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[racechick]

I thought I'd post a few statistics to kick of a discussin about the shifts in power, gains and losses of the top five teams and their drivers. We can add comments and thoughts as the season progresses.

The following statistics show the point gain or loss compared to this time last year



Lotus are up 36

Merc are up 27

Ferrari up 32

RB up 8

McLaren down 69


These statistics show how the drivers in the top teams have scored this year compared to last year.
Button -30
Rosberg -21
Webber-16
Perez-12
Hamilton +1
Grosjean+3
Alonso +4
Vettel + 24
maasa +28
Raikonnen +33


There's lots to talk about there. I'll kick off the comments by looking at Mercedes since that's where my biggest interest lies.
Nico looks comparatively poor compared to last year.. But that is largely due to the fact that he had a win this time last year, that alone accounts for his points defecit. He's also had two car failures this year. And yet despite that Mercedes are up 27 points on last year and Lewis has scored more than he did last year in a strong McLaren. Much to be pleased about at Mercedes!

[cheekybru]

Most improvement by lotus, kimi looks good for a championship challenge, lets hope the barca upgrade bunches them all a bit closer together for a great rest of the season

[What's Burning?]

Kimi, Alonso, Vettel podium bets in the fantasy league aren't a bad bet at all.

[racechick]

I wouldn't count Lewis out. He was superb last year at Spain and has been on half the podiums so far, albeit by the skin of his teeth! They can get the upgrades on for Spain. I guess the others can too......

[Hammer278]

Not all joy at Mercedes though, if Nico hadn't broken down twice they would be in the mix for the WCC lead at the moment. 20 points thrown away after 4 races, not good enough! Redbull are just so solid, while heavy weights like Ferrari and McLaren falter so much more, its incredible...not bad for a drinks team.

[What's Burning?]

I wouldn't count Lewis out. He was superb last year at Spain and has been on half the podiums so far, albeit by the skin of his teeth! They can get the upgrades on for Spain. I guess the others can too......

It's more about the tires than it is about Lewis. The only way for him to be in the hunt is if Merc figure out a way to make their tires last. They don't have to go as far as Lotus lasting but in the neighborhood.

At this point it's a genuine three way battle between Kimi, Alonso, and Vettel which I'm okay with watching, especially if it takes us all the way to Brazil.

[Hammer278]

Their tyres lasted well enough in the first three races. It was just Bahrain which was shocking. I'm guessing back in Europe they can go back to how it was in Msia...which wasn't too bad at all. Msia isn't exactly a cool climate and they did ok there. Also considering Pirelli are switching back to their harder 2012 spec tyres from here on in.

[darwin dali]

McLaren -69 pts.

C'mon McLaren, take your Viagra to treat your ED!

[mnmracer]

Not quite the same, but in the spirit of "2013 season as it unfolds", I thought this would be an interesting graph to keep updated:

[racechick]

That's great mnmracer! That will be really good to watch through the season.
When I saw you'd posted ...on a thread where I'd ventured to place statistics, I was a little nervous . You have such a high reputation in this area!!

[LewEngBridewell]

Now which teams do people think will improve the most as the season progresses / retain their advantage? And which teams will lose ground....

Any predictions?

[racechick]

I think Ferrari will gain on red bull. I think Lotus will slip back as other teams get better tyre management. I hope Mercedes will consolidate third at least but I'm a bit biased in this area. I Think McLaren will improve but don't know how far....maybe fourth is the absolute best they could hope for, but that would mean beating Mercedes or Lotus. And Force India are tricky. I dont particularly rate Di Resta and Suthil has had appalling luck, yet still they seem there or thereabouts. So dunno with them. Maybe fighting McLaren ? Maybe better.Ooooo. Exciting times!

[Pirleli]

McLaren has to improve otherwise heads will roll

[Hammer278]

I think only Redbull and Ferrari will be able to sustain the Championship challenge till the very end. Lotus will consolidate third comfortably (though I hope I'm wrong) in front of Mercedes. McLaren will overtake Force India by mid season, win the last 2 races and announce that this season was a huge success thanks to those wins.

[LewEngBridewell]

I Think McLaren will improve but don't know how far....maybe fourth is the absolute best they could hope for, but that would mean beating Mercedes or Lotus.

They didn't seem that far off Merc in Bahrain.