- Aug 21, 2008
- 5,531
- 10,234
- AFL Club
- Adelaide
So the season is almost upon us, with just 51 days until FP1 in Melbourne.
Launch season and pre-season testing is set to begin before this, with the first (confirmed) car launches starting in a couple of weeks.
Personally, I'm pumped, as always, for this season. What can we expect?
Mercedes - the dominators of the hybrid era, and no real reason to think that they won't be there at the pointy end once again with Lewis aiming to beat Vettel to a 5th title. Bottas should be stronger this year, having a year in the Merc system.
Ferrari - threw away the title in 2017 and Seb will be hungry to write the wrongs of the year. Kimi enters another season as the possibility it is his last, and while he did have some anonymous races last year, he could have easily had two wins - the same amount as Bottas and Verstappen.
Red Bull - started 2017 on the back foot but had all the momentum at the end. Should they start strong, we could find a three-team battle for the title. Max is the favourite son of RBR but you cannot underestimate Dan the Man. Should he nail qualifying, he's proven to be a canny racer and could knock Max off. The most intriguing intra-team battle of the season looms.
Force India - an unchanged and settled lineup will again see them strong performers, but will be looking over their shoulders at Renault and McLaren. Ocon is a star.
Williams - one of the oldest teams in F1 could see themselves plummet as low as 9th in the standings with an inexperienced lineup, huge question marks over the ability of Stroll and Sirotkin to help steer development, as well as on track speed. Merc engine helps.
Renault - the only way is up with a very strong driver lineup and an improving chassis and engine. Sainz and Hulk will push each other all year, 4th in the standings is achievable.
Toro Rosso - a Honda engine, two inexperienced but decent drivers, lots of what ifs for STR this year coming up. Gasly will be eager to prove he is RBR's next man up.
Haas - will be another season of same/same for the Americans. Grosjean and Magnussen are decent, albeit not world-beaters, and should get them in the points when the opportunities arise.
McLaren - the most interesting one of them all. Renault engines, a self-proclaimed outstanding chassis and the best driver on the grid. If the engine holds up, Alonso could finally return to where he belongs, on the podium, hopefully the top step. Stoffel deserves a shot to show what he is really made of also. 4th or 5th in the standings should be their minimum aim.
Sauber - will improve but likely to be at the foot of the table again. A team in rebuilding mode, but with current Ferrari engines and a future star in Leclerc will see some impressive performances.
Technology wise we see the power units drop from 4 to 3 this year. T-wings and shark fins are out, and in is the highly controversial and eye-sore Halo.
The calendar jumps up again to 21 races, with Malaysia making way for French and German GPs, and a triple header for the French-Austrian-GB races. Great success!
2018 F1 TESTING DATES
PRE-SEASON TESTING
February 26-March 1: Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona
March 6-9: Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona
IN-SEASON TESTING
May 15-May 16: Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona
July 31-August 1: Hungaroring, Budapest
2018 F1 RACE CALENDAR
March 25 - Australian GP, Melbourne
April 8 - Bahrain GP, Sakhir
April 15 - Chinese GP, Shanghai
April 29 - Azerbaijan GP, Baku
May 13 - Spanish GP, Barcelona
May 27 - Monaco GP, Monaco
June 10 - Canadian GP, Montreal
June 24 - French GP, Le Castellet
July 1 - Austrian GP, Spielberg
July 8 - British GP, Silverstone
July 22 - German GP, Hockenheim
July 29 - Hungarian GP, Budapest
August 26 - Belgian GP, Spa-Francorchamps
September 2 - Italian GP, Monza
September 16 - Singapore GP, Marina Bay
September 30 - Russian GP, Sochi
October 7 - Japanese GP, Suzuka
October 21 - United States GP, Austin
October 28 - Mexican GP, Mexico City
November 11 - Brazilian GP, Sao Paulo
November 25 - Abu Dhabi GP, Yas Marina
Launch season and pre-season testing is set to begin before this, with the first (confirmed) car launches starting in a couple of weeks.
Personally, I'm pumped, as always, for this season. What can we expect?
Mercedes - the dominators of the hybrid era, and no real reason to think that they won't be there at the pointy end once again with Lewis aiming to beat Vettel to a 5th title. Bottas should be stronger this year, having a year in the Merc system.
Ferrari - threw away the title in 2017 and Seb will be hungry to write the wrongs of the year. Kimi enters another season as the possibility it is his last, and while he did have some anonymous races last year, he could have easily had two wins - the same amount as Bottas and Verstappen.
Red Bull - started 2017 on the back foot but had all the momentum at the end. Should they start strong, we could find a three-team battle for the title. Max is the favourite son of RBR but you cannot underestimate Dan the Man. Should he nail qualifying, he's proven to be a canny racer and could knock Max off. The most intriguing intra-team battle of the season looms.
Force India - an unchanged and settled lineup will again see them strong performers, but will be looking over their shoulders at Renault and McLaren. Ocon is a star.
Williams - one of the oldest teams in F1 could see themselves plummet as low as 9th in the standings with an inexperienced lineup, huge question marks over the ability of Stroll and Sirotkin to help steer development, as well as on track speed. Merc engine helps.
Renault - the only way is up with a very strong driver lineup and an improving chassis and engine. Sainz and Hulk will push each other all year, 4th in the standings is achievable.
Toro Rosso - a Honda engine, two inexperienced but decent drivers, lots of what ifs for STR this year coming up. Gasly will be eager to prove he is RBR's next man up.
Haas - will be another season of same/same for the Americans. Grosjean and Magnussen are decent, albeit not world-beaters, and should get them in the points when the opportunities arise.
McLaren - the most interesting one of them all. Renault engines, a self-proclaimed outstanding chassis and the best driver on the grid. If the engine holds up, Alonso could finally return to where he belongs, on the podium, hopefully the top step. Stoffel deserves a shot to show what he is really made of also. 4th or 5th in the standings should be their minimum aim.
Sauber - will improve but likely to be at the foot of the table again. A team in rebuilding mode, but with current Ferrari engines and a future star in Leclerc will see some impressive performances.
Technology wise we see the power units drop from 4 to 3 this year. T-wings and shark fins are out, and in is the highly controversial and eye-sore Halo.
The calendar jumps up again to 21 races, with Malaysia making way for French and German GPs, and a triple header for the French-Austrian-GB races. Great success!
2018 F1 TESTING DATES
PRE-SEASON TESTING
February 26-March 1: Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona
March 6-9: Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona
IN-SEASON TESTING
May 15-May 16: Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona
July 31-August 1: Hungaroring, Budapest
2018 F1 RACE CALENDAR
March 25 - Australian GP, Melbourne
April 8 - Bahrain GP, Sakhir
April 15 - Chinese GP, Shanghai
April 29 - Azerbaijan GP, Baku
May 13 - Spanish GP, Barcelona
May 27 - Monaco GP, Monaco
June 10 - Canadian GP, Montreal
June 24 - French GP, Le Castellet
July 1 - Austrian GP, Spielberg
July 8 - British GP, Silverstone
July 22 - German GP, Hockenheim
July 29 - Hungarian GP, Budapest
August 26 - Belgian GP, Spa-Francorchamps
September 2 - Italian GP, Monza
September 16 - Singapore GP, Marina Bay
September 30 - Russian GP, Sochi
October 7 - Japanese GP, Suzuka
October 21 - United States GP, Austin
October 28 - Mexican GP, Mexico City
November 11 - Brazilian GP, Sao Paulo
November 25 - Abu Dhabi GP, Yas Marina