Just two teams in the F1 field will begin the 2014 season with the same driver line-up they had last year.
Mercedes have kept Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg on board having described the pairing as one of their key strengths last year.
The only other team to have retained its 2013 squad is Marussia, where Jules Bianchi and Max Chilton begin their second season together.
The most eye-catching change in the 2014 roster is surely Kimi Raikkonen’s return to Ferrari. Together with Fernando Alonso the Scuderia is fielding two world champions for the first time in over 60 years.
In other major changes four-times world champion Sebastian Vettel is joined by Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull. And McLaren have promoted one of the three rookies in the field to their team in place of Sergio Perez.
But which team has got the best driver line-up this year? Compare them and cast your vote below.
Red Bull
Sebastian Vettel
Owned the 2009-13 rules generation, the beginning of which coincided with his arrival at Red Bull. After a perfect second half last year he could start 2014 with his tenth win in a row.
Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton
Never seemed to get settled in the W04 last year, but in his second year at Mercedes there should be nothing to keep him from getting the most out of what is expected to be a competitive car.
Ferrari
Fernando Alonso
There’s rarely anything to fault in Alonso’s driving, though he had some indifferent qualifying performances last year. In Raikkonen he faces his toughest team mate in seven years.
Lotus
Romain Grosjean
Just when it looked like he was never going to get his act together, Grosjean delivered a string of assured, clean and above all fast drives at the end of 2013. And not a moment too soon.
McLaren
Jenson Button
The most experienced driver on the grid and very much a known quantity. One-lap pace is not his forte; coaxing the best from his tyres over a race stint and judging mixed conditions is.
Force India
Nico Hulkenberg
Although he’s changed teams a lot this highly-regarded drivers is beginning his third season with Force India so should get comfortable quickly and resume his late-2013 giant-killing.
Sauber
Adrian Sutil
Was shaded by Paul di Resta last year. But although he’s not in the top percentage for pure speed he has become a more dependable driver and will be a regular points scorer if the car’s up to it.
Toro Rosso
Jean-Eric Vergne
Soundly beaten by Ricciardo in qualifying last year, he needs more Canada-quality performances to retain the backing of Red Bull with many young talents snapping at his heels.
Williams
Felipe Massa
His ejection from Ferrari was overdue, but although Massa has rarely looked like the driver of 2008/09 since his Hungary crash his experience will be of great value to Williams.
Marussia
Jules Bianchi
Ferrari’s development driver will benefit from Ferrari power this year which should give him a greater opportunity to show the potential that was occasionally glimpsed early last year.
Caterham
Kamui Kobayashi
His last season for Sauber in 2012 was his third full year yet there were still several careless errors. But he brings experience – and his celebrated overtaking bravado – to Caterham.
Over to you
Which team has the best driver line-up for 2014? Cast your vote below and have your say in the comments.
Which team has the best driver line-up for 2014?
- Caterham: Kamui Kobayashi and Marcus Ericsson (0%)
- Marussia: Jules Bianchi and Max Chilton (0%)
- Williams: Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas (1%)
- Toro Rosso: Jean-Eric Vergne and Daniil Kvyat (0%)
- Sauber: Adrian Sutil and Esteban Gutierrez (0%)
- Force India: Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez (3%)
- McLaren: Jenson Button and Kevin Magnussen (2%)
- Lotus: Romain Grosjean and Pastor Maldonado (1%)
- Ferrari: Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen (67%)
- Mercedes: Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg (23%)
- Red Bull: Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo (4%)
Total Voters: 572
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Find the updated driver line-up for 2014 so far including test and reserve drivers here:
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Images © Red Bull/Getty, Mercedes/Hoch Zwei, Ferrari/Ercole Colombo, Lotus/LAT, McLaren/Hoch Zwei, McLaren/LAT, Force India, Sauber, Williams/LAT, Marussia, Caterham/LAT
andae23 (@andae23)
7th February 2014, 12:01
Easy, Ferrari. Honourable mention to Mercedes, Force India and Williams.
