Formula One: Preview 2010 - The driver

There has been some movement in the driver's field and a comeback. So this year, probably the strongest field of riders get together for years.

The team I had already analyzed yesterday, today, then the driver's turn. This year's starting field is really sensational. For up to the world champion Kimi Raikkonen all the years 2000 to 2009 are at the start. There are also some promising newcomers and some veterans who will continue to provide entertainment. Because of the many changes and difficult to assess the situation of the team's assessment of the World Cup chances is inherently difficult. It has long since been so many drivers who have a theoretical chance to win the title. The list shall be established according to the FIA ​​start list.

# 1 Jenson Button
His move to McLaren from Brawn has surprised quite a few. Why did he leave a team that was just bought by Mercedes, and he owes his world title? Without Ross Brawn, Button had been unemployed in 2009, and whether he had ever found a cockpit that is more than questionable. But the thing with Mercedes just might be the reason was why he left the team. Maybe he felt uncomfortable at the thought that he in a German team with Nico Rosberg has a German colleague. Perhaps he simply wanted a new challenge. He has found at McLaren with Lewis Hamilton in any case. Many believe that Hamilton will drive him into the ground, but since I'm not so sure. Hamilton is sure to be a lap faster in the race but I do not see the former world champion so far forward. Perhaps Button surprised, too. However, I do not see that he is able to defend his title.

# 2 Lewis Hamilton
The big question mark at Hamilton this year is not his speed, but his consistency in the race. The cars are significantly this year up to half of the race more difficult than was the case last year. Hamilton says it is a very aggressive driving style and after that he might make trouble. The question will be how quickly he will get used to the new problems. Interestingly, it could be when Button puts him under pressure. Since Alonso Hamilton has no real opponent had more in his own team, but with the button could be different. His title hopes depend not only on his driving, but also to McLaren and how well the technology without the support of Mercedes through the year. I did this year in Hamilton a few question marks.

# 3 Michael Schumacher
For many years there has been no such comeback more. Prost has exposed once a year, but it was Niki Lauda, ​​who had recently filed a similar long break. And then later became World Champion. Schumacher that both the skills and the fitness has to be up front with this is certainly beyond question. There are a few things that have not yet been clarified, for example, his ability to concentrate over a full race distance. A race can not simulate it, no matter how fit you are. His happiness are the new rules, with which the other drivers have only dreamed of learning how to deal. As for tire wear and other factors, it is not so inferior to the other. I'm curious on its quality speed. In his last year showed him from Massa and its limits, but that was a year in which he wanted to get out. Whether he can become world champion? Sure, but not this year. I think he needs a few races to adjust the same time it will also use the time to work with Ross Brawn back on the old level. I rather think that 2011 could be his year.

# 4 Nico Rosberg
He can do an almost a little sorry. At Williams, he had not the material. Then it was bought Mercedes and he saw a couple of weeks as the secret number one. A button or Heidfeld, he should get a grip. But just then came Schumacher. Rosberg took great pains to hide his frustration, but it is so completely failed. But Schumacher's commitment has not only disadvantages for Rosberg. For one, Schumacher also be faster only once, to take him anderern Schumacher also a lot of pressure. The entire attention of the media will initially be for Schumacher, Rosberg can work in peace and see how he improves. If he wants to see it very positively, he has a win / win situation. He suggests Schumacher, because he is brilliant, he is beaten by Schumacher is just to say that he is still young and just needs to learn. Schumacher sees him only if it ironed out badly.
The chance to beat Schumacher, he definitely has. He is fast, and we know what we saw at Williams. What was also struck but his blackouts as last year in Singapore, as a clerical error cost him a podium finish. And then there are all over the front wing, which he has lost here and there. Rosberg has yet to prove that he really belongs to the front. Therefore, it is probably difficult with a world title.

# 5 Sebastian Vettel
Is there really anyone who does not expect the world title from Vettel? The German has in the past two years, laid a magnificent career and the title last year only lost because he has let him down his engine again. This year it was when he and many media ceases, then be ready with the title. And, in fact - of all the Germans in this way in F1, he certainly has the best chance. I'm not worried that he will give back everything and we will see a sensational race. Like Hamilton, they will have to wait but, as he clearly comes with the heavy car as far as the tires wear. In terms of team-mates, I think that he is Mark Webber back in control. World champion? Can be good, because if the Red Bull holds.

# 6 Mark Webber
The glamor is gone, the Australians. For years he was regarded as an exceptional talent, who is unfortunately in the wrong car. Then came Vettel and the matter was eaten. Sure - in the last year, he was handicapped because of his serious accident in the winter of 2008, but also towards the end of the year he could not hold a candle to Vettel. Just flashed his speed on the Nurburgring, as he was able to win even a drive-through penalty. So it's been, but one senses that Vettel has bought the classic cutting. The rumors going around already, too, that Raikkonen will replace him 2011th Mark Webber is also good for victory again in 2010, but the title should not be done.

