Who will be 2017 Formula 1 World Champion?

[PTRACER]

We have this poll every year. Last year we all thought it would be Hamilton, we know what happened next. This year is much more difficult to call.

I don't think it's worth filling out the poll with drivers in other teams, because no one is going to beat the big three of Mercedes, Red Bull or Ferrari...are they?

(By the way, poll runs for five days as it's the Grand Prix this weekend )

[Everso Biggyballies]

Sadly I feel it will be another Mercedes year. Rumours about that they were running with the wick turned well down in the tests at Barcelona, due to a crankshaft fault that will, thanks to the abolition of the token for mods exchange rule, be modified and changed for Albert Park.

It is somewhat ironic that the token rule was dropped to favour the non Mercedes runners, to allow them to close the gap during the season without being stuck with their homologated engines. The one team to have gained benefit from the rule change to date is as it turns out the one team it was aimed to bring back to the field so to speak.

As such I believe we will see a much faster Merc at the AGP than we saw in Barcelona, and I cant see Bottas matching Hamilton unless Lewis has problems.

Here's hoping that the rumoured totally different Red Bull alleged to appear, replacing the car we saw at pre season tests is real, and that Ferrari's test form is more than just pre season bandstanding.

[LaraCroft2016]

If it's another Mercedes year, it'll be boring then, at least with Schumacher in Ferrari there were good years as 2000 and 2003

[Antonov]

Ferrari are good, but I doubt they are on the level of reliability and strategy Mercedes has. Got to go with Hamilton on this one.

[sebbbl]

I fear, it's going to a 2015-like Hamilton year with some victories of Vettel who will suffer from reliability issues...

[XcraigX]

While I think Hamilton will triumph in the end, I am hoping for some good battles between the Ferrari, Merc, and Red Bull! Hopefully there will be hard earned victories spread through several teams.

[MonteCristo]

Haha, most one-sided poll ever.

[John]

Haha, most one-sided poll ever.

It's a great poll, a fantastic poll. But it's rigged. Crooked Vettel won't stand a chance.

[MonteCristo]

Haha, most one-sided poll ever.

It's a great poll, a fantastic poll. But it's rigged. Crooked Vettel won't stand a chance.

I take it 2018 for Ericsson? This is a building year for Sauber?

[John]

Haha, most one-sided poll ever.

It's a great poll, a fantastic poll. But it's rigged. Crooked Vettel won't stand a chance.

I take it 2018 for Ericsson? This is a building year for Sauber?

I'm terribly offended with the fact that ME9 wasn't even an option in the poll.

[MonteCristo]

Haha, most one-sided poll ever.

It's a great poll, a fantastic poll. But it's rigged. Crooked Vettel won't stand a chance.

I take it 2018 for Ericsson? This is a building year for Sauber?

I'm terribly offended with the fact that ME9 wasn't even an option in the poll.

I hate to think how you feel about the options in this thread then: viewtopic.php?f=17&t=14748 .

Although, he doesn't need to win a race to be champion.

[Everso Biggyballies]

Haha, most one-sided poll ever.

Yes but how many of those who voted actually [WANT Hamilton to win! Likely none. Could be the most unpopular WDC in history. (If he was to win)

[Ian-S]

Maybe he'll have another "maybe it's because I'm black" foot in mouth episode and Mercedes put their full support behind "the other car".

Well, I can hope, rght?

[PTRACER]

The only thing I'm interested in finding out regarding Mercedes is how close Bottas can actually get. You know, will he get as close to Hamilton as Rosberg did (which was, most of the time, pretty far off), or will Bottas be even slower?

Also, does anyone think Ferrari can take the fight to Mercedes this year?

[John]

Also, does anyone think Ferrari can take the fight to Mercedes this year?