The Future of F1

As fans, the Formula One community has some of the most die hard you will find anywhere. We all have opinions on our drivers and teams, from our favourites to the ones who simply rub us all the wrong way. Many of them will also never live up of what is expected of them. In a highly competitive paddock, this should come as no surprise.

As fans we are also all guilty of trying to predict the future, a task which by all accounts should be impossible. This however, does not stop us. We all see the potential in some of these world class drivers, and we will always try to predict how their career paths will go. This is where this article links in; in my eyes, the following drivers are the future of F1. Some already race for teams in the paddock and others will undoubtedly make their way there soon. It is also almost guaranteed that one or more of these drivers unfortunately wont have the success of the others. What we should all remember is that, these athletes are some of the most talented drivers in the world.

It should be noted that Daniel Ricciardo will not be included in this list. He is quite probably the future of F1, but as he has been in the paddock for a good period of time, and has 3 wins under his belt. It would be unfair to compare him to others on this list. Ricciardo will undoubtedly be world champion one day. Valtteri Bottas and Nico Hulkenberg will also not be included for the same reason.


Stoffel Vandoorne

At time of writing this, Stoffel Vandoorne has just won the GP2 race in Bahrain. In my opinion, he is probably the most talented driver of the ones that are about to be mentioned in this article. The Belgian has been a star since the first time he sat in an open-wheeled car, winning his first GP2 race in 2014. A driver who is among the favourites for his championship, expect him to be in F1 sooner rather than later. Vandoorne exudes talent, and with his links to top teams in F1, expect him to go far. I predict he will win 1 championship. Perhaps no more. A similar career line to Kimi Raikkonen.

Max Verstappen 

At 17, Max Verstappen is the youngest ever driver to have graced the F1 grid. Last time out in China, he showcased his talent and proficiency at overtaking, and has shone so far in 2015, despite it being his rookie season. Incredible things have been expected and predicted of Max, especially from the heads at Red Bull, who have called him a "once in a generation driver". High praise indeed. I predict that he will indeed win a championship, probably more than one.

Carlos Sainz Jr

Sainz has had an excellent start to his rookie year in F1, and has not been outshone by teammate and future prodigy Max Verstappen. Sainz has impressed in the races he has been involved in, and is backed by Red Bull as is Verstappen. Sainz has pedigree, his father Carlos Sainz is a legendary rally champion. Spain in recent times have produced many great sportsman in most sports they compete in, Sainz is no different. However, with the competition in the field, I predict Sainz will be a race winner, and a great F1 veteran, but not a world champion. 

Alex Lynn

Britain's great young hope. Lynn currently races for DAMS in GP2, and is the development driver for Williams. In my opinion it is highly likely that he will replace Felipe Massa at Williams when Massa either moves on or retires. In my opinion, Lynn has more potential than the other Brit currently in the F1 spotlight, Jolyon Palmer. Palmer may have the better credentials so far, but Lynn has shown his talent and hunger. Lynn has also had past ties with Red Bull, further cementing the young Brit's high regard. As far as a future British world champion goes, you won't get more likely, at least in my opinion, than Alex Lynn.

Kevin Magnussen 

McLarens 3rd driver, and perhaps my wildcard on this list. Magnussen lost his seat at McLaren, despite an excllent 2014 season. However, Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso do not have many years left, and Magnussen will probably spearhead the future of McLaren Honda. McLaren's future improvement will tell how far Magnussen will rise through the F1 paddock, but it could be predicted they will recover from their slump, and Magnussen may well be a race winner yet. 

Destined For Greatness

Seth Rollins. The future has arrived, and boy are we lucky to be living through it. Rollins has been on an incredible run since the decision was made to turn him heel, and split him from his former Shield brethren. Even before that, his high-flying spots were becoming a regular flash point of any 6-man tag The Shield were involved in.

Its surprising to think that back when rumours were surfacing of an incoming heel turn, that we were all assuming Dean Ambrose or even Roman Reigns would get the turn. Not Seth. Even more surprising; most people thought Seth would be the one lost in the shuffle after a Shield split, with Reigns getting a babyface push and Ambrose turning heel. It seems that the opposite happened. Sure, Reigns has had the babyface push, but Rollins gained the coveted spot as understudy to HHH in The Authority. Rollins grabbed the so called "brass ring", and has been simply amazing as a member of The Authority, and as a true heat magnet as a heel. He's been the most hated and WWE's most wanted for the best part of 8 or so months. However, Rollins golden moments have come, without doubt, during his feud with Dean Amborse.  A rivalry that was both personal, and entertaining; the likes of which WWE only has every few years (think HHH-HBK and Cena-Edge). The fans responded in kind, and the feud was probably the hottest of 2014.

