Why Sebastian Vettel’s Ferrari Will Be the Only Real Threat to Mercedes in 2016

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: December 17, 2015

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Sebastian Vettel's victory at the 2015 Malaysian Grand Prix was one of the most significant moments in recent Formula One history. That it was the German on top of the podium meant very little, and a 222nd win for the Ferrari team would usually have passed by with little ceremony.

They might have baked a cake had it been their 200th, but 222 doesn't mean much to anyone.

But this win mattered a great deal because it marked the first time Mercedes had been beaten in a straight, clean fight since the start of the V6 turbo era. They didn't break down, they didn't crash and wet weather did not intervene.

The high track temperature played a big part, but Mercedes were simply not good enough to win—and it was the first time in 21 races that had happened.

Any hopes Ferrari fans—or neutrals—might have had of a two-team battle for the title were blown away as the season progressed. But Vettel won another two races and finished the year just 44 points behind Nico Rosberg in the drivers' championship.

Lewis Hamilton was a further 59 points distant, so in reality, it wasn't much of a challenge. But it was a starting point. With a strong engine and room to improve on the chassis side, Ferrari should again be close to Mercedes when the 2016 season kicks off.

Unfortunately, it's unlikely any of the other teams will be joining them.



In recent years, a challenge from Red Bull could be considered a given. But since the arrival of the V6 turbo hybrid engines at the start of 2014, the Austrian team have struggled.

Their two cars in this period—the RB10 and RB11—were, for the most part, very good. Aerodynamics-wise, they were closer to Mercedes than any other chassis in the field, and their wet-weather performance suggests they may occasionally have been better.

When they got some clear air during 2014's Japanese Grand Prix, the two Red Bu...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Formula 1

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