And just how many vaunted customers will there be
in 2017?
Was gonna Date Thyself with some witty Childhood
Conjunction Conjunction TV revelry... As it's almost that time again, when
Formula 1 cranks up Thar Bloody lumps', nee engines; Err PU's Mates! With the
first Winter Test 'O 2017 commencing in a week's time.
As this year unfortunately, we're back to a
paltry ten F1 Teams on the grid, since I haven't heard of any last minute saviours
rescuing Manor Racing.
Thus we're left with four bonafied Power Unit
manufacturers this season, in alphabetical order: Ferrari, Honda, Mercedes and
Renault.. As Tag-Heuer and a rebadged le Reggie PU to possibly be named later?
Don't count in my book.
(3) FERRARI
While Ferrari plays Ketsup to its Top-2
rivals Mercedes and Red Bull in the Horsepower War for its Factory Squad, Maranello
will only provide brand new Power Units to customer Haas F1 this year, with
longtime la Scuderia customer Sauber taking a powder this season, most likely
in order to save cash, by running 2016-spec Ferrari PU's in the back of their
C36's.
While the race heats up to see who'll be bolting
their Power Unit to Sauber's backside come 2018, although my money's still on
Honder'
(1) HONDA
Inquiring Minds wanna Know if McLaren-Honda
can return to mimic some variety of their Glory Days this season? As believe
Hondres' redesigned their PU again, as new
recruit Stoffel Vandoorne's itching to push "Fredrico Suave"
(Fred Alonso) for potential Podiums this season. As now all we need to know is
what colour the cars will be...
(3) MERCEDES
With Manor Racing's unfortunate departure
from the grid, Mercedes Benz will only be supplying two customers it's A-L-L
conquering PU, with Force India leading the way, whilst Team Willy', nee
Williams tries to overtake those pesky, upstart Silverstone lads.
Although, once again, it appears that the
entire field will be chasing the Silver Arrows "Werks" squad for W's.
As Mercedes has blitzed to competition the past three seasons, Ja Volt!
(3) RENAULT
Whilst mighty le Reggie' V-8 normally aspirated
lumps' once won four consecutive world championship titles propelling Red Bull circa
2010-13 seasons, as we A-L-L know, once Red Bull went off the boil with the
start of the Power Unit era, the Honeymoon was definitely over, before Deeter
Majestik found himself in a Wee pickle with nobody wishing to give him shiny,
current PU's for the 2016 F1 season.
Thus the B-I-G' BULLZ came crawling back to
Renault and have since smoothed thingys' over with the advent of Red Bull's
engine naming rights being sold to Tag-Heuer. Not to mention Renault's power
output improving, with the A' Team winning twice last year.
Meanwhile the 'lil Bulls, aka Toro Rosso are
reputedly set to strike a similar naming Dealio' in order to generate more
income this year when they return to the fold with current specification
Renault customer units.
Which just leaves the Factory Squad searching
vainly to improve their chassis, presumably why they've just poached Red Bull's
Pete Machin
to become their new Aerodynamics Chief Wee-Wee! As it'll be interesting to see
who comes out on top of this Ménage le
Reggie...