Rollins laying Dean out with cinder-blocks is considered one of the best RAW moments of recent years (rightly or wrongly). The feud culminated with a Hell in a Cell match, which was another landmark moment as the duo headlined a PPV over WWE mainstays John Cena and Randy Orton. The future had arrived.

Moving on, and Seth was part of Team Authority that battled Team Cena at Survivor Series, and he would then battle Cena again in a Tables match at Tables, Ladders, Chairs and Stairs (why WWE? Stairs? Really?), and be involved in a hugely impressive triple threat match for the championship with Cena and Brock Lesnar at the Royal Rumble. Back to Survivor Series and Rollins was the sole remaining memeber of Team Auhtority before Sting made his WWE debut, ending The Authority's reign.

Ziggler and Rollins kept us happy over the holiday period

The final members of either team in that match were Rollins, and Dolph Ziggler (who after this match was the hottest guy on the roster for the next month). Rollins and Ziggler never faced each other on a PPV, but their rivalry through December and January provided us with great segments and even greater matches.

After this, Rollins got The Authority back into power after holding WWE Hall of Famer Edge basically hostage. A true moment of great heel work, and a RAW moment that will live in the memory for a long time.

Of course, 2015 has started well to say the least. Mr Money in the Bank is now the Undisputed WWE World Heavyweight Champion, cashing in during the Lesnar-Reigns title match at Wrestlemania (the first man to do so!). A popular decision to say the least, the future is now bright with such a young talent at the top. WWE has built themselves a star, and when the face turn eventually comes, Seth will take off in an even bigger way. It will be interesting to see how he fares down the line, especially with future feuds against current and future stars such as Bray Wyatt, Finn Balor, Sami Zayn, Roman Reigns and more. Maybe down the line we will also see feuds on a larger stage with HHH, Dean Ambrose and Dolph Ziggler.

Oh, and I cant wrap this up without dropping this little gem here for you all...

The Grandest Stage

This years Wrestlemania could go in a variety of directions, which is unusual for the WWE. It seems likely that either Roman Reigns or Daniel Bryan will walk out of the Royal Rumble as the number 1 contender, but there are a large variety of factors that could play out before the biggest stage of them all.

Firstly, it is rumoured that Brock Lesnar will leave for UFC, possibly as soon as the after the Rumble. If this is the case, WWE could choose to have Reigns win the Rumble, and Rollins win the title setting up a Shield triple threat or simply Reigns vs Rollins. This article will work on the assumption that Lesnar will be around to have one last match at 'Mania. Which in my opinion, means that the WWE will have Daniel Bryan win the Rumble, and face Lesnar.

We are also going to work on the assumption that The Undertaker will not make this years event (some rumours say he will face Bray Wyatt, others say he will work one last match against Sting, next year). Given all of this, I have tried to come up with a match card that will accommodate a lot of factors, as the upper card is jam packed with superstars who are vying for the same spots - Bryan, Cena, Rollins, Reigns, Ambrose, HHH, Sting, Ziggler and Wyatt. As well as Sheamus who is due back soon, and Randy Orton after his break filming his new movie.

Its going to be a big moment when Sting first wrestles for WWE

The card that I have come up with was incredibly hard to do, and undoubtedly there are some matches that wont happen... For example if Reigns does not win the Rumble, it was very hard to find a match to put him in. Dean Ambrose was another hard choice, if there is no Shield triple threat (as outlined before), Ambrose may miss out on a marquee match despite being incredibly over.

So, this card will work on the following assumptions:
1. Brock Lesnar is going to be around until Wrestlemania
2. The Undertaker will not be at Wrestlemania

The Card:

PRE SHOW:

Tag Team Titles: Cesaro/Kidd vs The Ascencion vs The Usos vs Gold & Stardust

Lumerjack Match: Bad News Barrett vs Rusev 
Just to get people onto the card in some fashion, and the match could be good. Was not sure what to do with either, as there is no room on the card.

MAIN SHOW (IN ORDER):

Dolph Ziggler vs Bray Wyatt

Im starting off with my favourite superstar, Dolph Ziggler. Ziggler has had a huge end to 2014 and start to 2015. After Survivor Series he has been on an insane roll, and there has been suggestions that he could be a surprise Royal Rumble winner. As much as I (and a lot of others!) would love that, realistically it wont happen. It could also be suggested that Ziggler could have faced HHH had Sting not been around (a hint for later!) as Ziggler has been at the forefront of the fight against The Authortiy. 

Bray Wyatt is still mesmerising 

Bray Wyatt meanwhile has been meandering around a little bit. His feud with Dean Ambrose was a good feud with great moments and matches, but he may find himself with little to do again at Wrestlemania (especially assuming there is no Undertaker).

