F1 2018 Season: The five biggest changes to look forward to

The 2018 Formula 1 season is imminent. The 2017 campaign saw Lewis Hamilton collect his fourth world title. It was a year in which Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari could only manage second best to the might of Mercedes. But it was also a year where Max Verstappen established himself as one of the most exciting drivers in the world, and we also said goodbye to Felipe Massa, who retired at the end of the season. What changes can fans and drivers alike expect from the next campaign?

CHANGES FOR 2018

THE HALO

It may well be the most poorly-received technological change in the history of the sport. The drivers don’t like it, the teams don’t like it, and the fans definitely don’t like it, but it is here for a season at least. The new wrap-around protection for the cockpit has been introduced purely for safety reasons but the main concerns are around the aesthetics; the F1 car no longer looks as it has for the majority of the modern era. But for now we will have to get used to it, and if it serves the purpose of protecting the drivers, so be it.

ENGINE LIMIT

Teams will need to be much more economical about their engine parts next season, as Liberty Media have reduced the number of units available from four to three. Red Bull boss Christian Horner has issued his uncertainty over the decision; their Renault engine proved most unreliable in 2017, and if RB suffer a repeat then they would be facing up damaging grid penalties.

NEW SEASON, NEW LOGO

Like the halo, the introduction of the new F1 logo has been met with an unsure reaction. The previous iconic design has been replaced by a new sleeker, tighter structure, that Liberty Media claim is to represent ‘the start of a new era’. The fact that there has been so much discussion about the change is, according to director Ross Brawn, a good thing. ‘[It] indicates that it’s alive,’ he said.

NEW, OLD, RACES

The calendar for 2018 looks quite different to that of last season. There will be 21 races, one more than in 2017. The Grand Prix returns to Germany and Hockenheim after a one-year break, while France returns for the first time in a decade. Malaysia has gone, however, nearly two decades after its inaugural race. Some other dates have been moved around the calendar, with Bahrain and China moved up to second and third respectively (previously this had been the other way around, while Russia has been moved into the gap vacated by Malaysia. We will however begin in Melbourne, Australia and end in Abu Dhabi as usual.

NEW TEAMS AND LOGOS

We will see an influx of new talent on the track in 2018. Charles Leclerc starts his debut Formula 1 season, driving for Sauber, which courtesy of a triumphant return from the Italian carmaker, will be renamed Alfa Romero Sauber. In addition, with Felipe Massa’s sudden retirement opening up a seat with Williams for next season. There has been continued speculation as to who the replacement will be, with Robert Kubica and Sergey Sirotkin the biggest contenders. Finally. Red Bull Racing is also experiencing a name change, with Aston Martin being named the main sponsor of the racing team next season.