"Cato Batista" 15/03/2013 4:09:16 ID #368

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

 

Finally!

The magic moment has arrived, the 2013 Season starts this coming Friday in Australia! 

And forgive me if I am more excited than usual but I think this could be the best Formula 1 year we'd ever had for several reasons: there are 5 potential race-winning teams –Red Bull, McLaren, Ferrari, Lotus & Mercedes-; there are only few minor changes in the regulations before the new engines are introduced next year that will spread out the field and it would be years before all the teams are technically very close again; and because Pirelli has a new range of compounds designed to wear down faster…and nobody has an idea how to handle them!

 

I’d like to welcome to the CFA our new member Roger Mortimer, drafted by one of our most respected, founding members Joe.  Roger’s knowledge and passion has been thoroughly examined by our Sporting Commission, and we are delighted to give him the opportunity to prove his mettle in the world stage. He is our second Californian (San Francisco) CFA member.

 

With only a matter of days before the F1s are let loose in all their fury again, let’s get our engines warmed up and ready for the first test of the season: our traditional Pre Season Picks.  I want you to forecast who’s going to win the F1 Championships, the 5 top in the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships as well as the best rookie of the year.

Will this be VET’s fourth Crown in a row? Or ALO will finally conquer his third and Ferrari’s first since 2007? And what about the rookies, there are 5 newcomers this year in the 22-car field: Esteban Gutierrez driving for Sauber, Valtteri Bottas for Williams,  Giedo Van der Garde  for Caterham, Max Chilton and Jules Bianchi both for Marussia. Lot’s of talent in here,  these are names we will hear a lot in the future.

To confirm you participation please reply to me or Santiago with you 2013 forecasts (there’s no entry for Pre Season Picks on the CFA web).

To keep with tradition please allow me to get the ball rolling:

 

Cato- Drivers- VET  ALO  RAI  BUT  PER

           Makes- Red Bull  McLaren  Ferrari  Lotus Mercedes

           Rookie – BOT (Williams)

 

So we are ready, let’s get set for take off this coming Thursday March 14 – that’s only a few hours away!

 

Cheers

Cato