There was a lot of anticipation in regards to the design of the 2017 cars during the off season. The technical regulations have gone through their biggest overhaul since 2009, with the aim of not only making the cars look nicer but also making them five seconds a lap faster.
Three of this season’s ten cars – the Williams, Sauber and Renault – have now been revealed, so let’s take a look at the changes.
Perhaps the most disappointing feature of the new cars is that the “stub” noses of the 2014-16 era have, so far, remained on the chassis. It still appears that the teams find this the best solution to the FIA’s low nose height regulations.
Sticking with the front of the car, the horizontal front wings of the past eight years have been replaced by angled main plates, which helps make the new cars look more aggressive. The front wing is also 150mm wider than before.
Twitter: Our 2017 challenger – the Williams Mercedes #FW40 – will be officially launched on February 25th #WeAreRacing… https://t.co/jtfbT3XMxd (@WilliamsRacing)
The middles of the cars don’t appear to be vastly different from the old ones, although Renault’s chiselled barge boards are a nice touch. Interestingly, the barge boards on the RS17 appear to direct airflow away from the radiators and towards the rear of the car.
Both Renault and Sauber have continued the barge boards over the top of the sidepods, whilst Williams has opted for three grooves to direct the airflow towards the rear wing and diffuser.
Sauber’s airbox is of particular note. It features a split design that we have become accustomed to recently, but the roll hoop camera is mounted on top of a bulge in the centre of the split. Presumably, this bulge helps direct more air into the airbox.
What is noticeable on all three cars is the return of the “shark fin” at the rear of the car. It’s a bit of a Marmite feature in Formula 1, but one that is very welcome in my book. They hark back to the 2006-08 era, which remains my personal favourite in terms of car design.
Another feature that is common on all three cars is the rear wing design. The chiselled end plates add to the new, more aggressive designs, whilst the main wing is lower and wider.
The Williams FW40 may not look too different from its predecessor, but the RS17 and C36 look fantastic – helped as well by the wider floor pan and tyres. Hopefully the rest of the cars – which are all to be launched this week – will follow suit.
Be sure to check Read Motorsport this afternoon as Force India launches its new car; before our own Stephen Camp heads to Silverstone for the launch of the title-defending Mercedes W08 tomorrow.
