F1's new development war has already begun
The last grand prix weekend before the winter offered teams a great opportunity to get a headstart on work for 2017
Every Formula 1 team has arrived at the last race of the 2016 season without new developments for their current cars, the focus instead being on completing the last grand prix of the year with minimal fuss against a backdrop of high-mileage components, as well as preparing for the major rules shake-up in 2017.
As first practice for the Abu Dhabi GP was run in the day time, and not in conditions comparable to either the race or qualifying, teams devoted a lot of the session to 2017 preparations, many cars fitted with '17 development parts and extra sensors to perform some final experiments ahead of the winter test ban.
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