Meet the drivers

Profiles of men and teams taking part in the 2012 F1 world championship, which gets underway this week in Melbourne

Red Bull

SEBASTIAN VETTEL (GER)

Date of birth: 07/03/1987

Wins: 21

Points scored: 773

Number of GP: 81

Pole position: 30

Podiums: 36

First GP: 2007 (Indianapolis)

Best result: 1

2011 championship position: 1

Became the youngest ever double world champion last season, with 11 wins and a record 15 pole positions. Exploded onto the scene in 2009, winning four races, to add to his maiden victory at Monza in 2008. Became the youngest world champion in 2010 at age of 23.

MARK WEBBER (AUS)

Date of birth: 08/27/1976

Wins: 7

Points scored: 669.5

Number of GP: 178

Pole position: 9

Podiums: 30

First GP: 2002 (Melbourne)

Best result: 1

2011 championship position: 3

In 2011 the popular and dependable Australian driver matched his third-place finish of 2010 but had to wait until the season-closer in Brazil to taste his lone success, after racing in Vettel's slipstream throughout the campaign.

RED BULL TEAM STATISTICS

Team principal: Christian Horner

First GP: 2005

Constructors titles: 2

Drivers titles: 2

Wins: 27

Pole position: 38

Fastest laps: 22

Points scored: 1404.5

Number of GP: 128

McLaren

JENSON BUTTON (GBR)

Birth date: 01/19/1980

Wins: 12

Points scored: 811

Number of GP: 210

Pole position: 7

Podiums: 43

First GP: 2000 (Melbourne)

Best result: 1

2011 championship position: 2

Fulfilled the prophecy of a champion in waiting in 2009. Switched to McLaren in 2010 to form part of a British dream team with 2008 winner Lewis Hamilton. Finished fifth. In 2011, emerged from his fellow Briton's shadow to become McLaren's leading light with three wins and nine more podiums to take the runner-up spot.

LEWIS HAMILTON (GBR)

Birth date: 01/07/1985

Wins: 17

Points scored: 723

Number of GP: 90

Pole position: 19

Podiums: 42

First GP: 2007 (Melbourne)

Best result: 1

2011 championship position: 5

Youngest ever champion before the arrival of Vettel when he took the 2008 title, having been pipped for the crown by one point by Kimi Raikkonen in his debut year. Endured a stormy 2009, finishing fifth. One better in 2010, but last season struggled on and off the track, coming in fifth, beaten for the first time by a teammate in the drivers' standings.

McLAREN TEAM STATS

Team principal: Martin Whitmarsh

First GP: 1966

Constructors titles: 8

Drivers titles: 12

Wins: 175

Pole position: 147

Fastest laps: 147

Points scored: 4325.5

Number of GP: 704

Ferrari

FERNANDO ALONSO (ESP)

Date of birth: 07/29/1981

Wins: 27

Points scored: 1086

Pole position: 20

Podiums: 73

First GP: 2001 (Melbourne)

Best result: 1

2011 championship position: 4

The Spaniard's second season with Ferrari failed to match his first, when the two-time former champion narrowly missed out on the 2010 title with a botched pit strategy in the season-closing race in Abu Dhabi. In 2011, in a car struggling to compete with Red Bull and McLaren, he missed out on third place by one point.

FELIPE MASSA (BRA)

Date of birth: 04/25/1981

Wins: 11

Points scored: 582

Number of GP: 153

Pole position: 15

Podiums: 33

First GP: 2002 (Melbourne)

Best result: 1

2011 championship position: 6

A disappointing 2011 resulted in no wins, no podiums and no poles for the Brazilian, who lost out on the 2008 title to Hamilton by one point. Constantly outperformed by his teammate Alonso in his 10th season, coming in sixth.

FERRARI TEAM STATS

Team principal: Stefano Domenicali

First GP: 1950

Constructors titles: 16

Drivers titles: 15

Wins: 216

Pole position: 205

Fastest laps: 227

Points scored: 4847.5

Number of GP: 816

Mercedes

MICHAEL SCHUMACHER (GER)

Date of birth: 01/03/1969

Wins: 91

Points scored: 1517

Number of GP: 288

Pole position: 68

Podiums: 154

First GP: 1991 (Spa-Francorchamps)

Best result: 1

2011 championship position: 8

Last season, the seven-time champion narrowly improved on his ninth place finish on his return in 2010, picking up four extra points to come in eighth, almost matching the performance of his teammate Nico Rosberg. His fourth spot in Canada was a notable achievement in a car that failed to fire.

NICO ROSBERG (GER)

Date of birth: 06/27/1985

Wins: 0

Points scored: 306.5

Number of GP: 108

Pole position: 0

Podiums: 5

First GP: 2006 (Bahrain)

Best result: 2

2011 championship position: 6

Son of Finland's 1992 world champion Keke, Rosberg debuted with Williams in 2006 after impressing as a tester. Finished seventh in 2009 and again in 2010. Went one better in 2011, again out-performing - albeit narrowly - his more illustrious teammate.

