Wishing all Grand Prix 247 readers a great New Year and that 2018 is a year packed with health, happiness and wealth!
It was a good year for our site in terms of visitors with a 1.3 percent increase in page-views which amounted to 22,067,801 during the course of 2017, with 1,060,055 users swung by over the past 12 months.
Advertising income stayed pretty much the same as last year and pays the hosting fees as well as some of the syndicated content eg. Reuters and Getty Images. In other words, not many more people are supporting our advertisers… but those who are big thank you.
That’s the in-house stock-take done, so what to expect from 2018 for Formula 1… my advice is to expect the unexpected as is custom with our sport.
I am not one on making resolutions as they never work around this time of the year, but I am not shy to present a longish wish list for Formula 1 in 2018:
- At Mercedes would like to see Valtteri raise his game and battle Lewis, but not sure he is capable. As for Lewis: stay off the social media!
- May Ferrari ensure all spark plugs pass quality control at Maranello. Would be great if the Reds can mount and sustain a championship challenge as they endure an eleven-year title glut. Keep cool Seb, and wake up Kimi.
- Max must keep on rocking as he does, the kid divides opinions and passions as only a great can do thus we have to hope Red Bull can provide a fast and reliable car out the box so that Max and Daniel can really go toe to toe with Ferrari and Mercedes.
- At the same time, I really hope Honda make a step up with Toro Rosso and the Italian team are able to thumb their collective noses at Renault. It would also trigger change at Red Bull if the Japanese can get their sums right.
- Ironically I also wish McLaren do well as we need them back at the front, only time will tell if the Renault call was the right one. Would be cruel to witness the Woking team’s reaction should Honda suddenly find that elusive ‘magic button.’
Other matters pencilled into my final wishlist are:
- may the Force India lads continue to slug it out and the team thrive against far better-financed outfits;
- may 2018 Ferrari engines and Alfa Romeo branding push Sauber up the grid;
- please, Williams, do not become a total pay driver team and grant Robert Kubica a chance at the big time again;
- allow Renault to raise their game despite dubious leadership because Nico and Carlos have it in them to mix it with the big boys;
- keep Gene Haas interested in Formula 1;
- come on Chase, Ross and Sean let’s see what you really have…
Tried to make it in time for Christmas but alas our all-new Grand Prix 247 App is still in Beta mode, Santa was busy! But the good thing is that it is available to test and download from your preferred App supplier.
It is a no frills App delivering F1 news as it happens and is published on the site but optimised for smartphone and tablet browsing. It is free with no in App sales pitches at all.
Please feel free to download it and try it out on your preferred device by clicking the relevant banner below or alternatively search for Grand Prix 247 in your favourite App Store:
Alternatively to the Apps, you can of course also access Grand Prix 247 using any of the popular browsers on your smartphone or tablet.
Any feedback or suggestions regarding the App, in its current state, would be greatly appreciated.
Once again thanks for your support and enjoy the 2018 Formula 1 ride with Grand Prix 247.