Formula 1 - 2018 Season Preview.

Over the past couple of days Formula 1 has returned and is in the pre-season testing phase ahead of the new season, as always with F1 there are changes in rules and regulations and the teams get to take their cars for a spin in Barcelona to see how these changes have affected them.

Source The defending champions Mercedes during tests

It is too early to say who will be the front runners as the times in testing can be deceiving with some teams focusing on different issues they might have and setting their cars up to simulate different situations.

One thing I am really hoping for is that we get to see much more competitive races this season, last season there were certainly moments and a few really great races like in Azerbaijan, Belgium etc but there were more dull uneventful races where the winner could be predicted from after the first turn on lap 1. It seemed like unless there was a malfunction with the car nobody could challenge Mercedes and while it wasn't official for a bit later the championship was effectively sealed up with 6 races still to go barring a huge blow up from Hamilton.

Source Hamilton after winning last years championship

For Formula 1 to be interesting I feel like it desperately needs at least 3 teams with a legitimate chance to win and then 7-8 drivers who have a chance to win a race on their given day. Mercedes have been dominant for the past four years with Lewis Hamilton winning the Championship 3 times and will surely be favourites again this season.

Source Ferrari hoping to compete this season

Ferrari will be hoping that they will have closed the gap between them this season, they had moments last season where they seemed to be back on top but ultimately weren't good enough. Red Bull have an exciting young driver in Max Verstappen who has proven capable of winning races and if they provide him with a decent car then he could well throw a spanner in Mercedes works. Also McClaren will be hoping they can re-claim a spot further up the grid after a nightmare few seasons as McClaren Honda they have switched the Honda power units for Renault, former World Champion Fernando Alonso in my opinion is one of the best drivers on the track and it has been sad watching him struggle at the back end of the grid, there were claims last season their chassis aerodynamics were up their with the best. If the switch in power unit works out we may well see Alonso back towards the front row.

Source Alonso positive about changes despite accident in practice

The main significant change this season is for driver safety and will see all cars featuring a "halo" around the drivers head, this will protect them during crashes in case of other cars coming over the top of them or their head impacting on an obstacle like we tragically saw happen to Jules Bianchi in 2014.

Source New Halo safety feature

Other changes include outlawing T-wings and changes to suspension systems that some teams were using to gain an aerodynamic advantage. There has also been changes in rules concerning amount of power units teams are allowed per season and to the penalties for changing of power units. Another possible significant change is the introduction of 2 new tyre compounds, as well as the compounds of last year drivers will also have a "hypersoft" and "superhard" tyre available.

Source New tyres available this season

Whether these changes help produce more competitive races and a more entertaining season remains to be seen, I will be keeping my eye on the testing and keep my fingers crossed ahead of the start of the season.

The opening race takes place in Australia over the weekend of 23-25 March.