Williams hopes the new "significantly different" FW41, revealed on Thursday in London, can be the catalyst to close on the top three teams in 2018.

The Grove-based team was the second to launch their new car ahead of pre-season testing, which begins in Barcelona on February 26, and even if its basic form appeared a marked step forward in design compared to last year.

Much of that can be attributed to technical chief Paddy Lowe, who arrived at Williams at the start of last season, and the former Mercedes boss admits the new car is more than just an "evolution" on its predecessor.

“The FW41 does involve a number of departures from the directions that have been pursued in the past," he said. "Overall, the philosophy we are starting to see emerge is a new approach to the collaboration between aerodynamics and design to achieve the optimum working result.

“It has many new features, most of which are not all that obvious, but externally the team has pursued a very different aerodynamic concept which has allowed us some significant progress in aerodynamic performance.”

Williams head into 2018 in need of a boost after slipping down the order in recent years from the team which kept Mercedes on its toes in 2014 to falling 100 points behind Force India in last year's constructors' championship in fifth.

The performance gap between the top three teams and the rest was another notable story from last year and it is that which Lowe is most focused on reducing.

“We were two seconds or so a lap slower than the front runners last year and that’s something we’d like to close up considerably,” he said.

“So we were looking for a step change and I hope we’ve delivered a strong element of that with this car.”

Fernando Alonso is standing by a prediction he first made last June in Baku that he will be a Grand Prix winner in 2018.

Never known to back down, the Spaniard made the claim well before it was confirmed McLaren would be switching to Renault engines for this season and during the height of Honda's difficulties.

As the situation panned out, expectations are high that the British team can at least fight with Red Bull which, based on recent history, would put them in contention for victories at, at least the less power sensitive circuits.

Reminded of his earlier comment, however, Alonso was a little more coy on whether it will come true.

“I don’t know. We’ll see,” he told Spanish daily AS. “I said I was going to win and I’ll say the same thing, that I’ll win this year. We’re going to be much more competitive but I don’t know how much."

Explaining his greater conservatism, the two-time Formula 1 champion merely put it down to not wanting to get too far ahead of himself.

“Last year Red Bull looked like they were going to be strong due to the change in the rules and yet they had a slow start," Alonso reminisced.

“You always get asked if you are going to have a car…. but if you start badly, it’s a huge comedown so we can’t anticipate anything.

Also Read:

• McLaren upbeat as Renault sure of strong engine gains
• McLaren anticipating some aero opportunities around Halo

“What I can say is that expectations are higher now than they have been during the past three years," he added.

"The atmosphere at the factory is more positive, everyone is determined to go that extra bit further because we all want to be much more competitive and I think we will be.”

Williams has become the second team in as many days to release images of their 2018 Formula 1 challenger, doing so at an event in London on Thursday.

The car - named the FW41 - is a bold step forward on the conservative design and is the first to have been created under the leadership of technical director Paddy Lowe and head of aerodynamics Dirk de Beer.

It is hoped the more aggressive approach can thrust the Grove-based team firmly back into the battle to be 'best of the rest' behind the top three after finishing over 100 points behind Force India in fifth in last year's constructors' standings.

The most notable changes are in the sidepod and bargeboard area with a much more complex layout compared to its predecessor and tighter packaging towards the back, no doubt helped by Lowe's knowledge of the Mercedes engine which will power the Williams.

Also Read:

• Haas reveal first images of new VF-18
• Force India include Williams in battle for P4 in 2018
• Williams insists driver line-up a long-term "investment"

Their line-up is a bold one with two youngsters in Lance Stroll, entering his second season and Russian Sergey Sirotkin beating Robert Kubica to the second seat after an impressive test in Abu Dhabi last November.

The Polish former Grand Prix winner has been taken on board as the reserve and development driver. 

Haas F1 team owner Gene Haas has set an ambitious performance target of being around half a second behind technical partner Ferrari during the upcoming Formula 1 season.

The American team showed signs of greater consistency during their second year on the grid in 2017 but much like their first, couldn't sustain the development level later admitting they changed focus to this year too soon.

Haas F1 will hope that does bring some benefits of being stronger at the beginning of this season, however, in what is an important and likely to be very competitive year in the midfield.

“It looks like everyone is going to be better,” Haas said in a season preview. “It’s no secret we use a lot of Ferrari equipment, so we’re using them as our baseline. We need to be within a half-second of the Ferraris in order for us to be competitive."

Looking at where the biggest gains can be made compared to last year, eliminating key weaknesses was top of the list for the Kannapolis and Banbury-based outfit.

“Tyres are the toughest issue we have," Haas stated. “The tyres are very sensitive to downforce, overheating and sliding, but in order to get the tyres right, you have to have the right chassis and the right aero.

