Dear Maria, Alberto, Carlos, Curro, Erik, Fernando, Fredrik, Manbos, Ian, Joe, Lou, Matias, Ricardo, Ricky, Rocco, Rodrigo, Roger, Santiago, Sebastian, Tim, Uwe, and Hector:

The magic moment we have been anxiously waiting for many long months is finally here: this is your official invitation to participate in the CFA 2014 season!

This coming weekend the Australian GP will be underway and let’s face it: this is the most uncertain F1 season we’d ever encounter.

We’re about to witness the biggest technical changes ever seen in F1: new engines, aerodynamics, transmissions, electric motors, ERS (energy recovery systems), weight  & fuel consumption restrictions. You name it, from new driver line ups to QF procedures, even the sound will be different.

Pre-season testing was for fine tuning and making sure your rivals didn’t know your true speed. This year instead was about desperately trying to pile up kilometers to make this new complicated machines to work properly. And if in the past we had no idea who had the best car this time we know something crystal clear: Mercedes power is definitely the component to have.

Pre-season favourite is the Mercedes team followed by the Mercedes-power cars (in that order): Williams, McLaren and then Force India. Ferrari is the enigma and let’s forget about the Renault-supplied teams: Lotus & Red Bull, at least for now.

If this massive regulations overhaul is presenting us with a completely different GP racer, for the drivers it brings a totally new and more difficult challenge: this cars are very tricky to drive. With less downforce (no more blown diffusers) and a higher, abrupt torque delivery this new generation F1s will demand all of their talents to master it.

Now is time to introduce our new CFA recruit: Hector Cavajal. He’s being patiently waiting and giving in to all out fastidious procedures for most of last season and now he’s ready to join the premier F1 forecasting group in the world. Hector is a close childhood friend of mine, growing up together in Mexico City where he still resides. To my surprise just recently I discovered his passion and knowledge for F1,  I’m sure he’ll be a worthy bearer of the CFA Rookie 2014 title. Welcome to the Club Hector!

Well, It’s the end of many months of speculation, in only 5 days time all our questions will be answered: we’ll know who is who in F1 this year. it’s time to warm up our souls and get ready for the 19-race F1 2014 season. And let’s be prepared to do a competent job if we want to stop Santiago from winning a 4th CFA title! (nothing personal Santi, you know).

We’ll be back in touch this Thursday, can’t wait!

Cheers

Cato

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