We want to take a definite, tangible step forward in performance and results. "For 2017 our performance targets are clear. Lance Stroll's out-of-the-blue run to the podium in the mad-cap Azerbaijan GP was undoubtedly the year's highlight, with the Canadian's similarly surprise front-row in the wet at Monza pointing to decent potential. Losing Valtteri Bottas, their chief points scorer of the previous three seasons, in January was always likely to hurt their prospects, while Paddy Lowe's arrival from Mercedes was more about the long term rather than short.Īt mid-season it looked as though fifth place might be under threat but an unblemished run of points finishes after the summer break ultimately pulled Williams comfortably clear of the chasing pack. "After finishing fifth in the Constructors' Championship in 2016, it will be a challenging year - especially as we enter this new era of racing… rewarded with a more competitive year on track this season" - Claire Williams, deputy team principal.Īfter back-to-back third-place finishes at the start of the hybrid turbo era, Williams have registered consecutive fifth places after 2017 became a year of holding what they had. The Silverstone outfit also appear to have made progress with the chassis, securing impressive double-points finishes at high-downforce tracks in Hungary and Singapore, while they outscored fellow Mercedes-powered team Williams by an impressive 104 points in the final standings.įorce India know they have to make another step up to even consolidate fourth next year with McLaren, Renault and Williams all expected to be on the charge, but if they can use their spending money as wisely as they have done in the past then they'll be in good shape. Force India, though wary of a developing rivalry, with high-profile on-track clashes in Canada, Azerbaijan and Belgium, have profited from their drivers' added motivation - so far.
#F1 2017 drivers and teams driver
It hasn't been said too often in the last few years, but the Forza Ferrari phrase is well and truly back.įorce India have consistently had a strong driver line-up in recent years and it was no different in 2017, with Esteban Ocon seamlessly replacing Nico Hulkenberg in his first full season, pushing Sergio Perez on. And if they make anywhere near as big a step as last year in the upcoming off-season, they will surely be fighting for both titles again. They have tied down a super quick, yet occasionally hot-headed, multi-world champion to a multi-year contract, ably assisted by a willing, yet ageing, number two. They have challenged Mercedes in the V6-hybrid era more than anyone else before. In the final seven races, Ferrari were outscored by Red Bull by seven points - a telling sign of their demise.īut for all the woes, it is important for the team to take the positives from 2017. While the bullet-proof Mercedes were the long-distance runner timing their kick to perfection, Ferrari were the pace-setters struggling for breath in the final stretch.įerrari were able to seal a victory at the penultimate race in Brazil, their first since July, but it was too late. A double engine failure followed in Malaysia, a faulty spark plug ruined Vettel's race in Japan, and the dream of a first title since 2008 was suddenly all-but-over. Crushing defeats in Italy and Belgium looked like they would be rescued by a victory in Singapore, but an avoidable Turn One-crash between Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen ended their hopes. While their rivals struggled with an inconsistent car, it appeared the Scuderia's SF70-H could deliver at every circuit - dominant one-twos at chassis-dependent tracks in Monaco and Hungary suggested as much.īut following the summer break, their season began to unravel. Their pre-season pace quickly caught the attention of world champions and heavy favourites Mercedes, as did Sebastian Vettel's early wins in Australia and Bahrain.
It was curtailed by a crash, ruined by failures and ended in huge disappointment, but when judging Ferrari's year it is important to remember just how big a step the Scuderia made to emerge as challengers.įor all the talk of Red Bull's impending resurgence thanks to an aerodynamic rules refresh, it was Ferrari who transformed from 2016's underachievers to 2017's most improved. I do not know if we will be able to win the championship, but we know that we have taken a big step forward" - Sergio Marchionne, team president. I'm happy, from what I've seen, the forecasts we had done have been met. "The new Ferrari SF70H is more powerful than we expected.
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