Formula 1 2018 Season Preview

After months of waiting the Formula 1 season is finally back!

After the rules revolution of 2017 – one that saw F1 cars become wider and faster – this season’s changes are relatively few in number. That doesn’t mean, of course, that they aren’t important – and some will be very obvious indeed. In summary:

Technical regulations:
– T-wings and shark-fin style engine covers outlawed
– halo cockpit protection device mandatory
– suspension systems that could alter the car’s aero performance over a lap not allowed

Sporting regulations:
– drivers allowed three rather than four power units per season
– simplified grid penalties for power unit changes
– wider range of dry tyre compounds

Halos:

The one change every F1 fan will immediately notice in 2018 is the introduction of the halo – the cockpit protection device designed to further improve driver safety in the event of an accident, and in particular to deflect debris away from the head.

The design of the halo, which teams have been trialling in practice and test sessions over the past two seasons, is not dissimilar to the original study carried out by Mercedes at the FIA’s request in 2015, with a central pillar supporting a ‘loop’ around the driver’s head.

Though the halo is mandatory, with its core design dictated by the rules, there will be some scope for teams to modify its surface, so don’t be surprised to see a variety of small aero devices adorning this new addition.

The figures in the drawing above indicate the impact forces, in kilonewtons, that the halo must withstand in each direction to pass the required FIA static load tests. This is an area which has occupied a lot of the teams’ time, not least because they would ideally like to keep the mountings as low-weight as possible.

The overall minimum weight of cars has gone up by 6kg to 734kg to compensate for the introduction of the halo, but it’s estimated that the actual impact of the device plus the mountings could be as much as 14kg, which will leave teams with less room to play with when it comes to performance ballast – and also put heavier drivers at a potential disadvantage.

The Teams:

Mercedes AMG Petronas

Mercedes have dominated Formula 1 since 2014 winning four straight Constructors’ titles and the last four Drivers’ World Championships have been won by Mercedes’ drivers namely Lewis Hamilton (3) and Nico Rosberg (1). The rule changes brought in last year however brought more competition for the German outfit as they were pushed all the way by Ferrari. Mercedes will once again be favourites to claim the Constructor’s title and based on previous evidence you’d have to agree.

The Silver Arrows have retained the same driver lineup from last season. Reigning World Champion Lewis Hamilton will look to defend his title and renew his rivalry with Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel. Valtteri Bottas struggled during his first season at Mercedes picking up just three wins – his British teammate won nine. The Finn showed signs of improvement as the season neared an end and was rewarded with another one year contract. Hamilton does not view Bottas as a title rival like he did Nico Rosberg and so this lineup suits him. The four-time World Champion is the number one driver at Mercedes and favourite to take the title.

Scuderia Ferrari 

Ferrari saw huge improvements in their car last year actively competing for the World Championship but came up short in the end. The last time The Prancing Horse won the Constructors’ Championship was in 2008 and the last time a Ferrari driver won the Driver’s Championship was in 2007 with Kimi Raikkonen taking the title. Ferrari will hope to once again be battling with Mercedes for the Constructors’ title but they will also expect a challenge from Red Bull.

The Italian outfit have retained the same driver lineup as last season with Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen. Vettel pushed Hamilton in the Driver’s Championship but saw his title challenge capitulate after the summer break. Raikkonen is expected to be entering his final season in the sport and once again will act as a support driver to Vettel. The Finn’s performances last year were certainly below that of his teammate. Vettel is also searching for his fifth Driver’s World Championship and will test Hamilton but he is however expected to come up just short once again.

Red Bull Racing 

Red Bull endured a testing season in 2017. Up until the summer break they were well off the pace set by Mercedes and Ferrari. Issues with engine reliability also hindered any potential charge for a Constructors’ title. Their last came in 2013 the same year Sebastian Vettel secured his fourth Driver’s Championship. Red Bull have been busy in the off-season and are expected to be closer to Ferrari than last season but like their Italian opponents they will be off the pace set by Mercedes.

Red Bull have retained arguably the most exciting driver lineup in the F1 paddock in the form of Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen. Both drivers have an aggressive driving style and aren’t afraid to overtake. Neither driver is seen as the out-and-out team leader so early results will determine who gets preferential treatment as the season progresses. It’s important to note Australian Ricciardo is out of contract at the end of the season and will attract serious attention from Mercedes and Ferrari. Dutchman Verstappen is still just 20 years old and is expected to be Red Bull’s next World Champion. Neither driver is expected to win the Driver’s Championship this year but they will hope to feature on the podium more this season than last.

Sahara Force India F1

Force India shook up the status quo last season and I’m not just talking about their bright pink livery. They finished fourth in the Constructor’s Championship. Powered by a Mercedes engine Force India will look to recreate their fantastic form from last season but will expect more of a challenge this time around.

Force India have retained the services of Mexico’s Sergio Perez and Frenchman Esteban Ocon. This pair actively competed against one another throughout the season coming together on more than one occasion forcing the imposition of team orders after a number of spectacular on-track clashes. Neither driver is seen as the number one but Ocon certainly is pushing his older teammate all the way. Will be interesting to see how this internal rivalry develops.

