2017 F1 cars break cover

SAUBER, Renault and Force India this week were the first to unveil their new 2017 Formula One cars - and Mercedes are due to launch their car today - ahead of a season which promises faster lap times and potentially more excitement.

Major rule changes make this one of the most eagerly anticipated F1 seasons in years, and the new cars launched earlier this week all sport the wider tyres and larger wings that should dramatically increase cornering speeds. Although the larger wings create more drag that reduces straight line speed, the improved mechanical and aerodynamic grip is expected to cut between three to five seconds off lap times.

Whether all this will translate into closer racing remains to be seen, and the fear is that the rules may make overtaking more difficult because braking zones will be shorter, while the cars are wider thus reducing the DRS effect of the rear wing.

Another factor that could mix up the grid is that rules restricting how much teams could develop their power units over the course of the season have been scrapped, meaning there could be more mechanical failures this season as the 1.6 V6 engines are pushed ever harder.

There are several changes in driver and team pairings on the 20-car grid, but most eyes will be on how former Williams driver Valtteri Bottas, who replaces reigning world champion Nico Rosberg at Mercedes after his shock retirement, stacks up against three-time champ Lewis Hamilton.

There will be two F1 pre-season tests in Barcelona, Spain (February 27-March 2 followed by March 7-10) before the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne kicks off the season on March 20.