44 WORDS IN ACTION http://www.abrbuzz.co.za
The changing
face of Formula One
Formula One fans were delighted when the 2017 cars appeared with wider tyres, bigger wings and a
return to the classic looks of bygone years. But now, the time-honoured open-cockpit layout that F1 cars have
featured for the last 67 years disappears with this year’s introduction of the halo, the result of fi ve years of research
into increased frontal head protection
W
hile many traditionalists bemoan the halo’s
introduction, it was inevitable as driver safety
advances have been in F1’s DNA since crash
helmets were made compulsory in 1953.In addition to the halo, additional visual changes to this year’s
cars include the disappearance of the ‘shark fi n’ extension to the
engine cover and the banning of ‘T-wings’ designed to ‘condition’
(smoothen) the aerodynamic airfl ow to the rear wing. The small
gearbox-mounted wing - the ‘monkey seat’ – is also outlawed.
New liveries are set to appear on the grid this year. Notably, the
Alfa Romeo brand is making a reappearance for the fi rst time
since 1987 as the Italian manufacturer becomes the title sponsor
of the Sauber team.
Honda, having been through a very public divorce with McLaren,
becomes the engine supplier to the Toro Rosso team and its new
driver pairing of Pierre Gasly and Brendon Hartley.
This year’s updated regulations, mandating only three engines for
the entire season (instead of four) could see Toro Rosso suff er
more than other teams should Honda’s notorious unreliability
endure.
Toro Rosso’s former Renault engine supply goes to McLaren
whose drivers, Fernando Alonso and Stoff el Vandoorne, are
expecting far better results.
Carlos Sainz seems to be relishing his transfer from Toro Rosso
to Renault. If the French team makes the strides expected of it in
the power plant department, he and teammate Nico Hulkenberg
should have a successful 2018.
No longer newcomers to the F1 scene, the Ferrari-powered Haas
team could be another strong contender in the mid-fi eld. Undoubtedly
Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen are hoping so.
Another team vying for domination in the mid-fi eld is Force India.
The striking pink cars are again driven by the competitive duo of
Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon.Probably the biggest disappointment of 2017 was the gradual
push to the back of the grid by the once-great Williams team.
Mercedes-powered, its performance defi cit was hard to explain.
With the departure of veteran Felipe Massa, the team now relies
on young pay-driver Lance Stroll to take on the team-leader
mantle. Joining him will be the Russian, Sergey Sirotkin, last year’s
development driver at Renault.A team in the throes of a major rebranding exercise is Red Bull
which is now known as Aston Martin Red Bull Racing after agreeing
an ‘innovation partnership’ with the car manufacturer. While the
tie-up could point to a new engine being developed for 2021
when new regulations come into force, the team will be relying
on Renault power for the foreseeable future. Hopefully, Renault’s
promised upgrade will allow Daniel Riccardo and Max Verstappen
to challenge for wins without having to rely on unreliability from
Ferrari or Mercedes-Benz.
Ferrari’s driver line-up remains unchanged with Kimi Raikkonen
again partnering Sebastian Vettel. For the Scuderia to mount a
championship challenge this year, any weaknesses in the car’s
design, hybrid power or driver performances must be eliminated.
Is this a tall order for the Italian team that unaccountably stumbled
at the fi nal hurdles last year?In lifting both the constructors’ and
drivers’ titles, Mercedes-Benz and
Lewis Hamilton demonstrated a degree
of superiority in 2017 that was hard
for anyone to emulate. While the early
season saw a determined dogfight
between Lewis’ Mercedes and Vettel’s
Ferrari, it increasingly became clear
that Lewis had gained the upper hand.
Teammate Valtteri Bottas ended the
season on a high with a win in Abu
Dhabi.Should Mercedes maintain the
advantages it enjoyed in the closing
stages of 2017, Hamilton should
have an even easier path to his fi fth
championship win.Formula One fans were delighted when the 2017 cars appeared with wider tyres, bigger wings and a
return to the classic looks of bygone years. But now, the time-honoured open-cockpit layout that F1 cars have
featured for the last 67 years disappears with this year’s introduction of the halo, the result of fi ve years of research
The new Sauber Alfa Romeo 2018 livery design concept
Photo credit: BehanceFormula One from the Inside – Graham Duxbury, a former racing driver, champion and TV commentator. In 1984, he made history by winning
the Daytona 24-hour sports car race in an all-South African team, partnered by Sarel van der Merwe and Tony
Martin. Today, he heads Duxbury Networking, a leading IT company.by Graham Duxbury