Abu Dhabi: The curtains came down on the 68th season of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship with the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix with world champions Mercedes fully aware that they have a big challenge on their hands heading into 2018.
No doubt, the Mercedes proved more consistent than the Ferraris and the Red Bull cars. But heading into 2018 is going to be no easy task either for four-time champion Lewis Hamilton or Sunday’s winner Valtteri Bottas.
“For me, it feels like a win for all of us,” Hamilton said. “It’s a 1-2 for Mercedes, it’s a very strong win against Ferrari this weekend and we mean to continue next year. Of course going into next season, it is back to business, but excited for the challenge ahead.”
And he was not very far from the actual picture that surrounds the sport.
In the 20 races of 2017, Mercedes won 12 – that’s nine to Hamilton and three to teammate Bottas, while the two Ferraris of Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen lapped up five leaving Red Bull Racing with the remaining three.
Mercedes had 15 pole positions and Ferrari took the remaining five leaving nothing for Red Bull.
2017 was the first season when new rules were introduced where wider cars were used with much more down-force that resulted in making over-taking more difficult. The wider cars, something they were before they were narrowed down for the 1998 season, has resulted in the sport getting more attractive to spectators and fans due to the additional speed.
But all these things aside, drivers are painfully aware of the challenges that lie ahead with all teams keen on making amends on the errors committed. “I’m really looking forward to next year and seeing what it brings,” Bottas said.
“I will be working as hard as I can over the winter and I’ll try to have a strong one [2018 season],” he added.
Winning his fourth world title this season and joining the likes of Juan Manuel Fangio, Michael Schumacher, Alain Prost and Vettel as drivers with four or more World Championship crowns, Hamilton too is aware the path is going to get tougher in 2018. “Ferrari was not the same as Mercedes. Nonetheless they had a great car and an incredible season. It’s a 1-2 for Mercedes, it’s a very strong win against Ferrari this weekend and we mean to continue next year,” Hamilton remarked.
“I am looking forward to the tough battles that we’re going to have next year. It’s going to be interesting to see what people turn up with on the first race – or the first test. So of course, going into next season it’s going to be back to business. But I am excited about the challenges ahead,” the 32-year-old admitted.
Disappointed at ending with an overall runner-up spot behind Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel was realistic about what lay ahead. “I think we had a strong year overall. But overall, we were not quick enough. As simple as that,” Vettel said.
“I think the positives outweigh the disappointments we had over the year where we kept improving the car and the engine. So there is lots for us to do better going forward,” he added.
