Formula One 2018

[Lineker]

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Oliver Rowland's management says it is in talks with Williams regarding a race seat for 2018, but the Formula 1 outfit denies that is the case.

Williams is currently assessing its options for the second seat alongside Lance Stroll in 2018, with Robert Kubica, Daniil Kvyat, Sergey Sirotkin and Paul di Resta in the frame.

Rowland, who holds the role of development driver for Renault and finished third in the F2 drivers' standings this season, has not previously been linked with Williams.

But on Friday, Rowland's team sent out a statement that read: "Renault development driver Oliver Rowland is in talks with Williams about securing a seat for Formula 1 in 2018. 


"The 25-year old hasn't been considered an option until now with Williams still undecided [on] who to put in the car next year."

Rowland added: "My team is in talks with Williams, as they are with other teams.

"British car, British driver it fits well. Lots of drivers seem to be in the frame for 2018, so we will just have to see what happens."

But when contacted by Autosport, Williams said Rowland is not in contention for a race seat in 2018 and there have not been any discussions regarding that particular subject.

It is believed there have been talks between the two parties, with several options such as a reserve role or time in a 2018 car mooted.

Williams is believed to want to sort out its race driver line-up before finalising its plans for the reserve role and any potential running of drivers in FP1 sessions.

The team insists it is in no rush to make a decision, with further meetings and analysis planned.

Rowland could not be reached for comment when contacted by Autosport.

[JasonM]

Honestly unless Oliver brings in a lot of disposable income, there's no reason Williams should even humour his interest in becoming the other driver. His first two years in GP2/F2 he had only four podium places, zero wins. This year with DAMS he's only had 2 wins getting a third place in the standings.

He's been consistent, yes. But he's been consistently average, and he's 25 years old already. And I doubt that Martini as a sponsor would accept a duo of Rowland/Stroll who are both still very youngish looking and not representative to the brand they're trying to create.

I'd honestly take Paul di Resta, or even a complete darkhorse in Jean-Eric Vergne if Kubica somehow doesn't pan out, and JEV has been crap since leaving F1.

But this Rowland stuff just smacks of desperation on Oliver's end.

Edited December 9, 2017 by Jasonmufc

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Sergey Sirotkin has emerged as the favourite to drive for Williams in 2018, with Robert Kubica no longer in the frame,  Autosport has learned.

Williams has spent the last week evaluating data gathering from the Abu Dhabi Pirelli test at Yas Marina, where it ran Sirotkin and Kubica.

Kubica had been favourite to make a sensational return to F1, with the team impressed by his feedback and the way he fitted into the team and built up strong relationships.

However, it has emerged that based purely on performance, data suggests Sirotkin is the stronger candidate.

Williams has insisted throughout the process that its decision on the driver to partner Lance Stroll next season will be based on performance.

Talks with the 22-year-old Russian, who has performed reserve duties for Renault this year, are now at an advanced stage.

However, it is believed there are several details still to be ironed out before the final contract is signed.

It is believed Sirotkin brings substantial backing with him - understood to be in the region of £15million - from Russia's SMP Racing, which was founded by Boris Rotenberg, who controls SMP Bank.

Should the deal fall through, former Toro Rosso and Red Bull driver Daniil Kvyat is believed to be the back-up option.

However, it is believed Kubica is no longer in contention for the race seat, ending his hopes of returning to the grid for the first time since 2010.

Autosport understands Williams reserve Paul di Resta, who stood in for the injured Felipe Massa in Hungary this year, is also out of the running.

Williams is remaining tight-lipped and not making any official comment regarding its 2018 driver line-up.

BULLSHIT.

[Lineker]

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The FIA has changed Formula 1 superlicence rules for 2018, to make it tougher for drivers to participate in grand prix free practice sessions.

Previously, drivers only had to complete 300km (186 miles) in a "representative Formula 1 car" over two days and answer questions on sporting regulations to qualify for a 'free practice only' superlicence, so long as the FIA adjudged them sufficiently capable based on their prior single-seater experience.

To apply for subsequent licences, drivers only needed their team to demonstrate it had briefed them properly on the sporting rules.

From next season, drivers will also need to have completed six races in Formula 2, or accumulated 25 superlicence points in eligible championships during the previous three years, to qualify for their first F1 free practice superlicence.

Drivers reapplying subsequently need to demonstrate they have completed a full season in F2 or amassed 25 superlicence points during a three-year period.

Previous requirements concerning prior F1 mileage, knowledge of the rules, and FIA judgement that a driver "must have consistently demonstrated outstanding ability in single-seater formula cars" remain in force, under article five of Appendix L in the FIA's international sporting code.

Of the extra drivers who appeared in F1 practice sessions during 2017, only Force India reserve Alfonso Celis Jr would have been excluded had the new rules been in place.

