2018 Pre-Season Thread
Discussion
January is over and F1 2018 starts this month! So, shamelessly inspired by ukaskew's 2017 pre-season thread, here is the 2018 F1 pre-season testing, car reveals, news, and speculation thread.
Regulations
2018 FIA Sporting and Technical Regulations
Key Sporting Regulations Changes
Three Engines per driver per season
The number of engines has been reduced from four last year, while the number of Grands Prix has increased to twenty-one.
Faster, less durable tyres
In response to criticism that they were too conservative with their tyre compounds in 2017 leading to many one-stop races, Pirelli have made their existing tyre range one step softer across the board. They have also bookended their range with two new tyres- a pink marked 'Ultrasoft' and an orange 'Superhard'. The 'Hard' tyre, which used to be orange, is now blue.
Key Technical Regulations Changes
Chassis
Reduction in static front ride height from the straight ahead steering position to full lock in either direction is now limited to 5mm.
Bodywork
Areas left open for development in 2017 which resulted in shark fins and T-wings are no longer available.
Safety
The 'Halo' safety device is now mandatory. The Halo may carry aerodynamic devices and fairings provided they do not extend more than 20mm from the structure.
Weight
Minimum car weight (including driver) has been increased by 6kg to 734kg.
Winter Testing
Confirmed Driver Line-Ups
Car Launch
Provisional Calendar
Tyre Allocations
In-season Testing
Other Calendar Events
UK TV Rights
Sky TV - All sessions live. HD and Ultra HD, subscription service, no adverts during race.
Channel 4 - 10 races (inc. practice and qualifying) live negotiated with Sky. Highlights of all other races. HD, free to air, no adverts during race.
Regulations
2018 FIA Sporting and Technical Regulations
Key Sporting Regulations Changes
Three Engines per driver per season
The number of engines has been reduced from four last year, while the number of Grands Prix has increased to twenty-one.
Faster, less durable tyres
In response to criticism that they were too conservative with their tyre compounds in 2017 leading to many one-stop races, Pirelli have made their existing tyre range one step softer across the board. They have also bookended their range with two new tyres- a pink marked 'Ultrasoft' and an orange 'Superhard'. The 'Hard' tyre, which used to be orange, is now blue.
Key Technical Regulations Changes
Chassis
Reduction in static front ride height from the straight ahead steering position to full lock in either direction is now limited to 5mm.
Bodywork
Areas left open for development in 2017 which resulted in shark fins and T-wings are no longer available.
Safety
The 'Halo' safety device is now mandatory. The Halo may carry aerodynamic devices and fairings provided they do not extend more than 20mm from the structure.
Weight
Minimum car weight (including driver) has been increased by 6kg to 734kg.
Winter Testing
Date | Circuit |
---|---|
Feb 26-Mar 1 | Barcelona, Spain |
Mar 6-9 | Barcelona, Spain |
Confirmed Driver Line-Ups
Team | Driver | Driver |
---|---|---|
Mercedes | Lewis Hamilton | Valtteri Bottas |
Ferrari | Sebastian Vettel | Kimi Raikkonen |
Red Bull | Daniel Ricciardo | Max Verstappen |
Force India | Sergio Perez | Esteban Ocon |
Williams | Lance Stroll | Sergey Sirotkin |
Renault | Carlos Sainz | Nico Hulkenburg |
Toro Rosso | Brendon Hartley | Pierre Gasly |
Haas | Romain Grosjean | Kevin Magnussen |
McLaren | Fernando Alonso | Stoffel Vandoorne |
Sauber | Marcus Ericsson | Charles Leclerc |
Car Launch
Entrant | Constructor | Designation | Power Unit | Date | Location |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Williams Martini Racing | Williams | FW41 | Mercedes | February 15 | London |
Aston Martin Red Bull Racing | Red Bull | RB14 | TAG Heuer | February 19 | TBC |
Renault Sport Formula One Team | Renault | R.S.18 | Renault | February 20 | Online |
Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team | Sauber | C37 | Ferrari | February 20 | Online |
Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport | Mercedes | W09 EQ Power+ | Mercedes | February 22 | Silverstone |
Scuderia Ferrari | Ferrari | TBC | Ferrari | February 22 | Online |
Mclaren F1 Team | McLaren | MCL33 | Renault | February 23 | TBC |
Scuderia Toro Rosso | Red Bull Toro Rosso | TBC | Honda | February 26 | Barcelona |
Sahara Force India F1 Team | Force India | TBC | Mercedes | TBC | TBC |
Haas F1 Team | Haas | VF-18 | Ferrari | TBC | TBC |
Provisional Calendar
Date | Circuit | Sky F1 | Channel 4 |
