It will be interesting to see what happens the first time two cars meet wheel to body with these floors. If a wheel were to bash into that floor you could end up with a tyre shredded but also the car hit being undriveable very easily. It will just be interesting to see how that goes for all concerned.
My thoughts entirely! Looks dangerous (and fragile) to me. Also, imagine if a rear tyre goes. It will flay half the car to bits.
The more things change.... https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/engine-issue-disrupts-toro-rosso-filming-day-876300/
From side on I thought the Merc looked really boring but the racier shots from the front make it look like the aggressive car that it is. I worry just how advanced that power unit might be becoming based on the quotes we are hearing. We forget that they cruised clear in strat1 for most of the the last 3 years and haven't really stretched their legs. Renault and Honda have a challenge that is bigger than we realise. Ferrari have to also make a major jump to stay close.
Mercs progress is worrying. They were so far ahead in 2016 I bet they started 2017 car very very early on, remember that all teams are limited on wind tunnel time. So their aero should be very good, plus no tokens so they could have changed lots of PU components to optimise every little thing. One other thing that is worrying is the extra little bits they are already showing us and the other teams. Like the extra T wing at the rear and the side pod details. I wonder if they have added extra bits for the unveil and the first test knowing the other teams will be looking closely. These extra bits might just be a smoke screen before the real bits are fitted at second test or more likely at Aus. I have a feeling that Merc will romp away this year even more than they have in previous years! I hope Renault haven't ballsed up the PU and Honda can actually get a PU that can pull the skin of a rice pudding.
they were ahead but the cracks were showing in hamiltons car and engines. the question is really where is their limit..... they can't just keep adding x Hp per year without a radical change. now there was some talk of their last iteration being minor but preparing for this year so they could be just faster again who knows. all we are hearing is their pr here so far.... first test will tell us one way or the other
Williams is the prettiest so far imo, I just don't like the colours of the Merc, otherwise it would win, 'shiny grey', teal and black, booooooorrrrriiiiiing.
I honestly think we won't see the proper pecking order until someone drops in a sprint run right at the end of testing. Iv no doubt Merc will be heavily fuelled and simply testing their parts for most of it like last year. The key signs to look for early are reliability over at Renault and Honda. They've made the biggest engine layout/philosophy changes so they need to get reliable before we worry about just what the chassis/car can do. Torro Rosso seriously intrigue me if Renault have made good progress with the PU and I would not be surprised to see them faster than the works team out of the blocks before Newey and the boffs fully suss out the new regs after a few tests and a race or two.
I'm liking how confident everyone is in their car. Ranult, Red Bull, Force India. Let's hope it's not misplaced and come Australia we have some real fights for 1st place again!
