Getting ready for 2013!

FORMULA ONE IS BACK!!

The winter break is almost over and the eagerly-awaited 2013 Formula One season kicks off on Sunday in Melbourne, Australia. The season has the potential to be another unpredictable classic, and there are some key questions which are waiting to be answered with baited breaths; Can anyone stop Sebastian Vettel taking a fourth title? Can Fernando Alonso capitalise on a phenomenal 2012 and claim the coveted prize? Can Lewis Hamilton stir up a surprise following his move to Mercedes? At this stage it's difficult to call, but there are 22 drivers, including 5 rookies who will fight it out once the red lights go out! Here I'll take a look at them and their prospects for the new season.

SEBASTIAN VETTEL

The three-time world champion starts 2013 with a huge chance of making it four in a row, and he will undoubtedly take some beating. The German has stated that winter testing has been the most inconclusive in history with regards to title favourites, but a driver of his calibre, coupled the might of a new Adrian Newey designed car provides the ingredients for an ultra-strong package. However, Vettel found 2012 a struggle compared to his dominant 2011 season, and only just edged out Fernando Alonso at the last round in Brazil. Given the competitiveness of the field, I do not expect him to run away with the championship, but can he add to his tally? He certainly has the confidence and ability to do so.

MARK WEBBER

At 36 years of age, Mark Webber is now Formula One's elder statesman. The Australian enters 2013 with the knowledge that his contract with Red Bull Racing is to expire at the end of the season, and it is up to him to urge the team to re-sign. At his best, Webber is capable of dominating a Grand Prix from start to finish and leaving the rest of the grid for dead, and he is always very consistent. But these days have been few and far between, and it is clear that he sometimes struggles to match the pace of his team mate. I expect more of the same from him 2013, and it would be a surprise if he ended the season with a greater points haul than Vettel. Should it be his last year with the team, I hope it does mark his last in F1 because he is still a very good driver who will deserve a seat elsewhere, although he is the most senior driver, he is far from past it.

  FERNANDO ALONSO

The mercurial Fernando Alonso was for me, the driver of the year in 2012, I believe he deserved the championship given his heroic performances in a car that did not deserve the results the Spaniard achieved. For 2013, testing has looked much better in comparison to where Ferrari looked 12 months previously, and if the Scuderia can provide the 2-time World Champion with a better car, then he is my title favourite. Whether he does or not, he will certainly be in contention; look out Vettel, Alonso is out for revenge!

FELIPE MASSA

For the first half of 2012, it looked as though Felipe Massa's time at Ferrari was coming to a conclusion, while his team mate was battling at the front of the field, the Brazilian was struggling to even break into the points. However his performances in the second half were a great improvement, and it was firm slap in the face to his critics. Indeed, at the final two races of the year he was even out-pacing his illustrious team mate. Hopefully this will be a huge boost in confidence for him, and with a Vettel-Alonso partnership now looking increasingly unlikely for the foreseeable future, a fine season for Massa could herald another contract with Ferrari for the likeable Brazilian.

JENSON BUTTON

It feels somewhat strange to think that Jenson Button is now the most experienced driver on the grid with 228 Grand Prix starts to his name. At 33, the 2009 World Champion is still at the top of his game, and cannot be ruled out as a championship contender. With the departure of Lewis Hamilton from McLaren, Button is now the team leader, on paper at least as McLaren do not always work like that. He faces compeition from his new team mate, Sergio Perez, but Button has the experience and the right attitude to not be affected by inter-team squabbles. Regarded as the best in the business when it comes to conserving his car and the tyres, the new Pirelli soft tyres for 2013, which look set to provide excitement due to high degradation, expect Button's intelligence behind the wheel to shine.

SERGIO PEREZ

Sergio Perez was the revelation of 2012, the young Mexican performed brilliantly and drove his Sauber to three podium finishes. The new McLaren recruit is confident about his prospects for 2013 and expects to challenge for the world championship, if not clinch at the first time of asking with the Woking-based squad. However, most notably towards the end of last year, he showed he was still prone to costly mistakes and he will need to iron out these little wrinkles if he is to mount a serious threat. Having said that, he is perfectly capable of doing so and if winter testing is anything to go by, I expect him to be in the fight right from the word go in Melbourne. Good results will bring about a strong sense of belief, which will be an exciting prospect for the season ahead.

