F1 2017: The Grid

We are closing in on the first race of the 2017 season, with new regulations around the corner. Bigger, faster, better?? How do the cars look now and which drivers are going to compete with the teams?

Mercedes:

Drivers: Lewis Hamilton & Valtteri Bottas

Power Unit: Mercedes-Benz

Red Bull Racing:

Drivers: Daniel Ricciardo & Max Verstappen

Power Unit: Renault (Badged as Tag Heuer)

Ferrari:

Drivers: Sebastian Vettel & Kimi Räikkönen

Power Unit: Ferrari

Williams:

Drivers: Felipe Massa & Lance Stroll

Power Unit: Mercedes-Benz

Force India:

Drivers: Sergio Perez & Esteban Ocon

Power Unit: Mercedes-Benz

Renault:

Drivers: Nico Hülkenberg & Jolyon Palmer

Power Unit: Renault

Haas F1:

Drivers: Romain Grosjean & Kevin Magnussen

Power Unit: Ferrari

McLaren:

Drivers: Fernando Alonso & Stoffel Vandoorne

Power Unit: Honda

Toro Rosso:

Drivers: Carlos Sainz & Daniil Kvyat

Power Unit: Renault

Sauber:

Drivers: Marcus Ericsson & Pascal Wehrlein

Power Unit: Ferrari

Force India released Nico Hülkenberg, confirmed by Renault F1! [UPDATE]

What seemed to just be a rumor for the last couple of days, have now been confirmed by Force India on Twitter: Nico Hülkenberg is released by Force India. After a 3-year-stint with the team, Nico is going for a new challenge. 

What seemed to be a suspicious tweet from Nico Hülkenberg about a Borussia Dortmund match, now may be more likely a tweet about his future. A future that seems to be with Renault F1, his first true factory team. After Williams, Force India and Sauber, this is his fourth different team he will be part of.

The rumor started during the weekend of the Japanese GP, in which the story was that Nico wasn't paid salary for a couple of months. One of the stakeholders, Dutchman Michiel Mol, could not confirm or deny any part of the story, as he stated in the dutch show F1 Fans Only following the Japanese GP. He was not informed about this situation or could not talk about it.

Though the signing still has to be confirmed, it's more than likely. Any other topteam is not in need of a new driver, whereas Mercedes GP, Ferrari, Red Bull and McLaren are all set in terms of 2017 line up. Williams Martini Racing is in need for drivers, but does not seem to be a better team at the moment. Renault doesn't seem as well, but has the financial backing to develop towards the front of the field and has stated to have a long-term project on it's hands.

[Update] Renault has officially confirmed that Nico Hülkenberg will join them from 2017 onwards. The deal is for multiple years. Good luck to Nico in this new challenge!!