McLaren
Even in the strongest field for years, McLaren can boast a truly stellar line-up. Never before has a team contained the World Champions from the previous two years and there is bound to be a competitive edge to Hamilton and Button’s relationship. The team will hope this brings the best out of their drivers, and after building up a head of steam at the end of last season, will be looking for that momentum to propel them into the new...
Jenson Button
Rarely can a champion’s post-season celebration have been so muted. Button allowed himself minimal time to sup from the cup of success before a manic few days culminated in his shock move to join compatriot Lewis Hamilton at McLaren. The World Champion’s chances of beating Hamilton in the same car have virtually been written off, but there is no doubt the ‘Frome Flyer’ will feel he proved his credentials last season, and will be fired up to prove everyone wrong.
Lewis Hamilton
The 2008 champion endured a difficult campaign last time out, and will not have enjoyed watching his rivals revel in their success. His return to winning ways at the end of the year was highly impressive, though, and he remains, for many people, the man to beat. Completely comfortable in his surroundings, Hamilton has the added bonus of the opportunity to go head to head with a certain Mr Schumacher, and relish the chance to re-assert his status as the sport’s superstar.
Mercedes GP
After the fairytale of last season, this campaign will prove a much tougher proposition for the former Brawn GP team. The big story, of course, is the return of Schumacher, but they also have a strong unit to back him up. In Ross Brawn they still have one the great minds in the sport, and he will be eager to prove that last season was no flash in the pan.
Michael Schumacher
Come Sunday, all eyes will be on Schumacher, and whether the most successful driver in the history of the sport can be the force of old. Don’t expect him to light up press-conferences with witty one-liners, but do expect him to drive with customary aggression and ruthlessness. Tests have placed the car just behind the likes of McLaren and Ferrari, and the rest of the field will be out to put him in his place, but history suggests it would be extremely unwise to underestimate him…
Nico Rosberg
Rosberg is one of the most exciting prospects in the sport, but he has perhaps drawn the short straw this season. Schumacher will demand the number one role that he is accustomed to, and Rosberg will have to get used to the media spotlight the accompanies his illustrious team-mate. If he can handle the pressure, though, he has a real opportunity to demonstrate that he can challenge with the best of them.
Ferrari
Having abandoned last season halfway through in favour of developing the 2010 car, there is pressure on Ferrari to perform this year. Its loyal fans will demand a competitive car and the team will know that they have the drivers to back it up. Their pace has been good in testing and, after last season’s disappointments, will be raring to return to the front of the grid.
Fernando Alonso
Alonso is perhaps the most reliable driver in F1, and Ferrari will be delighted by securing his signature. The fourth former World Champion on the grid, Alonso is another who will be staking his claim as the top driver in the sport and after battling in a struggling car for two years, he should now have the tools to succeed. A good bet to be there or thereabouts come the end of the season.
Felipe Massa
Massa has been one of the biggest surprises of recent years. That the team opted to extend his contract in favour of Kimi Raikkonen is indicative of the high regard in which he is held at Maranello. Two years ago he came within one corner of the championship and, having recovered from a horrific crash at Hungary last year, could be the dark horse in the title race.
Red Bull
In the second half of last season, Red Bull were the outstanding team on the grid, and their aim this season will be to cement their place in the elite. Chief Technician Adrian Newey is a proven winner, and hopes are high that he is building yet another championship winning car. With two strong drivers and the experience gained from last year, they will be confident of picking up where they left off.
Sebastian Vettel
Yet another class act in the field – has the sport ever contained so many potential champions at one time? – Vettel came of age as Championship runner-up last season. The German is seen as the natural successor to Schumacher in his homeland, and this season he has the opportunity to prove just how realistic those predictions are. If the car is good, Vettel will shine.
Mark Webber
Webber won that elusive first Grand Prix last season, and will be keen to build on it this time round. Without the natural talent of his team-mate, Webber is consistently fast and now seems to have found the knack of converting qualifying success into strong race-days. Should win races, but an outside bet for the title.
Williams
Traditionally one of the major players in Formula One, Williams seem to have fallen out of the elite in recent years. The team will be looking to build on a tentative step in the right direction last season, and will hope the combination of youth and experience in their driving line-up will pay dividends.
Rubens Barichello
The old man of Formula One enjoyed something of a renaissance with Brawn GP last year. He is unlikely to have the car to challenge for race wins this time out, but his team will be looking for him to draw on his wealth of experience to get the most out of the resources available.
Nico Hulkenburg
There is a lot of hype surrounding Hulkenburg’s debut season. Having won virtually everything on his route to F1, he is many people’s bet to be the surprise of the season. His manager used to work with Michael Schumacher, and compares him very favourably with the German legend. No pressure then…
Renault
A controversial 2009 campaign resulted in the exit from the sport of team manager Flavio Briatore – who would go on to wreak his own particular brand of havoc at QPR. The name of the game for Renault will be consolidation and a re-focus on events on the track, but losing Fernando Alonso to Ferrari is a big blow.
