Ferrari look fast, but will Aguri be Super?
LONDON: Team by team prospects for the Formula One season starting with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 18 (teams listed in 2006 championship order):
RENAULT
World champions for the past two seasons but probably only third or fourth fastest at the moment on the evidence of pre-season testing.
Double champion Fernando Alonso's departure to McLaren leaves them with a far less convincing line-up. Italian Giancarlo Fisichella, 34, won just once last year while Finland's Heikki Kovalainen, 25, has yet to start a grand prix.
Reliability is a Renault strong point and that could be important early in the season. Another big plus is the tactical nous of engineering head Pat Symonds and continuity under the leadership of Flavio Briatore.
PREDICTION: Can win races but title to go elsewhere.
FERRARI
A new era unfolds at Formula One's glamor team, following the retirement of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher and departure, temporary or otherwise, of technical director Ross Brawn.
For the first time in years, Ferrari should have two drivers on equal terms. Finland's Kimi Raikkonen, joining from McLaren, is the star but Brazilian Felipe Massa could make life uncomfortable for him.
Massa was clearly the fastest in the final pre-season test in Bahrain, particularly on the long runs.
PREDICTION: Both drivers to win races, Raikkonen the title.
MCLAREN
After challenging for the title in 2005 and then failing to win a race last year for the first time in a decade, McLaren are on the up again.
The arrival of Alonso has energized the team and their performances in testing suggest they will be slugging it out with Ferrari right from the start.
Reliability remains a worry while 22-year-old rookie Lewis Hamilton's lack of experience could cost McLaren vital constructors' points.
PREDICTION: Possible third title in a row for Alonso, Hamilton to win a race.
HONDA
Button ended last season as the driver with most points from the final six races, after a first win in Hungary, and had hoped to make a genuine title challenge.
Testing times have shown the Honda to be some way off their rivals however.
Brazilian Rubens Barrichello, 34, is now the most experienced driver on the starting grid but his best days are probably behind him.
PREDICTION: Might strike lucky, but wins unlikely.
BMW SAUBER
A line-up blending youth with experience, with Poland's Robert Kubica providing the former after just six races last year and Germany's Nick Heidfeld the latter.
Early candidates for most-improved team, providing they can finish. Reliability looks their weak point.
PREDICTION: More podiums at the very least.
TOYOTA
Seemingly unlimited resources and continuity, with an unchanged driver line-up of Germany's Ralf Schumacher and Italian Jarno Trulli, are plus points.
However winning a grand prix for the first time remains the big target and, although both drivers have won for other teams, Toyota's testing times suggest the wait will go on.
They also have to contend with a Toyota-engined Williams. Being beaten by them will not go down well.
PREDICTION: Still no win.
RED BULL
The arrival of Mark Webber, replacing Austrian Christian Klien, lends more weight to the line-up but the Australian still has plenty to prove. David Coulthard, 35, is the oldest driver on the grid.
Adrian Newey's first car for the team has proved a tight fit for Webber and testing has been troubled. But Red Bull have the resources to make steady improvements and the Renault engines should be reliable.
PREDICTION: A hard year ahead, improving steadily.
WILLIAMS
After their worst season in 30 years, Williams should do better. A new Toyota engine deal and a technical reshuffle, with Alonso's former race engineer Rod Nelson joining as chief operations engineer, will help.
Germany's Nico Rosberg can build on last year's promise while Austrian Alex Wurz has a point to prove in what will be his first full season since 2000.
PREDICTION: Better than last year.
TORO ROSSO
Same drivers as last year, American Scott Speed and Italian Vitantonio Liuzzi. Different engine, with Ferrari replacing the Cosworth unit.
Also designed by Adrian Newey, the new car is already controversial and could be challenged by rival teams questioning its legality. The team say all is in order but Melbourne scrutineering will be the test of that.
PREDICTION: More points than last year (1).
SPYKER
A very different, more focused atmosphere following the departure of Midland after sale to Dutch sports- car company. Arrival of technical head Mike Gascoyne is a plus, as are Ferrari engines.
German rookie Adrian Sutil will undoubtedly make mistakes but could still put pressure on Dutchman Christijan Albers to raise his game.
PREDICTION: Difficult first half, a point later.
SUPER AGURI
Should be much improved, if they are not penalized for a new car that rivals say is just last year's Honda in disguise.
Briton Anthony Davidson, reunited with old F3 team mate Takuma Sato, counts as a rookie in his first full season after years as a Honda test driver and three races as a stand-in for Minardi and Honda.
PREDICTION: First points in F1.
Agencies
(China Daily 03/16/2007 page23)
