With launches just around the corner, teams are making the final tweaks to their line-ups ahead of the 2017 season. Williams have confirmed the appointment of Dirk de Beer, bringing him on board as head of aerodynamics to start next month. Dirk was previously employed at Ferrari but has also worked at Sauber and Renault.

The musical chairs at the top of the fastest teams appears to be complete now, with James Allison signing on to champions Mercedes to become their technical director. Allison left the Ferrari squad mid-way through 2016 after a three year stint, but now he will be in charge at Mercedes.

The McLaren team have confirmed that two of their senior management have departed with just a couple of weeks to go before the launch of the 2017 car. Chief Executive Officer Jost Capito has parted company with the team, ending speculation that he would be following Ron Dennis out the door. Dennis signed him to the squad midway through the 2016 season, but he’s on his way already.

The FIA have been sourcing feedback from the drivers who tested the halo cockpit device during the 2016 season, and have revealed that the results are mixed. Only 16 drivers have reportedly given their thoughts on the device, and the FIA say that “opinion is divided 50/50.”

McLaren have been hinting at the fact the team will be going through some changes this year, firstly with a glimpse of some potentially orange paintwork, and today revealing a new naming style for the car itself. Where previously the cars have been consecutively named the MP4-28, 29, 30 and 31, this year they’re stripping all that out.

The Manor team have folded as of Friday 27th January, after the administrators were unable to find a buyer or investor to save the squad. Staff were told to go home early on Friday with over 200 employees now faced with finding new jobs. The administrators said they couldn’t find a structure that would keep the group as a going concern in a sustainable fashion, and sadly Manor have officially called it a day.

Renault Sport have announced today they are partnering with BP and Castrol for their fuel and oil needs, embarking on a five year deal with the global oil company. Managing director, Cyril Abiteboul, said: “With the new aerodynamic regulations for 2017, power sensitivity will increase, therefore fuels and lubricants will make an even greater difference to the overall performance of the car than they have since the new power unit regulations were introduced in 2014.”

It’s been a rough start to the year for Team Williams but they are beginning to deal with the loss of their main driver for 2017 now. Here’s Deputy Team Principal Claire Williams paying tribute to Valtteri Bottas: “He’s been an integral part of the development of this team over the past three years. He’s taken us to many podiums, he’s secured many points for the constructor’s championship for us. He’s also a great person.”

With Liberty Media’s restructuring of how Formula One is run we’ve seen the departure of Bernie Ecclestone and the incoming Chase Carey take over. Liberty have also confirmed that former team owner Ross Brawn will return to the sport as a managing director focusing on the sporting elements, with former ESPN executive Sean Bratches taking on the same role but for commercial aspects instead.

Bernie Ecclestone revealed it himself first, that he was no longer in charge of Formula One, but new bosses Liberty Media soon followed up with the confirmation – they have officially taken control of the sport and their first task was to replace Bernie. The 86 year old’s tenure at the top is over, and although he still has an honorary title within the new organisation, it looks as though his day to day dealings with the sport are over.