Fer no.65 (@fer-no65)
7th February 2014, 15:15
+1
SeaHorse (@seahorse)
7th February 2014, 17:43
+1020
Gordon (@)
7th February 2014, 22:11
Spot on.
dragoll (@dragoll)
7th February 2014, 22:13
@andae23 I think we were trying to provoke discussion, not make 100% sense on the first comment :P
Madi Murphy (@ladym)
7th February 2014, 22:54
In terms of talent + experience, it’s clearly Ferrari.
But there’s always the possibility that the personalities of Fernando and Kimi won’t work well in the same team. I’m not so sure that it will be the implosion a lot of people seem to think it will, but if there’s so much as a hint of trouble, I think the Mercedes boys will be right there to capitalise on it. Lewis and Nico have already proven they can handle seeing each other win without throwing their toys out of the pram. If it’s a close competition this season, that attitude might make all the difference.
Rockie (@rockie)
8th February 2014, 0:29
I don’t see how the Ferrari is a strong pairing they have 2 drivers who are past it in qualifying and also this season qualifying is gonna be really important as you don’t wanna stress your engine trying to make up places.
I would go with Redbull as Vettel’s points scoring alone accounts for two drivers based on the last 4 years alone.
Last season before it all started everybody said Merc had the best pairing!
karter22 (@karter22)
8th February 2014, 3:08
@rockie
So what if they are past it in qualifying? What wins championships is wins, podius and points! Lewis might be able to put a rabbit out of the hat but, if he once said himself that having Fernando behind you is like having a bull behind… then there is not much validity in your comment!
Give me a winner on sunday rather than saturday and I´m a happy camper!
karter22 (@karter22)
8th February 2014, 4:19
*pull
David BR2
8th February 2014, 18:47
I guess that’s actually a Felipe Massa quote then?!
karter22 (@karter22)
9th February 2014, 11:21
Lol… what can I say? Even the sun shines on a dog´s butt once in a while… too bad it didn´t shine enough for Felipe and that is why he got dropped!!
Retired (@jeff1s)
7th February 2014, 12:02
Easy for a non-Ferrari fan: Ferrari!
kowalsky jose
7th February 2014, 15:46
So as i see it you dont rate rosberg. What do you think of bernies comments making him the favorite for the crown this year.
SeaHorse (@seahorse)
7th February 2014, 17:47
Bernie, who? The one who claimed the Jerez test ‘farce’ only to predict Rosberg to clinch the 2014 title based on the Jerez test a few days later?
Palle (@palle)
7th February 2014, 17:52
+1 @ seahorse
Jorge H. (@kobe08)
7th February 2014, 16:18
+1
Mercedes comes 2º.
I am betting on a good first year for Magnussen
… as a Mclaren, Hamilton and Kimi fan.. :D
Timebolt (@timebolt759)
7th February 2014, 12:03
For me it’s a tosser between Lotus and Force India. If Hulkenburg went to lotus I would have said Lotus had the best Line-up
Keith Campbell (@keithedin)
7th February 2014, 12:32
Who is this tosser and why does he make the best driver line-up of 2014? ;)
@HoHum (@hohum)
7th February 2014, 13:33
I’m not going to be tosser, I’l leave this debate to them.
ElBasque (@elbasque)
7th February 2014, 16:58
Thats a tad harsh thing to say about Maldonado, i know he’s not popular, but…
Beto (@chebeto)
7th February 2014, 12:04
I gave it to Ferrari but I got to admit Mercedes is a close second for me. Hamilton, though inconsitant, can have some beautiful performances (i.e. Hungary 2013) and Nico Rosberg is a much better driver than many give him credit for.
Todfod (@todfod)
8th February 2014, 5:23
Honestly, I couldn’t say which driver line up was stronger – Mercedes or Ferrari.
Although I am an Alonso and a Kimi fan, I think their raw pace during qualifying hasn’t been as spectacular as Lewis and Nico’s.
On raceday though they both Ferrari drivers are more than a match for the Mercedes drivers, and are consistent throughout the year on Sundays.
