Our prediction for the 2012 Formula 1 season is F1 driver Lewis Hamilton will win the drivers championship and block out Vettel from a 3-peat.
Why are we so confident that Hamilton will come to life this season and dethrone Seb Vettel? We have many reasons.
Hamilton overcomes troubles in 2011
Lewis was dating Nicole Scherzinger and they were breaking up and it seemed Lewis wanted her out of the picture to focus on work. He seemed to have done better towards the end of the season with her out of the picture. The irony is rumors are they are seen as back together but who knows if she will be a 'distraction' for the season.
New car MP4-27
If you haven't seen the new car it looks good but truth is all F1 cars look good. Both drivers Button and Hamilton have said the new car is better this year and it should be more competitive to help them catch the leaders. If the drivers are that good then it will be more about skill and less about a car advantage.
No more Exhaust Blown Diffuser advantage for Vettel
Vettel is a great driver but his car was just too powerful and in 2011 the competition said they just don't have a car as fast as the Red Bull Racing one. The result was Vettel winning most of the pole positions, starting the race at the front and winning most of the races fairly handily. The advantage RBR had last year was the use of EBDs. This year they are banned and that means all the teams should have a similar car making it the most competitive season ever. Expect the last race of the season to determine the world champion for 2012.
We think Vettel's dominance will end this season because not only is everyone wanting him to lose but Bernie Ecclestone says he would prefer to see the season be more competitive and Vettel's dominance to end. Another winner might make the ratings go through the roof.