Pre-Season Test #1 - Day #2 - Line-Up

PRE-SEASON TEST #1 - DAY #2 - LINE-UP

Mercedes-Mercedes: Lewis Hamilton (AM) / Valtteri Bottas (PM)*

Ferrari-Ferrari: Kimi Raikkonen

Red Bull-TAG-Heuer: Max Verstappen

Williams-Mercedes: Lance Stroll

Renault-Renault: Jolyon Palmer

McLaren-Honda: Stoffel Vandoorne

Toro Rosso-Renault: Daniil Kvyat

Force India-Mercedes: Esteban Ocon

Sauber-Ferrari: Antonio Giovinazzi**

Haas-Ferrari: Kevin Magnussen

* - Notes drivers are sharing testing duties

** - Notes Antonio Giovinazzi is filling in for injured Pascal Wehrlein

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Posted By: Amy Hawk

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Pre-Season Test #1 - Day #1 - Re-Cap & Times

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PRE-SEASON TEST #1 - DAY #1 - RE-CAP & TIMES

    Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton topped the timing screens on the first day of running in 2017, whilst Red Bull and McLaren suffered technical problems.

    Hamilton took over from new teammate Valtteri Bottas for the afternoon session, the Mercedes sporting a new fin with a slot that is understood to be a exit duct for hot air.

    The Brit ran 73 laps, just a few less than Bottas had during the morning session, to set a time of 1:21.765 on the new soft tyres.

    Sebastian Vettel in the Ferrari also looked to be happy, completing lap after lap on the Barcelona track and finishing the day second on the timings with over a hundred laps under his belt.

    Whilst it’s not possible to read too much into the times set today, with different teams running different programmes to get to grips with their new cars, we can learn some things from today’s test.

    This was the first time we got to see the new shark fins in action. It was noted that the aero device on the Williams, and other teams, were unstable and wobbled. This could be a problem if they’re not considered a “stable aerodynamic device”, which would be illegal and inefficient.

    Shark fins weren’t the only thing causing problems.

    McLaren’s Fernando Alonso completed an entire lap in the morning session before having to return to the garage due to an oil system issue. The Spaniard managed to get back onto the track in the afternoon, only to come back into the pits at a crawling pace a few minutes later. He did eventually manage to come back out, setting nearly 30 laps in total to set the 10th fastest time of the day.

    Red Bull also battled technical issues. Daniel Ricciardo brought out the first red flag of 2017 when he stopped on track due to sensor issues. In the afternoon session, battery issues halted the team’s running. Ricciardo managed to complete 50 laps to set to fifth fastest time.

TIMES/LAPS

1. Lewis Hamilton (PM) - 1:21.765 / Mercedes-Mercedes / 73 Laps
2. Sebastian Vettel – 1:21.878 / Ferrari-Ferrari / 127 Laps
3. Felipe Massa - 1:22.076 / Williams-Mercedes / 103 Laps
4. Kevin Magnussen - 1:22.894 / Haas-Ferrari / 50 Laps
5. Daniel Ricciardo - 1:22.926 / Red Bull-TAG-HEUER / 48 Laps
6. Valtteri Bottas (AM) - 1:23.169 - Mercedes-Mercedes / 79 Laps
7. Sergio Perez - 1:23.709 / Force India-Mercedes / 39 Laps
8. Carlos Sainz - 1:24.494 / Toro Rosso-Renault / 51 Laps
9. Nico Hulkenberg - 1:24.784 / Renault-Renault / 57 Laps
10. Fernando Alonso – 1:24.852 / McLaren-Honda / 29 Laps
11. Marcus Ericsson – 1:26.841 / Sauber-Ferrari / 72 Laps

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Article Written By: Bethonie Waring
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Pre-Season Test #1 - Day #1 - Line-Up

