Formula 1 Octane Circus Waiting For Green Light

One of the most important aspects of F1 is ability to renewal. What gives this sport charm is the feeling nothing ever stands still.

The new Formula 1 season is before us and this vast machine that enchants millions of people throughout the world will again keep up hypnotised from curve to curve, from box to box and from winning throne to winning throne. There are many favourites while the past has shown that the season is long and that anything can happen. But, fear not. This is where the fun starts.

The last season was packing with various twists and ended extremely dramatic in one of its most exciting editions. Ferrari and Kimi Raikkonen are world champions, which is not the greatest surprise all in itself, but not many formula fans would place them in front of McLaren during the season. The first question is what are their chances of defending their titles?

Testings before the start of the season were detailed. Teams made equal efforts to improve their performance and at the same time fool their opponents. What seems obvious during these testing laps, actually is not. Based on this, various leads are given, giving this sport another great dosage of excitement.

FERRARI

Drivers: 1. Kimi Raikkonen, 2. Felipe Massa

They were lagging behind McLaren the whole time and then a spying scandal, which was discussed in great detail, kicked them to the first position in rankings of constructors and this is the only thing that will be left recorded. As far as the drivers go, Fin Kimi Raikkonen probably still cannot believe that he managed to beat Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso in the final race of the season, thus becoming world champion.

Millions of fans throughout the world who love the prancing horse were desperate at one point because it became clear that Ferrari is not at its best in its post-Michael Schumacher stage. Not only did the team miss the great German, but they missed the great Ross Brawn who had a huge influence on the drivers and practically all employees, but despite this fact and the deadly tornado that hit them, they were the first ones to cross the finishing line.

Kimi Raikkonen and his partner Brazilian Felipe Massa believe they might win the title mush easier this year, with less drama and without a spying scandal, if possible. They were pretty fast at practice and despite the fact nobody believes they will finish first again, they are favourites – without a doubt. Take a look at the new Ferrari car in the PHOTOGALLERY.

McLAREN

Drivers: 1. Lewis Hamilton, 2. Heikki Kovalainen

None of the teams have ever had a season like the Silver Arrows in 2007. It began with phenomenal performance by rookie Lewis Hamilton who literally mesmerised everyone at some races, even the old and quite conservative fans of the sport. Afterwards, it was Stepneygate`s turn who cost them 100 million dollars, disqualification occurred from the constructor title race and a great rift between their two top drivers, Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton. The final race of the season was only cherry on top, as they lost the best driver title.

Army of McLaren supporters is trying to forget about the whole matter and hopes they are through with bad luck and that things can only get better this season. The team is absolutely focused on one thing only, winning. The only thing that could possibly distract them is a potential departure of chief head Ron Dennis, who has taken one blow too many and simply wants to take a break. Apart from a turbulent season, Dennis had to cope with a divorce after 22 years of marriage. He wants to focus on his children now.

As far as the drivers go, Lewis Hamilton chased away Alonso from the team in a subtle fashion and he now has all hands and eyes on him. Heikki Kovalainen has taken the Spaniard`s place, who is still not a great threat in relation to temperamental Alonso, despite his enviable speed he reaches. Without a doubt, McLaren will take off to an intense start in Australia and the question is who can follow the same rhythm. Take a look at the new McLaren car in the PHOTOGALLERY.

BMW

Drivers: 1. Nick Heidfeld, 2. Robert Kubica

The constant, displayed by the BMW Sauber team, deserves respect and by the looks of it, they will be the greatest rivals of Ferrari and McLaren. Last season, they ended second in the constructors rankings, after McLaren was disqualified, and they will surely make life a living hell for those who will not take them seriously.

The time of possible surprises is through for people who are running the team. They expect victory from this season, which would bring them to the same level as Ferrari and McLaren`s. Testings were slow for them at first, but as they reached the end, they became faster and faster, without an obvious flaw to watch out for.

Nick Heidfeld has been displaying enviable driving abilities for a longer period of time and he is the one who could really take down Raikkonen and Hamilton with the right car. His partner Robert Kubica is not lagging behind a lot. It will really be interesting to watch the rivalry within the team and BMW could provide us with a great three-way battle on Formula 1 circuits this season.

RENAULT

Drivers: 1. Fernando Alonso, 2. Nelson Piquet Jr.

Spaniard Fernando Alonso was this team`s main power and has won the world champion title two years in a row (2005 and 2006). His departure to McLaren, change from Michelin to Bridgestone and of aerodynamics was all too much for Flavio Briatore`s team and they simply could not find their bearings last season.

