Thinking about it as a team sport rather than focus on the driver, what would have happened if another team had been given mercs car at the start of the year then left to get on with it?
Redbull – win both titles
Ferrari – possibly drivers but would have made enough mistakes to make the wcc close
Mclaren – definitely wdc, probably wcc
Williams – strong start to the year but would lose relative pace during the year and maybe just squeak wcc.
Force India – no budget to develop enough, probably beaten by Ferrari or RB in the second half of the season, no title
Torro rosso – would’ve given the car to redbull 😉
Haas – good early results but too many newbie errors so lack of consistency, no titles
Sauber – zero progress, drivers too erratic, no titles
Manor – bit better than sauber but fail to win either title
So it’s as much about the team’s ability to develop the car and have “clean” weekends as it is about whoever is driving it.