PRE-SEASON TEST #1 - DAY #1 - LINE-UP

Mercedes-Mercedes: Valtteri Bottas (AM) / Lewis Hamilton (PM)*
Ferrari-Ferrari: Sebastian Vettel
Red Bull-TAG-Heuer: Daniel Ricciardo
Williams-Mercedes: Felipe Massa
Renault-Renault: Nico Hulkenberg
McLaren-Honda: Fernando Alonso
Toro Rosso-Renault: Carlos Sainz
Force India-Mercedes: Sergio Perez
Sauber-Ferrari: Marcus Ericsson
Haas-Ferrari: Kevin Magnussen

* - Notes drivers are sharing testing duties

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Toro Rosso Launch STR12

TORO ROSSO LAUNCH STR12

    Toro Rosso have launched their freshly liveried car, completing the 2017 Formula One line up.
The STR12 was launched in the Barcelona ahead of testing next week.

    Rather than the traditional red, blue, and yellow, the 2017 Toro Rosso will be mainly blue, with red features, and a silver bull.

    The simple nose, without a “thumb” like some teams or hole like sister team Toro Rosso, is similar to that of Mercedes.

    The team are excited about the possibilities 2017 will bring. As well as the new aero rules, Toro Rosso will be using the Renault power unit.

    “Our chassis is mated to what is possibly the most competitive engine we have had so far in the hybrid era, as we return to Renault power once more,” said team principal Franz Tost.

    Technical director James Key is expecting strong development for Toro Rosso this season.
The driver line up at the team remains the same after Daniil Kvyat switched from Red Bull last season. This will be the Russian’s fourth year in F1, and teammate Carlos Sainz’s third.

    “With driver continuity and a power unit which made a major step forward last year and which should be developing strongly this year, it just leaves the chassis as an unknown quantity,” he said.

    “We always set ourselves ambitious targets and this year, we are taking a more long-term view over the 20 races, with a long list of planned in-season developments.”

    Sainz will begin the first day of testing tomorrow, with Kvyat getting his first chance to drive the STR12 on Tuesday.

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Haas Reveals 2017 Car

HAAS REVEALS 2017 CAR

    Haas have launched the American team’s second Formula One challenger.

    After a fairly successful 2016, the team is aiming to build on what they learned in their debut season, but the VF-17 is vastly different from its predecessor.

    “I think the pedal box is the same, but all the rest is very different from last year’s car,” said team principal Guenther Steiner. “You always try to make a faster car, which is normally a lighter car. Now we can put on more ballast and get better weight distribution. The aero is completely new, as are the tyres, so we need to have some built in adjustability.”

    The VF-17 features a geometric style shark fin and winglets on the side.

    Livery wise, the new car keeps the Haas brand colours – red, grey, and black – and still lacks sponsors.

    The car has already made its on track debut when it completed a shake down and filming session yesterday, but it will be driven in anger for the first time in next week’s test session.

    Romain Grosjean, who continues at the team for a second season, and new comer Kevin Magnussen will split duties over the four days.

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Red Bull Reveal RB13

RED BULL REVEAL RB13

    Red Bull have launched the car most expected to bring the challenge to Mercedes this season.

    The RB13 marks the team’s 13th season in Formula One and is oddly simplistic for such a highly anticipated car.

    Like all the 2017 cars launched so far, the RB13 features a shark fin on the engine cover. Unlike all the 2017 cars launched so far, Red Bull have opted for an interesting nose. The elongated nose has a hole in the tip.

    Is this the car to challenge Mercedes? Probably not, no.

    We’ve yet to see any of the 2017 cars driven in anger, but it’s widely anticipated Red Bull will be the closest to the Silver Arrows this season. However, the Renault engine could be their let down. The team say their power unit has 900 BHP, whilst Mercedes claim to be close to 1000.

    What’s more, the car Red Bull has launched is most likely missing a lot of areo features, especially in front of the side pods, which we’ll likely not see until testing begins in Barcelona. The car that shows up to race in Melbourne will probably be pretty different to the one we’ve been shown.

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Williams Launch 2017 Car

WILLIAMS LAUNCH FW40

    Williams have launched their challenger for their 40th season in Formula One.

