Schippke wrote: ↑20 Feb 2024, 14:54
1. Red Bull (Really cannot see them throwing away such an advantage; If anything, they're likely to keep it).
2. McLaren (Best example of evolution, considering the steps they made last year with their concept aimed towards 2024, should be able to hit the ground running with better understanding).
3. Mercedes (New design direction and unique concepts might take a bit of time to fine-tune, but should be very close to McLaren at the season start).
4. Ferrari (Despite a lot more confidence coming from the team about resolving last year's car issues, that might also play against them in outright pace terms at least initially... but probably the most room for development looking at car compared to others).
5. Aston Martin (Could very well be ahead of Ferrari and closer to Mercedes/McLaren if their step last year was anything to go by... and a lot more confidence about their prospects for the car this year and a clearer, more aggressive path for development).
6. VCARB (Stupid name... BUT the usage of as much Red Bull parts as possible makes them the dark horse (uhh, bull?) of the grid... could very well trouble some of the teams in-front on the right tracks... wouldn't be surprised to see them in Q3 more often than not).
7. Alpine (At least at the season start, I don't see them being as competitive as they were by season's end last year... but sure to make progress as the season progresses. Their lacking of Power of the Renault PU is a mark against them though.
8. Williams (In the hands of Albon, should show some decent bursts of speed and a potential chance of Q3 appearances, but talks of their car running behind aren't exactly flattering).
9. Sauber (Screw the other names they're called; I'm hoping they're somewhat higher up, but since their burst of performance at the start of 2022, it has been a noticeable decline since; Maybe with James Key onboard, they can finally make progress).
10. Haas (When the new team principal even says its likely we'll be the slowest team at season's start... hard to argue anything else. Another year of inconsistencies it seems from having a car that barely make sit out of Q1, to randomly getting into Q5 and starting P7).