Questions and answers about the 1 Formula 2018 season

Where are we going? Once around the world - and after a year of abstinence back to Germany. The calendar includes 21 races this season, more than ever in 2016. The Hockenheimring is back, but the contract is expiring. The future is open. France returns after ten years, the venue is the Circuit Paul Ricard in Le Castellet for the first time since 1990. The Malaysian Grand Prix is no longer there after 19 years. Otherwise, the calendar offers both the now well-known exotic places such as Shanghai, Sochi and Baku as well as the traditional courses in Monaco, Silverstone, Spa and Monza. What's new? Formula 1 is no longer going topless in its 69th season. The Halo cockpit protection is intended to further increase driver safety. Hardly anyone likes the titanium struts that converge in the driver's field of vision, but there are hardly any arguments against the added safety. What is also new is that Formula 1 deviates from the usual schedule. Practices and qualifying sessions usually take place an hour later than usual. Races no longer start on the hour, but at ten past. The start of most European races will be postponed by 70 minutes to 15.10:1 p.m. local time. The Formula XNUMX management hopes that this will attract more TV viewers. Another decision that caused some fanfare is the abolition of grid girls from the starting lineup. In the future, children ("grid kids") will hold the drivers' signs. Who's new? The 20-year-old Monegasque Charles Leclerc replaces Pascal Wehrlein from Worndorf at Sauber, who was no longer given a regular cockpit after two years in Formula 1. This means that for the first time since 1996 there are only two German drivers left, the four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel (Heppenheim/Ferrari) and Nico Hülkenberg from Emmerich in the Renault. At Williams, the Russian Sergej Sirotkin (22) will succeed the retired veteran Felipe Massa (Brazil). But the star at Williams is the replacement driver: around seven years after his serious rally accident, which left his right arm impaired, the Pole Robert Kubica (33) is returning to the premier class, at least in the second half. Who wins? Mercedes is the logical reference after four drivers' and constructors' titles in a row. The Silver Arrow showed no weakness during the test drives. It is reasonable to assume that world champion Lewis Hamiton (England) and his Finnish teammate Valtteri Bottas have not put all their cards on the table in Barcelona. According to the impressions of the tests, Ferrari with star driver Vettel is also stable, but not quite as fast as Mercedes. Vettel and Hamilton each want to win their fifth world title in 2018 and draw level with the legendary Argentine Juan Manuel Fangio. Red Bull seems to be on about the same level as Ferrari. Super talent Max Verstappen, just 20, is aiming for his first world title. Who else should you pay attention to? After separating from Honda, McLaren around former world champion Fernando Alonso presented itself faster than before with its new engine partner Renault, but was still vulnerable. The Renault factory team with Hülkenberg has made gains. The Emmericher wants to finally achieve his first podium place in his eighth year as a regular driver. That seems to be within the realm of possibility in 2018. Who is broadcasting live? Only RTL is left on German television, and the pay TV channel Sky is out after almost 22 years. There is also the offer from F1 TV, the newly launched Formula 1 live streaming service. F1 TV costs around 80 euros per year and uses the RTL live commentary. However, the channel offers numerous options for camera selection as well as access to several live data. RTL viewers have to say goodbye to a well-known face in the supporting program: expert Niki Lauda called it quits at the end of 2017, former world champion Nico Rosberg and former Formula 1 driver Timo Glock take over the Austrian's job alternately.

Football

Italy

International leagues

International

Winter sports

Tennis

Other sports

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Events

Favorites

Questions and answers about the 1 Formula 2018 season

Formula 1 starts the new season this weekend. With lots of exciting questions, World Cup points will be on the line again for the first time on Sunday, March 25, from 7.10:XNUMX a.m. (CEST) in Melbourne.

Suggestions

Comments (0)