KIMI RAIKKONEN

2007 World Champion, Kimi Raikkonen made an astonishing return to F1 last year, after two seasons out he showed he had lost none of his ice-cool demeanour which the fans love him for. Both himself and Lotus believe they are looking stronger for 2013, and all the questions regarding Raikkonen's motivation are in my opinion, unfounded. Just let his driving do the talking and not his mouth, that is what he is most comfortable with. I see him in the fight consistently from Melbourne in March to Brazil in November. Furthermore, a second title is a realistic possibility. Winter testing has been hampered slightly by illness, but nothing fazes the Finn. It is clear that he is happy within the Lotus squad, and I expect him to re-sign for 2014 onwards, but still feel there is a slight chance of a move to Ferrari. Let's wait and see.

ROMAIN GROSJEAN

Romain Grosjean's first full season had its high points, but it was overshadowed by the criticism he received for his tendency to be involved in first lap crashes. Indeed, his driving resulted in him becoming the first driver to be banned from a Grand Prix for 18 years. Despite this reputation, he is a quick driver and I believe that if he can clean his act up, he can get job the done. A maiden Grand Prix victory is on the cards this year for the Frenchman in my opinion, and I hope he delivers the results that will make the controversies of 2012 a thing of the past.

NICO ROSBERG

2012 saw Nico Rosberg finally win his first Grand Prix, the German enters his fourth season with Mercedes and has enjoyed a strong pre-season testing programme. For me, he is one of the most underrated drivers in F1 at the present time, and I hope that 2013 is the year he delivers the performance of which I know he is capable of. Despite the retirement of Michael Schumahcer, Rosberg is not free of having a big name partnering him in the team, Lewis Hamilton joins him this year, but I expect the German to on equal terms with the Brit, and adding to his sole victory is what should happen this season. I see no reason why it shouldn't.

LEWIS HAMILTON

The move from McLaren to Mercedes made all the headlines pre-season and the spotlight is on Lewis Hamilton to see what he will achieve with his new team. The transfer was met with some criticism, but not from myself, I felt it was a good move as the Mercedes will be more competitive than last year, a driver of Lewis' ability should be able to deliver the goods. With Rosberg as a team mate, he will have to work just has hard to beat him as he will to beat Vettel, Alonso or Button but I am intrigued to see how the season will pan out for him. I will be amazed if he does not win races, however I will also be surprised if he took the title. I don't expect that much so soon. New regulations introduced for 2014, look set to be the key for the move to work well.

NICO HULKENBERG

Nico Hulkenberg had a fine 2012 season with Force India, in what was the first of a multi-year contract. Surprisingly he moves to Sauber for 2013, not a bad move by career terms as of yet, but it's not exactly a huge step forward either. A potential door-opener for a seat at Ferrari in the future perhaps? Sauber are coming off the back of a successful season, and their new car looks set to maintain that performance. Hulkenberg is a talented driver who has the potential to fight it out with the big boys and should not take too long to acclimatise himself with his new surroundings, the future is bright.

ESTEBAN GUTIERREZ

As Sauber lose one Mexican driver, they gain another. Esteban Gutierrez has been promoted from test driver to race driver for 2013. He has an impressive CV and his familiarity with the team is another advantage as his first Grand Prix is almost upon him. Already the comparisons between him and Sergio Perez have been a talking point, but Gutierrez should focus on his own performance and not let that distract him, while at the same time, he can use Perez's climb up the ranking as an example, a solid rookie season is what I expect from the newcomer.

PAUL DI RESTA

Scotland's Paul di Resta is a name that has been linked with the top teams of the sport, but he has not yet delivered the performances which leave him deserving a seat at Ferrari or McLaren. He is a supremely confident driver and feels that 2013 is the year he capitalises on his promise. He needs to, as he may not get the chance to move to a championship winning team given the intense competition. But di Resta is more experienced now, he knows the team very well and if Force India can provide the Scot with the car to enable him to grab the opportunity for podium finishes, then he will do very well. For now though, he does need to improve on last year's inconsistent performance, but his ability should let that happen.

ADRIAN SUTIL

Force India's decision to bring Adrian Sutil back to the team came to me as a surprise, I felt sure that the team would prefer the exciting talent of French youngster, Jules Bianchi. Nevertheless Sutil is an experienced driver which always works in ones favour. The German returns after a year away following his conviction for GBH, he insists there are no legal barriers but he does have some bridges to build as far as his reputation is concerned. He re-joins Paul di Resta who partnered him in 2011, then Sutil had the measure of the Scot but now di Resta is more experienced, I expect Sutil to find it tough. Nonetheless, he can prove my doubts wrong, and if he can deliver a strong performance, the decision to reappoint the German will be fulfilled, and fair play to him.

