Welcome to the midseason break, where almost nothing happens in the Formula One world due to forced factory closures.
But such pauses are made for reflection, and the first half of 2016 has proved to be an unexpected boom time for some of the sport’s initially pessimistic teams.
After the earlier review of the year’s best drivers, today we consider the best non-human performers to date, excluding the private equity barons running the sport.
Red Bull Racing
Even including those working inside the team, you would have been hard-pressed to find anyone who believed Red Bull Racing would be the second-best constructor in 2016, but the energy drinks company has done exactly that.
The team was close to crisis point 12 months ago. After winning ‘just’ three races in 2014 – admittedly coming off the back of four years of success – and expecting to build on that momentum, a backwards step by Renault’s power unit design team and a difficult chassis formed an unwieldy and uncompetitive package bad enough to break Daniel Ricciardo’s smile.
Though this year’s upturn in form has much to do with an improved engine, the chassis has also taken a step forward to become arguably the best on the grid, putting it in contention for an outright win in Monaco after victory was handed to it in Spain.
It’s testament to management keeping faith in the team of people that won four constructors championships almost unopposed between 2010 and 2013 (take note, Ferrari), and Red Bull Racing is now reaping the rewards for that confidence – namely sitting second on the title table.
Force India
It seems as though there’s almost no limit to what this team can achieve over time. Force India may move slowly with its modest budget, but the expert personnel, with roots tracing back to the Jordan days, know how to do the job.
After finishing fifth in last year’s constructors standings and consolidating what has become a sustainable financial position, the Silverstone-based team set its sights on fourth this year.
Its desperately slow start lacked promise – Williams, its chief rival for P4, even switched development focus to its 2017 car early after writing off Force India’s chances – but an upgrade at the Spanish Grand Prix, not unlike its B-spec upgrade at Silverstone in 2015, was a mighty step forward.
The 43-point deficit that separated the pair has shrunk to just 15 at the break as a result, and Nico Hülkenberg and Sergio Perez have been taking it on turns to compete near the very front of the pack.
At Williams, Felipe Massa has scored one point in the last six races.
Momentum at the halfway point backs Force India to go one better this season and claim fourth in the constructors championship.
McLaren
First a disclaimer: McLaren-Honda, comprising world champions Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso; high-powered management figures Ron Dennis and Eric Boullier; and the might of Honda as one of the world’s most significant car manufacturers is nowhere near where it wants to be competing.
On the other hand, consider that this time last year the situation was so dire that McLaren and Honda were openly warring and Fernando Alonso was speculated to be considering early retirement. The contrast is stark.
Honda’s improvement in particular has been impressive given it has largely refused to accept any outside help.
McLaren has been getting to grips with its chassis and packaging of component. With all things working together, Button qualified fifth and finished sixth in Austria despite the ongoing lack of both downforce and power.
Photo: GEPA pictures/ Christian Walgram
In 2016, McLaren-Honda will obviously not be competing for the victories it originally thought would be coming its way as early as last season.
But if the rate of improvement continues, podiums by the end of this season aren’t out of the question – and with Honda able to overhaul its power unit next season, better times could be just around the corner.
Honourable mention: Renault
Renault earns its honourable mention not for fielding its helplessly uncompetitive car – though this is obviously due to last year’s Lotus management ceasing car development as it searched for a buyer – but for its attitude in making the most of what it has.
For a truer picture of Renault’s performance, one should actually turn to Red Bull Racing.
Renault’s work at improving last year’s woeful power unit has not only been impressive in its own right, but it’s propelled its customer team into race win contention against the mighty works Mercedes outfit.
If this attitude is shared by the entire organisation, Renault’s rebuilding of the Enstone factory and personnel base is set to deliver the goods. If and when the power unit and chassis arrive on the same page, the once-great French manufacturer could be the sport’s next dominant force.
Who have been your standouts from the season so far? Leave your comments below.
Next week we consider the biggest losers from the first half of the season.
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