Team by Team Season Review 2015

The 2015 season saw the Silver Arrows continued their dominance, taking 16 of the 19 races this season. 12 times they shared a 1-2 finish, setting a new F1 record, as well as most constructor’s points, beating their previous total by 2 points, to finish with 704.

The most talked about fact for the 2015 season before it commenced was the acquisition of Max Verstappen by Torro Rosso, who signed the deal aged 16 (just prior to his 17 birthday) and would be the youngest driver to start a race. Many questioned the move, and it also led to the FIA to change the regulations to acquire a super license for Formula One. There were a few changes in the technical regulations, with 4 power units being allocated without penalty for the season, while the changes also required cars to change their noses, following the criticisms the teams faced for their ugly nose designs.

There were major changes in the drivers line up. Fernando Alonso moved to Mclaren to replace Kevin Maggnusen, allowing Sebastian Vettel to leave Red Bull and join Ferrari. Red Bull had replaced him with Danii Kvyat and released Jean-Eric Vergne, and Max Vestrappen would be joined by Carlos Sainz at Torro Rosso. Sauber would also realease their drivers and sign Felipe Nassr and Marcus Ericsson, while Manor (formerly Marussia) would sign Roberto Mehri and Will Stevens.

The season however, was marred by the death of Jules Bianchi who had suffered severe head injuries at the 2014 Japanese Grandprix. He passed away before the Hungarian Grandprix. There was a moment of silence held for the former Maurussia and Ferrari Academy Driver, and the podium finishers dedicated their win to Jules.

So a look ahead, at each team’s season performance, in ascending order of their final constructors positioning.

Manor Maurussia is the reconstituted Maurussia F1 that entered administration in 2014. Despite missing the last 3 races of 2014, they were removed from administration in February when new investment was secured. This was also partly down to the fact that Jules Bianchi’s points from Monaco had got them prize money from the FIA, while 2 of the companies they owed money to, were Ferrari and McLaren who both supported Manor.

The new team struggled initially as they did not race in Australia and had only 1 car in Malaysia. Overall given the nature of the situation, they had a good season, with only 3 retirements over the course of the season. Will Stevens however was the number 2 driver was as both Robeto Mehri and Alexander Rossi (who replaced Mehri for 5 of the last 7 races) were able to finish higher up the grid, and the team twice recorded 12 place finishes. With the team signing a deal to use Mercedes power in 2016, its possible to see them try and stage a bigger fight for more consistent finishes on the lead lap or just a lap down. The team is however, still yet to confirm its driver line up for 2016.

McLaren renewed their partnership with Honda in 2015, and marked the return of the Japanese manufacturer into the sport since they sold their team to Ross Brawn in 2008. McLaren were hoping to replicate the successful partnership of the late 80s and early 90s. Yet they struggled throughout the season, as the Honda power unit was by far the worst, with an ineffective ICE and unreliable working of the ERS early on making them seemingly stationary on the long straight, as they were pretty much 160 BHP slower there.

The unreliability meant parts had to be replaced frequently that in the Belgian Grand Prix, both drivers had a combined 105 grid place penalty. The team had seemed only better than Manor early on, but their performances did somewhat improve towards the end of the season. Only six times did McLaren finish in the points, and their best was a 5 place by Alonso at Hungary. It was reported that they were well over 100 BHP down on Renault (which Christian Horner had commented, itself is 100BHP down on the Mercedes Power Units)! If there is any positivity to continue for 2016, is that the 2015 season is over and both their drivers and the rest of the team are committed to sorting out the issues.

Sauber F1 had a better 2015. After failing to score points last year, they rehauled their driver line up taking on Marcus Ericsson and Felipe Nassr. They were a surprise package during the pre-season testing, as one of the fastest cars and able to practice a lot of laps. They however faced legal action at the start of the season when Giedo van der Garde, who claimed he had the right for a race seat on their contract that Sauber breached when they signed the new drivers to the team.

He would take this case to the Swiss Court of Arbitration (that said he has to race in Australia) and the Australian High Court, prompting Sauber to miss the first practice session at Melbourne. However, after talks he would relinquish his claim on a race seat for a settlement. Overall, their drivers were fairly impressive especially Nasr, who was in the points more often than Erricson including a season best finish for the team of 5 at the Australian Grandprix. And they scored 36 points, beating their 0 tally last year, so, have built a stable foundation for 2016, with a good driver base.