I think its easier to pick the 3rd best team on the grid -> Force India
and the 4th best -> Red Bull
timi (@timi)
7th February 2014, 12:10
For me Mercedes has the best driver line-up. Ferrari’s is the best in a purely “who is best” decision, but these are two previous world champions and two of the strongest personalities in the sport. No more “Fernando is faster than you”, and if there is, I doubt the other would want to move out of the way, and fair enough. But this decreases team strength, so I place the Ferrari pairing second. I see something going very wrong between Fernando and Kimi at some point this season
Jeevan (@jee1kimi)
7th February 2014, 12:26
I would have loved to see what would have happened in Malaysia 2013,if not for Ross Brawn..
Thomas (@tthwaite)
7th February 2014, 12:53
Completely agree and that’s why Mercedes get my vote too. Hamilton and Rosberg definitely tow the line more than Alonso and Raikkonen and I can see them being consistently better and both bagging good points for the team as long as they don’t have reliability issues!!
Stefanauss (@stefanauss)
7th February 2014, 15:27
1. Ferrari
2. Mercedes
3. RedBull
4. Force India
4. McLaren (tie)
6. Lotus
7. Williams
8. Toro Rosso
9. Sauber
10. Caterham
11. Marussia
ForzaAlanRabbit (@jojobudgie)
18th February 2014, 22:12
Marussia last? Surely Bianchi/Chilton is better than Koba/Ericsson.
Here’s what I think:
Ferrari
Mercedes
Red Bull
Force India
Mclaren
Williams
Lotus
Sauber
Marussia
STR
Caterham
Chris (@tophercheese21)
7th February 2014, 12:10
On paper, it’s Ferrari, and it’s not even close.
On Tarmac however, it will likely be a very different story. The ALO/RAI partnership could prove to be too divisive and implode. Leaving the two Mercedes boys to claim the WCC.
Well, maybe that’s just what I’d like to see happen hehe.
Jeevan (@jee1kimi)
7th February 2014, 12:24
I think Merc pair are also very strong,and if Rosberg can match Lewis’s pace,we are in for a serious pairing in Ham/Ros.It would be interesting if their partnership turns out to be implosive,(if not as much as Ferrari’s),certainly one of the things to look out for this season,with Merc well placed to have a strong season..
And it would be interesting to see how those 2 react when team orders’ are given..With no Ross Brawn(an authoritive figure who managed to give team orders to Nico in Malaysia’13 and got obeyed by Nico[Unlike our dear 4-time WC] ),it would be interesting whether Nico would move out of way for Lewis,or vice versa..
2 best pair of drivers for 2014 in 2 manufacturer teams is an interesting battle!!
George (@george)
7th February 2014, 16:27
If the Merc is capable of winning the championship I think we might see Rosberg fighting his corner more vigorously, although whether he’ll disobey the team when it comes down to it I’m not sure.
Kingshark (@kingshark)
7th February 2014, 17:15
@tophercheese21
I’m going to make an early prediction: Mercedes is where the tension will be next year.
Joshua Mesh (@joshua-mesh)
7th February 2014, 13:29
Kimi cant implode and you need 2 to tango!
Max Jacobson (@vettel1)
7th February 2014, 23:16
I agree: Ferrari on paper, but Red Bull, Mercedes and Force India in particular all have very stable line-ups who should also theoretically perform well.
Arkady English (@arkady)
7th February 2014, 12:11
It’s hard to choose anyone other than Ferrari.
(Please liberally insert “in my opinion” below…)
With Rosberg being rather underrated Mercedes are also very strong. Also, I think Button is still underrated, and if Magnusson turns out be very fast – and I hear good things – McLaren could run some surprises.
Paul (@frankjaeger)
7th February 2014, 15:32
Seconded. I think if Magnusson turns out to be the 1st-year-wonder he’s marked to be, I could see McLaren’s driver pairing rivaling Mercedes’.
That said, I think Ferrari have the strongest driver pairing available. I think people shouldn’t be so daunted by the potential implosive atmosphere, they could have a frictionless relationship providing each of them are given equal respect and opportunity
Shimks (@shimks)
7th February 2014, 12:15
Only 5 weeks to go!
