Drivers' Champion
Connor McDonagh: Lewis Hamilton – Sorry to be boring but Hamilton is the best driver in Formula 1 at the moment, even if the car is not as dominant as in previous seasons, he has the ability and experience to win a fourth title.
Joshua Suttill: Lewis Hamilton will be extremely motivated to regain the championship after a difficult 2016. New regulations and a new team-mate will do little to faze the triple world champion, and I believe he’s set to surpass his hero Ayrton Senna’s three titles in 2017.
Chris Barrass: Sebastian Vettel is the master of aerodynamically good cars, as we have seen from his Red Bull days. Ferrari looks quick this year and the regulations should suit his style.
David Comerford: I think Lewis Hamilton will just about have what it takes, particularly if Valtteri Bottas does not push him as hard as Nico Rosberg. That said, Vettel is very much a dark horse.
Constructors' Champion
Connor McDonagh: I expect Mercedes to have the strongest car in 2017. While I do not expect Bottas to challenge Hamilton as strongly as Nico Rosberg did, he is a solid pair of hands who will rack up the points.
Joshua Suttill: Mercedes may have lost Rosberg and Lowe over the winter but it gained Bottas and perhaps more importantly Allison. It may lose some of its advantage, but I believe Mercedes will still be the team to beat in 2017.
Chris Barrass: Despite Vettel winning the drivers’ title, I believe Mercedes will win the constructors’ championship as its driver line-up is more consistent than Ferrari’s.
David Comerford: Clean sweep. Even if Mercedes wins fewer races this year, you would still expect Ferrari and Red Bull to share the remainder between to them. It will be tighter than in recent years, but the Silver Arrows will win it on consistency.
Surprise of the season
Connor McDonagh: Williams and Felipe Massa have looked very strong in pre-season testing. Massa is back for one more season in Formula 1 and with the new cars suiting his driving style, it could be a strong year for the Brazilian.
Joshua Suttill: Stoffel Vandoorne will beat Fernando Alonso, just as Lewis Hamilton did in 2007.
Chris Barrass: Esteban Ocon did really well against the highly rated Werhlein at Manor last season, and I think he’ll progress quickly at Force India and outclass Perez in the second half of the year.
David Comerford: Watch out for Carlos Sainz this year. Toro Rosso’s form in testing was not spectacular, but this year’s regulations will play to their strengths and they will no longer be handicapped by a year-old engine. I expect Sainz to claim some seriously impressive results as he looks to secure a top drive.
How many drivers will races?
Connor McDonagh: Five. Hamilton, Bottas, Vettel, Ricciardo and Verstappen.
Joshua Suttill: Again, five. Hamilton, Bottas, Vettel, Ricciardo and Verstappen.
Chris Barrass: Six. Red Bull looked a little off the pace in pre-season, but it upgrades quickly and has Adrian Newey watching over its car. I think that this will give their drivers enough to join the Mercs and Ferraris at the front of the field.
David Comerford: Kimi Raikkonen’s form at the end of last season was impressive, and these cars should suit his aggressive style, so I’m going to for six – each driver from the top three teams.
Who will win the midfield battle?
Connor McDonagh: Williams looks like it will start the year with the fastest car but it will come down to whether Lance Stroll can deliver and score the points needed. It will be very tight between Williams, Force India, Toro Rosso and Renault, but as it stands, I will go for Williams.
Joshua Suttill: Williams may have the fastest car of the midfield, but will struggle with reliability, Toro Rosso will also be hampered once again by frequent mechanical failures as will McLaren. Williams’ driver line-up will cost it fourth to Force India who will once again exceed expectations and finish fourth.
Chris Barrass: Williams‘ coffers have been greatly enhanced following Stroll’s arrival at the team, giving it the largest budget outside of the works teams. Massa topped a testing session and is a great mentor for débutant Stroll to learn from.
David Comerford: As Josh said, Lance Stroll’s inexperience, evident in testing, will deny Williams the consistency it needs to finish fourth. As a result, I’ll go for Force India.
How will McLaren fare?
Connor McDonagh: It doesn’t look good for McLaren. It will eventually join the midfield battle with the likes of Williams and Force India once they sort their reliability issues out.
Joshua Suttill: McLaren will struggle in the opening rounds but develop later in the season into regular points finishes. It could still end up finishing in the top six.
Chris Barrass: Sauber may not be quick, but it should be reliable. Even if Honda does sort its reliability woes out, it will be starting from the back at each race after quickly exceeding the limited number of power units they’re allowed. McLaren will finish last.
David Comerford: I fear McLaren face a similar season to 2015, and Fernando Alonso may well have had enough before the halfway point of the season. It all hinges on Honda, but I think McLaren will find itself battling for the lower points places.
Here's more you might like