Williams Martini Racing 

Williams endured a difficult 2017 season finishing fifth in the Constructor’s Championship behind Force India. The return of Paddy Lowe as Chief Technical Officer came too late for the British outfit with the team recording just one top five finish. This season they will look to challenge Force India for fourth place but at the very least will look to drop no further down the table.

Williams’ driver lineup lacks one thing that is vital in Formula 1 – experience. They have retained the services of Canadian teenager Lance Stroll who received a baptism of fire in his rookie year but still has much to learn. The retirement of veteran Felipe Massa sees yet another fresh face at Williams. The Brazilian has been replaced by Russian 22-year-old Sergey Sirotkin. The lack of experience will certainly hinder both drivers who will simply have to focus on securing as many top ten finishes as possible.

Renault 

2017 was a positive season for Renualt following their return to the sport in 2016. Huge strides were made with the team’s first car designed around their own powerplant, resulting in a sevenfold increase in points scored and a four-place leap in the standings finishing 26 points behind Williams. Renualt will look to build on their gains last season and will hope to move above Williams in the Constructor’s table.

The French team did their chopping and changing midseason last year with Toro Rosso’s Carlos Sainz replacing Jolyon Palmer as Nico Hulkenberg’s teammate. Both drivers are extremely talented and can punch well above their weight but will once again be competing for a mid-table finish.

Red Bull Toro Rosso

2017 was a case of another season, another seventh place finish for Toro Rosso. Despite a move to Renault power (as used by parent team Red Bull) things didn’t go to plan with the team suffering multiple engine issues. This season they will be powered by Honda in a move that will be watched closely by Red Bull. Toro Rosso will hope to move beyond seventh this season but will be weary of possible teething problems.

Toro Rosso started 2017 with a new driver lineup and ended with another. Carlos Sainz was released to Renault as a new Honda engine deal was agreed for 2018 and Daniil Kvyat was dropped after erratic form. Both were replaced by Brendon Hartley and Pierre Gasly respectively. Kiwi Hartley has plenty of experience in motor sport winning the FIA World Endurance Championship twice (2015 & 2017). Frenchman Gasly is also well versed in motor sport he was the 2014 Formula Renault 3.5 Series runner-up and the 2016 GP2 Series champion. Both will hope to enjoy their first full seasons in Formula 1 and will hope to help the team mount a charge up the table.

Haas F1 Team

Haas proved in 2017 that their strong debut performance in 2016 was no fluke. Powered by a Ferrari engine they picked up 18 more points than they did in 2016 to retain eight place in the Constructors’ Championship. The US team will look to build on their impressive opening seasons and are a team to keep a close eye on in the mid-table battle.

Haas have taken an approach of ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ with their driver line-up. They’ve retained the services of experienced Frenchman Romain Grosjean and the feisty yet consistent Dane Kevin Magnussen. Grosjean is most certainly the senior driver and will look to lead by example. Haas will be competitive this season and both drivers will enjoy the upcoming battle.

McLaren F1 Team

2017 was the third disappointing season for McLaren powered by Honda and proved to be the straw that broke the camel’s back. The revived partnership has now ended with McLaren returning to Renault power. The British team will hope to soar up the Constructor’s table after a bitterly disappointing ninth place finish in 2017 picking up just 30 points. Things might not go to plan for McLaren this season but they must, at the very least, target moving above ninth in the table.

McLaren’s driver line-up remains unchanged. Veteran Spaniard and two-time Driver’s World Champion Fernando Alonso will hope to put the last nightmarish three seasons behind him. Belgian Stoffel Vandoorne’s rookie season went as well as could be expected given the reliability issues the team endured. He has proven his class in GP2 winning the Championship in 2015. Alonso will outperform Vandoorne but the Belgian won’t be too far behind should the car hold up.

Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team

Last season was another tough season for Sauber with the team finishing with just five championship points. However, the mid-season arrival of Frederic Vasseur as team principal, followed by an Alfa Romeo title sponsorship deal for 2017 plus the signing of Ferrari protege Charles Leclerc, bodes well for a brighter future.

Sweden’s Marcus Ericsson retains his drive for the team but faces tough competition from his rookie teammate Charles Leclerc. The young Monégasque won the GP3 Series championship in 2016 and the FIA Formula 2 Championship in 2017 and is rumoured to be Kimi Raikkonen’s successor at Ferrari. Ericsson will be his consistent self but all eyes will be on Leclerc this season – the only question is will the hype affect his performance?

Race Calendar:

March 25: Melbourne, Australia

April 8: Sakhir, Bahrain

April 15: Shanghai, China

April 29: Baku, Azerbaijan

May 13: Barcelona, Spain

May 27: Monaco, Monaco

June 10: Montreal, Canada

June 24: Le Castellet, France

July 1: Spielberg, Austria

July 8: Silverstone,  Great Britain

July 22: Hockenheim, Germany

July 29: Budapest, Hungary

August 26: Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium

September 2: Monza, Italy

September 16: Singapore, Singapore

September 30: Sochi, Russia

October 7: Suzuka, Japan

October 21: Austin, United States of America

October 28: Mexico City, Mexico

November 11: Sao Paolo, Brazil

November 25: Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

2016 Championship tables:

Formula 1 is most certainly back and be sure to visit this site for full qualifying results, race reports and all the latest news.