Robert Kubica
Renault will be looking at Robert Kubica to spearhead their campaign. The talent is there but the jury is out over his ability to produce over an entire season. Ambition may be an issue though, when asked recently how he wanted to be remembered as an F1 driver his response was, simply and eloquently, ‘I don’t care’. Keep reaching for those stars then Robert…
Vitaly Petrov
The cynical amongst you may say Petrov’s place in the team is heavily indebted to the wads of cash he can bring in from his homeland, Russia. Renault have been at pains to dispute this, though, and a second-place in last season’s GP2 championship suggests he has more to offer the team than a couple of roubles.
Force India
The early signs are that Force India could be a…erm…force to reckoned with this season. The latest incarnation of the old Jordan team has surprised many by their performance pre-season, and if they can keep their drivers on the road, could well be consistent podium challengers this time around.
Adrian Sutil
Sutil has had his opportunities in Formula One, but more often than not tends to end up in the tyre-wall. He’s a gem in terms of entertainment, but five points from three seasons is a meagre return, and he will surely be looking to raise his game this year.
Vitanonio Liuzzi
Since a promising start in the Toro Rosso team in 2006, Liuzzi’s career has somewhat stalled. In and out of cars since then, his performances have been, frankly, crap. An encouraging end to last season, though, has seen him retain his Force India spot, but you can’t help but think this is probably his last chance to prove he can make it at this level.
Toro Rosso
Changes to the legal structures of the sport have meant Toro Rosso have had to distance themselves from big-brother team Red Bull. As such, this is the first time the team have had to build their own car. Allied to having two inexperienced drivers, this could be a tough year for the Toro Rosso boys.
Sebastien Buemi
After a solid, if unspectacular, debut season, Buemi will hope to kick on this time around. Another season of tight midfield battles awaits though, and will be a real test of his nerve. Remarkably, at just 21 years old, Buemi will be the old man in the team when he lines up for his second season in Bahrain.
Jaime Alguersuari
And that’s because Jaime Alguersuari is still, remarkably, only a teenager. He’s barely able to drink the winner’s champagne, but to be honest, that’s unlikely to be an issue this season. A tough year awaits, but in a team that brought Sebastien Vettel to the sport’s attention, drivers like Alguersuari have a chance to make a real impact.
Hispania Racing Team
A new entry to Formula One, Hispania Racing Team’s pre-season form has suggested, well, nothing – the team had no pre-season testing. It will be interesting, then, to see what kind of car they are able to put out come Sunday, and it’s bound to be a tough task for their drivers.
Bruno Senna
Senna carries with him a famous name, but it is unlikely Bruno will be able to compete with the legacy of his legendary uncle, Ayrton. The racing genes are clearly there, but it’s a huge ask to drive a Formula One car into a race with absolutely no testing time…
Karun Chandhok
This guy doesn’t even have genetics on his side. Only the second Indian driver to race in Formula One, Chandhok has an accomplished GP2 career, but one suspect’s this will be a slightly tougher challenge.
BMW Sauber
A fixture on the grid since 1993, Sauber are yet to win a race and that doesn’t look like changing this season. Despite the name, BMW pulled out at the end of last season, leaving former owner Peter Sauber at the helm again. Money is, apparently tight, and though they have two talented drivers, just surviving until the end of the season would represent success.
Pedro De La Rosa
After test driving for McLaren for six years, De La Rosa returns to the sport to provide a steady old hand in the Sauber team. At 39, his best years may be behind him (in fact, they have been spent not even racing), but he will be looking to prove he still has what it takes to score points.
Kamui Kobayashi
Kobayashi had a whale of a time in the last two races of last season, and fans will be looking forward to seeing him mix it up with the big boys this time. A full season is a different proposition, but if his debut races are anything to go by, he’ll be one to keep an eye on.
Lotus
A return for the romantics, seeing Lotus on the grid will evoke memories of legends like Jim Clark and Graham Hill. Formula one leaves no room for sentimentality, though, and poor testing times suggest it could be a rocky road back to greatness for Lotus.
Jarno Trulli
The nearly man of the sport, Jarno Trulli always seems to be fast, without ever converting that into actual success. He had bucket loads of experience, though, and is a good man to lead the team in its return to racing.
Heikki Kovalainen
In truth, Kovalainen was a huge disappointment in his two years at McLaren. Shadowing Lewis Hamilton is a tough role (just ask Fernando Alonso), but the Finn never seemed to be able to handle the big-time. The pace has always been there though, and he will see Lotus as a good place to start over.
Virgin Racing
Cola, trains, and now racing cars, the Virgin brand has entered Formula One. As always, Richard Branson’s team are doing it their own way, but their insistence on designing the car without the aid of a wind-tunnel is a questionable at best. They have played down their decision, but the main test will come this Sunday…
Timo Glock
Left in the cold by Toyota’s exit from the sport, Timo Glock will have to get used to a vast reduction in resources this season. He has a decent record with Toyota, though, and will look to take responsibility for the team’s debut season.
Lucas Di Grassi
Another promoted from the GP2 series, Di Grassi will be thrown in at the deep end at Virgin Racing. Patience and control will be the watchwords, and Di Grassi will have to accept that it may be a slow process in a team taking their own first steps in the sport.
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