Although Toro Rosso practice driver Sean Gelael did not have 25 superlicence points, his F2 experience was sufficient.

The FIA approved further changes to its superlicence qualification structure in September, awarding more points to drivers who succeed in F2 and IndyCar and downgrading the World Endurance Championship, Formula E and European Formula 3.

The FIA has made a concerted effort to better structure and regulate the awarding of superlicences in grand prix racing since Max Verstappen graduated to F1 as a 17-year-old in 2015.

[JasonM]

I'm not a fan of them downgrading the value of WEC racing, which is a bit insulting to all the drivers that have made their name as endurance drivers, especially if this gives precedence over 'average' drivers in F2 which it seems it will do.

Otherwise, I guess this is good, but at the same time there was only one driver throughout the year that this applied to in Celis, so the system seemed robust enough already.

[Chris2K]

Looks like a 2 year Sirotkin/Williams deal will be announced in the next few days.

 

I for one am glad, I was getting concerned at the recent trend of prioritising talented drivers over pay drivers.

[Lineker]

Goddamnit.

[Lineker]

Daniil Kvyat has secured Ferrari Formula 1 development role for 2018.

[Lineker]

Williams have confirmed Sergey Sirotkin for their second race seat.

[Lineker]

Kubica also confirmed as Reserve and Development Driver, for if/when it goes tits-up.

[JasonM]

I imagine the reserve/developmental role will also be a lot about being a PR role to keep Martini placated and have an older and distinguished individual to market Martini to their demographic of older and distinguished people.

Also Paul di Resta is no longer mentioned on the Williams F1 site, so PDR is no longer associated with Williams and will probably continue with DTM as he looks to find an empty seat for Formula E.

It's a shame for PDR and Kubica, but i'm glad that the former at least got a final moment in F1 when he replaced Massa in Hungary. Here's to hoping that Kubica might get his chance in the future, too.

Edited January 16, 2018 by Jasonmufc

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The Monaco and British Grands Prix will be among 10 races broadcast live on terrestrial television in the UK by Channel 4 in 2018.

Channel 4 and Sky Sports announced on Monday how their live races will be divided in 2018, with the season-opening round in Australia exclusively live on Sky.

The races in Bahrain, Azerbaijan, Monaco, Austria, Britain, Belgium, Singapore, Japan, USA and Abu Dhabi will be live on Channel 4.

It means the returning French and German Grands Prix will be exclusive live events for Sky.

Channel 4 will show delayed highlights of the 11 races it is not broadcasting live.

This is the final year of Channel 4's three-year F1 broadcast deal, with the championship to be shown exclusively on Sky from next season.

2018 F1 TV schedule in the UK

Race	Date	Live on
Australian Grand Prix	March 23-25	Sky
Bahrain Grand Prix	April 6-8	Sky/Channel 4
Chinese Grand Prix	April 13-15	Sky
Azerbaijan Grand Prix	April 27-29	Sky/Channel 4
Spanish Grand Prix	May 11-13	Sky
Monaco Grand Prix	May 25-27	Sky/Channel 4
Canadian Grand Prix	June 8-10	Sky
French Grand Prix	June 22-24	Sky
Austrian Grand Prix	June 29-July 1	Sky/Channel 4
British Grand Prix	July 6-8	Sky/Channel 4
German Grand Prix	July 20-22	Sky
Hungarian Grand Prix	July 27-29	Sky
Belgian Grand Prix	August 24-26	Sky/Channel 4
Italian Grand Prix	August 31-September 2	Sky
Singapore Grand Prix	September 14-16	Sky/Channel 4
Russian Grand Prix	September 28-30	Sky
Japanese Grand Prix	October 5-7	Sky/Channel 4
United States Grand Prix	October 19-21	Sky/Channel 4
Mexican Grand Prix	October 26-28	Sky
Brazilian Grand Prix	November 9-11	Sky
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix	November 23-25	Sky/Channel 4

[Lineker]

'Grid girls' will no longer be used by Formula 1 from the start of the 2018 World Championship season.

A new behind-the-scenes Amazon documentary on McLaren has revealed there were genuine fears Fernando Alonso would quit during 2017 Formula 1 pre-season testing and that the team would 'collapse'. The series 'Grand Prix Driver', which is narrated by Michael Douglas and produced by Manish Pandey, a BAFTA winner for his involvement in the Senna film, is being released on Amazon Prime from February 9^th.

 

[Chris2K]

Perhaps the weirdest change is that every race will now start at 10 past the hour instead of on the hour. Apparently this is to "enhance the experience for the viewer", although for me it's just adding unnecessary confusion.

[hugobomb]

It's apparently because some countries only show the race and none of the build up so by moving it to ten past those countries will show at least the pit walk.

 

What's stopping those countries from just moving the start of their coverage to 10 past is not clear.

