The 2010 season in 20 questions
Michael Schumacher is my tip for the title - who's yours?
In less than 24 hours’ times we’ll start to get answers to all the questions we have about the hugely anticipated new Formula 1 season.
As is traditional, now’s the time to make your guesses on the big stories of the season ahead. Answer these 20 questions on the 2010 season below and we’ll check them again in eight months’ time to see who did best:
1. What will be the best surprise?
2. What will be the worst surprise?
3. Which driver will be replaced first?
4. Who will he be replaced by?
5. What will be the biggest political story?
6. Jenson Button vs Lewis Hamilton: who will score the most points?
7. Felipe Massa vs Fernando Alonso: who will score the most points?
8. How many races will Michael Schumacher win?
9. Will Kimi Räikkönen announce a return to F1 in 2011?
10. Who will have the worst reliability?
11. Who will be the most impressive rookie (including Kamui Kobayashi and Jaime Alguersuari)?
12. Which will be the most entertaining race?
13. Who will set the most pole positions?
14. Who will win the Monaco Grand Prix?
15. Who will be the first retirement at Bahrain?
16. Which will be the best new team?
17. At which race will the drivers’ title be won?
18. Who will win the constructors’ championship?
19. Who will win the drivers’ championship?
20. How many points will the winning driver score?
Here are my answers:
1. Lotus getting on the pace by the end of the season
2. HRT not making it to the end of the season
3. Jaime Alguersuari
4. Daniel Ricciardo
5. Plans for a new engine specification
6. Lewis Hamilton
7. Fernando Alonso
8. Six
9. No
10. HRT
11. Nico Hülkenberg
12. Canada
13. Lewis Hamilton
14. Fernando Alonso
15. Karun Chandhok
16. Lotus
17. Brazil
18. Mercedes
19. Michael Schumacher
20. 308
This one’s just for fun but if you fancy putting your prediction powers to the test to win some serious prizes, make sure you join in the 2010 F1 Fanatic Predictions Championship
See all the articles in the F1 Fanatic 2010 Season Preview
2010 F1 season
perveze7 said on 11th March 2010, 12:01
keith , i agree that schuey & merc will be the champions. But its goin t be a fierce battle till the final race.
TJ said on 11th March 2010, 13:56
Schumi for WDC? Brave one Keith. We’ll all remember this in November!
2 Minutes To Midnight said on 11th March 2010, 15:35
1. What will be the best surprise?
HRT battling for midfield place in the first few races, and Williams suprisingly wining a race after 6 years.
2. What will be the worst surprise?
I hope there isn’t any.
3. Which driver will be replaced first?
Vitantonio Liuzzi or Algesuari
4. Who will he be replaced by?
Paul Di Resta :D, and Brendon Hartley
5. What will be the biggest political story?
I’m not interested in F1 politics.
6. Jenson Button vs Lewis Hamilton: who will score the most points?
-Hamilton, but it will be a lot closer than you all think it will be.
7. Felipe Massa vs Fernando Alonso: who will score the most points?
-Alonso, without a doubt.
8. How many races will Michael Schumacher win?
-3 or 4, same as the other front runners
9. Will Kimi Räikkönen announce a return to F1 in 2011?
-NO, just no. :(
10. Who will have the worst reliability?
-Hormone Replacement Therapy Racing
11. Who will be the most impressive rookie (including Kamui Kobayashi and Jaime Alguersuari)?
-I hope it’s Bruno Senna, but i think it will be obviously Kamui Kobayashi
12. Which will be the most entertaining race?
-Belgium, Italy, Japan, Korea (LOL), Turkey, Australia, Brazil, Abu Dhabi, Monaco, plenty I hope & think
13. Who will set the most pole positions?
-Fernando Alonso, Jenson Button, or Sebastian Vettel
14. Who will win the Monaco Grand Prix?
-Lewis Hamilton or Michael Schumacher
15. Who will be the first retirement at Bahrain?
-Many, there will be a pileup in the first lap, chaos. Vitantonio Liuzzi, Sebastien Buemi, Jarno Trulli, Heikki Kovalainen, Pedro De La Rosa, Timo Glock, and Sebastien Buemi are the victims
16. Which will be the best new team?
-If you can call Brawn a new team, then you can call Sauber a new team. So, Sauber it is!