Alonso returned to Renault this season because of a conflict with Lewis Hamilton and even though he keeps saying they are not favourites, we should not doubt that they will be fighting with BMW Sauber for the third spot on the throne, at least. One of the biggest questions in Formula 1 is how much can Renault accomplish this season, but knowing the feistiness of Alonso, they should not be cross off the list at all.

The Spaniard`s partner will be Brazilian Nelson Piquet Jr., son of the 1981, 1983, 1987 world champion. Not many people know how if he is that good, but if another rookie steals the limelight away from Alonso, it would be a shock he could not recover from. He is not even thinking about a new Lewis Hamilton and we should believe that Alonso will do everything in the world to show him the double world champion is still in the game.

WILLIAMS

Drivers: 1. Nico Rosberg, 2. Kazuki Nakajima

When stories about the greatest Formula 1 favourites end, everyone suddenly remembers that the Williams team is here, which is certainly good. Every big competition has its Dark Horse, and if we have to look for one in the Formula 1, then the search is over.

They had an excellent car last season, which was a slap in the face for everyone who began calling them outsiders. Before the start of this season, they have shown that they are capable of achieving excellent results.

The team`s leading engineers say they are aware it will be hard to win next to Ferrari and McLaren, but the gap between these teams and Williams is getting smaller and smaller.

Both drivers are sons of very famous fathers and it will exceptionally interesting to follow their mutual competition, apart from Williams fighting against other teams. Nico Rosberg is already an established driver and his partner Kazuki Nakajima is hoping the world media might report on him this season.

HONDA

Drivers: 1. Jenson Button, 2 Rubens Barichello

The Honda team proudly presented its car last season, with which they wanted to announce to the world media about the destruction of our only home, planet Earth, but that year was one of their worst. This team, otherwise quite famous, never had bad drivers.

This season, their chances are greater, while expectations and announcements are much more humble. Jenson Button is still a very good driver, but there is fear that his dreams of a good season and victorious thrones are destroyed after the first few laps in Melbourne. Rubens Barrichello is becoming more of a forgotten driver with each season, but he can surely obtain points with his experience.

There is no doubt Ross Brawn will be of great help, but only time will tell how much he can contribute to the team, which is quite demoralised. His influence is great everywhere and he will surely get Honda out of the wilderness, but it will take time.

RED BULL

Drivers: 1. David Coulthard, 2. Mark Webber

This team which has two good drivers, one of them being very experienced, are firmly in the middle, which is not that bad, but they simply lack the necessary strength for a move to the top.

David Coulthard and Mark Webber are quite famous to the public and their position within the team is quite balanced. Webber is a bit faster in the qualifiers, but Coulthard can still drive a good race. With his experience, the right motivation and the right car, of course, Coulthard can climb pretty high. In reality, this should not happen, at least it does not happen that often.

TOYOTA

Drivers: 1. Jarno Trulli, 2. Timo Glock

This team is perhaps the greatest disappointment in Formula 1. They progress before each season, but have poor results in the end. If they do not accomplish anything this season as well, there is a realistic option of slipping deep into such a pit that they may never get out of it.

Jarno Trulli is simply not the type of driver capable of great things. Experts say his right foot is excellent, but his car disagrees. German Timo Glock is persistent and pushes more and more every season, but in his case, he lacks talent. You can see the new Toyota car in the PHOTOGALLERY.

TORO ROSSO

Drivers: 1. Sebastien Bourdais, 2. Sebastian Vettel

The Toro Rosso team had the least reasons to laugh about last season. This season, they have decided on big changes, the greatest ones being two new drivers. Sebastien Vettel replaced American Scott Speed, while Sebastien Bourdais filled the shoes of Vitantonio Liuzzi. Experts claim he should have been given such a chance a long time ago.

They will start the season will a barely modified car from the previous season, which should be enough for solid results, according to them, before they create a new car later this year. The team`s additional strength is surely former McLaren and Ferrari engineer Giorgio Ascanelli.

SUPER AGURI

Drivers: 1. Takuma Sato, 2. Anthony Davidson

This team has high hopes in a Honda engine which should score them a point this season, but one big question remains: to what extent are the other pieces put together and how will it all work?

Takuma Sato could drive some driver mad like he did Fernando Alonso last season in Montreal, but his partner Anthony Davidson is not likely to contribute to any success this popular F1 team might have.

FORCE INDIA

Drivers: 1. Adrian Sutil, 2. Giancarlo Fisichella

Force India is surely the greatest questionable entry of the whole Formula 1 circus and everyone wonders if they can do anything. The team started out a long time ago as Jordan. Then they were Midland, Spyker, while now Indian millionaire Vijay Mallaya took them over as Force India and will try to start the team`s path towards the middle of the rankings.

Both drivers are respectable and with plenty of money, this team’s progress should be no surprise.