---|---|---|---|
March 25 | Melbourne, Australia | Y | |
April 8 | Bahrain, Bahrain | Y | Y |
April 15 | Shanghai, China | Y | |
April 29 | Baku, Azerbaijan | Y | Y |
May 13 | Barcelona, Spain | Y | |
May 27 | Monte Carlo, Monaco | Y | Y |
June 10 | Montreal, Canada | Y | |
June 24 | Le Castellet, France | Y | |
July 1 | Spielberg, Austria | Y | Y |
July 8 | Silverstone, Great Britain | Y | Y |
July 22 | Hockenheim, Germany | Y | |
July 29 | Budapest, Hungary | Y | |
August 26 | Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium | Y | Y |
September 2 | Monza, Italy | Y | |
September 16 | Singapore, Singapore | Y | Y |
September 30 | Sochi, Russia | Y | |
October 7 | Suzuka, Japan | Y | Y |
October 21 | Austin, USA | Y | Y |
October 28 | Mexico City, Mexico | Y | |
November 11 | Sao Paulo, Brazil | Y | |
November 25 | Abu Dhabi, UAE | Y | Y |
Tyre Allocations
In-season Testing
Date | Circuit |
---|---|
May 15-16 | Barcelona, Spain |
July 31 - August 1 | Budapest, Hungary |
Other Calendar Events
- Indy 500 May 27
- Le Mans 24hr June 16-17
- Goodwood Festival of Speed July 12-15
- Goodwood Revival September 7-9
UK TV Rights
Sky TV - All sessions live. HD and Ultra HD, subscription service, no adverts during race.
Channel 4 - 10 races (inc. practice and qualifying) live negotiated with Sky. Highlights of all other races. HD, free to air, no adverts during race.
Edited by HustleRussell on Monday 12th February 13:54
Looking at the live tv list ,who TF chooses CH4's allocation ?
Why can't they have Spain ,France ,Germany,Italy and Hungary ?.....all on at sensible European times but Japan is live at
silly o' clock.
Thanks for all the info but I might just switch off now.
ETA.....How TF did I forget Monza ?...
Why can't they have Spain ,France ,Germany,Italy and Hungary ?.....all on at sensible European times but Japan is live at
silly o' clock.
Thanks for all the info but I might just switch off now.
ETA.....How TF did I forget Monza ?...
ash73 said:
All race start times pushed back, and no longer on the hour, ffs! Japanese and Aussie F1 fans won't be happy.
http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12430/11232101/f1...
The on the hour move is good, let’s tv companies run a package that starts on the hour, and provide some build up. Anything that makes it easier for tv companies right now...http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12430/11232101/f1...
HardtopManual said:
Pericoloso said:
Looking at the live tv list ,who TF chooses CH4's allocation ?
Have to say, they've picked some absolute duds there. I count four circuits that usually produce a decent race.https://f1broadcasting.co/2017/11/05/predicting-th...
– Channel 4 pick three races (pick 1, 2 and 3)
– Sky pick three races (pick 4, 5 and 6)
– Channel 4 pick one race (pick 7)
– Sky pick one race (pick 8)
This continues until there are no races remaining.
Williams launch is 15th February https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/134068/williams-...
Vaud said:
HardtopManual said:
Pericoloso said:
Looking at the live tv list ,who TF chooses CH4's allocation ?
Have to say, they've picked some absolute duds there. I count four circuits that usually produce a decent race.https://f1broadcasting.co/2017/11/05/predicting-th...
– Channel 4 pick three races (pick 1, 2 and 3)
– Sky pick three races (pick 4, 5 and 6)
– Channel 4 pick one race (pick 7)
– Sky pick one race (pick 8)
This continues until there are no races remaining.
Edited by Teppic on Friday 2nd February 17:58
Vaud said:
ash73 said:
All race start times pushed back, and no longer on the hour, ffs! Japanese and Aussie F1 fans won't be happy.
http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12430/11232101/f1...
The on the hour move is good, let’s tv companies run a package that starts on the hour, and provide some build up. Anything that makes it easier for tv companies right now...http://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12430/11232101/f1...
Seems infinitesimally insignificant to me. The TV Companies all start their programmes much more than 10 minutes before race time in any case, and struggle to fill that time.
A tiny little shuffle of the deckchairs.
REALIST123 said:
Why should it be made easier for the TV Companies? They’re on board, for now, it’s the fans who need to be accommodated. Perhaps you mean cheaper?
Seems infinitesimally insignificant to me. The TV Companies all start their programmes much more than 10 minutes before race time in any case, and struggle to fill that time.
A tiny little shuffle of the deckchairs.