Ferrari have a very strong driver line-up this year. Fernando and Kimi will really push each other. I think Alonso will come out on top but there will be days when Kimi crushes him.
Rob Wilson
7th February 2014, 12:15
The answer was obvious before the question was asked…Sauber!
Juzh (@juzh)
7th February 2014, 13:41
lol
Tango (@tango)
7th February 2014, 14:37
Oh come on :D
Todfod (@todfod)
8th February 2014, 6:07
Don’t be ridiculous.
Marrussia are the winners hands down! 2nd year in a row
Alexander (@)
7th February 2014, 12:18
Ferrari easy no 1, Mercedes 2nd and Red Bull 3rd
erix
7th February 2014, 14:13
Agree.
But Mclaren will win the championship with their radical suspension and superb lap times.
Dave (@)
7th February 2014, 16:52
I’m going to go out on a limb and say ‘maybe’.
Eddie (@wackyracer)
7th February 2014, 19:33
Having superb lap times didn’t help Mercedes last year…
Kibblesworth (@kibblesworth)
7th February 2014, 12:20
Pretty much a tie between the Ferrari line-up and the Mercedes line-up; in fact I think it’s going to be a very close battle between these four this season.
Keith Campbell (@keithedin)
7th February 2014, 12:44
If there were two teams i could choose to be running at the front this year it would be these two – because then i could see a four way battle for the championship. The more that can join them the better though. As long as there is a true competition for the championships this year i won’t complain.
Breno (@austus)
7th February 2014, 12:20
For me it goes… Ferrari, Mercedes, Force India, Red Bull (Vettel is a force to be reckoned with), Mclaren, Williams, Lotus, Caterham, Marussia, STR, Sauber
Magnificent Geoffrey (@magnificent-geoffrey)
7th February 2014, 12:20
Caterham.
Although, seriously, Ferrari.
BasCB (@bascb)
7th February 2014, 13:03
Actually I think it might prove to be Mercedes as best line up in my view @magnificent-geoffrey. Sure both Ferrari drivers are good enough to easily top the charts. But I am not at all convinced it will be any good as a line-up, unless Ferrari gives them a car with which they can battle it out between them for the first 2 positions each race.
I think Mercedes might have the better pairing of a line-up, with Force India having potential as well as Lotus (if Crashtor stays away and shows us Pastor as he drove at his best) in their team.
George (@george)
7th February 2014, 16:28
@magnificent-geoffrey
I see your fish has morphed again :)
Force Maikel (@force-maikel)
7th February 2014, 12:21
No doubt about it for me, Ferrari, really exiting champion-duo with a hunger to bring Ferrari back to former glory. However it has to be said that Mercedes and Force India also have a great line ups.
Kyle Fleet (@watchkyle)
7th February 2014, 12:29
Merc fan but has to be ferrari… Plus i’m new to F1F today !
zippyone (@zippyone)
7th February 2014, 16:51
Welcome to F1F @watchkyle :)
Agree that it is Ferrari on paper, close 2nd Merc.
Tifoso1989 (@tifoso1989)
7th February 2014, 19:27
@watchkyle
Welcome man !!!!
Force Maikel (@force-maikel)
7th February 2014, 19:36
@watchkyle Welcome, hope you have a good time here.
Mad Eric (@mad-eric)
7th February 2014, 20:37
Welcome to the best F1 site – AND the best site for our member’s comments and discussions
GongTong (@gongtong)
7th February 2014, 12:33
This article really should have just been titled: “Ferrari the team with the best driver line-up for 2014”
It’s a no brainer. Ok, Mercedes have a good lineup. But Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen are two modern day greats.
Asanator (@asanator)
7th February 2014, 12:34
Ferrari …… No doubt!
Interesting that McLaren gets more votes than Redbull! :S
A 1xworld champion at the end of his career and a rookie score more votes than the current quadruple world champion and an established driver. Seems a bit partisan to me.
Arkady English (@arkady)
7th February 2014, 12:46
TBH, I don’t rate Ric or JEV that highly. Maybe the STR car just didn’t let them show off.