"Without all of that working right, the cars become very difficult for the drivers and you can’t expect them to make up for a car that just doesn’t have the capability of holding the track.”

Also Read:

• Grosjean identifies key areas Haas must improve in 2018
• 8 F1 2018 predictions: Haas bottom of constructors' championship

The team owner also addressed comments earlier this year from his team principal Guenther Steiner, who suggested no current American drivers were ready for F1 when explaining why none had yet to drive for Haas.

“The fact is that we’re still learning here in F1 and bringing on a driver who needs to learn about F1 probably isn’t the best thing for us or them," he claimed.

“I felt like there were times last year where our drivers were better than our cars. So, we need to step up, but we know where we need to improve thanks in large part to the experience of our drivers."

On American drivers, in particular, Haas added: “We’re not saying no to having an American driver, this debate about American drivers really isn’t a debate. I believe in American drivers.

"The discipline is different, but sure, there are competent American drivers who can compete in F1, we’re not ready for that yet.

'Getting anyone up to speed who hasn’t already been a part of a development program would be hard. I think that’s the point Guenther was trying to make.”

Sauber team principal Fred Vasseur believes the similarities between the Swiss outfit and Force India provides optimism that a turnaround in performance is possible.

Financial issues in recent years have meant the Hinwil-based team has languished towards the back of the grid, scoring just seven points in the last two years while Force India has gone from strength to strength, finishing as top midfield runner twice over the same period.

Now in the process of rebuilding after a takeover in mid-2016, Sauber is hoping to make strong progress this season thanks to a renewed Ferrari relationship and eventually matching Force India as another independent squad pushing above their weight.

"Force India is a good model because they are working with Mercedes more or less as we are working with Ferrari," Vasseur told Autosport with another Fiat-owned brand in Alfa Romeo starting a technical partnership.

"They are working with drivers, they are working on collaborations, working on the engine and some other parts and it is more or less the same size as Sauber.

"It is a good example of what we could achieve and what could be the project," the Frenchman stated.

Also Read:

• Vasseur wants Sauber to become Alfa Romeo works team

While Sauber has the experience of 25 years in Formula 1 to draw on to help move up the grid, Vasseur doesn't expect a rapid return to the type of results Sergio Perez in 2012 and Nico Hulkenberg in 2013 were producing.

"They had a long-term project, something serious, and year after year they came back onto the pace and now they are quite consistent," he explained, continuing the Force India comparison.

"We have to take things the same way. We have to be patient. It is a three-to-five year project."

As for expectations for 2018, it is simply about getting back into the midfield mix and taking advantage of opportunities that arise.

"We have to be able to fight with the guys around us," the team boss declared. "I think we will be able to close the gap.

"It is difficult to know if we will fight for P8, P9 or P10. More will be difficult but it will depend also on the other teams and their projects."

Daniel Ricciardo is expecting his Red Bull team to put up a stronger challenge for the 2018 Formula 1 title in what is an important year for the Australian's career.

Entering his fifth season with the Milton Keynes outfit, this is the last on Ricciardo's current contract and the 28-year-old, frustrated at the lack of competitiveness despite five Grand Prix wins, is biding his time before committing his future again.

But, after seeing Red Bull make up almost all of the deficit to the leading Mercedes and Ferrari during 2017, the 'Honey Badger' expects that rapid development to continue with relative stability in the regulations.

"We should be able to fight more often, time will tell but I'm confident," he was quoted by Autosport.

"There is a good intensity in the team, but everyone is not getting too excited, we know there is work to do if we want to achieve what we want, so we all know we've got some desires to attack this year."

The most important factor in determining Red Bull's standing against their rivals this season will be engine progress from Renault, after ending the year still trailing their German and Italian counterparts in both performance and reliability.

Ricciardo played down those concerns, however, in a separate interview with Speed Week. 

"It is clear that the reliability and efficiency are better now," he insisted.

Also Read:

• Verstappen believes rivals "would never see" Red Bull with Mercedes engines 

A tendency to be off the pace at the beginning of a season has led to Adrian Newey and his technical team changing approach for this year, starting work on the RB14 earlier than usual and that also pleases the Aussie.

"Last year we realised already at the winter tests that we were behind Mercedes and Ferrari," he claimed. "This year we want to be in good shape from the beginning. We want to be on the podium in the first race."

Of course, doing that would secure the man from Perth a first official top three finish at his home race in Melbourne, with a second in 2014 later taken away due to a breach in the fuel flow rules.

Haas F1 has become the first team to reveal photos of their new car, the VF-18, for the upcoming season, doing so via social media on Wednesday.

After finishing eighth in last year's constructors' championship, the American outfit is looking to push on in what is their third season on the grid, with owner Gene Haas hoping to close performance to within half a second of technical partner Ferrari.