17. At which race will the drivers’ title be won?
-Round 18: Interlagos, Brazil.
18. Who will win the constructors’ championship?
-I hope it will be a mclaren :D
19. Who will win the drivers’ championship?
-Fernando, Lewis, Vettel, MSC, Button, or Massa. It’s too close to call
20. How many points will the winning driver score?
-289.
Adrian said on 11th March 2010, 16:34
“16. Which will be the best new team?
-If you can call Brawn a new team, then you can call Sauber a new team. So, Sauber it is!”
Surely by that logic Mercedes is a new team…you think Sauber will beat Mercedes??
paul barton said on 11th March 2010, 17:49
most entertaining race, drivers championship… dude, your meant to pick one. that’s the fun!
Mac v2 said on 11th March 2010, 17:52
MS and Mercedes?!
That’s a bold one!
I’ll tell you on monday, winning here will be 50% of the Title.
Ninad said on 11th March 2010, 12:02
I’m so surprised that you are predicting Michael Schumacher might win the title.
K said on 11th March 2010, 12:26
What’s surprising about that?
W-K said on 11th March 2010, 12:45
It can only happen IF, merc are as good as McLaren and Ferrari and he gets his way with team orders.
Therefore it ain’t gonna ‘appen.
red bull tastes like crap said on 11th March 2010, 12:45
that a 41 year old driver, out of f1 for three years is chosen as the favourite for the championship. I doubt it on 2010, and six victories, i don’t think so, but as keith said, will see is 8 months. Very brave article.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine) said on 11th March 2010, 12:54
I expect last year’s constructors’ champions will have the best car again this year, and the man who’s won more titles than anyone else will win another.
I think Mercedes will take a big step forward with their Bahrain aero package. And they’ve got the best or equal-best engine.
So I don’t think it’s such a radical prediction. The only major concern is whether Schumacher’s neck is up to 19 rounds.
K said on 11th March 2010, 13:04
Exactly, it wouldn’t be surprising at all, extraordinary maybe but not surprising.
This isn’t any old 41 year old who’s carrying a bit extra around the midriff, is having a mid-life crisis and has just bought a leather jacket. This is a dude who routinely got out of an F1 car at the end of a 300 kilometre race looking like he’d barely broken a sweat. And he’s gonna be driving for one of the top teams. He has a realistic chance.
Nathan Bradley said on 11th March 2010, 13:12
Hi Keith,
I keep hearing about Merc’s Bahrain aero upgrade package. Have we any idea exactly what’s in it and why everyone is so excited?
Thanks
K said on 11th March 2010, 13:34
New floor, new wings, possibly a new nose and maybe even a new rule stretching diffuser.
Invoke said on 11th March 2010, 13:42
I think your right about the Merc upgrade… it just seems like typical Ross Brawn to hold back in testing. Watching a recent interview with him he looked far from concerned in his usual cool calm and collected manner. You could just sense that he knew everything was going to plan.
Patrickl said on 11th March 2010, 16:05
I’d say the major concern is wether they will in fact come with such a radical aero update.
They weren’t the strongest constructor at the end of the year and at the start only because they spend a year and a half on that car.
Robbie said on 11th March 2010, 17:18
Except at the end of last season Brawn didn’t have the best car, I’d say that title would go to McLaren or Red Bull. Brawn were brilliant at the beginning but didn’t move forward much like the rest did.
Macca said on 11th March 2010, 12:53
I’m a bit surprised by that also. Here are my pradictions.
