Catch up on the 2018 car reveals and the new looks for the new year
Monday 26 February 2018 09:45, UK
The Haas VF-18
Haas remain the lone American-based outfit in Formula 1 although much of the work on their 2018 car will have been completed at their factory in Banbury, Oxfordshire. Powered by Ferrari engines, the VF-18 - the first of the 2018 cars to be revealed - will be driven by an unchanged line-up of Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen. With both drivers in the final year of their existing contracts, a critical season awaits.
The Williams FW41
After a deeply disappointing 2017, Williams' new car has undergone more changes than most between seasons with the team describing their new charger as 'significantly different' to its predecessor.
The FW41 is also considered to be the first car designed by Paddy Lowe, the former Williams technical chief who joined the Grove outfit exactly a year ago, long after the FW40's design had been signed off. In January, Williams became the last of the ten teams to confirm their 2018 driver line-up when they named Sergey Sirotkin as Felipe Massa's replacement.
The Red Bull RB14
Unveiled in a dynamic 'launch livery' - the RB14 immediately caused a stir on its unveiling - and when it became the first of the 2018 cars to hit the track at Silverstone a week before the start of F1 testing. Stung by their slow starts in 2016 and 2017, which left them playing catch-up to Mercedes and Ferrari, Red Bull fast-forwarded the launch of the RB14.
Expected to be one of the strongest on the field aerodynamically, its ability to challenge for wins and titles in 2018 is likely to be ultimately determined by the strength and reliability of its Renault engine - the glaring weakness, in Red Bull's opinion, of their package in 2017.
The Alfa Romeo Sauber C37
This is the first car revealed by Swiss-based Sauber since their ''strategic, commercial and technological' alliance with Alfa Romeo was announced - a tie-up which will see the iconic brand return to F1 for the first time in 33 years. The partnership is part of Sauber increasing their relationship with Ferrari, and the C37 will be powered by the Italian manufacturer's new engines, having settled for year-old power units in 2017.
Sauber are also fielding a new driver line-up for the second successive season. While Swede Marcus Ericsson enters his fourth year with the team, Formula 2 champion and Ferrari protégé Charles Leclerc will take part in his first season in F1.
The Renault RS18
Hopes are high for a big step-up in performance from the Renault outfit in 2018, their third full season as a 'works' outfit following their buy-out of the Lotus outfit. But perhaps the most intriguing question is how Renault will compare to Red Bull and McLaren this year when running identical power units.
The RS18 faces a big battle against the RB14 and MCL33, although a confident Renault say their new car will 'continue the team's upward performance trajectory', describing it as a 'progression and refinement'.
The Mercedes W09
Four years, eight F1 titles. But can Mercedes keep their astonishing record going in 2018 as challengers close in? It's certainly hard to discount the Silver Arrows given their recent dominance - and they will hope their W09 delivers another championship. Ferrari are the only team to have ever secured five consecutive constructors' titles, and could be the main threat to Mercedes, who were pushed harder than ever in 2017.
The Ferrari SF-71H
If the new Ferrari proves a fast but reliable successor to the quick but fragile SF70H then the Prancing Horse's decade-long title drought may finally be quenched. Slightly longer than its 2017 predecessor, the new Ferrari also features heavily revised sidepods and an 'aero lip' around the halo.
The McLaren MCL33
With the new McLaren described by the team as an evolutionary follow-up to their 2017 car, much of the early focus around the MCL33 will centre around its new livery after the 20-time world champions opted to revert to an orange colour scheme inspired by their first season in F1.
And, for the first time in McLaren's history, their car will be powered by Renault engines, a switch they hope will send them back to the front of the field after three years of underperformance and unreliability with Honda that failed to produce a single victory or podium finish.
The Toro Rosso STR13
Despite its attractive appearance, much of the interest around the new Toro Rosso will centre on its Honda engine as the Japanese manufacturer strive to rectify the reputational damage done during their disastrous three years with McLaren.
Can the team, which finished seventh in the Constructors' Championship in 2017, make good where McLaren-Honda failed previously? The decision to field the least experienced driver line-up in the field, Pierre Gasly and Brendon Hartley, represents another gamble, but the team are convinced they can enjoy a positive campaign in 2018.
The Force India VJM11
Underestimate this car at your peril. Force India have justifiably earned a reputation for being the strongest pound-for-pound outfit in the field, transcending their relatively-modest budget to take fourth in the Constructors' Championship in both 2016 and 2017. But can they remain the best of the rest in a year when McLaren and Renault are expected to finally flex their muscles?
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