2013 was a difficult year for F1. Pirelli, acting on direction from the sport, delivered compounds so delicate that drivers were left skittering for grip and engineers scratching their heads. Purists cried that F1 had become artificial and drivers lamented that their focus was no longer strictly on racing.
Yet for ten rounds this was the 2013 face of F1, where results were far from certain, everyone struggled equally, and tire discontent amounted to little more than grumbling and griping. That is, until Silverstone. High cornering speeds and sharp curbs combined to create an altogether separate and dangerous problem of de-laminating rubber and shredding carcasses. Not good.
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| Rubber makes the politics go 'round |
Politics have always played a role in F1, yet despite a string of exciting seasons where sport trumped scheming, they again rose to the fore in 2013. Ultimately, the abrupt shift was less about safety than it was aero supremacy. In this writer's opinion, this past season will go down as a triumph of politics over sport, and one of the poorest competitions over F1's long history.
As the season unraveled, I suspected that the task of drawing a precise perspective on driver performance would be tough. The thought of musing a brave fight to the podium or unexpected rise of a midfield competitor fell pointless and victim to my cynical nature. My normal sense of intrigue was virtually destroyed under the weight of fickle motor sport governance.
IMHO, there was a new chink in the sport's armor, and the latter half of the season felt like packaged entertainment.
In this light, is it possible to fairly evaluate one driver against his opponent? When does uncharacteristic mistakes, dysfunction, and intra-team fighting render the exercise futile? Ferrari, Lotus, McLaren, Sauber, Williams: each endured tension and strained driver relationships at some aspect of the campaign.
F1 drivers have often been, to some degree, portrayed as super human. Michael Schumacher set the example for what a human can achieve through commitment, determination, dedication. Intense training, conditioning, while adhering to very strict diets is just the beginning and beyond the discipline of most mortal men.
But as aero took precedence, F1 began to look more like a mortal endeavor. I guess F1 drivers are human beings who stumble through turmoil just like the rest of us, perhaps not as awkwardly, but stumble all the same. Sometimes at an additional 2.5 seconds per lap.
Therefore, I'm not certain the 2013 season is even worth discussing, but please comment if inspired. A little debate as winter testing commences might liven what will hopefully be the beginning of a more competitive era.
I did not go back and recount stats, compare lap times. My logic is seat of the pants and probably flawed. This is merely an impression, my impression, indelibly engraved in my mind by this horribly disappointing season.
1) Sebastian Vettel (ranked #4 in 2012, co-#1 in 2011)
Nothing sensational. Vettel's robotic pole to top step precision every week put me to sleep. He deserves, however, credit for bullet proof consistency, his almost complete lack of mistakes, and his making the most of the opportunity bestowed upon him. Vettel is quick, focused. He's managed to place himself in a position to win and at the end of the day that is often the most important skill of any competitor. I have always considered him one of the best, but despite his dominance I still don't rate him the most complete driver on the grid.
If Red Bull have one strength, they appear more adept at developing their car over the course of a season. Looking over the past five years, Newey's cars have never started as dominant as they finished. It would be fair to suggest that Seb is also an integral part of that evolution.
2) Nico Hulkenberg (ranked #5 in 2012)
Nico drove with purpose in 2013. The man definitely had something to prove, and he did just that. Yet despite proving that he is ready to fight at the front, Hulkenberg found himself victim to shoddy economics and had to resort to yet another midfield contender for 2014.
In time, I hope we'll see him at Ferrari. IMHO he's been groomed for that role long enough.
3) Kimi Räikkönen (ranked #2 in 2012)
Who'd a thunk Kimi's dominant win in the Melbourne season opener would prove to be his only victory of the season? Perhaps Räikkönen deserves better than this third place ranking . . . he should be commended for not allowing a lack of proper payment deter his early to mid season efforts: several brave and sensational drives from a man reborn to his prior mid 2008 form.
Unfortunately, as the season wore on things must've been disintegrating in the Lotus camp as Kimi appeared to lose steam by the time the teams reached Korea. Once Räikkönen was publicly dressed down by Alan Permane in India, it was over. Kimi showed up in Abu Dhabi despite reports that he had already given up, but his uncharacteristic first corner retirement gave pause to conspiracy theorists across the globe. No one was surprised when it was shortly announced that he'd driven his last race for Lotus.
4) Fernando Alonso (ranked #1 in 2012, co-#1 in 2011)
Those who know me will be shocked to find my relegating Fernando to a meager fourth on this tally. I largely consider Alonso the most complete driver on the grid and perhaps the world. Unfortunately, as it became apparent that Red Bull was once again gaining the upper hand, Fernando's human side reared itself in the form of frustration. After three and one third seasons prior where he drove with as much heart, courage, and stamina as we've ever witnessed, to come so close to taking the title in 2010 and 2012, it seemed impossible that he would remain invincible. To his credit he still managed a string of 2nd place finishes from Belgium to Singapore, so it would be unfair to suggest that he simply gave up.