Of course, if Ricc does well I’m open to changing my opinion of him.
petebaldwin (@)
7th February 2014, 12:35
I actually went with Mercedes but it’s very close with Ferrari. I think Rosberg has proven himself as a top driver. If you subscribe to the idea that the top 4 are Vettel, Alonso, Kimi and Lewis, you’d have to say that at the very least, Rosberg is a very close 5th. At times, he has looked quicker than Lewis so certainly he deserves his place near the top.
For me, I think Lewis and Nico will work better together as a team but potentially, Alonso and Kimi are probably better in terms of raw pace.
Those 2 lineups are miles ahead of the rest of the teams though IMO.
Hamilfan (@hamilfan)
7th February 2014, 12:36
Ferrari because both of them are devilishly consistent . Merc come next as they are a bunch of high-performing youngsters , Rosberg is even more motivated as he knows he is not world champion yet .
Force India for third place . Perez would like to prove he was wrongly dropped and Hulkenberg for obvious reasons .
Sam (@)
7th February 2014, 12:39
It seems Ricciardo is not being rated high by the F1Fanatic community. Or is it he has yet to prove himself and people are cautious voting for the new Red Bull line-up?
BasCB (@bascb)
7th February 2014, 13:06
pretty much, yeah. It also holds down the McLaren line-up for me, as we do not know what Magnussen really brings to the team @ardenflo
Sam (@)
7th February 2014, 13:11
@bascb But Button has never been anywhere near Vettel though…
Baron (@baron)
7th February 2014, 23:12
Are you sure about that?
OmarR-Pepper (@)
7th February 2014, 13:09
I believe in Vettel’s skills so much, but it’s Ferrari, definitely, the best pack.
PMccarthy_is_a_legend (@pmccarthy_is_a_legend)
7th February 2014, 13:26
Ferrari, duh??? Stupid question
Pete (@repete86)
7th February 2014, 13:54
I’m torn between Ferrari and Mercedes. I don’t think that Rosberg can be underestimated.
wsrgo (@wsrgo)
7th February 2014, 13:57
Tie between Ferrari and Mercedes, with Force India a close 3rd.
Garns (@)
7th February 2014, 14:09
Ferrari- EASILY the best on paper for sure, but this will fall apart, Monaco I say it will get bad!!
Mercs- WCC this year……… well ok, 2nd :)!! I see them being real good and consistent!!
Red Bull- Too many write of Daniel, and Seb will be better (if possible) – 5th in a row!!
Lotus- Would beat Ferrari if they still had Kimi. Groejan will step up BIG TIME (I hope) he is fast and he has one more year to show us!! Pastor- fast- but keep it on the island!!
McLaren- 3rd. Kevin to wow us I think, Jenson always great!
As above I dont think the strongest driver line up will finish in that order!
Julien (@jlracing)
7th February 2014, 14:24
Best: Ferrari: 2 world champions with incredible race pace, need I say more?
Worst: Sauber: Sutil a driver with much experience but nothing special and Guttierez who didn’t have a very good rookie season
Slr (@slr)
7th February 2014, 14:28
Ferrari for me, they’re the only team with two world class drivers.
AlexT (@alext)
7th February 2014, 14:30
I think Rosberg is hugely overrated
marino
13th February 2014, 18:08
then hamilton is hyperoverrated, according to you.start accepting reality: rosberg is a very good driver.
Jason (@jmwalley)
7th February 2014, 14:41
Ferrari no doubt has the most proven driver line-up, but I’m increasingly of the opinion that Alonso isn’t all he is hyped up to be. I think Rosberg is under-rated which is why I chose Mercedes in the end, but if Magnussen lives up to the hype, then it could just as easily be McLaren.
