Ten things we learnt from F1 in 2014

1. Hamilton has realised his potential.

No one doubted the jaw dropping ability of Lewis Hamilton. But whether he could turn it into consistent results was a big topic of debate. Would the most talented driver of his generation not realise his true potential?

If he stayed at McLaren, then possibly not.

At Mercedes he has found his happy place, which doesn’t bode well for the rest of the grid, and there is a real chance that he could dominate for years. Finally, his sulky moods have turned into relentless determination and unwavering belief.

For Hamilton that has been the hard part. The rest just follows naturally.

2. Rosberg has the ruthlessness of a champion.

Rosberg with German F1 GP helmet

Even though he ended up playing the villain, credit must go to Nico Rosberg. Many didn’t think he had it in him to sustain a title fight. But behind those boyish looks and blonde locks is a ruthless competitor with a steely determination.

Rosberg is a very intelligent man. Does he have the mental ability to think up a trick like a fake crash at Monaco and possess the skill to execute is perfectly? Yes, he most definitely does.

But whether or not he has the audacity to do it, is another matter and one which will never be fully revealed.

Like Vettel in Malaysia last year, and Schumacher in 1994, champions have to be cold blooded when needed. It’s what sets them apart.

There is no doubting Rosberg has a champions mind. He’s made mistakes this year, but he’s a quick learner. In 2015, he’ll be even stronger.

3. Rosberg is the qualifying king.

top 3 qualifiers: 1. Rosberg 2. Hamilton 3. Bottas

Lewis Hamilton might not be the most consistent of performers but when raw speed is what you need, he is the man. Right? Wrong.

The inaugural qualifying trophy, handed to the driver with the most pole positions, went to Nico Rosberg. The German combined deceptive speed and mathematical precision to get the best of many a qualifying lap and it took a long time to get used to Hamilton being consistently beaten on a Saturday.

Hamilton is definitely the Friday king, but Rosberg watches and learns. He sees what Hamilton does and often does it better. If he can reproduce that in 2015, he’ll be a hard man to stop.

 4. But he can’t match Hamilton on Sunday’s.

Start of the race after 1st corner with Hamilton flying away

The not-so-secret reason for Hamilton’s 2014 success is his utter dominance on race day. He has a huge mental advantage over Rosberg after beating him in every wheel-to-wheel fight and has surprised many with his handling of the new rules.

The insulting assumption, that Hamilton is not as mentally switched on as other drivers, stems from his previous childish behavior and immaturity. But he is one of the more intelligent drivers on the gird, and he adapted his driving to the new technicalities, perfectly.

His tyre wear and fuel usage was better than virtually every other driver, while his racing instincts did not let him down. When you add mental awareness to his already brilliant natural speed, you get a winner of 11 grand prix.

5. Question marks over Vettel.

Sebastian Vettel

What a dismal 12 months it has been for Sebastian Vettel. A year ago he had just won nine races in a row and clinched his fourth straight world championship.

On top of that he had seen off his old team-mate and bitter rival Mark Webber, and been joined by a younger Australian who was only going to make life more comfortable.

However, that Australian was not so compliant to the script. Daniel Ricciardo trounced Vettel all year, beating him in qualifying, on race days and in the number of race wins.

The 24-year-old won three, in comparison to Vettel’s zero and had such an effect on the champion that some say he dashed to Ferrari, in order to avoid further humiliation.

Serious question are being asked of the German. Is he as good as we all thought? Can he produce the goods with an inferior car? He’s at Ferrari next year, so we’re about to find out.

6. F1 continues to favour the big teams.

Bernie Ecclestone (83)

Money talks. Especially in the glitz and glamour of a sport like Formula 1. Small teams feel like a hindrance, an annoying presence that is disrupting the sport’s aim of having three car teams  and customer cars..

The cost of running is getting higher and higher, while prize money is hardly shared out fairly. Caterham and Marussia went in to administration in October and missed five races between them. Caterham may survive, while Marussia are all but gone.

Sauber, Lotus and Force India are also worried. Spiraling costs are out of control and the big boys won’t let money be capped. Meetings may be held and debates may rumble, but things are unlikely to change. F1 is, and always has been, a sport for the rich.

7. Alonso is the best of his generation.

Fernando Alonso

It would take a man with a heart of stone to not feel any sympathy for Fernando Alonso. He has proven time and time again that he is the best driver in the sport but still Ferrari feed him poor cars.

But, if there was one good thing that did come out of 2014 it was that Alonso confirmed himself as the best of his generation. The exciting kids who were set to take the sport on after Michael Schumacher, are now reaching the end of the line.

Mark Webber has gone. Juan Pablo Montoya folded years ago. Felipe Massa didn’t really reach his potential. And Jenson Button has never really been lauded for his blistering speed.

That left Alonso and his old nemesis Kimi Raikkonen to slug it out, and when Raikkonen joined Ferrari we got our wish.

Sadly for the talented Finn, it was a walkover. Alonso scored almost triple his number of points. Raikkonen is brilliant, but he’s not a great like Alonso.

8. F1’s future is bright

Daniel Ricciardo spraying champagne

As one generation of drivers nears the end, another crop is starting to blossom.

Daniel Ricciardo was the revelation of the season and proved he could be a future world champion after he destroyed Sebastian Vettel.

At Williams, Valtteri Bottas is an undoubted star. A rejuvenated Felipe Massa was often left in his wake. Williams will prey they can keep him long enough to help him win races.

At Toro Rosso, 20-year-old Daniil Kvyat impressed so much he was given a drive at Red Bull. His seat has been taken by 17-year-old Max Verstappen, a “once in a generation driver”.

At Force India, Nico Hulkenberg continues to prove his class, while Lotus must give the exciting Romain Grosjean a good car. F1’s future is most definitely bright.

 9. Ferrari are in turmoil

Alonso pitstop with Ferrari F14T

After years of watching Red Bull dominate, 2014 was Ferrari’s chance to re-establish themselves as top dog in the pit lane. They failed.

What has since followed is worthy of a soap opera. Team principle Stefano Domenicalli resigned, and was replaced by the unknown Marco Mattiacci, who was hired for his tough approach.

Engine designer Luca Marmorini was sacked for doing a bad job, while the future of Alonso turned into a season-long saga.

Then in the Autumn, president of 23 years, Luca Di Montezemelo waved goodbye, shortly before Alonso said he was off too.

After the final race of the season, Mattiacci was sacked for whatever reason and replaced by a guy who worked for a cigarette company.

Got it all?

Good. To summarise, it was an average year in Maranello full of chaos and disappointment.

 10. The Sport is still dangerous.

Bianchi & Schumacher

Sport is dangerous. It’s part of what makes us admire those who compete so much. They are willing to put their bodies on the line and risk injury for success.

Motorsport, and Formula 1, is as dangerous as it gets. But the tragic accident of Jules Bianchi which, two months after he is still fighting for his life, was still very bitter to swallow. Formula 1 is much safer that it has ever been. Gone are the days where death was as common as champagne.

But danger can never be totally eradicated. In cars as vulnerable as these, travelling at speeds at which they go, danger will always be there. It took a talented Frenchman to innocently skid off a track to remind us.

Bianchi is fighting and we wish him all the best. So too is Michael Schumacher after his horrendous ski accident last year. Formula 1 drivers are fighters and they won’t give up.

#ForzaJules.

#KeepFightingMichael.

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