F1 2017 Preview and Predictions
The 2016 season had plenty of memorable moments: the sham qualifying format which was quickly abandoned, Haas’s fantastic debut in Australia, Verstappen becoming the youngest ever race winner with his incredible victory in Spain on his Red Bull debut, the retirement of the 2009 World Champion Jenson Button, and a new driver's champion was crowned at the final race followed swiftly by his shock retirement.
Last year Rosberg was the early pacesetter with victory in Melbourne ahead of team-mate Lewis Hamilton with Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel occupying the final podium position.
Now a new era of F1 is upon us. The 2017 regulations present significant changes to the design of the car and promise increased speeds of between 2-5 seconds per lap (depending on what you read!) – with lap records set to be obliterated. Yet, all of this without the reigning World Champion here to defend his crown…
The most eagerly anticipated season in years poses several questions: will Mercedes’ dominance resume, will Red Bull mount a title challenge and if so how will they manage their two star drivers, and can Ferrari respond after an underwhelming 2016?
What of the rest? Can McLaren take inspiration from their new livery and get back to where they belong? How will Williams react after the departure of their main driver - replaced by the returning Felipe Massa? And can Force India replicate and even better their 2016 success?
Hamilton starts the season as favourite to claim his 4th world title and go level with Vettel, but insiders feel Red Bull pose a serious threat and are split between Ricciardo and Verstappen as to whom will come out on top.
The feeling is that Bottas will surprise and won’t be too far from Hamilton and he can take heart from Rosberg’s performance last season.
Ferrari’s impressive pre-season testing showing has suggested they can also be optimistic for a strong season, and it could be one of the closest yet.
All will be revealed at the Australian Grand Prix when it is ‘lights out, and away we go!’.
Good luck with your Superbru picks for the season ahead!
By Jack Lowe #KeepFightingMichael
Don't forget we are running both a Predictor and Fantasy game for F1 this season, so make sure you give both a try!
F1 Predictor F1 Fantasy
Last year Rosberg was the early pacesetter with victory in Melbourne ahead of team-mate Lewis Hamilton with Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel occupying the final podium position.
Now a new era of F1 is upon us. The 2017 regulations present significant changes to the design of the car and promise increased speeds of between 2-5 seconds per lap (depending on what you read!) – with lap records set to be obliterated. Yet, all of this without the reigning World Champion here to defend his crown…
The most eagerly anticipated season in years poses several questions: will Mercedes’ dominance resume, will Red Bull mount a title challenge and if so how will they manage their two star drivers, and can Ferrari respond after an underwhelming 2016?
What of the rest? Can McLaren take inspiration from their new livery and get back to where they belong? How will Williams react after the departure of their main driver - replaced by the returning Felipe Massa? And can Force India replicate and even better their 2016 success?
Hamilton starts the season as favourite to claim his 4th world title and go level with Vettel, but insiders feel Red Bull pose a serious threat and are split between Ricciardo and Verstappen as to whom will come out on top.
The feeling is that Bottas will surprise and won’t be too far from Hamilton and he can take heart from Rosberg’s performance last season.
Ferrari’s impressive pre-season testing showing has suggested they can also be optimistic for a strong season, and it could be one of the closest yet.
All will be revealed at the Australian Grand Prix when it is ‘lights out, and away we go!’.
Good luck with your Superbru picks for the season ahead!
By Jack Lowe #KeepFightingMichael
Don't forget we are running both a Predictor and Fantasy game for F1 this season, so make sure you give both a try!
F1 Predictor F1 Fantasy
The style of the new cars change the required driving style a lot, it actually plays into the hands of drivers like Raikkonen and Massa so could see a return to form for those two.
If Renault can fix the reliability of their engine quickly Red Bull will challenge, but at the minute they look a comfortable third.
And McLaren..... Honda..... Hopeless.