The 2015 Formula 1 tried its best to copy 2014, but great changes saved the season.
In 2015, we learned that for all the thrashing and controversy generated during the Formula 1 season, not much had changed from the 2014 season. Mercedes remained supremely dominant, with Lewis Hamilton again World Champion, his teammate Nico Rosberg second. Yet, below the top tier’s three-pointed star, there were performances and changes that signalled that 2016 might be a lot more entertaining.
What didn’t change in 2015?
Bernie Ecclestone remains one of sport’s great survivors, wheeling and dealing as one who wields supreme power in F1 can. He continued to complain about the lack of competitiveness against Mercedes, as well as both the lack noise and the crippling costs of the hybrid power units. Luckily, Bernie’s double points finale scheme for Abu Dhabi bit the dust as change for the better.
Oh, and those engines? Costs and penalties continued to skyrocketed, to an average of £27 million, forcing all of the smaller teams to spend more time each morning praying for some kind of regulatory change that will keep them solvent. They’ll have to hang on at least one more year.
Red Bull continued to alienate nearly everyone in the paddock with their long struggle to replace engine supplier Renault. After season’s end, there was no change, the engine will remain in the car save for the replacement of Renault engine identification plates with new-sponsor TAG Heuer, fresh from their abandoning McLaren Honda.
It seems, Mercedes’ dominance makes any semblance of friendship between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg impossible. Only that duo had a chance for the 2015 champion’s ring, and that won’t be changing for 2016. The sullen looks of the marques’ second place finisher on each Grand Prix’s podium became a reason for millions of TV viewers switch off the set at the chequered flag.
And, if catching Mercedes in 2015 was impossible, 2016 won’t be any easier. Mercedes enjoys a massive engine power and reliability advantage. Ferrari have conceded it will take even more of an effort in 2016 than the excellent recovery they exploited in 2015. New engine rules for 2017 can’t come fast enough.