    Like every team to have launched their car so far, the new regulations have radically changed the Williams’ bodywork. The car is wider than their 2016 challenger, and features a shark fin. One thing that hasn’t changed is the thumb at the end of the long nose.

    With Martini once again the team’s main sponsor, the FW40’s paintjob isn’t wildly different to its predecessor’s, though it does feature the orange logo of new sponsor JCB.

    The team are aiming to pick up again after losing fifth in the championship to Force India, but the team’s head of performance engineering, Rob Smedley, has already said he doesn’t expect there to be much of a mix up of the order.

    Drivers Felipe Massa and Lance Stroll will split testing duties next week, alternating days with Massa behind the wheel first.

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McLaren Launch Retro-Style Car

McLAREN REVEAL RETRO-INSPIRED LIVERY FOR MCL32

    McLaren Honda have revealed their new “retro” look car as they strive to take steps towards returning to winning ways this season.

    After two frustrating years, the team has a new livery, new driver line up, new engine design, and new senior management with the hopes of creating a package that will be able to catch up with the front runners.

    “Within McLaren Honda, there’s a tangible feeling of progress, of change,” said racing director Eric Boullier. “This year’s rules reset is a valuable opportunity for us – it will allow us to make progress with what we feel is a well ordered and clearly defined chassis engine package, and hopefully to narrow the delta between us and the front running teams.”

    McLaren have answered the regulation changes with some interesting features, including gill-like slits on the nose and the shark fin that has become expected of the 2017 cars.

     Both drivers are keen to get into the cockpit. Fernando Alonso will compete in his third consecutive season with the team, and will be joined by new comer Stoffel Vandoorne. Vandoorne has already made his F1 debut when standing in for Alonso after the Spanish driver was ruled out of the Bahrain GP due on medical grounds, but this will be his first full season in the championship.

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Ferrari Unveil SF70H

FERRARI UNVEIL SF70H

    Ferrari’s 2017 challenger, the SF70H, has hit the track for the first time at the team’s test track at Fiorano.

    The Italian team launched live online only just over an hour before Kimi Raikkonen got behind the wheel of the 2017 specification car for the first time. The Finn was only shaking it down, but he reported no problems with the car he’ll be racing this season.

    Nobody at the team has set any expectations for the season ahead, though they’ll inevitably be trying to catch up with Mercedes, who are the favourites to lead the championship again this season.

    Due to regulation changes, the SF70H has a fin above the engine cover, like most cars launched so far this year, and a lengthened nose, as well as a completely redesigned roll hoop.

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Mercedes Reveal W08

MERCEDES REVEAL THE W08

    Whilst many teams have answered the regulation changes with radical new designs, Mercedes have opted to stay as traditional as possible with their 2017 challenger, the W08 EQ Power+.

    The car Lewis Hamilton ran ahead of the official launch was tightly packaged at the rear and had a large floor. Most notable, though, was the lack of shark fin that has been favoured by most of the other teams that have launched so far, though the team tested the fin later in the day.

    “The new rules for 2017 were designed to make the fastest F1 cars ever through a big increase in aerodynamic performance,” said team boss Toto Wolff. “They should be more physical to drive and hopefully more spectacular for the fans to watch. The proof will come in the opening races, but we have probably achieved that target.”

    Mercedes have dominated the championship since the need engine regulations came into play in 2014, but the team isn’t taking anything for granted.

    “In terms of relative performance, it’s clear that any rule change brings with it a big reset but also a big opportunity,” said Wolff. “This is the time to stay humble and keep our feet on the ground. None of the teams have raced under these rules, and we all have the same points right now: zero.”

    Wolff also hinted that the car Hamilton and new teammate Valtteri Bottas drove at Silverstone won’t stay the same throughout the season.

    “This year, in season development will play a big role in determining the championship outcome. None of us know where we will stand at the first race but I am confident that, whatever that position is, we have the people and the capability to deal with every challenge that comes our way. This will be the season where our full works team can show its true strength."

