(Mercedes AMG PETRONAS F1 Team)
The 2014 Formula One season was one of the most exciting in the sports recent history and as such Paddock Eye has decided to share a top ten of our favourite moments from the season.
10 - The introduction of the new 1.6 litre V6 Turbo charged power units.
In 2014, Formula One introduced a brand new engine format abandoning the 2.4 litre V8 engines in favour of more energy efficient 1.6 litre V6 Turbo charged power units. Initially the new formula was criticized by fans and the sport a like however by the time the first race of the season rolled around in March the new formula had been welcomed as the first race was spectacular.
9 - Stefano Domenicali's Ferrari exit
Ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International circuit it was announced that Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali had left the team following a disappointing start to the season for the Scuderia with the Italian being replaced on an interim basis by Ferrari North America boss Marco Mattiacci.
8 - Adrian Newey exit from Red Bull Racing role
On Sunday 8th June, Infiniti Red Bull Racing chief technical officer Adrian Newey announced that he would step back from his day to day responsibilities at the Milton Keynes based outfit in order to have more time to spend with his family and to pursue new projects.
7 - Sauber struggles
For the first time in their Formula One history the Sauber F1 Team finished a season having scored no points.
6 - Daniel Ricciardo - A future champion
Australian Daniel Ricciardo joined Sebastian Vettel at Infiniti Red Bull Racing replacing countryman Mark Webber at the quadruple world champions and immediately made an impact a the team despite the fact that it was felt that Ricciardo would be completely overshadowed by Vettel.
It turned out that far from being in the shadow of Vettel, Ricciardo in fact beat Sebastian Vettel regularly during the season claiming three victories in Montreal, Spa, and Hungary while Vettel failed to win a race in 2014. Ricciardo finished the season in third place in the championship as best of the rest behind Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.
5 - Jules Bianchi and the Marussia F1 Team's first ever Formula One points.
At the Monaco Grand Prix in May Jules Bianchi scored the Marussia F1 Team's first ever points as the Frenchman finished the race in ninth place collecting two points for the Banbury based outfit.
4 - Sebastian Vettel announces his departure from Infiniti Red Bull Racing.
On Saturday 4th October Infiniti Red Bull Racing announced that four time world champion Sebastian Vettel would leave the team at the end of the season with his team principal Christian Horner stating that the German informed his that he would be moving to Ferrari.
3 - Vettel replaces Fernando Alonso at Ferrari for the 2015 Formula One season.
The German made his test debut for the Scuderia at their Fiorano test track in Italy where he drove a V8 powered F2012.
2 - Williams revival
The Williams Martini Racing Team had one of the best seasons in their recent history in Formula One as the Grove based outfit collected nine podiums finishing the year in third place in the championship following a double podium in Abu Dhabi when Felipe Massa finished in second place with Valtteri Bottas finishing the race in third while at the Austrian Grand Prix where Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas secured a front row lock out.
1 - The closure of the Marussia F1 Team and the Caterham F1 Team's successful crowd-funding project.
Last month it was announced that both the Marussia and Caterham F1 Team's had entered administration. The two team's missed both the United Stated and Brazilian Grand Prix. The Marussia F1 Team went out of business on Friday 7th November.
The administrator appointed to the Caterham F1 Team managed to raise the £2.35 million needed for the Leafield based outfit to race at the season ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina circuit. Finbarr O'Connell, the administrator appointed to Caterham has stated that he is in talks with a number of interested buyers for the Leafield based outfit and he is hopeful that a deal will be in place shortly.
Meanwhile it has been confirmed that an auction will be held on December 16th and 17th to sell off the assets belonging to the Marussia F1 Team to complete the closure of the team.
What have been your highlight's of the 2014 Formula One season? Share your thoughts via the Contact Form on the Paddock Eye home page.
© Ben Johnston 2014
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