MERCEDES TEAM STATS

Team principal: Ross Brawn

First GP: 2010

Constructors titles: 0

Drivers titles: 0

Wins: 0

Pole position: 0

Fastest laps: 0

Points scored: 379

Number of GP: 38

Lotus

KIMI RAIKKONEN (FIN)

Birth date: 10/17/1979

Wins: 18

Points scored: 579

Number of GP: 157

Pole position: 16

Podiums: 62

First GP: 2001 (Melbourne)

Best result: 1

2011 championship position: N/A

The flying Finn returns to the F1 grid after two low-key seasons in the world rally championship. Raikkonen began his F1 career with Sauber in 2001 before spending five seasons with McLaren. Moved to Ferrari for the 2007 season to fill the seat left by Michael Schumacher, and won six races on his way to the title. Struggled to recapture that level in 2008 and 2009 and lost drive to Alonso for 2010.

ROMAIN GROSJEAN (FRA)

Date of Birth: 04/17/1986

Wins: 0

Points scored: 0

Number of GP: 7

Pole position: 14

Podiums: 0

First GP: 2009 (European)

Best result: 13

2011 championship position: N/A

Won GP2 and GP2 Asia series in 2011, and as test driver for the then Renault F1 team, took part in practice at two GPs and impressed enough to land a drive alongside returning champion Raikkonen. He has failed to register one point from his seven races.

LOTUS F1 TEAM STATISTICS

(Formerly Renault)

Team principal: Eric Boullier

First GP: 1977

Constructors titles: 2

Drivers titles: 2

Wins: 35

Pole position: 51

Fastest laps: 31

Points scored: 1318

Number of GP: 303

Force India

PAUL DI RESTA (GBR)

Date of birth: 04/16/1986

Wins: 0

Points scored: 27

Number of GP: 19

Pole position: 0

Podiums: 0

First GP: 2011 (Melbourne)

Best result: 6

2011 championship position: 13

Acquitted himself well in his maiden season as Vitantonio Liuzzi's replacement after earning promotion as the team's test driver in 2010. Picked up points in his first two races, and qualified in an eye-catching sixth in his home GP at Silverstone. 2011's top rookie.

NICO HULKENBERG (GER)

Date of birth: 08/19/1987

Wins: 0

Points scored: 22

Number of GP: 19

Pole positions: 1

Podiums: 0

First GP: 2010 (Melbourne)

Best result: 6

2011 championship position: N/A

Promoted to race drive after testing role for team in 2011. Competed for Williams in maiden season in 2010, impressing when sixth in Hungary and a remarkable pole position in the rain in Brazil.

FORCE INDIA STATS

Team principal: Vijay Mallya

First GP: 2008

Constructors titles: 0

Drivers titles: 0

Wins: 0

Pole position: 1

Fastest laps: 1

Points scored: 150

Number of GP: 73

Sauber

KAMUI KOBAYASHI (JPN)

Date of birth: 09/13/1986

Wins: 0

Points scored: 65

Number of GP: 40

Pole position: 0

Podiums: 0

First GP: 2009 (Brazil)

Best result: 5

2011 championship position: 12

Pacy and stylish, he retained his place after first full season in 2010 when he suffered from his car's reliability. Enhanced reputation in second season in 2011, picking up points in seven of first 11 races.

SERGIO PEREZ (MEX)

Date of birth: 01/26/1990

Wins: N/A

Points scored: 14

Number of GP: 18

Pole position: 0

Podiums: 0

First GP: 2011 (Melbourne)

Best result: 7

2011 championship position: 16

The Guadalajara-born driver was disqualified when seventh on his maiden F1 run out in Melbourne, picking up first points when ninth, his best placing, in Spain. Crashed in qualifying at Monaco and replaced for Canada but impressed enough to retain his place as number two to Kobayashi.

SAUBER STATISTICS

Team principal: Peter Sauber

First GP: 1993

Constructors titles: 0

Drivers titles: 0

Wins: 1

Pole position: 1

Fastest laps: 2

Points scored: 591

Number of GP: 314

Toro Rosso

DANIEL RICCIARDO (AUS)

Date of birth: 07/01/1989

Wins: 0

Points scored: 0

Number of GP: 11

Pole position: 0

Podiums: 0

First GP: 2011 (Silverstone)

Best result: 18

2011 championship position: 27

First full season for the Perth born 22-year-old. Graduated from GP3, champion in 2009, and Formula Renault 3.5 championship to test for Red Bull. Loaned out to HRT last year, did well enough to secure seat for 2012.

JEAN-ERIC VERGNE (FRA)

Date of birth: 04/25/1990

Wins: N/A

Points scored: N/A

Number of GP: N/A

Pole position: N/A

Podiums: N/A

First GP: N/A

Best result: N/A

2011 championship position: N/A

One of two rookies this year with countryman Charles Pic, like his teammate he won the GP3 title, in 2010, and finished second in the 2011 Formula Renault 3.5 series. Tested for Red Bull in Abu Dhabi and had run-outs in Friday practice for Toro Rosso towards the end of last season, doing enough earn his place on the grid.