1. One of the new teams on the podium.
2. Red Bull has a horrible car.
3. Jamie Alguersuari.
4. Daniel Riccardo.
5. The bad choice of the new teams.
6. Lewis Hamilton.
7. Fernando Alonso.
8. 3
9. No
10. Virgin Racing
11. Pedro de la Rosa
12. Interlargos
13. Sebastian Vettel
14. Michael Schumacher
15. Karun Chandhok
16. Lotus
17. Yas Island
18. Ferrari
19. Fernando Alonso
20. 303
Bertie said on 11th March 2010, 13:43
1. Virgin
2. Schumacher not completing season
3. Luzzi
4. Di grassi
5. The collapse of a new team
6. Hamilton
7. Alonso
8. 2
9. Yes
10. HRT
11. Hulk
12. Interlagos
13. Hamilton
14. Hamilton
15. Senna
16. Lotus
17. Interlagos
18. Ferrari
19. Hamilton
20. 102
Nirupam said on 11th March 2010, 14:40
WDC points 102? That can be achieved quite easily without a top four finish!
Einar AI said on 11th March 2010, 12:03
1. Sauber and Williams challenging the top four for podiums in the first few races
2. HRT failing miserably
3. Jaime Alguersuari
4. Brendon Hartley
5. The arising pros and cons of the refuelling ban
6. Hamilton
7. Massa
8. Four
9. Yes, in place of Webber at Red Bull
10. Virgin
11. Hulkenberg, but Petrov may score more points
12. Interlagos
13. Hamilton
14. Button
15. Jarno Trulli
16. Lotus
17. Abu Dhabi
18. McLaren
19. Michael Schumacher
20. 267
WidowFactory said on 11th March 2010, 14:53
1. Force India challenging for podiums on more than just the low-downforce tracks
2. Webber announcing his retirement
3. Vitantonio Liuzzi
4. Paul di Resta
5. Alonso accusing Ferrari of giving preferential treatment to Massa
6. Hamilton
7. Alonso
8. 1
9. No
10. HRT
11. Hulkenberg
12. Brazil, because it always is
13. Hamilton
14. Alonso
15. Chandok
16. Lotus
17. Brazil
18. McLaren
19. Hamilton
20. 195
djdaveyp said on 11th March 2010, 12:04
1. What will be the best surprise?
Virgin challenging Mid-field by mid-season
2. What will be the worst surprise?
Schueys Neck putting him out
3. Which driver will be replaced first?
Liuzzi
4. Who will he be replaced by?
Di Resta
5. What will be the biggest political story?
New teams for next season
6. Jenson Button vs Lewis Hamilton: who will score the most points?
Lewis
7. Felipe Massa vs Fernando Alonso: who will score the most points?
Felipe
8. How many races will Michael Schumacher win?
1
9. Will Kimi Räikkönen announce a return to F1 in 2011?
No
10. Who will have the worst reliability?
HRT
11. Who will be the most impressive rookie (including Kamui Kobayashi and Jaime Alguersuari)?
The Hulk
12. Which will be the most entertaining race?
Silverstone
13. Who will set the most pole positions?
Lewis
14. Who will win the Monaco Grand Prix?
Jenson
15. Who will be the first retirement at Bahrain?
Sutil
16. Which will be the best new team?
Lotus
17. At which race will the drivers’ title be won?
Korea
18. Who will win the constructors’ championship?
McLaren
19. Who will win the drivers’ championship?
Lewis
20. How many points will the winning driver score?
340
Nixon said on 11th March 2010, 12:05
Awesome article Kieth, but i will only answer some questions:
6 Hamilton
7 Alonso
8 2
10 HRT (Campos)
11 Hulkenberg
16 Virgin
Nathan said on 11th March 2010, 12:05
1. Sauber. But STR and Renault are in that mix too!
2. How uncompetitive Rosberg is.
3. Alguesuari, but Buemi can never be safe under Tost’s management.
4. I’d like to say Heidfeld, but Ricciardo is the logical choice.
5. Engine regulations for 2013
6. Hamilton.
7. Alonso.
8. 2
9. Nope
10. Virgin
11. Hulkenberg
12. Brazil
13. Massa
14. Hamilton
15. Di Grassi
16. Lotus
17. Brazil
18. Red Bull
19. Sebastien Vettel
20. 216
Matt Clinch said on 11th March 2010, 12:07
1. Rosberg outperforming Schumacher
2. HRT not making it to the end of the season
3. Buemi
4. Hartley
5. Dispute over blown rear wings
6. Hamilton
7. Alonso
8. 3
9. No
10. Lotus
11. Kobayashi
12. Spa
13. Alonso
14. Hamilton
15. Alguersuari
16. Virgin
17. Brazil
18. Ferrari
19. Hamilton
20. 102
GeeMac said on 11th March 2010, 12:13
102? Revised points system?
We want turbos said on 11th March 2010, 12:15
Think you may have forgotton about points changes!
Matt Clinch said on 11th March 2010, 12:29
ah yes, of course! lets go with 267 then…
GeeMac said on 11th March 2010, 12:09
Nice work Keith!
1. The new teams quickly finding their feet and putting pressure on STR and FI.
2. Renault finally pulling out of F1.
3. Jaime Alguersuari
4. Brandon Hartley
5. VW/Audi announcing that they will only come into F1 if they are allowed to use Diesel engines.
6. Lewis Hamilton
7. Fernando Alonso
8. 2
9. No
10. Virgin
11. Bruno Senna, despite HRT’s lack of pace.
12. Monaco
13. Fernando Alonso
14. Michael Schumacher
15. Karun Chandhok
16. Lotus
17. Abu Dhabi
18. McLaren
19. Lewis Hamilton
20. 250
steph said on 11th March 2010, 12:10
1. Williams getting a win this season…I know unlikely but it can’t really be a surprise if any of us are right anyway :P
2. HRT leaving but that’s quite an easy one so I’ll say Branson deciding he can’t be bothered with F1
3. Jaime Alguersuari
4. Daniel Ricciardo
5. Not sure, I doubt Flav will be back causing trouble, expect the FIA to get some grief with the new teams but that was under Max anyway
6. Hamilton-but it won’t be by a massive gap
7. Felipe Massa , my head does say Alonso but I can’t help bnut feel optimistic forn Massa
8. 2 or 3. I’ll say 3 ‘for sure’
9. No. But if he keeps crashing in rally and Citroen get fed up then yes but I don’t see it happening and to be honest (as Kimi would say) I don’t really care anymore :P
10. HRT should with lack of testing but I’ll go out on a limb and say Virgin
11. Impressive? Kamui Kobayashi his aggressive style will just get more support. Hulkenberg will be the better and quicker driver however.
12. Interlagos closely followed by Canada
13. Hamilton as the Mclaren will probably be the quicker car.
14. Alonso or Massa. I’ll say Massa just based on his 08 pole lap.
15. Chandhok
16. Lotus
17.Interlagos
18. Ferrari
19. Massa. Alonso pushing him all the way and Michael making a good fight. Hamilton well in the mix too
20. I’m not very good at maths (well really it’s just laziness) so I’m picking a random number of 300
I do expect Alonso to win the title but I feel confident for Felipe. I know I have bias but in 07, 08 and 09 before the seasons I never would have said he would win if that helps :P
Wateva said on 11th March 2010, 12:36
Woah… atleast someone gives some sort of regard to Massa. Good one. Its a long short but I hope Massa wins it.
steph said on 11th March 2010, 13:38
Well I am a big fan but if I’m bruta;;y honest I enever expected him to get very far in 08 but look what happened. I just feel that he’s returning which will give him more hunger, had his fair share of bad fortune, Ferrari seem to have a good car, Alonso’s still settling in, Massa’s damn good at qualifying and seems to be able to up his game when he needs to. I just think that if he’s ever going to do it (and I think he can/will) then 2010 looks the best chance.