[Adam]

They don't do the pit walk within ten minutes of the race start though, do they? It's usually the last knockings of folks pissing off of the grid and the formation lap. Either way this seems a totally redundant move.

[Rich]

Normally the formation lap starts on the hour.

For me it's an excuse of people will start watching from the hour so they can squeeze in some commercial advertising at 5 past to increase the value of the time they are selling to TV companies.

Especially as most of the coverage around the world is behind a pay-wall now.

[Lineker]

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Haas has become the first team to reveal images of its 2018 Formula 1 car, with renderings of the VF-18 released on Wednesday.

The Ferrari powered car is an evolution of last year's VF-17, with the most visible differences being the removal of the shark fin engine cover and the addition of the halo.

The team says a lot of the focus on the new design has been overcoming aerodynamic and handling weaknesses that hindered its progress throughout 2017.

In particular, Haas wants to create a more stable platform to ensure that its form does not fluctuate from race to race as dramatically as has been the case in its first two years.

A lot of effort has gone into weight reduction so Haas can use more ballast to help with the set-up.

Team owner Gene Haas said: "We eliminated a lot of the variables where we knew we were weak. We've focused on what it's going to take to get our car to be consistent and close that gap to the top teams."

Gunther Steiner, team principal, acknowledged that there was little radically new on the car, beyond the changes forced by the shark fin and halo regulation changes.

"The biggest part of the car's evolution was the addition of the halo," he said.

"It took quite a bit of study by the aerodynamicists, but the designers had to work hard to modify the chassis so the halo could survive the mandated loads.

"The total minimum weight of the car increased because of the halo, and there's a higher centre of gravity simply because of the halo's position. But, everyone is in the same boat.

"The regulations stayed pretty stable between 2017 and 2018, so the VF-18 is an evolution of our car from last year.

"It's less about reinvention and more about refinement. You see elements we had from last year on the car this year."

Steiner believes that Haas can make good progress in the constructors' championship if it learns to extract more from its car on weekends, having finished eighth in both campaigns so far.

"Our 2017 car was actually pretty good, but we didn't always get the best out of it, and that's what we aimed to change in 2018," he explained.

"We got the car as light as possible to carry more ballast. We were able to do a better job of putting the weight where we wanted it."

The Haas VF-18 has retained the corporate grey, red and black colours of its parent company - edging back towards the colour scheme the team had in its maiden F1 campaign in 2016.

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Williams has launched its 2018 Formula 1 car at an event in London on Thursday evening.

The FW41 is the first Williams chief technical officer Paddy Lowe and head of aerodynamics Dirk de Beer have had influence on from the start after joining the team at the beginning of last year.

The Mercedes-powered design looks significantly different to its predecessor in certain areas, as part of Williams's plan to change its aerodynamic philosophy.

"The car has many new features, most of which are not all that obvious, but externally the team has pursued a very different aerodynamic concept which has allowed us some significant progress in aerodynamic performance," said Lowe.

"All Formula 1 cars are an evolution of what has gone before to some extent, but the FW41 does involve a number of departures from the directions that have been pursued in the past.

"Overall, the philosophy we are starting to see emerge is a new approach to the collaboration between aerodynamics and design to achieve the optimum working result.

"Aerodynamics, structure and weight are the three major trades to be made in designing a Formula 1 car, and all the work, alongside a number of radical changes to the car's packaging to incorporate further developments from Mercedes HPP, have led us to the FW41 being revealed today.

"We hope that this car will make progress in the performance rankings relative to 2017."

Deputy team principal Claire Williams added: "I am thrilled to be back and launching our new car, for a new season, with a new, exciting driver line-up.

"For many months, the team have put a tremendous amount of effort into the FW41 and I'm eager to see both Lance and Sergey take to the track later this month."

Williams was a regular podium contender at the start of the V6 era and finished third in the constructors' championship in 2014 and '15, but has since dropped down the order.

It finished fifth for second year in succession in 2017 with 83 points, 55 fewer than in '16 and 104 points adrift of Force India in fourth.

Lance Stroll and rookie Sergey Sirotkin, who replaces Felipe Massa, will form the team's driver line-up, with Robert Kubica fulfilling the role of reserve and development driver.

[GA!]

On 05/02/2018 at 19:29, Rich said:

Normally the formation lap starts on the hour.

For me it's an excuse of people will start watching from the hour so they can squeeze in some commercial advertising at 5 past to increase the value of the time they are selling to TV companies.

Especially as most of the coverage around the world is behind a pay-wall now.

 

I take it the long term strategy is going all-in on advertising high-end products, knowing that if the audience can afford to blow money on sports channels, they may have the disposable to blow on a lovely watch or a deposit on a car? They've done it before, obviously, except any old pleb could watch Channel 4, whereas this is much more focused. It's a shame the sport has gone this direction but it was inevitable.