This was something of a disappointment, since the FA17 was competitive at the start of the year in the hands of Jos Verstappen. Technical director Alan Jenkins left early on in the season bound for Stewart. Walkinshaw replaced him with  Frank Dernie, who moved from Ligier along with Walkinshaw.
It was a letdown because the FA17 performed well at the start of the year under Jos Verstappen's control. Alan Jenkins, the technical director, left early in the season to join Stewart. Walkinshaw then hired Frank Dernie, who had previously worked with Ligier and joined Walkinshaw.