PASTOR MALDONADO

 

It is difficult to judge just how good Pastor Maldonado really is. His victory at the Spanish Grand Prix last year demonstrated that he is a very quick driver who is capable of battling with the best. But all to often his reputation for dangerous driving got in the way in 2012, and he was involved in numerous incidents. Much like Grosjean, his main task this year is to answer his critics, because the Venezuelan can do what Williams are urging him to do, and return to the top. Williams have looked quick in testing, so if Maldonando can calm his driving style down, he should show his true potential. The sad death of Hugo Chavez has done nothing to harm Maldonado's state backing, where he is slowly becoming a national hero, 2013 should hopefully do wonders for that tag.



VALTTERI BOTTAS

Like Gutierrez at Sauber, Valtteri Bottas has been promoted from testing to a full time position in the Williams team. In 2012 he was present at several races, participating in Friday practice sessions where he showed that he was a strong contender for the Williams line up in 2013, ultimately he had done enough and the Finn, who is comfortable within the team is looking forward to his maiden Grand Prix. Although I feel he can be on par with him in terms of results, I do not expect him to match Maldonado's outright pace, but if Bottas can deliver consistency, he will cement his position within the team. I predict he will finish the season as the highest place rookie driver.

JEAN-ERIC VERGNE

Frenchman, Jean-Eric Vergne enters his second season in F1 with Scuderia Toro Rosso after a solid if unspectacular debut season last year. He came out on top in the points standings over his team mate Daniel Ricciardo, but both will have to improve this year as the team are not afraid of a change in driver line-up, 2014 could see an entirely different driver pairing if Vergne cannot deliver the goods. On the other hand, a fine season could be rewarded with a move to the senior Red Bull Racing team, it will be interesting to see how the whole case of affairs materialises.

DANIEL RICCIARDO

The ever-smiling Daniel Ricciardo has stated his goal is to beat his team mate in 2013, it may be a case of whoever comes out on top will succeed Mark Webber at Red Bull, but as previously mentioned with Vergne, the Australian also faces the harsh world of F1 if he does there is no improvement over last year. I believe it was wrong to axe Jaime Alguersuari after his strong 2011 season, but that just proves how strict Toro Rosso can be, both Vergne and Ricciardo have their work cut out if they do not want to suffer the same fate.

CHARLES PIC

For a rookie who is driving for a team at the back of the grid, is hard to assess how good they are, the best they can hope for is to drive consistently, bring their car home and not crash it too often. That will earn respect, Charles Pic proved to be far from a disgrace in his first season last year. For 2013 he has taken his sponsorship package from Marussia to Caterham, but that team, like Marussia, are still yet to score their first ever point and have been a disappointment as they promised more. Maybe 2013 can be the year they finally get off the mark, but I feel that Caterham will again be subjected to the tail end of the field.

GIEDO VAN DER GARDE

Dutchman Giedo van der Garde got the nod for Caterham this season, fending off competition from Vitaly Petrov, Heikki Kovalainen and Bruno Senna. In 2012, he drove for the team in Friday Practice sessions, and has tasted success in the World Series by Renault championship and GP2. Despite this, the Caterham team, along with other teams are resorting to drivers with substantial sponsorship backing, some have proved very successful, such as Sergio Perez and Pastor Maldonado to name two, but I think that no matter how good van der Garde's season will be, should another pay driver emerge, it could be a case of van der Garde out and his replacement. Harsh yes, but that is modern F1 for you. Nonetheless, van der Garde is happy with how pre-season testing has gone and is confident for the season ahead.

JULES BIANCHI

Jules Bianchi's graduation to F1 is overdue for me. He has been linked with a seat in top-level motorsport since Felipe Massa's absence through injury back in 2009. But he has never been able to secure a drive until now, and only just now. Marussia originally signed Luiz Razia, but after his sponsorship funding failed to pay up, the Brazilian's drive disappeared, and in-stepped the Frenchman. Bianchi had been set for a drive at Force India, but the team opted to sign Adrian Sutil, Bianchi's links with Ferrari could have been the catalyst for a Ferrari engine deal with Force India for 2014, however that can still happen. For now, the highly rated Bianchi makes his debut with Marussia, and he will find his feet very quickly.

MAX CHILTON

Rounding out the list of 2013 drivers is the fifth rookie on the grid, the young Brit, Max Chilton. After taking part in the Young Driver Test for the Marussia team at the end of last year, Marussia have signed the former GP2 driver to compete in his first season. Already in his career, he has had three team mates, Timo Glock was under contract until the end of 2014, but left the team in January, then Luiz Razia parted company with Marussia as mentioned above. Chilton now has his work cut out to match his talented team mate Bianchi, but Chilton has had his share of success in the junior formulae and should be able to hold his own at this level.