Tango (@tango)
7th February 2014, 14:45
I think we have four tiers of driver pairings (by pool)
First Pool :
– Pairs of top dogs : Ferrari / Mercedes
Second pool :
– Younger top dogs : Force India / Lotus (exciting line ups these)
– A top dog with unknown quantity : Red Bull (sporting uber top dog) / Mc Laren
Third pool
– At least one driver is going to be good, second shouldn’t be a catastrophe : TR / Williams
Fourth pool
– Second driver just kills the pairing : Caterham / Marussia
– Boring : Sauber
Alec (@vonhoff)
7th February 2014, 17:56
Agree apart from Lotus – Malfunctionado moves them down to the third pool for me
Breno (@austus)
9th February 2014, 14:34
Williams does have a decent pairing. Well, decent. Bottas seems promising, and if Massa picks up the pace, williams can get back to podiums. I think Massa is a safe bet, as long as Bottas doesnt dominate him.
HK (@me4me)
7th February 2014, 15:03
Ferrari. Hamilton and Rosberg are better in qualifying, but this gets outweighed by “smart driving” from Alonso and Raikkonen. With smart driving i mean, they do what’s needs to be done to get the best result, whereas Hamilton and Rosberg (to a lesser extent) sometimes drive like headless chickens (Spain 2013) and shout at their engineers complaining. Cleverness > raw talent.
Ricardo Ferreira (@yes-master)
7th February 2014, 15:52
This isn’t a fair poll. Ferrari is the only team with two F1 champions. So, instead of submitting a vote, we are pointing to an unquestionable fact.
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
7th February 2014, 15:59
Put me down for Mercedes.
I cannot help but think that Raikkonen’s move to Ferrari is a political one, trying to make up for shortfalls in their technical side. I think their focus is all wrong, and no matter how strong the Alonso-Raikkonen combination might be, it won’t be enough to overcome a poor car. Alonso is stronger than Raikkonen, and if he could not do it on his own, I see no reason why Raikkonen would be able to do it.
Slr (@slr)
7th February 2014, 19:33
I think you’re reading way too much into this move. Raikkonen was the best driver available for Ferrari, so in that respect, their decision was a no brainer.
marino
13th February 2014, 18:16
alonso is stronger than raikkone when he speaks and when he is totally supported by the team thanks to his big sponsor backing him
Diceman (@diceman)
7th February 2014, 16:01
Mercedes for Saturdays, Ferrari for Sundays.
grat
7th February 2014, 16:48
I think Ferrari has the best lineup, I think Mercedes has the best chance to win both championships, and I think Williams has the best chance to surprise the @%@#% out of the grid.
Oli (@dh1996)
7th February 2014, 17:05
Ferrari
Alonso 10/10 — Kimi 8/10 — 18 Points
Red Bull
Vettel 7/10 — Ricciardo 6/10(?) — 13 Points
Mercedes
Hamilton 9/10 — Rosberg 8/10 — 17 Points
McLaren
Button 9/10 — Magnussen ? – 9+? Points
Lotus
Grosjean 8/10 (on a good day) — Maldonado 7/10 (on a good day) — 15 Points
Williams
Massa 7/10 — Bottas 6/10 — 13 Points
Force India
Hülkenberg 5/10 (yes, I said it) — Perez 6.5/10 — 11.5 Points
Sauber
Sutil 3/10 — Guiterrez 3/10 — 6 Points
I really can’t rate the other teams as I’ve not paying too much attention to their drivers. I’d give Kobayashi a 7/10 on a good day though.
So it’s Ferrari for me if Magnussen doesn’t turn out to be a 10/10.
dave mcgrory
11th February 2014, 19:55
button rated better than vettel are you kidding?
marino
13th February 2014, 18:24
yes he must be kidding
hamilton 9 (finished 16 points ahead of rosberg, but rosberg had more dnfs)
raikkonen 8 like grosjean(grosjean was hugely outscored both years)
alonso 10 (why if at the beginning of 2013 he didn’t lead wdc despite having the best car for 5 races?)
vettel 7 ( 4 time wdc, 7? you must be joking)
hulkenberg 5???
sutil 3?
button better than raikkonen, rosberg, vettel…also makes me think you don’t know much about f1, sorry.