While their Parent team, Red Bull Racing struggled to meet their expectations, the junior team, Torro Rosso enjoyed a fine season. The “Kidlets” of Torro Rosso are showing they are going to be exciting prospects in the future. Max Verstappen was the biggest talk owing to his young age and 1 year experience in driving. Yet, they both showed their ruthlessness, aggressive driving style. They are not afraid to get into the thick of the battles with others to win. They were aggressive and did not show nervousness, but were determined. Sainz suffered a big crash in Russia but was fine. Max was able to secure 4 place twice in the season, and has shown not only his aggressive driving but good tyre management skills. Max’s 4 Place at the US Grandprix won him the best drive of 2015 and he was voted the star driver of 2015. Torro Rosso and Red Bull should be smiling as they have a bright future within their teams, especially since both Vettel and Riccardo who had previously driven for the team, would move up to the main Red Bull team and enjoy immense success.

Together, they secured 67 points for Torro Rosso (its best point tally ever, with 49 coming from Max), ensuring the team have a bright future, provided they are able to find an engine supplier as Renault have pulled out from supplying customer engines.

Lotus, which has been troubled by financial problems (unable to pay their bills on time), are likely to be taken over by Renault, who have submitted a formal letter of intent to take over the team. Yet, their participation is doubtful, depending on the ruling of the high court decision, based on a case of un-paid, PAYE Taxes (Pay as you earn taxes). Yet, Renault taking over the team will be likely as they have already bailed them out. The deal was however confirmed on the 3 after the season concluded that Renault have taken over the team, restoring their factory team.

It now remains to be seen what would be the name of the team, still dependent on the upcoming High Court ruling.

Force India were able to cap of a good year with some consistent finishes by both their drivers (who have been tied down to the team for the future) in the latter half of the season, overcoming a nervy start where their financial woes were the topic of discussion. They recorded their 3 ever Podium with Sergio Perez finishing 3 at the Russian Grand Prix when Bottas and Raikkonen crashed ahead on the track.

Force India finished 5 in the constructors, their best position and the increased prize money and say in the sport will go a long way, as the team were the first to challenge the prize money distribution system of the sport. It is possible that the team may not be known as Force India in 2016, with talks between them and Aston Martin going on, to rebrand the team as Aston Martin Racing.

Red Bull, on the other hand endured their worst season since 2008. Their Renault power unit was well off the pace, and a war of words began off the track, with Renault. Red Bull accused Renault of being unable to provide a reliable power unit. Both parties threatened to even leave the sport. Renault in the end, said they would be pulling out of their agreement and set up a works team (which is likely to be the acquisition of Lotus) and that leaves Torro Rosso and Red Bull without an engine supplier. The team had their first winless season since 2008, and finished on the podium just 3 times all season.

One of the most successful Partnerships in Formula One ended in the 2015 season. Atleast to the relief of many in the sport, while the “marriage” with Renault is over, the team have confirmed that they will be staying in F1, although they are yet to announce a new engine supplier. Atleast, we all know it won’t be Volkswagen. And for the second time in 2 years, the recently promoted driver from Torro Rosso, finished higher up the standings than the established driver, as Dani Kvyat finished with 95 points to 92 of Riccardo.

Williams F1 have enjoyed a sort of resurgence as well with their new Mercedes Power Unit in the Turbo Era since 2014. They were not able to replicate the exact success of 2014 in the 2015 season, but were able to retain 3 in the Constructors Championship as Red Bull and McLaren were having horrendous seasons in their own right. Their cars were just off the pace, and Williams were also having made a comical pitstop when they mixed the tyre compounds.

Overall, they were not able to challenge the pace set by the 2 Best teams, but were able to secure 3 without much difficulty. Bottas could have once again finished 4 in the Drivers Championship but failed to beat Kimi on the final race. Before Brazil, Massa was also in contention for 4 but was disqualified, effectively ending his chances. Overall, they were not able to replicate their performances of last season.

Ferrari showed that they are back after a few dismal seasons, with the car surprisingly quick, genuinely bridging the gap to the Silver Arrows. They would be consistent podium finishers, with Vettel winning 3 wins, the first since 2014, when the Mercedes cars were beaten cleanly on performance and not misfortune. Kimi Raikkonen also had a better season, finishing with 150 points to his name after 55 in 2014. Vettel would finish with a good 278 point haul, allowing Ferrari to finish with 428, the best for a second placed team since 2014. Vettel’s 278 points is also the most of a non-mercedes driver since 2014.

With many acknowledging that the new power units of the team are nearly on par with Mercedes, can they really finally break the stranglehold of Mercedes, after showing that they can be beaten through pure racing skill and performance this year.

Once again Mercedes were utterly dominant. 12 times they finished 1-2 , and 16 wins (10 to Lewis and 6 to Nico) allowed them to score 704 points, as Lewis once again beat his teammate to the 2015 Drivers Championship. However, there were some communication errors, as seen in Monaco when the team were unable to pit Lewis who was in the lead, and that cost him first there. There were talks between the drivers, as the team are now worried, that if the clashes between their drivers can come back to bite them and compromise the team performance, especially with the resurgence of Ferrari.