How the racing grid shapes up for 2017
Team by team prospects for the Formula One season
Bottas has replaced world champion Nico Rosberg in the big move of the winter. The Finn did most laps in testing (628) and Mercedes the most kilometres (5 102).
Triple champion Hamilton did 468 laps and was slightly slower. Mercedes have won 51 of the 59 races since the V6 turbo hybrid power units were introduced in 2014. Last season they were on pole in 20 of 21 races. Maintaining that domination will be tough, and new regulations have given rivals a chance to close the gap. Technical head Paddy Lowe has left and James Allison joined.
Likely outcome: Fourth successive constructors’ title or runners-up. Hamilton is favourite for drivers’ crown.
The only drivers outside Mercedes to win races last year. Will the RB13 car be lucky for Red Bull? The initial signs are that Renault have made a step up with the Tag Heuer-branded power unit, even though there were reliability problems in testing.
Red Bull may not have revealed their true pace yet but appear to be behind Mercedes and Ferrari. Verstappen and Ricciardo will be fighting each other as much as their rivals.
Likely outcome: Top-three finish. Race wins possible.
Raikkonen was fastest in pre-season testing and Ferrari, who failed to win a race last year and have kept a low media profile over the winter, appear to have raised their game.
If that form translates into race results, and they can develop while avoiding the strategy blunders of old, that will be good news for those eager to see an end to three years of Mercedes domination. The SF70H car and new regulations seem to be much more to the liking of Vettel and Raikkonen.
Likely outcome: championship contenders. Possible first constructors’ title since 2008. Vettel challenging for his fifth crown. Raikkonen expected to retire at end of the season.
Last season was the team’s best ever and they are now looking to crack into the top three with an eye-catching pink car. That looks a tall order for a privately-owned team already punching above its weight, but holding on to fourth is possible. Perez is now the effective team leader and will be hoping to build on two podiums last year. Ocon is a rising talent with Mercedes connections and will be pushing the Mexican hard.
Likely outcome: Depends on rivals’ form, but fourth again.
All change over the winter, with Bottas leaving for Mercedes and engineering head Pat Symonds departing among other technical shifts. Paddy Lowe has arrived from Mercedes as chief technical officer.
Rookie Stroll is the youngest and least experienced driver on the grid, and has left his mark already with testing crashes.
He faces a steep learning curve with the new regulations. The team will need Massa to bank solid points and play a leading role after bringing him back out of a “retirement” that he never wanted in the first place.
Likely outcome: If the car is as good as testing suggests and the drivers avoid trouble, in the mix to regain fourth. Zak Brown is now running the show but the headlines have