Saturday, March 14, 2015

Presenting the 2015 Formula 1 Grid



This is solely intended to be a helpful guide to who's in what for this weekend's season opening F1 race Down Under, along with the rest of the season, albeit is by NO means Official, and as always, is subject to change. While keep in mind that beginning last year, Driver's were allowed to decide their own personal (permanent) numbers a la IndyCar, etc, and hence the scrambled numbering sequence between the No's 2-99, since the No. 1 plate is still reserved for the reigning world champion, at his discretion, as Lewis Hamilton will be the first ever to not carry the No. 1 plate in Formula 1 history! Retaining his #44 instead.

The (original)  remaining 9-teams for this season's opening race Down Under are listed in their respective 2014 F1 constructor's championship finishing positions, as hopefully the newly reconstituted Manor Grand Prix Organisation to be called Manor Marussia F1 Team will make it to Melbourne and beyond! whilst sadly Caterham will disappear from Formula 1.

NOTE
Surely Y'all know that "Fredrico Suave," aka Fred Alonso won't be taking part in this year's Australian GP - with all sorts of theories, speculation and rumours swirling 'round the true cause of his testing accident in Barcelona. Yet like Grizzled Journo' Joe Saward sez; while many are looking for whomever was atop that "Grassy Knoll," isn't it prudent to sit out one Grand Prix in order to ensure long term health and not suffer adverse effects from another possible hit on head, and hence, McLaren Reserve Driver Kevin Magnussen will substitute for Alonso Down Under...


(Constructor’s: Team/Chassis/Engine)
(1) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team
Chassis:  W06 Hybrid
Engine: Mercedes Benz 
(Car No. + Driver)
6. Nico Rosberg
44. Lewis Hamilton
(Test/Reserve Driver)
T/R) Pascal Wehrlein


(2) Red Bull Racing
Chassis:  RB11
Engine: Renault
3. Daniel Ricciardo
26. Daniil Kvyat
T/R: Sebastian Buemi; Antonio Felix da Costa


(3) Williams F1 Team
Chassis:  FW37
Engine: Mercedes Benz
19. Felipe Massa
77. Valtteri Bottas
Reserve Driver) Susie Wolff
Development Driver) Alex Lynn


(4) Scuderia Ferrari
Chassis:  SF15T
Engine: Ferrari
5. Sebastian Vettel
7. Kimi Raikkonen
Reserve Driver) Esteban Gutierrez
Development Driver) Jean-Eric Vergne


(5) McLaren Honda
Chassis:  MP4-30
Engine: Honda 
14. Fernando Alonso
22. Jenson Button
Test Driver) Kevin Magnussen
Reserve Drivers) Oliver Turvey, Stoffel Vandoorne


(6) Sahara Force India F1 Team
Chassis:  VJM-08
Engine: Mercedes Benz 
11. Sergio Perez
27. Nico Hulkenberg
T/R) TBA


(7) Scuderia Toro Rosso
Chassis:  STR10
Engine: Renault
33. R-Max Verstappen
55. R-Carlos Sainz, Jr.
T/R) Sebastian Buemi


(8) Lotus F1 Team
Chassis:  E23 Hybrid
Engine: Mercedes Benz
8. Romain Grosjean
13. Pastor Maldonado
Reserve Driver) Jolyon Palmer
Development Driver) Carmen Jorda


(9) Manor-Marussia F1 Team


Chassis:  MR03
Engine: Ferrari
28) R-Will Stevens
98) R-Roberto Merhi
Development Driver) Jordan King

NOTE
23yr old Spaniard Roberto Merhi, who's manager is a Bloke named Mark Blundell, may only be a "Stop-gap" measure driver for the season's first few races before another Pay Driver with a bigger cheque arrives...


(10) Sauber F1 Team
Chassis:  C34
Engine: Ferrari
9. Marcus Ericsson
12. R-Felipe Nasr
T/R) Raffaele Marciello

(R Denotes Rookie Driver)