F1 2017 SEASON: NEWS - RUMOURS

They are hoping to make the cars aesthetically pleasing next year, then slapping a ****ing flip flop on the cockpit. Logic please?

 

I'm start to wonder about Vettel. He's had bumpy start to the season so far and seems a lot more sniping in his remarks of late. Last year he was in the second best car gaining on the Mercs, this season it seems Red Bull has snuck past them (again).

I'm getting the impression the Vettel doesn't believe in Ferrari already and could be a bit of a shock mover in 2017/2018.

 

I too get the impression he's frustrated with the lack of progress. Ferrari really need to get Brawn back I think, the same old problems keep rearing their head.

 

Even with Brawn back asap it would take atleast two seasons for a complete rebuild. Vettel is stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Same old performances, same old promises, and not a lot to show on track.

Vettel won't leave yet, he will take confidence knowing it took Schumi 5 seasons of graft, self belief and dedication.

 

Can also look to Alonso and see that change for changes sake isn't a good idea. Unless the one of the Merc drivers leave then he has no better choice than to stay put.

 

Exactly. Question is, who else in 2017 will step up to the plate and beat Mercedes regularly, i'd say Redbull. Problem is their drivers are pretty much settled.

 

RBR have extended their deal with Renault for another 2 seasons.

So are TAG/RBR actually doing anything in house then, or is the improvement all down to Renault themselves?

 

I suppose your answer would somewhat be the Renault works team performance, trundling around the back with Sauber and Manors. It definately swings in favor of the idea that RBR/Tag have solved something.

 

The works team also have the same upgraded engine in one of the cars. TAG would not have had time to develop the new unit so must be a pure Renault development.

Renault's car is what lets them down with their works team. No money last year to develop, and probably as little spent as possible with the never ending saga of whether Renault was going to buy them out.

 

It will be interesting to see if they are badged Renault next year, if the tag name stays, it would suggest they are part of the improvement.

Either way, humble pie for Horner!!

 

As I understand it RedBull are using the TAG money to pay Renault for the engine, in return for a significant say in the way it is developed. At the moment this is mostly dictating that they follow the combustion modifications proposed by Illien - i.e. these improvements are mostly the things that RB and Renault fell out about last year. I believe that longer term RB will begin to develop their own electrical parts of the system, but that it's intended that the combustion portion remains common.

 

2017 PRE-SEASON TESTING SCHEDULE
February 27-March 2
March 7-10
Thought to be held in Catalunya.
Tyre testing has already begun, Ferrari have been testing tyres on the modified 2015 car.

2017 DRIVER LINEUP (unconfirmed)
Mercedes- Hamilton/Rosberg
Ferrari- Vettel/Raikkonen
Redbull- Ricciardo/Verstappen
Williams- Bottas/(Stroll/Lynn/Nasr)
Force India- Hulkenberg/(Perez/Wehrlein)
Mclaren- Alonso/Vandoorne
HAAS- Grosjean/(Gutierrez)
Toro Rosso- Sainz/(Kvyat/Gasly)
Sauber- Ericsson/(Nasr)
Renault- (Magnussen/Palmer/Ocon)
Manor- (Wehrlein/Ocon/Rossi/Haryanto/MALDONADO?)

please log in to view this image

 

I wonder if something like this could be incorporated into F1 tracks? Would certainly negate the need for safety car starts in the wet.

 

As the ultimate antidote to Bernie's sprinklers?

 

Side-step for Nico.

 

Renault have a lot of issues. The technical staff, the management, nothing's really good enough to produce a winning car.

Thing is though that those issues are solvable, unlike Force India's fundamental lack of money.

Makes sense for Hulk. His star has fallen since 2013 and he isn't getting any other works offer.

 

I agree, unless Mercedes 2017 PU is biblically good this is as far up the grid as force India can realistically get.

Renault is a mess, but a mess than can actually be solved, even though it looks unlikely.