F1 2017: What the racing will be like according to the experts

“Straight-line speeds are lower because there’s more drag, but around corners, it’s like stepping up from GP2 to F1 in terms of performance. I’ve gone 5sec faster around Barcelona than ever before. It’s exactly what we want.”

Renault Sport F1 chief technical officer Bob Bell on his team's chances:

Bob Bell knows a good Renault racing car when he sees one, and he reckons this year’s challenger could be one of the most promising. Bell started in F1 more or less straight out of university in 1982 and has been involved in the sport ever since. He’s worked for teams including McLaren, Benetton, Jordan, Mercedes and Marussia.

His greatest triumphs have been with Renault. He was technical director during the team’s last era of major success, when its won both the drivers’ and constructors’ titles in 2005 and 2006.

He calls this year’s RS17 the first “real” car of Renault’s current era. The car that the team ran last year was inherited from Lotus – whose team had been bought by Renault – while they worked on this one.

“This is a new car from the ground up,” Bell says. “We had the time and the resources to do it. There are no carry-over parts from 2016 to 2017, not least because the technical regulations have changed so much that it wouldn’t be possible.”

Bell says the new car is the first product of a new partnership between the Enstone-based race team, which builds the chassis, and the engine facility at Viry-Chatillon in France.

Last season brought the Renault name back to F1 after a half-decade absence, but the manufacturer has made it clear that now intends to remain in the sport for the long term.

British driver Jolyon Palmer has been retained for a second season. With his 2016 team-mate Kevin Magnussen switching to Haas F1, Palmer has been joined by the experienced Nico Hülkenberg, who has pledged his long-term future to Renault’s F1 assault.

Who to look out for during the 2017 season, according to three expert pundits:

JOE SAWARD - F1 journalist for 29 years

“This time last year, Ferrari was first and second quickest at the end of winter testing, but this year, that seems to be a little bit more believable. We’ll see, but watch out for Sebastian Vettel to surprise.

“With Nico Rosberg having retired, Lewis Hamilton’s team-mate is Valtteri Bottas. It’s a tough call to beat Hamilton but Bottas is confident and has looked good in testing. Still, this is Hamilton we’re talking about.

“The Red Bulls don’t seem to be on quite the same pace but Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen are still going to be worth watching.”

MARTIN BRUNDLE - Sky Sports F1 pundit and ex-F1 racer

“The good news is it looks as though Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull could be pretty competitive together, and then most of the mid-pack will be pretty competitive together too, so there’s almost two classes.

“The downside is that these wider cars with shorter braking distances, combined with the chance of fewer driver errors since the cars are bolted down with more aero, will do nothing to make overtaking better.

“But overall, I think the racing will be more exciting, and with the Liberty Media takeover, I think the spectacle will improve with more exciting footage.”

EDDIE JORDAN - Channel 4 F1 pundit and former team owner

“It’s a hugely important season. We’re talking about ‘1AB’ — first year After Bernie.

“Bernie Ecclestone was simply the most amazing visionary. He was controversial, but what he has done is remarkable. However, there needed to be a change and it’s a positive one.

“For this season, I see Lewis Hamilton winning it at a canter. Red Bull has a super team and could be a danger if Mercedes don’t have their act together. Force India’s Esteban Ocon is one to watch. He can be very quick and will learn from his teammate, Sergio Perez, this season.”

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