#HitTheBeeps

 Why Mercedes Biggest Rival Is Honda.

 

On current form, will we see anythiing but Mercedes 1-2's?

 No one can compete with Mercedes...

The sheer scale of performance between themselves and the other 10 teams are unlike anything previously seen in F1; even taking into account Red Bull Racing's 4 consecutive Championship winning seasons from 2010-2013.

With the biggest set of regulations introduced since 2009, the biggest and most controversial is the change from a V8 2.4 litre engine to Turbocharged 1.6 litre V6's with added energy recovery systems, (ERS) in a mind-set to make the sport more sustainable and environmentally friendly...

Teams using the Mercedes AMG high performance Powertrains, built in Brixworth, Northamptonshire, have had an obvious advantage in both speed and reliability in the first 3 rounds of the season.

In the 2 days of Free Testing at The Bahrain International Circuit held this week, (8th and 9th April 2014) in which Caterham, Mercedes and Williams all ran with 6 new compounds and 8 new constructions of Pirelli tyres to be used next season, Nico Rosberg topped Day 1's standings whilst Lewis Hamilton, on experimental Pirelli tyres lapped 1.421 seconds quicker than the Renault-powered Torro Rosso of Jean-Eric Vergne.

Vettel worshipping the car which had brought him so much glory.

In Red Bull's hunt for continued success in the previous Formula using V8 engines, the possible reason why Renault have not been able to match Mercedes power is becuase their focus was on building Sebastian Vettel's legacy without contemplating the future after V8's.
And after perfecting the aerodynamics of the previous cars thanks to Chief Technical Officer Adrian Newey, the RB10 doesn't suit the new engines; not harvesting and releasing power as well as the Mercedes W05. 

Yet, it's the unwritten page of tomorrow which doesn't seem as if the history book's author will be Renault.

Will Vettel win his 5th consecutive championship? If he does, he will have every right to be named as the greatest racing driver in history.
But even if Red Bull manage to catch Mercedes this season, it is highly likely that the silver arrows may have won both the Drivers and Constructors championships already.

That is why Mercedes greatest rivals aren't even on the grid. Next year is where we'll see a true contest. One that will dismiss all the talk of changing the regulations and how quiet the sounds of the engines are, because once Honda step back into Formula One after a 7 year hiatus, all the talk will be on the racing.

Confirming their multi-year technology deal in May 2013, the iconic partnership reunite with the intention of bringing former success and glory back to Mclaren as seen in the late 80's and early 90's, when Senna and Prost reigned supreme.

Developing the V6 turbo power units in Sakura City, Japan, Honda says it is making 'steady progress' with their F1 programme and by June 2014 their dynamo and assembly facilities will be operational in the UK.

Button in the cockpit of the BAR. (2003)

 It isn't just the constructor and engine makers who have a lasting friendship; Mclaren driver Jenson Button has close ties with Honda after driving Honda-powered cars since 2003 up until Honda left F1 at the end of 2008. He of course also has strong ties with the country of Japan itself as fiancee Jessica Michibata resides from there.

It feels as if Jenson is waiting for the new engine supplier, biding his time with Mercedes and anticipating a reunion that has every potential to see Button and Mclaren as, once again, the 'Ichi ban*' in Formula One.

* 'Number One' in Japanese.