FORMULA ONE goes longer, lower, wider for 2017

New rules make the cars faster and more aggressive-looking, with a wider track, wider tires and bigger wings.

American Formula One viewers squinting through bleary eyes at the live early-morning broadcasts from Europe have noticed changes to the sophisticated race cars for 2017: they are visibly lower, wider and squatter-looking than last year's cars. What hasn't changed is the continuing use of the hybrid-electric systems with electric motors to augment the combustion power of turbocharged 1.6-L 90-degree V6s. Teams admit that the internal-combustion engines produce more than 600 hp (447 kW), while the electric motors add another 160 hp (119 kW) for about 33 seconds during each lap-though it is suspected that the front-running Mercedes-Benz and Ferrari teams are well ahead of the official ratings.

Engines are restricted to 15,000 rpm by the regulations, but a mandatory instantaneous fuel-flow limit has the practical effect of keeping them from ever reaching that peak.