The new car already highlights the two main visual changes on all 2018 cars, with the Halo cockpit device fitted and the removal of the shark fin engine cover after attempts to overturn a ban were blocked by McLaren.

Looking closely at the rear, the T-wing has moved and is now located under the rear wing and attached to the supports, that is another feature most cars will likely have after the loophole designers used last year was closed.

The sidepod structure does bear some resemblance to the unique design Ferrari had last year with a striking multi-element turning vane. Expect further winglets and detail to emerge in the bargeboard area when testing begins.

Compared to the design overhaul last year, most cars will likely be an evolution of their predecessors as is the case with the VF-18.

"It’s less about reinvention and more about refinement," team principal Guenther Steiner commented. "You see elements we had from last year on the car this year.

“Our 2017 car was actually pretty good, but we didn’t always get the best out of it, and that’s what we aimed to change in 2018. We got the car as light as possible to carry more ballast. We were able to do a better job of putting the weight where we wanted it.”

Considering the main challenge the team faced in the design phase, he added: “The biggest part of the car’s evolution was the addition of the Halo.

“It took quite a bit of study by the aerodynamicists, but the designers had to work hard to modify the chassis so the Halo could survive the mandated loads.

"The total minimum weight of the car increased because of the halo, and there’s a higher centre of gravity simply because of the Halo’s position but, everyone is in the same boat."

Haas will have Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen behind the wheel for the second straight year.

Always one of the most anticipated launches of the pre-season period, Red Bull has confirmed the new RB14 will be revealed on February 19th.

This winter has seen a change in approach by the Milton Keynes outfit after starting work earlier on this year's design in an effort to avoid the early season lack of competitiveness that has hindered them in recent years.

Last season saw Red Bull playing catch up throughout after their initial philosophy failed but, known for their in-season development, their car was almost an equal for Mercedes and Ferrari by the end, scoring wins in Malaysia and Mexico in addition to the lucky victory in Baku.

Also Read:

• Verstappen sure rivals "would never see" Red Bull with Mercedes engines
• Red Bull pleased to have engine "options" for 2019

There is also increased pressure to fight for the title with their drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen chomping at the bit, for the Australian, results in early races will be crucial as he decides whether to sign a new contract or look elsewhere for 2019.

Much of that will also depend on engine supplier Renault, who has continued to lag behind their rivals both in performance and reliability and were responsible for eight of Red Bull's 13 retirements last year.

For this year, the Austrian energy drinks giant also welcomes an increased partnership with Aston Martin as title sponsor. 

Toro Rosso technical director James Key is hopeful the Honda tie-up can help them "spring some surprises" during the 2018 Formula 1 season.

The Italian team agreed to take over from McLaren as the sole user of the Japanese manufacturer's engines and is hoping the gains made in the second half of last year will be built upon.

Greater equality in the working relationship is one area it is thought Honda could benefit with Toro Rosso compared to McLaren and the respected British designer admits it is a partnership that has taken some adjusting to.

“It’s been a totally different world for us, working with Honda and working as a works team,” he told Racer.

“To have such a strong collaboration with your power unit supplier is new for Toro Rosso, but it’s an extremely welcome situation to have.

“Honda are excellent to work with. We’ve shared an extremely strong common goal and a very good working relationship to date, and there’s no reason why that won’t continue in exactly the same way.”

Also Read:

• Toro Rosso set ambitious target for 2018 season
• Red Bull pleased to have engine "options" for 2019

Obviously, after the three difficult seasons Honda have had since returning to F1 in 2015, some are worried about the potential for the poor reliability and performance could continue but Key played those concerns down.

“I’d like to think we can spring a few surprises this year,” he stated. 

“There’s obviously a lot of questions and you never know until you hit the track, but certainly on the Honda side they’re working extremely hard and they’re hoping to start off in a positive way."

The promoter of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on the streets of Baku says he will be seeking an improvement on the "unacceptable" conditions of their current Formula 1 contract later this year.

After an underwhelming first race in 2016, an action-packed encore last year improved the standing of an event Liberty Media had criticised as being another example of former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone chasing money rather than having any history or prestige.

Most will likely anticipate the earlier return to the city overlooking the Caspian Sea this year, with the race moving from June to late April but the longer-term future is now a little more uncertain.

Also Read: 

• Kyalami rules out F1 interest without significant Liberty support
• Future of Italian GP at Monza in doubt again

"Within three months after the Grand Prix, we must give an answer to the leadership of F1 about whether we will extend the contract for another five years until 2025," Azerbaijan's minister for youth and sport, Azad Rahimov told Tass news agency.

"Everyone understands that the contract we have now is unacceptable. I think the new leadership of F1 understands that as well."

With Liberty's desire to adjust the F1 calendar to gain new interest while also taking advantage of the surge in countries like Holland, it will be interesting to see if another successful and entertaining weekend in Baku this year will change their initial opinion.