The back end of 2014 season found me with less time than I would have liked to complete the data analysis. Much like the F1 Teams I have managed to squeeze some extra time out of the winter period in order to catch up on last season and prepare for 2015.
2014 Wrap Up
By completing all the calculations on the models I had been developing I now have:
- a good base line of value and performance data to compare the 2015 season with
- a better insight into how the teams really performed in terms of value and overall performance through 2014
Aside from the obvious plaudits to Mercedes for a job well done there are some hints deeper in the data that other teams should be pleased with. I refer to my latest analysis of Value here where it is not just about extracting the maximum value out of a team but keeping the Value margins as tight as possible. Red Bull were the winners on this front by quite a stretch followed on level pegging here by Williams and Mercedes. Further Force India even managed to exceed Ferrari in this area too! We know that some of the more interesting team behaviour at Mercedes will have contributed to this figure, it is just masked by the overall points performance.
Now there will be those who will argue Mercedes got the overall result they seeked and there is something in that. However, I cannot imagine for a minute that a German team with the backers currently in place will be satisfied with the 2014 performance overall I would be very much mistaken. They will be seeking perfection for 2015 and the data suggests there is more than enough room for them to achieve it despite their 2014 result.
2015 Look Ahead
As the first session of pre-season testing is completed the momentum is building up again. The key things for me are (and will be measuring the effect on the team overall as a result):
- I will not get distracted by the race by race results and data until Spain. The data suggests that is when things settle across the board and one is able to pick out significant data points.
- Will Vettel really have the impact desired on Ferrari, I hope so?
- Will Williams continue to ratchet up the pressure and steal second place from Red Bull?
- Will the engine change at Lotus make a difference?
- and finally, what my analysis is really about, did the strategic team decision falling out of last have the desired effects on the teams?
Nick, great opening comments for 2015 season. I will be keeping a keen eye on the pounds per points saga. Especially with Force India; last year they were on target for some good returns. Shame they had a bad few races towards the end of 2014.
JH
The real gap in the line up is the lack of also rans? We are looking at only Sauber taking on Torro Rosso and Force India which makes a huge difference.