D (@f190)
7th February 2014, 17:06
I think it can only be RedBull. So far in the comments I’ve read several times that ” on paper its Ferrari” but actually it’s not. On paper its RedBull. Last season Vettel scored more points alone than every other teams two drivers. If the question is which team has the best lineup, then it’s the team with the 4times WDC and the guy who beat every team alone last year. Even if you say Riccado is a poor driver ( which hes not ) Redbull still have the strongest overall lineup as vettel has proved he’s the best for four years running now.
It does pain me to say this as I’m no Vettel fan, however for me he’s the no1 right now, and he was so far ahead last year that he could not have a team mate and still be the best driver lineup.
Kingshark (@kingshark)
7th February 2014, 17:18
@f190
That reasoning is extremely irrational because the RB9 was much better than any other car. Vettel is obviously not better than Alonso and Kimi combined. Hell, I don’t even think that Vettel is better than Alonso alone.
Rockie (@rockie)
8th February 2014, 0:40
Alonso has yet to finish ahead of Vettel since he has been in a front running car!
Rockie (@rockie)
8th February 2014, 0:38
You are spot on mate he scored more than both drivers in every other team I fail to understand what people mean by on paper in ’13 Vettel won more races than both Alonso and Kimi together since ’10.
Nigelstash (@)
7th February 2014, 17:30
Merc just shading it over Ferrari for me, but ask me tomorrow and it could be the other way around.
Most fascinating grid for years though – genuinely competitive pairings in the top teams and strength in depth elsewhere. I really hope the Williams is strong and that Massa gets a new lease of life. I’d love to see him battling with Alonso with no team orders.
Craig Woollard (@craig-o)
7th February 2014, 17:33
Statistically it is Ferrari, as their two drivers share more wins and podiums than any other team.
Ricciardo is still somewhat of an unknown, if he is as good as Vettel, then Red Bull will clearly have the best line-up.
If Hamilton can get to his 2010 or 2012 form and Rosberg can iron out his off days then Mercedes could give any line-up a run for their money.
Is Raikkonen as good as Alonso, I think so. Alonso is clearly very good. Therefore I think Raikkonen is very good.
Also very good is Hulkenberg. Is Perez very good? I doubt it. But I have been wrong before. Still, a very strong (and relatively young) line-up.
Magnussen is very highly rated, but will he make rookie errors? Can an ageing Jenson keep up with him? I don’t think McLaren have one of their strongest ever pairings here.
Can Grosjean be amazing throughout a whole season? We shall see. Can Maldonado not crash into anybody for a whole season? We shall see. Lotus’ line-up I expect to absolutely ace qualifying, and one of their drivers at least to ace the race.
Sauber, meh.
Toro Rosso, JEV has great race pace but seems to not be improving his qualifying, Kvyat may have the same issues Gutierrez had last season jumping straight from GP3 to F1.
Williams is where I expect Massa to thrive, and to teach plenty to a fast-improving #BO77AS.
Marussia have two drivers who seem to be improving very quickly but not spectacularly.
I don’t really rate Ericsson as anything special… Kobayashi will be good if he can keep it out of trouble though.
I went for Ferrari in the end. Though I expect my view to change in 10 months time.
Craig Woollard (@craig-o)
7th February 2014, 17:39
Reading through the other comments I forgot to mention that the Ferrari team could simply implode part way through the season. Should that happen I can see a dip in form from Alonso and maybe Kimi, which would help another driver pairing. Currently I would put Mercedes second, and they seemed to work well last season together did Hamilton and Rosberg.
Ciaran (@ciaran)
7th February 2014, 19:01
Looking through the driver list, I’m only starting to realise how good the 2014 line-up is. Both Ferrari and Mercedes have some of the best pairings I’ve seen in years, and teams like McLaren, Red Bull, Force India and Williams all seem to have hugely interesting rivalries between teammates. Add the fact that the pay driver situation didn’t turn out half as bad as I’d feared (people calling GP2 champions pay drivers is general sign that the term has lost its meaning), and I can’t wait to see how all of this unfolds.
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
7th February 2014, 19:20
Hard one, I would tip Mercedes but the aero change may bring the old guys closer to their origins.
