With this morning’s first round or practice in Australia, the 2015 Formula One season is finally upon us and, with it, the F1B Staff Picks make their triumphant return. Well, triumphantly if you’re reigning champ J.P., who thoroughly trounced the rest of us last year. And if early season testing and first practice does truly show what we can expect from the coming season, Mercedes may find themselves leading the pack yet again.
With seven of eight staffers picking a Silver Arrows pilot to take the win, that seems to be the consensus here at F1B, at least. Defending WDC Lewis Hamilton gets five nods against teammate Nico Rosberg’s two, while Tony is the lone holdout, picking hometown hero Daniel Ricciardo to take the top step on the podium. With five rookies looking to take part this year, along with perennial favorites Maldonado and Massa, the bi-weekly battle for First Out will be anyone’s guess from week to week. The rookies are only getting two of the picks for the first round, though, with stand-in Magnussen leading the pack with three picks to be the first to pack his bags for home.
Todd
1. Rosberg
2. Hamilton
3. Bottas
4. Vettel
5. Massa
6. Ricciardo
FO Magnussen
Grace
1. Hamilton
2. Rosberg
3. Vettel
4. Bottas
5. Ricciardo
6. Raikkonen
FO Massa
Paul
1. Hamilton
2. Rosberg
3. Ricciardo
4. Bottas
5. Vettel
6. Massa
FO VD Garde
Andrew
1. Hamilton
2. Rosberg
3. Bottas
4. Massa
5. Vettel
6. Grosjean
FO Button
Tony
1. Ricciardo
2. Hamilton
3. Rosberg
4. Bottas
5. Massa
6. Vettel
FO Stevens
Dave
1. Rosberg
2. Hamilton
3. Massa
4. Raikkonen
5. Bottas
6. Ricciardo
FO Magnussen
J.P.
1. Hamilton
2. Rosberg
3. Bottas
4. Raikkonen
5. Button
6. Ricciardo
FO Verstappen
Tom
1. Hamilton
2. Rosberg
3. Bottas
4. Massa
5. Vettel
6. Raikkonen
FO Magnussen