    Mercedes has also opted to keep the familiar silver and turquoise colour scheme as Petronas remains onboard.

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Sahara Force India Reveal 2017 Car

FORCE INDIA REVEAL 2017 VJM10

    Force India are targeting the top three as they try to build on their most successful year in Formula One to date.

    The team beat Williams to fourth in the constructors’ championship last season, taking two podiums in the process, and now the aim is to go one step further and bring the challenge to the top three.

    “The passion to improve further is going to be pretty relevant in 2017,” said team principal Vijay Mallya. “If we did not dream big we would not have finished fourth in the world championship last year.

    “We will always dream big. We have never said, even in private, that we cannot break into the top three. That is going to be our objective. We’re going to give it our best shot.”

    Though some have speculated “poorer” teams such as Force India will struggle with the new regulations due to the lack of resources, the team is optimistic for the season ahead.

    Force India have totally redesigned the car to comply with the new regulations, and have launched the most controversial design to date. The VJM10 includes a “2014” style three pronged nose and a large shark fin, but the car may not look this way for long.

    “The 2017 regulations have meant that everybody has to start with a clean slate,” Mallya said. “I know that we have to continue to develop this car right through the 2017 season. There’s no stopping, because we’re starting from scratch. All teams will probably be doing the same.”

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Renault Launch R.S.17

RENAULT LAUNCH R.S.17

    Renault are aiming for fifth in the 2017 Formula One championship with their newly unveiled R.S.17.

    The 2017 challenger, the first car which Enstone and Viry have worked together on, was designed from scratch in order to conform to the new regulations.

    “It’s a great moment for everyone that’s involved,” said Managing Director Cyril Abiteboul at the launch. “We will know if it’s a fast car in Melbourne but the level or detail show what’s been done and achieved over the past few weeks… the level of integration between the engine and the chassis is just amazing. Thanks again for all the hard work that has been done by the team to get to this fantastic result.”

    Fifth in the championship may sound like a relatively uninspired target, but it is a realistic one, and one that fits Renault’s long term plan.

    “I think that 2017 will be a great year, an exciting year, and also a crucial year,” said president of Renault Sport Racing Jerome Stoll. “One year ago, we set the vision for the competition within Renault, we set the ambition for Formula One. And all along the 2016 year we have been working by investing a lot in order to close the gap to the best players.”

    “Last year was about putting together the foundation of our mid- to long-term plan,” added Abiteboul. “It’s been done in the office. Now we need to deliver on track.”

    Last season, in the Renault’s first in F1 since returning as a full works team, Renault finished ninth in the constructors’ championship with only three points finishes.

    Jolyon Palmer will remain at the team, and be joined by Nico Hulkenberg, who makes the switch from Force India. Serge Sirotkin will remain as the reserve driver and is expected to run more in free practice sessions this season.

    Four time F1 champion Alain Prost also joins the team as Renault Sport Racing Special Advisor, though he emphasized that he would not be involved in the day to day running of the team.

    “My position would be from a little bit more behind,” Prost said. “Sometimes it’s good to have this kind of situation. Being at the committee is very important and together with Jerome and Cyril what is important is to give the input and to give the best decision possible to have the best strategy possible to be a winning team in the future.”

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Sauber Reveals 2017 Car

SAUBER REVEALS C36

    Sauber are taking a “new approach” in this their 25th season competing in Formula One.

    With new finances and new regulations, the team is hoping to establish themselves as solid midfield runners this year, after narrowly avoiding finishing last in the constructors’ championship last season.

    “We clearly have to improve,” said team principal Monisha Kaltenborn. “With the Sauber C36-Ferrari we have a solid basis as well as the resources to further develop with Sauber C36-Ferrari through the season. This will be important to establish in mid-field.”

    A key player in achieving that ambition will be Jorg Zander, Sauber’s new technical director. The team redesigned the car to fit with the new 2017 regulations and, though he believes Sauber will be at a disadvantage due compared to the bigger teams, he hopes the team will have found the best result possible.