Vlad said on 11th March 2010, 12:11
1. WILLIAMS WINNIG IN CANADA WITH RUBENS BARRICHELLO
2. VIRGIN FIRST FISNISHING A RACE IN GERMANY
3. KARUN CHANDHOCK
4. JOSE MARIA LOPEZ
5. THE LAST PLACE ON THE 2011 ENTRY LIST
6. BUTTON
7. ALONSO
8. THREE
9. NO
10. VIRGIN
11. NICO HULKENBERG
12. MELBOURNE
13. MASSA
14. BUTTON
15. GLOCK
16. LOTUS
17. ABU DHABI
18. FERRARI
19. FERNANDO ALONSO
20. 299
Untitled258 said on 11th March 2010, 12:11
Why is everyone saying HRT quitting as the worse surprise, it wont be a surprise when it happens, we all expect it!
The worst surprise would be Jean Todt coming out and saying he signed a contract which makes Mosley the head of the FIA again.
Ill answer the rest of the questions in a bit.
K said on 11th March 2010, 12:38
That’s why it’ll be the worst surprise.
Tom said on 11th March 2010, 12:14
Great questions! Do you have any of these for previous years, so we can all look back in shame?
1. Best surprise: Williams wins a race
2. Worst: Korea track turns out to be rubbish (maybe not a surprise to everybody)
3. Replaced: Adrian Sutil
4. Replaced by: Paul di Resta
5. Political story: Stewards’ decisions and penalties.
6. Most points: Hamilton
7. Most points: Alonso
8. Schumacher wins: 3
9. Räikkönen returns: no
10. Worst reliability: Virgin
11. Impressive newcomer: Hulkenberg
12. Entertaining race: Canada
13. Most poles: Vettel
14. Monaco: Alonso
15. First retirement: Sutil
16. Best new team: Lotus
17. Drivers’ title won at: Abu Dhabi
18. Constructors’ champions: Ferrari
19. Drivers’ champion: Alonso
20. How many points: 285
Ned Flanders said on 11th March 2010, 12:14
1. Felipe Massa (beating Alonso)
2. How few points the new teams will score (I predict none)
3. Vitaly Petrov
4. Ho Pin Tung
5. Who knows? Alonso throwing his toys out the pram at Ferrari
6. Hamilton
7. Massa
8. 2
9. No
10. Virgin
11. Nico Hulkenberg
12. The wettest one!
13. Lewis Hamilton
14. Michael Schumacher
15. Karun Chandok
16. Lotus
17. Abu Dhabi (Bernie will see to that…)
18. Ferrari
19. Lewis Hamilton
20. 127
Ned Flanders said on 11th March 2010, 12:16
oops forgot the point system has changed! My new prediction for Q20 is 264
K said on 11th March 2010, 12:27
School boy error.
ajokay said on 11th March 2010, 12:15
1. Rubens Barrichello winning a wet Brazilian Grand Prix
2. Red Bull end up 4th, far off their aim of winning both championships
3. Karun Chandhok
4. Oh I dunno… Jacques Villeneuve? (fingers crossed)
5. I really don’t know, but they’ll think of something that will highly annoy us all.
6. Lewis Hamilton
7. Fernando Alonso
8. 3
9. Yes
10. Hispania
11. Nico Hulkenburg
12. Belgium
13. Michael Schumacher
14. Lewis Hamilton
15. Timo Glock
16. Lotus
17. Abu Dhabi
18. McLaren
19. Fernando Alonso
20. 256
PJA said on 11th March 2010, 12:16
1. A team outside the top four getting a win.
2. The title races won’t be as close between as many drivers/teams as we all hope.
3. Jamie Alguersuari
4. Daniel Ricciardo
5. The current new teams and the selection process for 2011.
6. Lewis Hamilton to score more, but Jenson Button will be closer than some think when he is fully settled in the team.
7. Fernando Alonso
8. Three
9. No, I don’t think we will see Kimi Raikkonen back in F1 unless Rallying is a complete failure for him and he can get a drive at a top F1 team.
10. HRT
11. Nico Hulkenberg
12. On recent form Brazil.
13. Lewis Hamilton
14. Fernando Alonso
15. Karun Chandhok
16. Lotus
17. Brazil
18. Ferrari
19. Fernando Alonso
20. 286