Ferrari has impressed big-time in preseason testing, with many thinking they will have a steady lead over Red Bull and might be able to push Mercedes.
#F1 2017 testing dates drivers
Those are the changes for the top teams, with Ferrari and Red Bull led by drivers Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen for the former, and Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen for the latter. Lance Stroll, the 2016 European Formula 3 champion, was already brought in to replace Massa, but now will race as his teammate for 2017. Bottas is considered an up-and-comer in the sport, and he was to be the lead driver at Williams due to the retirement of long-time veteran Felipe Massa.Īs part of the deal that allowed Bottas to go to Mercedes, Massa came right back out of retirement to regain his seat at Williams. Mercedes knew early who it wanted, though, and managed to broker a deal that allowed it to poach Valtteri Bottas from Williams Martini Racing to fill the seat opposite Hamilton. His retirement prompted a scramble by Mercedes to fill an empty seat.Īn empty seat that was surely coveted. On top of all of that, last year’s winner of the Drivers’ Championship, Nico Rosberg, elected to retire and call it a career after narrowly defeating Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton for the honor. There have been major, sweeping changes around the sport - from several new changes in the driver lineup, to altered technical and sporting regulations, to a new ownership group for Formula 1 proper.
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Their power unit has been far and away the best in the sport for consecutive seasons, though last year they were pushed at times by Ferrari and Red Bull Racing. The 2017 Formula 1 season is just about here, and once again many believe Mercedes will be the dominant team.