This match is fresh and it could also be the best match on the card. Similar to Bryan-Wyatt at 2014's Royal Rumble, these two should have a great deal of in-ring chemistry and be able to tear the house down if given the time. A possible storyline could be Bray using how Ziggler has been kept down to tempt him over to a "dark side", simimlar to his feuds with Cena and Bryan. He could also use Zigglers' recent "fired" sotryline and the fact that The Authority is back in power depsite Zigglers' best efforrs. It would make a great opener.

Star prediction - ****

Winner predition - Dolph Ziggler

The Miz vs Damien Sandow/Mizdow

This match is an uncertain one, due to a few factors. Will The Miz and Mizdow have split by then or perhaps the split could come at Wrestlemania itself. Either way this match is heading our way soon, especially with how over Mizdow has gotten himself. He has turned a rotten gimmick into gold.

Star prediction - **

Winner  - Mizdow

Seth Rollins vs Randy Orton

What a year Seth Rollins has had

A match that has probably been penciled in by the WWE, Seth Rollins vs Randy Orton has been on the cards for a while after Ortons' falling out with The Authority (who kayfabe took Orton out) and strong disliking toward Rollins. Orton is due back well before 'Mania (perhaps to stop Rollins cashing in at the Rumble?) and the past story has been set for this match as previously mentioned. Rollins has had an incredible breakthrough year, and a match with Randy Orton on the biggest stage of them all would go a long way to cementing his place at the top of WWE. The match has also been called for by many fans, and would likely be as good as the aforementioned Ziggler-Wyatt match, if not better. 

Star prediction - ****

Winner  - Randy Orton

Ortons RKO outta nowhere to Rollins

Big Show & Luke Harper  vs Ryback & Erick Rowan

Your standard filler, "get these guys on the card", tag match.

Star prediction - *1/2

Winners - Ryback & Erick Rowan

Dean Ambrose vs Sheamus - No Holds Barred 

The Lunatic Fringe

Im going to be totally honest here and say i dont not know what to do with these two, so i put them together in what would be a good filler feud (and a good match) for both before they move on to (hopefully for Ambrose) better things. Sheamus has been rumoured to return as a heel, so it would fit the heel-face dymanic, as well as being an entertaining, full out brawl in the middle of the card.

Star prediction - ***

Winner - Dean Ambrose

Fella

John Cena vs Roman Reigns

  A passing of the torch esque match, if not quite that. I couldn't figure out what to do with Reigns, and a match with Cena could make sense (although the story could be a cliche). This keeps Reigns from a main event which he may not be ready for, whilst keeping him well and truly in the upper card. It is also a big enough match for John Cena.

Star Prediction - ***

Winner - Roman Reigns

NXT Showcase: Kevin Owens vs Sami Zayn

As the title says, a match showcasing the extraordinary talent NXT has to offer. The WWE are investing more and more in NXT everyday, and its interest and populairty are rising. What better way then to showcase NXT, than to have its champion compete in what would be a great match on the biggest stage of them all?

Star Prediction - ****

Winner - Sami Zayn

Sting vs HHH

The match that is the most likely to actually happen of all these listed. HHH vs Sting has been on the cards since Sting interfered in the Survivor Series main event, costing HHH and The Auhtority their power. The Auhtority has since regained power thanks to Seth Rollins, and HHH has verbally insulted Sting weekly. Look out for a Sting appearence soon to build up for this match of two all time greats.

Star Prediction - *** (it will be a spectacle more than a good match)

Winner - Sting

Sting in the WWE, Finally

Divas Title: Paige vs Nattie

The story writes itself, Paige and Nattie have been forming/teasing some kind of an alliance, and they will ineviatbly turn on each other. 

Winner - Paige

WWE Title: Daniel Bryan vs Brock Lesnar

David vs Goliath, a true underdog match. Also, this could possibly be the best Wrestlemania main event that was for the title for quite some time. Both Lesnar and Bryan are incredible in ring, and Paul Heyman can help sell this matchup on the mic. 

Star Prediction - ****1/2

Winner - Daniel Bryan


However, after the match, Lesnar should flip, and destroy Daniel Bryan. This would Bring out Seth Rollins to cash in his money in the bank contract, to become the new champion.

Cash In - Seth Rollins vs Daniel Bryan

Seth capitalises on a downed Bryan to win his first Undisputed title. 

So, this was the card for Wrestlemania, as I'd book it. A 10 match card, with some people missing out (Rusev, for example) on the main card. Some great matches, legendary matches and moments that could go down in history. Seth Rollins leaves as Champion.

After 'Mania, there are possibilities for feuds arising out of this card:
1. Rollins-Bryan for the title, with Orton in the mix too after beating Rollins
2. Cena and Reigns do another PPV, after which Reigns can feud with Rollins for the title

I hope if you read this far you enjoyed my opinion on what WWE should do for Wrestlemania!

Twitter - https://twitter.com/Rusty_JDM

By Jamie Mitchell