The 2017 Season

[Penfold]

Then they have no chance.

Red Bull - Upgraded chassis & engine due for Melbourne: http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2017/03/09/red-bull-to-have-chassis-and-engine-upgrades-at-melbourne/

Will we have a three-way tussle this season?  All thingys crossed that Ferrari and Red Bull have race wins in them this time round, it certainly seems plausible based on testing.

[Penfold]

Good overviews of the teams at F1Fanatic.  First up is Sauber: http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2017/03/13/strong-start-essential-sauber-year-old-engine/

Ericsson's comments show the difference being made by that Longbow cash: "I think already from the roll-out of the car to now there's been lot of updates.  The floor is new, bargeboards and all different things. It's pretty much as much updates as we had all year last year in one week. It's definitely a big difference and that's very positive. It makes life better for us."


Renault second to receive the treatment: http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2017/03/13/hulkenberg-bets-future-renault-delivering/

[Chrill]

I wish Sauber could revert to the 2017 Ferrari engine mid-season. The chassis looks fairly OK through corners, so they can surely do well in Monaco and Hungary. They are seriously lacking power though, and Sauber will definitely struggle to score points.

[Penfold]

Need to grab any they can early on; just hope the 2016 Ferrari unit can handle this year's increased running at full throttle and the extra race that each needs to last.

And then there's Renault and their troublesome ERS, although boss guy sounding confident of a fix before Melbourne... not long till we find out.

[Penfold]

More power for Merc teams as company commits to running latest spec of engine in Melbourne: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/128549/mercedes-commits-to-latestspec-engine

[Chrill]

More power for Merc teams as company commits to running latest spec of engine in Melbourne: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/128549/mercedes-commits-to-latestspec-engine

That must mean they are confident about reliability. They ran long and hard in Spain with their Mercedes engine, and now they still force an update for round 1. Watch out, Ferrari, for here the German Silver arrows are.

[Penfold]

What do we want?  More powerful DRS!  When do we want it? Some time after the Chinese GP (if it's decided that the current version has lost too much of its kick due to aero changes): http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2017/03/21/f1-to-consider-drs-changes-after-chinese-gp/

[Chrill]

I admittedly don't mind DRS existing, but I want to aid overtaking rather than create it. If DRS has a reduced effect this year, I'm ok with keeping it as such. At least until the Brawn of Ross manages to think of a way cars can drive very close together and still be mad fast.

[Penfold]

It begins with a 'G' and ends 'round effects'....  That and a much, much, much smaller & simpler front wing.

[Chrill]

It begins with a 'G' and ends 'round effects'....  That and a much, much, much smaller & simpler front wing.

I'm sorry, it seems like you almost spelled out "ground effects". Could that really be?

[Penfold]

I'll take a look and get back to you.

[Chrill]

Sebastian Vettel is hoping that his new car, Gina, can help him to a new world title.

http://www.grandprix247.com/2017/03/22/vettel-hoping-to-drive-gina-to-the-f1-world-title/

[Penfold]

I'd certainly welcome someone besides Merc topping the table this year, though I'd rather it was Dan/Max/Kimi than no. 5 for Seb.

[Chrill]

Quali may be wet.
http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2017/03/23/rain-may-affect-first-qualifying-2017/

For once, I hope it isn't. Let's have a clean run for this weekend. Go rain at another round of the championship, please!

[Penfold]

That would be a shame.  I like my Aus GP bathed in sunlight (plus it would be good to see true running pace as you say).