My 2014 insights (not that anyone cares).
Red Bull: While I agree that Red Bull's success made for a shitty season, just like being a Broncos fan made for a shitty SuperBowl (go Hawks) but this year I'm actually excited for RedBulls problems. Why? Because Vettel. I have long wanted to see Vettel in a car that wasn't the best. I want to see if the 4 time champion exhibits the same traits other champions exhibit when not in the #1 car. Senna, Prost, Schumacher, Alonso all did that and I'd argue Massa did that too (Still consider him a WDC). I don't think Button/Hamilton/Kimi have done this. So I'm excited to actually see Vettel's mettle be tested. I've long held the belief that Vettel is only a 4 time champ because of Newey and Redbull, not because of Vettel. If I'm right, it'll feel good and if I'm wrong it will be exciting to watch so I win regardless!
Mark Webber: Smart man that Mark Webber. He must of read the 2014 regulations and had some insight into the future. Considering what I've seen in F1 for 2014 as a fan, if I were MW I'd rather be racing a 919 Porsche instead of playing 2nd fiddle to Redbull's golden child. Who knows, the 919 may actually be a faster car.
Williams: Go Massa! I've long waited to the see Williams return to being a strong team. I think they took a lot of resources from last year early on and put them to 2014 and hopefully their ongoing development stays ahead of the curve. I'd like to see Williams get some top 5 finishes and I think they can with what I've seen from testing.
Mercedes: Not much to see here. They look fast and are an early favorite but they also looked strong last year but were plagued by tires, what will plague them this year?
Mclaren: New rookie driver looks fast, car looks strong. Mclaren, Merc and Ferrari are shaping up to be the top 3 teams out of the gate.
Ferrari: The team to watch. Not for wins, no.. for the drama. Alonso and Kimi?! Who can wait?! The bigger question is who punts who first? Who will step up as #1? Remember that's a big freakin' deal at Ferrari, they always have a #1 driver, but this year they have two. Extra points to Ferrari (and Merc) for making the least ugly cars.
I don't have much to say about the other teams.
Pirelli: Oh gawd, please don't make another "redbull" tire this year. Please make a tire that can be run flat out and last more than a couple laps. Please! Please!
Formula 1 in general: IMHO, it is
no longer the pinnacle of motorsport. It only the pinnacle of motorsport budgets. The cars make the sport look like a joke. The "spec" has crippled ingenuity. They are no longer the fastest race cars either. LeMans, to me, is the new pinnacle of motorsport. Often times it's more fun to watch, they allow a variation of technologies and can you say Delta Wing? Advanced hybrid systems, Diesel, DI Petrol, electric AWD, turbo etc etc. At some tracks the LMP1 (LMPC) cars are faster than F1 cars.
Considering the technical ingenuity in competing series, the speeds of competing series and the ridiculous look of the current F1 cars it's becoming more and more difficult to see F1 as the pinnacle.
Conclusion and prediction: 2014 should be a very good year for a Formula 1 fan. New engines, tires and drivers along with less aero will provide for a shakeup of the usual and provide new drama. The looks of the cars may grow on us (pun intended) as the season shapes up and if the racing is really good, the little stuff will all seem like genius.