Five predictions for 2017

Happy new year to all, with the first post of 2017. And just like last year, the year before, and the year before that, this post is five predictions for 2017, if this happen or not this more of a fun post on what might happen.

Number 1, 2017 VW Polo to race in the WRC this season.
This might not sound stupid as it seems. Last year Volkswagen announced that they have pull out of the World Rally Championship at the end of the 2016 season to end its four year involvement in the series. With all-new Polo R WRC built for this season new WRC rules will not be used.



However, with rumours a Qatari back team from double WRC-2 champion Nasser Al-Attiyah with drivers of Andreas Mikkelsen and Mads Østberg completing a three car line-up may use the all new 380 bhp Volkswagen Polo R WRC in time for Rally Sweden in February. Predicting that the VW Polo will race in the WRC this season after all.



Number 2, Renault to score at least 64 points in the F1 Constructors' Standings in 2017.
Renault only managed just 8 points last season with Renault buying back the Lotus team (before that Renault) in late 2015, meaning not a lot time developing the car at the start of the season and through 2016 itself while developing their power unit to catch up the likes of Mercedes own power unit. With improve car and power units and bringing in former Force India driver Nico Hülkenberg as their lead driver. I am predicting that Renault will score at least 64 points in the F1 Constructors' Standings and that would be enough for at least top seven of the F1 Constructors' Standings in 2017.



Number 3, An LMP2 team to finish in the top three positions in this seasons 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Really? Yes really, here's the thing with Audi withdrawing from the World Endurance Championship and 24 hours of Le Mans race. Meaning at least five cars in LMP1 class this season. Meaning there will be more of a change that an LMP2 team will finish on the main podium in the World Endurance Championship this season and even better change for one of them to finish on the main podium at Le Mans this season in mid-June.



Number 4, Jorge Lorenzo to win at least four times this season on the Ducati.
This might not sound stupid as it seems. With Ducati signing former MotoGP Champion Jorge Lorenzo for 2017 as their lead rider for the MotoGP team. And with Ducati winning two wins last season in MotoGP. So don't be at all surprise if Jorge Lorenzo wins at least four MotoGP wins this season on the Ducati.



Number 5, Toro Rosso to finish fourth or higher in the F1 Constructors' Standings in 2017.
With Toro Rosso returning to Renault power units this season, along with gearbox and rear suspension from Red Bull; making the rear of the car will be the same as the 2017 Red Bull car. And retaining both Daniil Kvyat and in particular Carlos Sainz Jr. With all those things in place this prediction will be the most ambitious one for this year; I am predicting that Toro Rosso will finish fourth or higher in the F1 Constructors' Standings in 2017 beating the likes of Williams, Force India, Renault and McLaren for 2017.



As I said at the start of the post, this is a fun post on what might happen, would any prediction might happen? maybe one or two, I have to wait till late November to find out.