Formula One is upon us yet again, with the 2018 season due to start in less than a month’s time in Melbourne.
With pre-season testing underway at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona, what cars are taking to the grid this year and what are the driver lineup changes? The major change this year being the halo head protection system.
We also take a look at this year’s calendar, with all 20 drivers looking to complete the 21 races upcoming this year.
2018 Cars
Mercedes-AMG Formula 1 – W09
Drivers: Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas
Power: Mercedes-Benz
It’s as you were for the defending constructors’ champions, with the only real alteration being the addition of the Halo safety system. Carrying many of the same design details as its predecessor, the W09 features a smaller fin on the engine cover and an altered livery. Lewis Hamilton is looking to retain the world title and win his fifth championship.
Aston Martin Red Bull Racing – RB14
Drivers: Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen
Power: TAG-Heuer-badged Renault
After a definite pick up in performance towards the end of the 2017 season, Red Bull is looking to go into the second year following the drastic rule changes with a car to challenge Mercedes all year. After three wins last year, Ricciardo and Verstappen will be hoping for a closer push for the title against Ferrari and Mercedes.
Renault Sport F1 – R.S.18
Drivers: Nico Hulkenburg and Carlos Sainz
Power: Renault
With 2016 classed as a disappointment, 2017 was much-improved for the French outfit and 2018 is shaping-up to be even better. With the power unit the third-best on the grid, Renault are now also supplying to top-level teams – with McLaren joining Red Bull with Renault power units. The bumblebee-like livery is arguably the best on the grid.
McLaren F1 – MCL33
Drivers: Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne
Power: Renault
Following three disappointing and unreliable years with Honda, McLaren has switched to Renault power and is looking to give the excellent aerodynamic package the engine setup it deserves. Sophomore Stoffel Vandoorne joins veteran Fernando Alonso for the second-year running in the wonderful papaya orange chassis – inspired by Alonso’s Indianapolis 500 car from last year.
Alfa Romeo Sauber – C37
Drivers: Marcus Ericsson and Charles LeClerc
Power: Ferrari
This year sees the historic Alfa Romeo name return to Formula 1, with last year’s back markers Sauber taking up the brand. Powered by Ferrari and with one of the C37’s piloted by Ferrari junior driver LeClerc, the Swiss team continues its partnership with the Fiat Chrysler Group. Hopefully the classy white and red affair will be closer to the front this time around.
Scuderia Ferrari – SF71-H
Drivers: Sebastien Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen
Power: Ferrari
After starting 2017 very well indeed, Ferrari fell away in the latter stages and finished a distant second in the constructors’ table. With an all-red look returning for the Scuderia, four-time world champion Vettel is hoping that the reliability of his car holds up so he can win his first title for the Italian team. Fan favourite Raikkonen is in the sister car yet again.
Sahara Force India – VJM11
Drivers: Esteban Ocon and Sergio Perez
Power: Mercedes-Benz
The two Force India drivers were squabbling all of last season and pushed each other to help the Silverstone-based outfit to its best team finish yet. After shocking everyone with its pink livery in Australia last season, the bright colour dominates again on the VJM11 and as the lead midfield team, it is looking to consolidate its position and push for the podium.
Williams Martini Racing – FW41
Drivers: Sergey Sirotkin and Lance Stroll
Power: Mercedes-Benz
The youngest pairing on the grid and the one with the most to prove. After a so-so first year, Stroll needs to up his game to remain in the car next season, while Russian rookie Sirotkin is hoping to prove why he was so highly regarded during his Formula 2 days. The Martini livery remains from the previous four seasons, and is one that always stands out on the grid.
Scuderia Toro Rosso – STR13
Drivers: Pierre Gasly and Brendon Hartley
Power: Honda
The Italian-based team chopped and changed its driver line-up a lot in 2017, but it appears to have settled on an inexperienced yet promising line-up for 2018. World Endurance champion Hartley joins Gasly, with both young Red Bull drivers hoping to show their class. The main change for Toro Rosso is the switch to Honda power, which had been oh so unreliable in the McLaren in the last three seasons.
Haas F1 – VF-18
Drivers: Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen
Power: Ferrari
The first car to be revealed this year and the one that gave us the insight into the Halo future of F1. Again, the American outfit has gone for a safe yet unremarkable livery to mirror last year’s effort. As it has Ferrari as its technical partner, it is hoped that the midfield Haas team can kick on in its third season – with F1 veterans Grosjean and Magnussen behind the wheel.
2018 Calendar
Australian Grand Prix – Melbourne, 23-25 March
Bahrain Grand Prix – Sakhir, 6-8 April
Chinese Grand Prix – Shanghai, 13-15 April
Azerbaijan Grand Prix – Baku, 27-29 April
Spanish Grand Prix – Barcelona, 11-13 May
Monaco Grand Prix – Monte Carlo, 24, 26-27 May
Canadian Grand Prix – Montreal, 8-10 June
French Grand Prix – Le Castellet, 22-24 June
Austrian Grand Prix – Spielberg, 29 June-1 July
British Grand Prix – Silverstone, 6-8 July
German Grand Prix – Hockenheim, 20-22 July
Hungarian Grand Prix – Budapest, 27-29 July
Belgian Grand Prix – Spa-Francorchamps, 24-26 August
Italian Grand Prix – Monza, 31 August-2 September
Singapore Grand Prix – Marina Bay, 14-16 September
Russian Grand Prix – Sochi, 28-30 September
Japanese Grand Prix – Suzuka, 5-7 October
United States Grand Prix – Austin, 19-21 October
Mexican Grand Prix – Mexico City, 26-28 October
Brazilian Grand Prix – Sao Paulo, 9-11 November
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Yas Marina, 23-25 November
