5 Questions to be answered as F1 2017 reveals itself

Sexy, aggressive, beautiful... we've heard a plethora of superlatives from those in the know about what the new cars will look like but while we have now gotten a glimpse of the new-look F1 thanks to Williams, judgements are still being reserved until they are seen properly in person. New technical regulations forged with aesthetics in mind have made the cars svelter in shape, meatier in the tyres and more akin to the cars prior to 2009's shake up that drew all manner of disparaging comments... but feedback from the first shots of the FW40 have been modest to positive. First things first, it IS a more attractive car there is no doubt but perhaps not the massive departure many were expecting. Whether this is because the nose and livery on this CGI Williams is largely unchanged means we will wait until we see a car properly (which will be Renault on Tuesday) to judge whether in the metal - or carbonfibre - it has all the right proportions. Regardless, it's whetted our appetite

With teams typically giving precious little away right up to the moment the covers are pulled off the cars, it has been a winter reduced to debating potential livery changes. Fortunately, after last year's disappointing lack of re-imagination, F1 2017 is set to look rather more distinctive as teams (finally) come round to the notion that a bold new look equals better coverage equals more revenue. With all change behind the scenes, McLaren is set for an image overhaul on the surface too amidst speculation it will be adopting a more distinctive hue in 2017. Rendered designs have predicted a black and orange appearance and unless the team has been expertly trolling us for week, the hints in its social media posts certainly suggest that will be the case. Another team expected to change its colours in 2017 will be Toro Rosso, with many tipping it to change to a light blue/silver look akin to Red Bull's 'sugar free' drinks, while Sauber - having lost Banco do Brasil as a sponsor - is expected be more blue and less yellow this year. As for the others? We'd love to be surprised...

It's change at the top in F1 and though it might be a little while until we see the full effect of Liberty Media's arrival and Bernie Ecclestone's subsequent exit, are this week's launches an indication that teams are thinking more about the fans already? The last few years have seen most teams forego glitzy car launches with loud music, bright lights and buxom women in favour of simpler (cheaper) and more discreet reveals either on the morning of testing or in grainy online photographs. This year, however, has seen the trend turned back. From February 20th, there will be a car launched nearly each day before they all hit the track on February 27th, giving us a week of fevered anticipation as the cars break cover one-by-one rather than in a flurry of activity an hour before testing. Coming after teams were roundly criticised last year for not doing their bit to bolster excitement, this turnabout is a positive sign that it has 'raising spectacle' firmly in mind... at least before Liberty Media potentially makes it mandatory.

Exactly 3 months will have passed since Nico Rosberg won the 2016 F1 world title in Abu Dhabi when Lewis Hamilton hits the track again for 2017 pre-season testing... but it is off track where he will face the closest scrutiny. From the controversial on track tactics of that title showdown, to the shock of Rosberg's retirement soon after to the choice of Valtteri Bottas as his replacement, Hamilton's relative silence over the last few weeks will just serve to intensify the onslaught of questions he will face when he goes shoulder-to-shoulder with his new team-mate this week. Having become increasingly frustrated with the media towards the end of 2016, it is notable that Hamilton has largely chosen to limit his public engagements and social media activity as he seeks to refocus ahead of the 2017 season. By contrast, Rosberg has kept himself very much in the limelight and offered plenty of opinion on that rivalry with his former adversary.... Now, however, it is time for Hamilton's say. But what exactly will he say?

Whether it is DRS making overtaking too easy, car performance being too dependent on power units or drivers spending more time tweaking knobs than using instinct, F1 has endured its fair share of criticism over the years. The new regulations have sought to address these issues, but while drivers are excited by the intention of the changes, an increasing number seem less convinced by the science behind them. Fears remain that drivers will struggle to follow the car directly in front, limiting overtaking and creating even more reliance on DRS, which has been criticised for falsifying the racing. Then there are the all-new tyres... On the plus side, the engineers have made more positive noises about the tweaks and you''d hope they know more than anyone. It is hoped this week's reveals will answer these questions.