Hamilton and Vettel could both find themselves with new team mates for 2017 as Mercedes and Ferrari will decide whether to retain or replace the drivers alongside them. However early signs indicate that may be about to change. Almost every driver has stayed put ahead of the new season, with Romain Grosjean’s switch to Haas the only change announced so far. It’s hard to remember the last time an off-season passed with so little movement between the teams. A revival of the vivid Renault yellow of the original team, which reappeared in 2010, would add a much-needed splash of colour to F1’s grey grid. Then there’s the small matter of the livery.

The benchmark, however, is the similarly-equipped Red Bull squad who will be keen to prove they can achieve more with the Renault engine than the factory squad can. The power unit is a weak link but not a completely unknown quantity as Lotus used Renault hardware most recently in 2014. What can be expected of them in the meantime? The Enstone squad is a lean but well-equipped operation which will benefit from the cash injection. Wisely, those in charge of today’s team have acknowledged that kind of success is not going to happen again soon. Their most recent spell as a full constructor yielded two constructors’ championships, saw Fernando Alonso take two drivers’ titles, and produced 20 grand prix victories. Will Renault revive their classic colours?After four years competing only as an engine manufacturer, Renault has thrown its weight behind a full factory programme, as it ran from 2002 to 20 to 1985.

Nonetheless Renault believe their late-season development work will put them on the right path for the year ahead, Honda expect they can make significant gains by correcting fundamental shortcomings with their 2015 power unit, and Ferrari will be better placed to give Sebastian Vettel – Mercedes’ closest rival last year – a car which is more finely tuned to his requirements.Īnd even if none of that comes to pass, the final three races of last season indicated Nico Rosberg may be in a position to give Lewis Hamilton a much harder fight. But of course the same theory applied 12 months ago, and it didn’t work out that way. Despite Ferrari raising their game last year, the fading threat from Renault meant the three-pointed star managed to increase their points haul from 2014 to 2015.Ĭonventional wisdom suggests Mercedes will find it harder to find more pace having already exploited the opportunities available under the current rules more thoroughly than any of their rivals. Those who were eager to see Mercedes getting a tougher time from their rivals 12 months ago will be even more anxious to see the field close up this time. Can Mercedes’ rivals close the gap this time? Here are ten of the biggest talking points on and off the track ahead of the 2016 F1 championship.

A new year begins with a wealth of possibilities for the season ahead.

2016 f1 season ending video snbc