With F1’s current regulations now in their fourth year, the performance gaps that gave front-runners comfortable advantages are shrinking fast. Teams that were once struggling to keep pace have had enough time with these cars to catch up on the learning curve. (See: Ferrari and McLaren’s surge last year .)

Williams driver Carlos Sainz has been voted in by his colleagues as the new Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA) director, replacing the now-retired Sebastian Vettel. Sainz, who was forced to find a new team after being replaced at Ferrari by Lewis Hamilton, will undertake additional responsibilities this season.