THIS weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix should be really exciting as a number of teams are testing new items on their cars for 2016.
One of them is Daniel Ricciardo. He will have the latest Renault engine, which produces more power and has a completely new design of turbo charger.
Red Bull are quick at this circuit and with newfound power Ricciardo could be right among the front runners.
Ferrari is another team that is expected to try 2016 bits on its car in a big effort to close the gap on Mercedes.
The above scenario is all possible because the world championship is sewn up and hence teams have nothing to lose by experimenting.
It really makes the race interesting as it is also a big testing session for new developments.
As the season progressed this year we have seen both Ferrari and Red Bull starting to close the gap on Mercedes.
Everyone is keen for the competition to get closer, thereby making the racing much more exciting.
A number of small changes are expected to be made in the rules to make this all possible.
There is even talk of a standard engine being supplied across the board in Formula 1 but I don’t like the idea as this is counterproductive from a development point of view.
Bernie Ecclestone is encouraging you, the enthusiast, to make comments on what you think should be happening in Formula 1 so I encourage you to write to the Herald with any ideas you may have.
They could be good and sensational and we would forward them on to the powers that be.
Back to this weekend’s race – it will be interesting to see whether Nico Rosberg can maintain his superiority over a relaxed triple world champion or whether Lewis Hamilton will come back fighting.
I really do believe that Red Bull will make an impression this weekend and hope that their experimental cars are reliable to take the show to Mercedes.
In both Ricciardo and the rapid Russian Daniil Kvyat they have great drivers who need a lucky break.
In similar vein Ferrari could spring a surprise with Kimi Raikkonen now supporting Sebastian Vettel at a much higher level.
News is that both Toro Rosso and the new American Formula One Haas team will be using Ferrari engines next year.
In this regard it will also be the last of two races for Romain Grosjean at Lotus before he joins the Haas Team for 2016.
We can still expect stunning performances from Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz Junior while still using Renault power.
It is time for Williams to have some luck go their way in what is a very quick car and both Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Nasr are no slouches.
We will talk about Lotus and their prospects for next year with renewed vigour from a Renault works team on another occasion but they will be doing their best in the meantime.
Force India, with its two solid drivers Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez can be expected to put up a good show and the big question mark is will McLaren Honda start to put it all together as the season draws to an end.
All in all we should be in for a fantastic, fun-filled but interesting race on Sunday at 6pm.
Please check qualifying times on TV as they may alter.