I had a hard time choosing between Kimi and Fernando. The argument for rating Fernando higher is strong. Both drivers endured a lot of frustration with no real manner, but their phenomenal skills, to rise above. In the end I feel Fernando appeared a bit worn for wear, whereas Räikkönen simply opted to depart. Alonso may have also engaged his employer in a game of false posturing and media innuendo over a fictitious move to Red Bull.
5) Nico Rosberg (ranked #8 in 2012, #3 in 2011)
As I eluded to last year, Nico Rosberg is one tough nut to categorize, compartmentalize, or truly understand. Often identified as the most inconsistent driver on the grid, I find the description a tad unfair. Nico delivered three pole positions and two victories in 2013. Not counting anything but the top step, that makes him the second most accomplished pilot for the year (Alonso: two wins but no poles, and Hamilton: five poles but only one race win). Rosberg's Monaco victory was without doubt one the most determined drives of the season.
To date Nico has more than held his own over Lewis Hamilton, much as he did over Michael Schumacher. I'm guessing Nico may have trouble unlocking proper set up on occasion, thus adversely effecting his pace. He is certainly the most under rated driver in F1.
6) Romain Grosjean
One of the brighter aspects of 2013 was the re-introduction of Romain Grosjean . . . the Romain Grosjean that many of us suspected was there all along. I first witnessed Grosjean's pace in GP2 at Spa in 2008 on the high speed blast through Pouhon. I'm sure many will question my rating him above Hamilton, but I was extremely impressed by the manner in which Grosjean came alive in the mid season. Although Räikkönen may have at times been off form, Grosjean's ability to "pressurize" his teammate was very real.
7) Lewis Hamilton (ranked #3 in 2012, #6 in 2011)
I really wanted to rate Lewis higher. He fared much better than many who questioned his jump from McLaren had expected. He had five pole positions and at times looked to net more than his single victory in Hungary. I give Hamilton high marks for continuing to mature and for his positive working relationship with teammate Rosberg.
As he often found himself going backwards once the lights went out, I can only wonder whether inner struggles still distract his eye from the prize. Hopefully the 2014 title will be more clearly visible through his visor.
8) Daniel Ricciardo
I don't believe that he's Hulkenberg-ready for the front row, but Ricciardo has demonstrated himself capable of competing there. It's fair to say that he will only get better as 2014 progresses.
9) Valtteri Bottas
What can I say? I like this guy. Impressive, in Montreal especially. Given my respect for Hakkinen and Räikkönen, perhaps I'm partial to Finnish drivers.
10) Mark Webber (ranked #10 in 2012, #5 in 2011)
I really like Mark but struggled to find a home for him on this list. It's hard to know what to think about his time at Red Bull, only to say that I wish he'd gotten out from under there before retiring. Given the bizarre climate, I should credit Mark for managing results when other drivers such as Fernando might have blown a fuse.
Webber's race starts were consistently shaky, often nullifying whatever advantage he reaped from qualifying. I often joked that he needed to stop doing pre-race interviews on the grid as he appeared too focused on his post retirement broadcast career. Between the poor starts and sometimes questionable race judgement, Mark Webber will always remain an enigma to me.
I hold the cynical opinion that Mark's race car was at times treated by the team as a test mule, effectively providing Red Bull a test restriction work around. With Vettel on top every weekend and everyone else bumbling along behind, it would be interesting to do the math and determine how many of Mark's points they needed to secure the Constructor's title.
Webber will be missed. He once demonstrated the pace to be a potential world champion, but I never personally saw that happening at Red Bull.
In closing . . .
No doubt there are a couple of key names missing from my tally. Again, my logic can be challenged.
Jenson Button:
Jenson had a down season. The McLaren was a wash and he spent the first half of the year trying to avoid being run off the road by his over aggressive teammate. Despite my immense respect for Jenson I've often suspected that he really needs a car to his liking. He will be back at the front soon, I am certain. I truly believe the new era bodes well for Jenson as lessor drivers will struggle with torque and putting the power down effectively.
Felipe Massa:
Felipe finished 2012 on the upswing and I fully expected that trend to continue into 2013. It didn't. Ferrari were once again a one horse cavalry. . . and then there was Germany. Unfortunately for Felipe, Ferrari were left with no choice but to replace him. I wish him a successful rebirth at Williams.
The year ahead? My fear is that Vettel will run away with all 19 victories. That will make people forget about the funny looking noses, real quick. I now fully understand why I temporarily loathed Michael Schumacher when he won the first Grand Prix I attended; Imola '04. The RB-10 looks to pick up where its predecessors left off.
If we are lucky, Mercedes and Ferrari will rise to the fight and their potential. They possess the best driver pairings in the business.
Ferrari must deliver a competitive car and more importantly develop it throughout the season. The arrival of James Allison may ultimately answer Ferrari's life long struggle with tires, and that is huge, but the Scuderia's real challenge may lie beyond the wind tunnel. Did a lack of managerial prowess handicap the once promising F-138 from being developed to it's full potential?
Given the likelihood we'll witness greater transition in development this season as the teams grapple with the new hybrid turbo era, I sadly expect Red Bull to once again remain on top.
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