2010 F1 Mid Season Constructor’s Ratings

If we are going to do the drivers, we are going to do the teams as well. Yes, it is time of the 2010 mid season constructor’s ratings so let’s get to it.

The 2010 Formula 1 season ushered in a huge change in the constructors. Out went names like Toyota and BMW. In came names like Lotus, HRT, and Virgin. Some got confusing like BMW Sauber Ferrari. Others just became forgettable, so let’s get to it in order of their current position in the standings.


McLaren – 9 -  I’ll admit that I thought we might see McLaren fall back this year without Mercedes. Wrong on that one, Lemmy! The team has shown surprising resilience. With Ron Dennis gone, the team has two new positive directions. First, it actually seems to be a team and not a soap opera. Second, the team actually seems to care about reliability, which is the key to winning championships. The car is the second fastest on the track, but much more reliable than Red Bull.

Red Bull – 7 - The new McLaren. Yes, it might come up with a blindingly fast design, but what does it really matter if the thing can’t get to the end of the race? This is exactly the problem. It should be no surprise given the involvement of Adrian Newey who used to design similar cars for McLaren. Who, after all, can forget the rear wing flying off of Kimi Raikonnen’s McLaren on the straight a few years back? The car is fast but iffy. The team seems to be as well. The pressure has led to some odd decisions, so the rest of the season does not bode well.

Ferrari – 5 – The new car was a big step up at the start of the season. There appeared to be no advancements from there, however. The car went from just below the pace of the Red Bull to just above the pace of the Renault. The team showed new pace in Valencia. It had better otherwise the season could turn into something ugly. On top of this, the strategy employed by the team is often head scratching in a big way. All and all, things don’t look good.

Mercedes – 2 - Yikes. From Brawn GP to this? The car is atrocious and appears to be getting worse. The great Ross Brawn has missed badly on this car and now comes news that the budget for 2010 has already been blown. Time to pack it up and plan for 2011. The only question is whether a certain Mr. “S” will be driving then.

Renault – 9 – Anyone expecting this performance would have been considered mad before the season. The trials and tribulations of 2009 promised the demise of the team. The news they would race led to many snickers and extremely low expectations. Well, the team has done itself proud. The excellent Kubica has been a revelation. Petrov is a hack, but keeps things exciting if nothing else. If the team had a competent second driver, it would be much higher in the points standings and deservedly so.



Force India – 6 – The team is pretty much where you would expect. It is amateur hour with this group, but the technical assistance from McLaren gives them a leg up. A big leg up. They’ll show good pace in the odd race, but don’t expect much more.

Williams – 3 - How the mighty have fallen. A once proud team that will not be in Formula 1 in the near future. I give them three years, maybe five at the most. Very sad.

Toro Rosso – 5 – Very average. I am trying to figure out what the point is of this team. The drivers are okay. The team is okay. They will never be good, so why keep up the charade?

Sauber – A disaster. BMW left Peter Sauber with almost nothing to work with. The drivers are horrific and the car is a pig. Sad to see it happen to such a nice man.

Lotus – A disgrace to the name. A real shame.

HRT – Please. I’ve seen more impressive lawn mowers.

Virgin – “Virgin” in that this team will never pop its cherry for a win. Ever. Expect Virgin to disappear within two years.

Rest of the Season

This is a pretty simple call. The winner of the constructors’ title will be McLaren. The Red Bulls simply aren’t reliable enough. This will mean a double championship for McLaren with Jenson Button and the team taking the titles.

Then again, I could be wrong!

Lemmy
7/7/2010

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