TORO ROSSO TEAM STATS

Team principal: Franz Tost

First GP: 2006

Constructors titles: 0

Drivers titles: 0

Wins: 1

Pole position: 1

Fastest laps: 0

Points scored: 110

Number of GP: 108

Williams

PASTOR MALDONADO (VEN)

Date of birth: 03/09/1985

Wins: 0

Points scored: 1

Number of GP: 19

Pole position: 0

Podiums: 0

First GP: 2011 (Melbourne)

Best result: 10

2011 championship position: 19

GP2 champion in 2010. Maiden season in 2011, replacing Nico Hulkenburg. Harvested a single point from his tenth place finish in Belgium. Follows a family tradition into F1 after his father and uncles.

BRUNO SENNA (BRA)

Date of birth: 10/15/1983

Wins: 0

Points scored: 2

Number of GP: 26

Pole position: 0

Podiums: 0

First GP: Bahrain (2010)

Best result: 9

2011 championship position: 18

Ayrton Senna's nephew joins Williams after a rookie season in 2010 with HRT and less than half a season with Renault in 2011 when he replaced Nick Heidfeld, scoring once in eight races.

WILLIAMS TEAM STATISTICS

Team principal: Frank Williams

First GP: 1975

Constructors titles: 9

Drivers titles: 7

Wins: 113

Pole position: 126

Fastest laps: 130

Points scored: 2674

Number of GP: 576

Caterham

HEIKKI KOVALAINEN (FIN)

Date of birth: 10/19/1981

Wins: 1

Points scored: 105

Number of GP: 90

Pole position: 1

Podiums: 4

First GP: 2007 (Melbourne)

Best result: 1

2011 championship position: 22

Previous spells with Renault and McLaren, where he registered his first and lone GP win in Hungary in 2008, and fourth in Valencia in 2009. Raced for Lotus in 2010 and 2011, frequently getting the better of teammate Jarno Trulli.

VITALY PETROV (RUS)

Date of birth: 09/08/1984

Wins: 0

Points scored: 64

Number of GP: 38

Pole position: 0

Podiums: 1

First GP: 2010 (Bahrain)

Best result: 3

2011 championship position: 10

Noted for his raw speed and aggression, the only Russian in F1 celebrated his first and only visit to the podium when third in last season's opener in Australia. Lost Renault drive but was quickly signed up by Caterham.

CATERHAM TEAM STATS

(Formerly Team Lotus)

Team principal: Tony Fernandes

First GP: 2010

Constructors titles: 0

Drivers titles: 0

Wins: 0

Pole position: 0

Fastest laps: 0

Points scored: 0

Number of GP: 38

HRT

PEDRO DE LA ROSA (ESP)

Date of birth: 02/24/1971

Wins: 0

Points scored: 35

Number of GP: 87

Pole position: 0

Podiums: 1

First GP: 1999 (Australia)

Best result: 2

2011 championship position: 20

Experienced driver who made his debut way back in 1999 for Arrows. After a spell testing, returns to the grid in 2010. Had one drive in 2011 in Canada for Sauber in place of injured Sergio Perez. Landed drive for HRT for 2012.

NARAIN KARTHIKEYAN (IND)

Date of birth: 01/14/1977

Wins: 0

Points scored: 5

Number of GP: 28

Pole position: 0

Podiums: 0

First GP: 2005 (Australia)

Best result: 4

2011 championship position: 26

Karthikeyan became India's first F1 driver when he raced for the now-defunct Jordan team in 2005. Returned to the grid after six-year absence in 2011, finishing pointless, third from bottom of the standings.

HRT TEAM STATS

Team principal: Luis Perez-Sala

First GP: 2010

Constructors titles: 0

Drivers titles: 0

Wins: 0

Pole position: 0

Best laps: 0

Points scored: 0

Number of GP: 38

Marussia

TIMO GLOCK (GER)

Birth date: 01/10/1982

Wins: 0

Points scored: 51

Number of GP: 74

Pole position: 0

Podiums: 3

First GP: 2004 (Montreal)

Best result: 2

2011 championship position: 25

Finished 2011 like he did 2010, pointless, let down by his car's reliability. Best performance to date his second in Singapore in 2009.

CHARLES PIC (FRA)

Date of birth: 02/15/1990

Wins: N/A

Points scored: N/A

Number of GP: N/A

Pole position: N/A

Podiums: N/A

First GP: N/A

Best result: N/A

2011 championship position: N/A

Second rookie on the 2012 grid with fellow Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne of Toro Rosso. Signed by his team after impressing at the Abu Dhabi young driver testing - won twice to finish fourth in last season's GP2 championship.

MARUSSIA TEAM STATS

(Formerly Virgin)

Team principal: John Booth

First GP: 2010 (Bahrain)

Constructors titles: 0

Drivers titles: 0

Wins: 0

Pole position: 0

Fastest laps: 0

Points scored: 0

Number of GP: 38

China Daily