Ahead of what’s set to be another exhilarating year, pundit David ‘Crofty’ Croft looks at F1’s most burning issues
Can Mercedes do it again?
Mercedes is in good shape – ahead of the chasing pack. Lewis Hamilton is in a good place, and he knows Nico Rosberg will push him all the way. We’re set for another close battle between the pair.
After a miserable 2014, will Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari improve?
I don’t think Sebastian Vettel has become a bad driver in one season. He’ll be busting a gut to go to Ferrari and prove he can lead it to greater days. He’ll settle – he’s well liked and his work ethic will go down very well.
Is it Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo’s time to shine?
There’s no doubting that Ricciardo justified the faith Red Bull placed in him – he is exceptional. The team’s still lagging behind Mercedes, but it’ll be in a close battle with Williams and Ferrari for the next-best team.
Will Fernando Alonso’s McLaren gamble pay off?
It hasn’t so far. The car is unrefined, the team’s had major problems integrating that Honda engine and getting reliability. After a crash in testing, Alonso has been advised to miss the Australian grand prix.
Toro Rosso’s drivers have a combined age of 37. It’s brave, but could it be a masterstroke?
I’m impressed with the maturity [17-year-old] Max Verstappen is showing, and Carlos Sainz Jr tends to be in the right place at the right time, too. The key test comes going into that first corner in Melbourne. If the cars are good enough, they can make waves.
(Images: Rex)
