just cause a car doesn't get into a final doesn't mean it's not good, it's mainly about the driver and how well they know there car and can set the car up. Having a newer better car then something your used to I think is a disadvantage. Some people buy a new car or different brand before a big race i think they are at a disadvantage cause they don't know the car. But it comes down to the driver to how hard they work and some of them can drive every car and still beat everyone haha