F1 preview 2008

Race starts: 758
Wins: 201
Titles: 15

Drivers:
Kimi Raikkonen (13/8)
Race starts: 122
Wins: 15

Felipe Massa (3/1)
Race starts: 88
Wins: Five

Ferrari’s F2008 has been the class of the field in testing, with Raikkonen setting the pace. New rules banning electronic driver aids should allow the Finn’s natural ability to shine through, making him the title favourite. Expect Massa to trail him as he tries to get to grips with the ban on traction control.

Race starts: 630
Wins: 156
Titles: Eight

Drivers:
Lewis Hamilton (5/2)
Races: 17
Wins: Four

Heikki Kovalainen (10/1)
Races: 17
Wins: None

Accused of spying, getting thrown out of the championship and then losing Fernando Alonso meant McLaren had an eventful 2007. This year gives the outfit a chance to rebuild, while the massively talented Hamilton has to prove his pace last year was no fluke. New boy Kovalainen will push Lewis hard and is sure to bag a maiden win.

Race starts: 227
Wins: 33
Titles: Two

Drivers:
Fernando Alonso (14/1)
Race starts: 105
Wins: 19

Nelson Piquet (66/1)
Race starts: None
Wins: None

The big news at Renault is that Alonso is now back in his ‘spiritual’ home. The Spaniard will want to put his time at McLaren behind him and concentrate on turning the R28 into a winner. Piquet moves up from his test driver role and is ready to step out of the shadow of his three-time world champion father.

Race starts: 35
Wins: None
Titles: None

Drivers:
Nick Heidfeld (20/1)
Race starts: 134
Wins: None

Robert Kubica (25/1)
Race starts: 22
Wins: None

Last year BMW was the ‘best of the rest’ behind Ferrari and McLaren. In 2008, the squad will be looking to make that final step to the top of the podium, although the F1.08 has had teething troubles in testing. The underrated Heidfeld is quick, while Kubica has the potential to be a race winner.

Race starts: 485
Wins: 113
Titles: Nine

Drivers:
Nico Rosberg (33/1)
Race starts: 35
Wins: None

Kazuki Nakajima (66/1)
Race starts: One
Wins: None

The British team is quietly confident about its FW30, claiming that regular podiums are on the cards. Behind the wheel are two sons of ex-F1 racers. Rosberg matched Hamilton in other fomulae and is highly rated by the squad. Nakajima will likely struggle in comparison.

Race starts: 53
Wins: None
Titles: None

Drivers:
David Coulthard (50/1)
Race starts: 229
Wins: 13

Mark Webber (50/1)
Race starts: 105
Wins: None

This is set to be the year that Red Bull finally unlocks its potential. Star designer Adrian Newey’s RB4 is his second effort for the team, while Renault engines boast decent power. Webber is fast, but the Aussie has never had the car to match. Veteran Coulthard starts his fourth season with the squad.

Race starts: 70
Wins: Three
Titles: None

Drivers:
Jenson Button (100/1)
Race starts: 137
Wins: One

Rubens Barrichello (200/1)
Race starts: 253
Wins: Nine

Things can only get better for Honda after a woeful 2007. Signing ex-Ferrari man Ross Brawn is a step in the right direction, and the traction control rules will suit Button’s smooth driving style. But the RA108 seems a handful, and Barrichello is now in the twilight of his career.

Race starts: 35
Wins: None
Titles: None

Drivers:
Sebastien Bourdais (100/1)
Race starts: None
Wins: None

Sebastian Vettel (100/1)
Race starts: Eight
Wins: None

Red Bull’s junior squad could spring some surprises with a strong driver line-up. Four-time ChampCar title winner Bourdais debuts, while 20-year-old Vettel starts his first full season after some promising displays in the second half of 2007.

Race starts: 104
Wins: None
Titles: None

Drivers:
Jarno Trulli (80/1)
Race starts: 184
Wins: One

Timo Glock (125/1)
Race starts: Four
Wins: None

There can be no excuses for the well funded Toyota team, and the TF108 has shown decent speed in Trulli’s hands. Ralf Schumacher is replaced by reigning GP2 champ Glock, who returns to F1 after a brief stint with Jordan in 2004.

Race starts: None
Wins: None
Titles: None

Drivers:
Giancarlo Fisichella (200/1)
Race starts: 196
Wins: Three

Adrian Sutil (200/1)
Race starts: 17
Wins: None

Grand prix new boy Force India replaces Spyker on the grid. With multi-million pound backing from Kingfisher owner Vijay Mallya and Ferrari power, it has the potential for success. Driver line-up mixes youth and experience in Fischella and Sutil.

Race starts: 35
Wins: None
Titles: None

Drivers:
Takuma Sato (500/1)
Race starts: 87
Wins: None

Anthony Davidson (500/1)
Race starts: 20
Wins: None

Uncertainty surrounded Super Aguri's 2008 entry, but last-minute funding from the British Magma group sees the team arrive in Melbourne. It starts the season with a modified version of its SA07, while last year's drivers Sato and Davidson have covered only a few miles in testing.