2013 Predictions

As I type this, every single driver, team, mechanic, race official and a surprising number of local and international fans are already in Melbourne, getting prepared for the roaring start after the lights that we all desperately crave. Over on Let's Talk F1, we (the team) came together to provide our predictions for the 2013 season over a number of categories. You can check out our thoughts here but today I'm going to elaborate on my answers in order to make my points a little more clearer.

First just a few small thoughts. I don't think we can expect to see as much unpredictability as we did this time last year. Seven different winners in seven different races was magnificent and I would give anything for it to happen again, but if anyone below Lotus wins then I'll be slightly surprised. As much as the hype being Mercedes, and today's statement from Toto Wolff, I can't see the team or more directly, Lewis Hamilton winning. I'd like to hope I'm wrong but I just can't see it. Sergio Perez must find the strength that gave him three podiums last season, and make it last the whole 19 races, not just half.

If the F1 bad boys such as Romain Grosjean and Pastor Maldonado don't show any signs of improvement, it'll be the end. Maldonado's future overall is in doubt with money issues back home already, so he needs to be absolutely focused.

Drivers World Champion

There are a few guys I would consider for the title, Fernando Alonso for his sublime driving and Jenson Button for his outright dominance in his McLaren team this season. Despite all these attributes, Kimi Raikkonen is the man whom I'll be backing this season. He showed his everlasting quality when everybody said he would dwindle, he managed to salvage a win whenever the questions were asked of the team's capabilities  and he became the leader we all know he can be following his completion of every single lap of 2012. With the early signs of form from Lotus's E21, I reckon he'll be at the forefront to challenge the title. Anything to stop puppet boy from fluking a 4th title.

Constructors Championship

Love them or hate them, there is just no other answer. I'd like there to be, but there just isn't. Red Bull have (in my eyes) the only driver line up this year who are capable of scoring consistently high points and multiple wins. Mark Webber and the puppet have the genius of Adrian Newey behind them, a quality that no other team will ever hope to impress.

Rookie To Watch

For me there can only be one answer, and plenty of evidence to back it up! Valtteri Bottas showed last season during the FP1 sessions that he was quicker than most other drivers, his future team mate Maldonado and more importantly, that waste of space Bruno Senna. The Williams team have decided to ditch a money bag for some real driving talent. The rest of the rookies don't seem to have the edge that Bottas already has. They also come from GP2, a series where contact and crashes are rife and almost common practice, Bottas has come from a different series which again adds another advantage. I expect big podium finishes here and there for the second Flying Finn.

Best Grand Prix

The Brit that I am, I should be shot for not saying Silverstone. First race I ever attended was 2012 and I loved the circuit even more after. My favourite track is without doubt Monza, mainly because I love the speeds achieved and the fact that Red Bull can't get it right here, but neither of these two compare to the GP I'm looking forward to this season. The Canadian Grand Prix is the round I'm most looking forward to because of the sheer levels of entertainment it has given us year after year, the greatest Grand Prix I ever watched was Canada 2011, Jenson Button coming from 24th to take the win from the false driver everybody seems to think was untouchable. I reckon it'll throw us up a game changer this season. 

Worst Grand Prix

Singapore. It's not even getting a photo because I hate it that much. I won't even watch it so don't be expecting a race preview or review.

The Driver Who Has To Improve

I mentioned Sergio Perez, Pastor Maldonado and Romain Grosjean earlier as drivers who need to hit the ground running. Others include the Toro Rosso boys who face the axe due to the team's politics if they don't show anything and Felipe Massa who's job will no doubt be under threat. The man for me is none of these drivers because he has completely different circumstances. Paul di Resta is no longer a young driver, he is now experienced, knows every track and seems to have a very quick car this season. It's about high time he showed his talent and get his arse on a podium ASAP. I know he can do it and I am not alone. This is the season where Paul must take his opportunities because I hope for 2014 he is with a faster team.

The Team Which Has To Improve

Obvious answers would be Williams but they've hit their improvement peak last season, they need to shake that time waster Maldonado and bring in another quality driver. Mercedes would be the other one but I have genuine belief not to fall into the hype or jump on the bandwagon. Through being a fan for a number of years, I have to see Sauber maintaining their semi-amazing season because I've noticed their year-on-year performance is like a wave, always rising and coming down again. They have the money in place again and talent so they need to utilise their chances and not fall back.

That concludes my F1 2013 predictions. For every race this season (bar Singapore of course, haha) I'll be providing track previews, race predictions and reviews in order to bring you my opinion on current events as they develop. Australia will be up very soon and I am very excited that I can bring you this coverage.

Remember you can follow every story with me here on my blog, over on Let's Talk F1 and Twitter @Houston60.