO longer able to record TV programs;
URGH!Which means I'll miss at the very least Qualifying, and most likely Friday's
Free Practice sessions too, although Tacoma Bureau Chief Mary Ellen assures me:
Do you really think I'm gonna make you miss the first race of the season? Which
I'll be aiming to catch the "Peacock-lite" (NBCSN) encore rebroadcast
of..
Suppose it's just
Mwah? But I always thought that story (link above) was pretty clever, eh?
Although it harkens back to a different era, before these soothing, quiet times
'O Jean Todt's impotent ruling, while the Australian GP is on NBCSN this year,
albeit having been moved an hour forwards...
And although the story link above is slightly
dated, since after all, three years is an eternity in F1; Crikeys Mates!
Nonetheless, the overall premise of everyone being Fat, Happy; Err Fluffy 'N
dumb pre season's commencing. As you get the idea of how every single stinkin'
driver on the grid is "Proud of his Boys!" Blah-blah-blah...
As how times have changed, with '12 being
'DER TERMINATORS (Michael Schumacher) final, final season in F1 - FOREVER!
Prior to Seb' Vettel switching to Maranello to try pulling a Michael; Err
rabbit outta Fiorano; Hya! While McLaren will surely experience major growing
pains this year during its first season with Honda in the vaunted PU (Power
Unit) era.
As my money; Err Heartstrings are firmly affixed
to Team Willy this season, as Valtteri Bottas firmly became my new Numero Uno
driver last year, and hopefully will "Break his Duck" this season! Although
I still hope eternal for Felipe Massa to once again stand proudly upon the
podium's top step, as it'd be most satisfying for Team Willy' to equal
Maranello's new boss's expectations of two "W's" *wins) this season!
Meanwhile, I'm expecting more good things
from the B-I-G' BULLS Daniel 'Ricky Ricciardo, with new 'rooskie team-mate Daniil Kvyat nipping at his heels
and being a driver to watch, as Red Bull hopes to challenge
the might of Mercedes this year; YAWN! As Chris Horner's in full PR Speak mode
as always, but then again I'm still waiting to sell him that bridge I offered
last year; Hooah!
But don't expect for anyone to knock the
"Works" Mercedes Silver Arrows off their perch just yet, as hopefully Nico Rosberg can overhaul Lewis
Hamilton this season for the Driver's title, eh? While I think everyone will be
hard pressed to wrassle the Constructor's crown away from Mercedes.
And who'll be the top rookie from the crop 'O
three? As the 'lil Bulls, nee Scuderia toro Rosso have once again tossed out
the old bathwater; Uhm, current drivers in hopes of feeling all tingly with Max
"Dutch Boy" Verstappen and Carlos Sainz, Jr. While Felipe Nasr brings
his multi 'Kuhzillions Brasilia bank notes to Switzerland alongside Sweden's
Marcus Ericsson also ponying up for the opportunity to race for the
reconstituted Sauber.
While Lotus will hope to emulate Williams
transformation from rear of the grid to front-runners via the installation of
the almighty Merc' PU attached to its backside! With Force India hoping to
remain mid-pack also thanks to its three-pointed star power unit.
But somebody's gonna finish last, so who will
it be? And who's been Sand-bagging so far, since either le 'Reggie, nee Renault
or Scuderia Ferrari are gonna need to turn their respective engine programs "Bar"
(boost) higher or finish discontented again, as the early money would say that
while McLaren tries mightily spinning its Brave Face, the Honda looks likely to
finish last this season whilst attempting to cope with the steep PU learning
curve...