Rigi (@rigi)
7th February 2014, 22:22
ferrari and mercedes have about equal quality drivers, ferrari in race-pace, mercedes in qualifying pace…
i went with ferrari though, race-pace will be more important than quali-pace in 2014
Madi Murphy (@ladym)
7th February 2014, 22:49
Overall, keeping in mind talent plus experience, Ferrari.
On talent alone, but anticipating the odd silly mistake, Mercedes.
In terms of excitement alone, Force India. But to be honest, I mean that mostly just in terms of Hulkenberg. I’d like to see Perez push him, but I don’t expect Perez to be able to beat him.
marino
13th February 2014, 18:31
I rate raikkonen’s and alonso’s talent above hamilton’s and rosberg’s talent.
hamilton and rosberg may be slightly faster but as racecraft ability (that is talent. everyone is able to go fast and stop. only few are able to go as fast as possibile without making too many mistakes thanks to a suberb control of the car or to strategical abilitlies) raikk and alonso are slightly better.
Theo Parkinson (@theo-hrp)
7th February 2014, 23:20
Even though I consider Ferrari to have a better paring I would still rather have Mercedes simply because Lewis and Nico are good friends who worked very well together last season. Of course things might change under championship heat but they’re in the right balance where they do everything to beat each other but still support each other.
Palle (@palle)
7th February 2014, 23:35
The best driver line up 2014? What is the best driver line up?
The 2 drivers, who can supplement each other, avoid inter team battles, avoid handing points and advantages to the competitors, but still a line up, where both drivers are able to take points of the competition, to maximize the potential of the car at every race, and of the team over the course of the season?
Ferrari has overall the 2 best drivers, when You add up their merits, but the risk is high.
The fact that RB chooses Ric over other available, seemingly better and more experienced drivers, tells me something. Vettel’s qualities are evident and if Ric can follow him, they can do great things together with low risk of inter team trouble.
Lewis is sometimes too aggressive, too impatient, Rosberg sometimes not aggressive enough, too patient. If I was a team boss I would choose the RB pairing, Merc coming second, while the Ferrari line up would give me a headache.
DavidS (@davids)
8th February 2014, 4:17
Ferrari, easily.
Will they win either championship? Maybe.
The team dynamics are unknown at this point, and we don’t have the faintest clue what the respective pace of the cars are.
Fixy (@)
8th February 2014, 13:07
Lewis and Nico. Fer and Kimi are also very strong, hard to pick only one of them, but I have faith in Mercedes this year.
quads
8th February 2014, 14:22
Redbull
I think the deciding factor will be (putting package performance/reliability aside – driver skill is not a deciding factor for drivers title as we have seen a few times in the last four years), which (top) team manages to limit their drivers from taking points from each others. Historically, redbull has been a master in that regard – making sure VET gets always best treatment from the team and WEB an obvious #2 drivers (or backup if you like), that is supposed to pick up the rests below the table.
With VET having four titles, and Ricciardo being mostly grateful to have been given the chance to race for RB, there is no question that he is supposed to, expected and WILL be an even bigger #2 than what WEB ever was.
The story will be different in the few other top teams, with regard to this, hence the RB driver lineup will be the most “harmonic” and given a couple of tenths advantage over the others´packages will be unbeatable.
On the skill side, the team that have the best driver (given historical facts) is Ferrari. RAI is probably, at worst 4th best driver on the grid – so the Ferrari lineup should be the best, skill-wise.
ForzaAlanRabbit (@jojobudgie)
8th February 2014, 19:36
Ferrari.By a long way.Mercedes in second followed by Red Bull(all Vettel – not to take anything away from Dan)then FI.
Bobby (@f1bobby)
9th February 2014, 21:56
In my opinion Raik is a spent force so Merc have best pairing. If Ferrari don’t give Raik a 10/10 car he’ll lose interest.
joe
10th February 2014, 20:55
Hoping for a 2007 or 2008 championship style year.
If the cars are that close and reliable.
It will be Lewis Hamilton’s pairing. followed by whoever make up ferrari.
matty55 (@matty55)
10th February 2014, 22:38
Im going for Mercedes. Ferrari have two very experienced very talented drivers but as teammates sparks will fly and fly high.