F1 season preview
With new rules and reshaped cars set to shake up the sport, is Mercedes still the team to beat?
New rules, expert views, and rundown of teams and drivers
MERCEDES hit the ground running from the start of Formula One’s V6 hybrid era in 2014 and has been the absolute reference point in the sport for the past three seasons. This time around, the big changes concern the chassis and aerodynamics rather than the engine – so can the Brackley crew find a significant advantage once again?
According to team boss Toto Wolff, the squad is taking nothing for granted. Speaking at the Silverstone launch of the new W08, the German said: “Any momentum we might have had is going to be disturbed by the big regulation changes. They provide an opportunity, but also a risk.”
Wolff is adamant that the sudden post-season retirement of 2016 champion Nico Rosberg, as well as the departure of technical chief Paddy Lowe to Williams, is something Mercedes can take in its stride. “Nico definitely threw us a bit of a curveball – we were expecting a normal winter in the office,” he said. “But disruption can be a very positive factor in a company’s development. We quickly realised that this could be an exciting opportunity for us.”
After rapidly assessing the availability of almost every driver on the grid, Wolff and his team settled on a new team-mate for Lewis Hamilton in the shape of Finn Valterri Bottas – a cool-headed and consistent performer at the upper end of the midfield for Williams for several years.
The move came very late by F1’s usual standards, with Bottas fully expecting another year with Williams before Rosberg’s bombshell announcement. The new recruit explained: “I feel I’ve made the most of the time, but it’s been a big learning curve and will continue to be.” Bottas is one of several drivers on the grid who only really have experience of the ‘high-degradation’ Pirelli tyres, but the Finn feels ready for a harder-charging F1 this year. “I’m normally comfortable adapting to different things, so if the tyres are going to last longer and allow more qualifying-like laps in the race, that’s fine,” he continued. “It’s something we need. I hope we can push and be more consistent.”
The biggest question facing Bottas is whether he can beat – or even come close to – Hamilton’s relentless pace. Rosberg admitted that the strain of competing at the triple champion’s level was a big factor in his decision to retire. So will Bottas be able to stand the heat? “It’s definitely a great challenge to go up against him,” he said, “but if I didn’t think I could beat Lewis, I’d stay at home. I believe in my skills and talent and I believe it’s possible.”
On Hamilton’s part, it’s clear that regaining the drivers’ crown after losing out to Rosberg last season is at the very top of the agenda. “I feel the best prepared I’ve ever been,” he declared at the launch. “Last year has strengthened me and made me more complete as a
“If I didn’t think I could beat Lewis, I’d stay at home. I believe it’s possible” VALTTERI BOTTAS Mercedes
driver. I didn’t win the title last season and I want to change that. I have a strong feeling we’re still the best and that we’ve made the best job of interpreting the rules.”
He was positive about Bottas’ arrival, but showed no sign of dialling down the intensity that marked his rivalry with Rosberg. “Fresh blood and ideas are always a good thing, and Valtteri’s energy and experience will add to what we already have,” Hamilton said. “We’ve only spoken a few times and there’s no competition so far, but once we see each other at our most intense moments it’ll be interesting.
“We’ll discover our strengths and weaknesses; I’m sure that he wants to beat me as much as I want to beat him. I wouldn’t expect anything less; I want him at his best.”
On the technical side, the team moved to fill the gap left by Lowe by bringing in James Allison from Ferrari, which testing suggests could be Mercedes’ biggest rival this year.
Wolff concluded: “You need to keep both feet on the ground. After three championships, it’s important not to lose the plot and think it’s normal – it’s not. Winning Formula One races isn’t something you should take for granted and our mindset is always to avoid that.”