Todt feels 'half positive' about 2017 season

FIA President Jean Todt is on average quite satisfied with how the thrilling 2017 season with F1's new-spec cars has gone so far.

In the first eight races, Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton have scored three wins each, with Valtteri Bottas and Daniel Ricciardo each collecting a win.

After Sunday's controversial Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Vettel leads the championship with a 14-point advantage over arch-rival Hamilton.

"I'm half-positively surprised by the season," Todt told Germany's Sport Bild.

"Half positive, because it would have been a really good surprise if not only two but four teams were fighting for the world championship.

"But, after all, it is great that we do not know who will win the next race," Todt added.

The President of the sport's governing body would obviously like more diversity at the head of the grid, but he also believe Hamilton and Vettel are supplying some good thrills.

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"I still remember my time with Michael Schumacher at Ferrari," he recalled.

"People always complained to me that they knew the result before the race. With Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel, we at least now have a real two-man fight.

"Formula 1 needs action and emotions, and the two of them are doing that at the moment," Todt continued.

Mercedes has dominated F1 in the past three years, but Todt thinks his old team Ferrari might well be ready for a title triumph again.

"Ferrari has done amazing work and yes, I think they can be competitive all year through.

"Vettel's approach reminds me a bit of Michael's. The professional working, the ability to pull a team together, and like Vettel, Michael did not like to lose."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.