Major motor sport championships around the world "face changes and challenges" in '17 that will "define their futures," according to Mark Fogarty of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. Formula 1 is looking to "much faster cars and a new commercial rights owner to arrest declining global audiences." More aggressive machines are also aimed at "reviving interest" in the World Rally Championship, while key rider moves "should enliven MotoGP even more." Australia will be impacted as it hosts rounds of all three world championship series, which are the "most important" in int'l four and two-wheel racing. Supercars will be in a "crucial year of transition before big upheavals" in '18, when new rules allowing a wider variety of cars and engines will begin to have an effect, along with the "likely inclusion of Asian races and a possible change of ownership of the sport." In the meantime, an overhaul of the judicial system, and "significant" driver and team changes will be "this season's key points of interest." For F1, the coming season is "critical to restoring flagging interest after three years of crushing domination by Mercedes-Benz." New technical rules will allow wider tires, bodywork and wings, generating more aerodynamic downforce and mechanical grip, to give the cars a "more aggressive stance" and make them seconds per lap quicker. The WRC, which has been "languishing for years," is also moving to "faster and more aggressive looking" cars as the series -- which is run over a "diverse" range of three-day events on tarmac or gravel roads or snow tracks -- as French carmaker Citroën returns to replace Volkswagen, which pulled out after "dominating" for the past three years. Citroën will join Hyundai and Ford with the new-look WRC cars, which "will feature more powerful engines and wilder bodywork aimed at making them more spectacular to watch" (SMH, 12/31).
