TEAMS AND DRIVERS
Lewis Hamilton & George Russell Formula One’s established superstar pitted alongside the great pretender. The Silver Arrows won their eighth constructors title last year and will be the team to beat. Sparks are sure to fly on the track – and probably in the paddocks as well.
RED BULL Max Verstappen & Sergio Perez
The boot will be on the other foot this season as newly-crowned champ Verstappen finds himself in the firing line with Hamilton gunning for revenge.
MCLAREN Daniel Ricciardo & Lando Norris
Potentially a breakthrough season after they landed a one-two at Monza – McLaren’s first victory since 2012. Norris is one of the most exciting talents in F1 and Ricciardo (below) is now fully established in the elite bracket. Noises from pre-season testing have been positive, too.
FERRARI Charles Leclerc & Carlos Sainz A solid comeback from the Prancing Horse last term, lifting themselves to third from sixth in the constructors’ table. However, Leclerc did not enjoy the same uplift in fortunes with newcomer Sainz contributing the majority of the points. More will be needed if Ferrari are to maintain their upward momentum.
ASTON MARTIN
Sebastian Vettel
& Lance Stroll Having four-time world champ Vettel aboard certainly helped as Aston Martin attempted to establish their credentials last year. And a podium in Azerbaijan was the highlight. But there was too much inconsistency in man and machine to pose any real threat to the big-hitters.
ALFA ROMEO Valtteri Bottas & Zhou Guanyu
Fell to ninth place in the constructors’ championship last term and will be hoping the introduction of Bottas, released by Mercedes, will sprinkle stardust on the team. Chinese newcomer Guanyu is this year’s wildcard.
WILLIAMS Nicholas Latifi & Alex Albon Under new ownership after the Williams’ family stepped aside following the death of Frank Williams last year. Latifi steps into the hot-seat after Russell’s switch to Mercedes. Albon is given another chance to shine after a disappointing year at Red Bull.
ALPHA TAURI
Pierre Gasly & Yuki Tsunoda Moved up to sixth in the constructors’ standings – largely due to Gasly, who managed to pick up points on a regular basis. Baptism of fire for rookie Tsonuda but a fourthplaced finish in last season’s finale will give him confidence.
ALPINE Fernando Alonso & Esteban Ocon The newlybranded team won a maiden race in Hungary as Esteban Ocon took the chequered flag. However, Alonso’s rearguard action in halting Hamilton’s charge through the field was the very essence of a team sport. Renault’s engine has been competitive before and the early whispers are that it will be this time out, too.
HAAS
Mick Schumacher &
Kevin Magnussen
The American team finished bottom last season without a point and the upheaval after Nikita Mazepin was axed following Russia’s incursion into Ukraine has not helped preparations. Have it all to do not to be propping up the pile again.