Programs are generally scheduled to start at on the hour or half hour. So the logic is that if the race starts at say 1:10, then they can maximise their returns by starting a schedule at 1:00 and not "waste" an extra 30 mins of build up?Seems infinitesimally insignificant to me. The TV Companies all start their programmes much more than 10 minutes before race time in any case, and struggle to fill that time.
A tiny little shuffle of the deckchairs.
Vaud said:
REALIST123 said:
Why should it be made easier for the TV Companies? They’re on board, for now, it’s the fans who need to be accommodated. Perhaps you mean cheaper?
Seems infinitesimally insignificant to me. The TV Companies all start their programmes much more than 10 minutes before race time in any case, and struggle to fill that time.
A tiny little shuffle of the deckchairs.
Programs are generally scheduled to start at on the hour or half hour. So the logic is that if the race starts at say 1:10, then they can maximise their returns by starting a schedule at 1:00 and not "waste" an extra 30 mins of build up?Seems infinitesimally insignificant to me. The TV Companies all start their programmes much more than 10 minutes before race time in any case, and struggle to fill that time.
A tiny little shuffle of the deckchairs.
thegreenhell said:
Not everywhere has a dedicated F1 channel with more time to fill than they know what to do with. In some countries the coverage only starts on the hour, just as the cars are heading off on their warmup lap to the grid, leaving no time for any sort of buildup. The extra 10 minutes will allow them a 5 minute intro and an extra advert break before the race gets going.
Well put.Bonus points to Vaud and NM62 for mustering a glimmer of optimism and positivity about the coming season.
People are flipping pessimistic about F1 for 2018- seems the realisation of Halo, the Sky exclusive deal and now the exclusion of grid girls have conspired to create a lot of negativity around the sport which is regrettable.
IMO there are lots of reasons to be cheerful, and 2017 was the best season we’ve had possibly since 2010 (or ’13)?
People are flipping pessimistic about F1 for 2018- seems the realisation of Halo, the Sky exclusive deal and now the exclusion of grid girls have conspired to create a lot of negativity around the sport which is regrettable.
IMO there are lots of reasons to be cheerful, and 2017 was the best season we’ve had possibly since 2010 (or ’13)?
- Liberty Media are more inclusive and more transparent. They seem to have a big-picture view and they also appear to have some scruples. They are more proactive and they are investing.
- On-demand broadcast platform, a big step into the 21st century
- Ross Brawn is heading a team which for the first time ever is scrutinising the regulations with a view to sorting out dirty air and the 2021 regulations overhaul
- Debates are taking part with teams and engine manufacturers past , present and possibly future to ensure competition on and off the track
- Distribution of funds is being proactively discussed hence the inevitable sabre-rattling of the wealthier teams (which you must see through)
- Mercedes are no longer runaway winners every time
- Resurgence of Mclaren?
- Four champions on the grid with 11x championships between them
- Exciting new driving talent in Charles Leclerc, Kubica back in a car, a number of other fresh faces compared to the beginning of the 2017 season
- Depth of driving talent is as good or better than it’s ever been
- Cars are faster than ever in real terms and they are set to go whole seconds faster again this season
- Penalties must remain but they have been simplified for this season
- French and German Grands Prix are back
ash73 said:
HustleRussell said:
- On-demand broadcast platform, a big step into the 21st century
ash73 said:
Scrutinse, debate, discuss... let's see some action.
On the contrary- No! enough of the knee-jerk sticking plaster solutions. Remember elimination qualifying? Double points Abu Dhabi? What about DRS? There is some talent looking to tackle the fundamental flaws of modern grand prix racing. IMO 2017 was a good season so radical and immediate change would be detrimental. Three Engines per driver per season
The number of engines has been reduced from four last year, while the number of Grands Prix has increased to twenty-one.
Is that correct so a team could go for max power on engines and dump the driver every 3 races take a new driver who gets 3 brand new engines?
The number of engines has been reduced from four last year, while the number of Grands Prix has increased to twenty-one.
Is that correct so a team could go for max power on engines and dump the driver every 3 races take a new driver who gets 3 brand new engines?
slipstream 1985 said:
Three Engines per driver per season
The number of engines has been reduced from four last year, while the number of Grands Prix has increased to twenty-one.
Is that correct so a team could go for max power on engines and dump the driver every 3 races take a new driver who gets 3 brand new engines?
If it’s the same as last season then no, engine allocations are per car not driver The number of engines has been reduced from four last year, while the number of Grands Prix has increased to twenty-one.
Is that correct so a team could go for max power on engines and dump the driver every 3 races take a new driver who gets 3 brand new engines?
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