Aki Racing team yet to reveal anything
Aki Racing Team are yet to reveal there launch date but rumours are circulating that the team may have a change of sponsorship for 2017.
The team is entering their sixth season of FGP and have had varying success in those years. Lets look back at the teams history.
The story started in 2011 when the team failed to meet the deadline for entering the 2011 FGP season. Following a season of testing and work on team structure 2012 saw the team make a debut.
2012 saw Aki Racing Team (ART) unable to gain sponsorship before the season started. Thus running on low funds the team struggled at the start of the season. However enjoyed a good run and finishing 32nd of 55 entries in year 1 was a solid start to life midfield.
2013 arrived and sponsorship in the shape of Hedgehog gutter brush. Forming the new look Aki's Hedgehog Racing Team. (AHRT) The team spent big on drivers securing Jenson Button & Valterri Bottas. However spending on high rated drivers lead to a Sauber chassis which endured an average season, coupled with Bottas Williams being poor and the Mercedes engine couldn't save the season. 2013 ended with AHRT finishing the season in 43rd of 46.
2014 arrived and with Hedgehog still in the name the AHRT aimed high with a Mercedes engine. However the Mclaren engine was a let down. Ricciardo was a top first driver but Maldonado added very little. However after the terrible backmarker season of 2013, it was a relief for the team to secure a midfield position of 15th of 32.
2015 arrived with a new sponsorship. Twix bringing money to ART. Making them Twix's Aki Racing Team (TART:D) and finally the team leapt into Championship contention. Raikkonen, Gutierrez, Ferrari and Mercedes gave the team a real shot. The TART narrowly missed out on the title to Henners F1. Finishing 2015 as runners up.
After the highs of 2015, 2016 was a disappointment. Once again Twix offered partnership. Mercedes & Ferrari were good performers again but Alonso & Gutierrez let the team down. Finishing 9th of 27 was a let down.
So what will 2017 hold for ART? We will find out over the next couple of weeks.
Flora's Aki Racing Team announcement
Today the Aki Racing Team (ART) finally revealed all for the start of the 2017 FGP.
After two years with Twix as the title sponsor the ART move to the large brand of Flora to provide the money to attack the 2017 title.
The team retain their link to Mercedes and keep the Chassis. The Ferrari Engine will power the team this season.
Massa will come out of retirement to lead FART while Ocon seems a bargain.
Flora's Aki Racing Team
Chassis: Mercedes 20m
Engine: Ferrari 13m
First Driver: Felipe Massa 10m
Second Driver: Esteban Ocon 3m
Third Driver: Paul di Resta 1m
Bonus GP: Monza
Total: 47m
