F1 Fanatic

Perez and Maldonado. They’ve already got a history together. They may not be in front-running cars at the same time, but if Maldonado can get his act together and start showing us what he showed us in Spain and Singapore more than what he showed us at Silverstone and Valencia, then it could get interesting because he could land a decent drive while Perez seems destined for one.

Vettel’s contract with Red Bull runs out at the end of next year and he already said he appreciates Ferrari. I would bet that in 2014 Seb moves to Maranello and has a 3 year long rivalry with Fred in the same team.

As we all know Alonso’s not a fan of fast team mates, so things would certainly heat up. I would guess that in the first season, 2014, Alonso would beat Vettel; in 2015, they will be give or take equal on points, and in 2016 Vettel will beat Alonso. That’s just my opinion/prediction.

@Kingshark I think the outcome of the first year (in your timeline) would depend heavily on the first two qualifying and racing sessions. If Vettel outqualifies and outraces him straight in the first two races, I think Fred could pop a vein.

Can I still hope that Kimi will be in the mix?

I should think so. These four should be the main drivers battling or championships over the next 4 or 5 years, maybe with Rosberg too.
After that, Alonso and Kimi will drop out but Vettel and Hamilton will keep racing for many more years and maybe be fighting with the likes of Perez, di Resta, Hulkenberg, Ricciardo, Bottas, Alguersuari and Bianchi.

Yes, what @prisoner-monkeys said. I’d argue Vergne-Ricciardo and Hulkenberg-Di Resta are having their own rivalries right now, albeit small, and somewhat anonymously.

Yeah, I’ve found I can’t edit my posts if they are the newest post in the thread, or if I try and open the editing window in a separate tab or window.

Anyway, you are right in saying that it does not need to be a hostile thing. But I still can’t see Kimi Raikkonen engaging in a rivalry. I imagine that he is the kind of driver who works out who he needs to be racing, and plans his strategy accordingly, so the driver he is going head-to-head with changes from race to race – which is most evident now when the second-place driver has changed four times in the past four races (Webber, then Vettel, then Hamilton and now Vettel again). Raikkonen, in third, is probably racing the driver immediately in front of him rather than Alonso. So it’s not really a rivalry at all; Raikkonen is doing what he needs to do, when he needs to do it.

Hamilton, on the other hand, is the kind of driver who does enter into rivalries. Even though he’s fourth in the standings, he’ll always be racing Alonso, the championship leader, first and everyone else second.

I think the outcome of the first year (in your timeline) would depend heavily on the first two qualifying and racing sessions. If Vettel outqualifies and outraces him straight in the first two races, I think Fred could pop a vein.

I too think he could pop a vein if that were to happen, but I doubt he’d throw his toys out the pram, IMO he’s more mature now that back in 2007, as a person at least.

On the other hand, Vettel’s reaction to if Alonso out-performs him will also be interesting. Will he start to get worried/ be in denial of moving to Ferrari? He very well could, as for now his only real teammate has been Webber, and Fred is quite a step up from Mark.

That being said, I don’t think neither your nor my scenario will actually work out that way. Currently, Alonso is reaching the peak of his career while Vettel has time to grow. In 2014, Fernando will have the home advantage, and will probably out-score Seb. 2015 will be on equal grounds, and I firmly believe that they will draw on points, give or take. 2016, Vettel reaches the prime of his career while Alonso begins to age, that’s why I predict Vettel would come out on top in the final season together.

Of course, that is all if Vettel doesn’t extend his contract with Red Bull and actually moves to Ferrari; and that’s a big IF. In fact, F1 is IF spelled backwards.