ProCoach

While I can see Nando's point about everyone else racing for second (including Perez, and I'm a fan), it's WAY too early to be a 'Debby Downer!'

There's a reason why they don't give out the trophies BEFORE the race...

Carlo_Carrera

I agree Max is the current front runner but I also think the competition will be closer, IE Ferrari and McLaren, maybe even Mercedes.

Max may win it, but right now I believe it will not be a cake walk like last season.

rsabeebe

last year's results were unprecedented. absolutely staggering domination.

my money is on max and i would suggest that it will again be quite dominant. the car has been improved, not a simple evolution. max is on his own level and, with the quickest/best handling car, it should be on par with 2022 at a minimum. i bet he clears the field by nearly 150 points again.

all that goes along with the idea that the team doesn't implode due to the horner investigation. that could be disruptive, but i would still pick max for WDC. the long term implications of the investigation would be felt more in 2025 if horner, newey, and others potentially leave the team.

gbuff

Agreed, I don't think Max will win 19 races this year.

But I could be wrong.

skl

Even though I know it is for the "newer" fanbase, I have enjoyed DTS and have binged 6 episodes already... glad to see they have Claire Williams doing some of the commentary- always liked her, and being a #23 fan hope they can punch above their weight again this year!

ProCoach

24 races on the calendar this year! Crazy.

gbuff

Pretty soon it'll be like NASCAR

markmark26

and how many of them are worth watching ? 11 ?

StoogeMoe

I predict reliability problems this year for RB. Therefore Max won’t dominate like last year. But he will still win the WDC.

Ferrari will have strong pace, but continue to shoot themselves in the foot strategy wise.

Norris will get his first win early in the season, and be the one to challenge Max throughout the season.

Mercedes will be up and down throughout the season depending on what track suits their car.

The rest won’t matter.

winders

The odds are that Max will have more failures this year than last considering he didn't have any last year. But, when the drivetrain has not changed, why would you predict relaibility problems for him? The drivetrain has been bullet proof for the last couple of seasons....

skl

Hard to argue with moe, though I do hope Fred can win one in British racing green...

Carlo_Carrera

I agree. Exactly what I was thinking.

I will add that I think Leclerc takes pole and the win next week. RedBull/Max have always been slow starters and strong finishers.

Electronics?

multi21

Historically, Ferrari does well on the Bahrain track so hoping you’re right.

Of course the probability of Max not winning all but 2 races again is high, but the only way RBR don’t win both championships is if they get rid of Horner and infighting besets the team or if Max gets injured.

Hoping for a maiden win for Lando and one last top step for Fernando before he calls it a career.

winders

Based on what? Again, the Red Bull car under the current rules package has been ultra reliable. Why would that all of a sudden change when there have been no big changes in any of the systems that affect reliability?

Carlo_Carrera

Sometimes stuff just breaks.

RedBull have completely reworked the cooling package of their car this year.

I am not saying the RedBull is going to blow up several times during the season. I am just saying they are due for one of two mechanical DNFs.