    “Basically, big teams also have an advantage when it comes to major changes in the regulations,” he said. “But when the cards are reshuffled new opportunities always present themselves as well. The Sauber C36-Ferrari is wider and lower, with wider tyres making the car look more muscular than last year’s model."

    “Practically just by looking at it, one can tell the speed the new car has increased as a result of more downforce and shorter braking distance – measuring against lap time, not top speed – it is written all over the face.”

    As well as being wider, with bigger tyres, the radiator, sidepods, and bodywork are designed to be as slim as possible, in an attempt to keep both downforce and stability.

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Wehrlein To Miss First Pre-Season Test

WEHRLEIN INJURED, WILL SIT OUT FIRST PRE-SEASON TEST

    Sauber’s Pascal Wehrlein will sit out of the first preseason test on medical grounds.

    

    The German suffered a back injury during a crash with Felipe Massa during the Race of Champions last month.

    

    Sauber commented on initial rumours that Wehrlein would miss the test by saying he was still undergoing medical examinations, but he later confirmed on twitter he would be missing the test.

     

    It’s understood Sauber may have come to a deal with Ferrari to allow Antonio Giovinazzi to run alongside Marcus Ericsson in the test, but the team are yet to confirm. Giovinazzi drove a Formula One car for this first time this month when he ran Ferrari’s 2015 challenger at the Fiorano test track.

    

    Testing begins on the 27th of February. 

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Liberty Media Completes Takeover

LIBERTY MEDIA COMPLETES TAKEOVER 

    Liberty Media has completed its takeover of Formula One, ending Bernie Ecclestone’s four decades in charge of the sport. The American company paid £6 billion for the series and have wasted no time in setting out their plans for the future.

    Chase Carey, who Liberty had already installed as the sport’s chairman, replaces Ecclestone as the chief executive officer, but he isn’t alone at the top of the new management pyramid. After three years away from the sport, Ross Brawn returns to F1 as the new motorsport managing director, whilst Sean Bratches has taken up the role of commercial operations managing director.

    It was rumoured that Ecclestone might be planning a competing series, but Ecclestone has denied the claims, saying he doesn’t want to damage F1. Carey is keen for him to play an advisory role in the future.

    Fresh faces mean fresh ideas and Carey has already started sharing his vision for the future of F1. Most notable is his keenness to make races “events”, similar to the Superbowl in America. He also wants to add at least one more US race to the calendar, whilst strengthening the traditional Western European races like the British and the German GPs.

    The new era of Formula One could also be more friendly for smaller teams. One of the first things Carey did when he became CEO is lay out his plans to change the prize fund system that sees Ferrari get a bonus just for taking part, whilst Brawn has already expressed that he wants to help smaller teams stand on their own two feet.

    Overall there is a general optimism both in the paddock and from the fans about the future of Formula One, but it’s not known when any of these planned changes are set to come into place.

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Trouble For Manor Racing

MORE TROUBLE FOR MANOR RACING IN 2017

    Time is running out for Manor to find a way to the Australian GP, after the administrator failed to find a buyer in the three weeks since the team went into administration.

    There’s still a chance the team could be revived in time for the start of the season, if a buyer is found for the remnants of the team.

    Just Racing Services, which operates Manor, went into administration on the 6th of January and has no ceased trading. Staff have been told they will be made redundant by the close of business on the 31st of January, but will be paid their salaries for this month.

    FRP Advisory said there was “No sustainable operational or financial structure in place to maintain the group as a going concern.”

    Manor’s departure means all three teams that joined Formula One back in 2010 have left the sport. The teams were attracted by the promise of a budget cap being introduced, but the £40 million cap was never put in place. All three teams faced budget problems before being forced to leave the sport.

    There’s still hope for Manor. The team could be revived in time for the start of the season, if a buyer is found for the remnant of the team. The team has come this close to death before, when a buyer was found last minute in 2015, keeping the team alive for another year.

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