# 7 Fernando Alonso
About the driving skills of Alonso does not have much to say. Two world championships speak for themselves, and what has brought out the lame out Renault as well. Alonso to Ferrari went to grab his third title and as you know, is one of the Spaniards, who takes no prisoners when it comes to achieving its goals. And that is perhaps its greatest weakness. At McLaren he arrived with his ego trip of not very good at Ferrari, he will have to be careful when it comes to massage, the big hit bonus on the team. Well Alonso has also become a little older and calmer. May also be that the bad experience at McLaren has him somewhat chastened. Even though I had given the Singapore-gate, where he has allegedly knew of nothing, something doubt it. If he is not bogged down in internal wars small, he should have a chance at the title. Massa will he have in all cases under control. Everything else would be surprised.

Felippe Massa # 8
For Massa they will have to wait and see how he has handled his accident. So we can say so little about him. He had grown up very well Hungary. The lost songs from the year 2008, he seemed rather more self-confidence to have procured, at least he looked very stable and in 2009 he had saved his weakness in the race. Its shape changes were almost completely gone - and then Hungary. Honestly, I do not think he's back on the level where he was before. And just why is it Alonso leave, what Massa will not do well. The consequence could be that the problems between the two, you can not even really suffer, to be even bigger break, respectively. I do not think Massa manages the feat faster than Alonso to be. And only then he would be a true world championship candidate. Victories but should definitely be in there.

# 9 Rubens Barrichello
The last chance at a world title, he was probably 2009, because Williams will probably annoy hardly in a position to be the big teams. Presumably, he also runs his last F1 season, but at the Brazilian you never know what he has before. He is also one of those drivers who simply do not want to stop. And he's always really slow is not yet. For Williams, it is valuable not only as a driver, but above all as a coach for Nico Hulkenberg. I wish him this year at least have a good panel.

# 10 Nico Hulkenberg
For me, the favorite to win the "Rookie of the Year" title. Feat, for he also has probably the best rookies of all cars. His talent seems to be great, even though he had completely normal, yet some form of fluctuations in GP2. There, he lacked but a few opponents, had slid higher, especially after the Romain Grosjean in a class. His goal will be points and above all, that he comes regularly. Perhaps he will succeed in the mid-season to beat his teammate.

# 11 Robert Kubica
The poles of the BMW wanted was gone, even before the sudden withdrawal of the manufacturer clear. The fact that Renault would be his target. But over the winter, much has changed. Renault is just an empty shell, and Kubica must deal with a team that is insecure and you do not really know how much money is behind the team. Kubica is certainly a faster man, but as a developer, or someone who can deal with bad stuff, it is not struck me. The question will be how long he can keep his motivation high when the Renault is not very good. This is also that he has not a good teammate. Petrov is new, has no experience and will therefore be no support for a team that needs a lot of development work. Kubica will have an unremarkable season and let's see if he is still at Renault in 2011.

# 12 Vitaly Petrov
Is long in the GP2 geeiert around until he finally, with a lot of money, had found a good team. Then he showed quite appealing performances and above all a great fighting spirit. It has already fallen to me what he has shown, but I'm really not sure if he has the makings of a good F1 driver to be. After all, he does so with a lot of money, that he is not like Piquet Jr. and Grosjean, after half a year away. I do not expect much from Petrov, let alone that he beats Kubica. The tests have already shown that the pole is on the way in another class.

# 14 Adrian Sutil
About Sutil I've racked my head many times. Sometimes he is downright sensational move, then he throws away the car or sink into nothingness. Maybe he is just one of those pilots who are in their lucid moments world-class in order to return to fall into mediocrity. What bothers me about him but is himself prone to small mistakes that have cost the team also have one or the other point. He will lie down in 2010, a viable season, maybe he has learned so much from his mistakes that he has become more stable. To drive the stuff to the front midfield he has in any case.

# 15 Vitantio Liuzzi
Gave me last year really was not what was delivered to the Italians there, but you must not forget that he came back from a long break and was a test driver. His previous career was just middling to poor, so I've been wondering that Vijay Mallya is still on him. But probably it is not expensive and all the times the better choice than any stragglers from GP2. I do not expect much, do not believe that he is able to beat Sutil. And he has the same pressure from the first race, because Force India has registered with the FIA ​​as a third driver Gary Paffett for the Friday test. The ride is not forever, but it is a sign that you Liuzzi also in the team does not trust the way.

# 16 Sebastian Buemi
The Swiss has shown in the last year much better race than I would have expected of him. Marc Surer's the opinion that Buemi is not much worse than Vettel and Hamilton. Hard to say whether his compatriot something was not overrated, but slowly Buemi is not safe. His achievements are therefore also difficult to establish because Toro Rosso had a bad year. Will he confirm his good impression in 2010 from last year, he could sit in a better team in 2011.

# 17 Jamie Alguasuari
The Spaniard had last year a lot of criticism because he did not really get going. However, one should also not forget that he has changed in principle by the British F3 to Formula One. The couple have since whbn race made little difference. It has also motivated Alguasuari not particularly where it has confirmed his contract until mid-January. In the tests, he was certainly quite fast on the road, which gives hope. His goal this year: Buemi hit.

# 18 Jarno Trulli
The king of the fast lap not spent his retirement on his estate but at Lotus. Much he will tear the car did not. Even for a 4.5 seconds behind Trulli are a little too much to get into Q2. If Lotus can improve massively, but he is the one to whom you trust and in every case.

# 19 Heikki Kovalainen
Kovalainen is not a bad choice for Lotus. Hamilton has indeed pressed him, but so slowly was not the Finn at McLaren. And losing to three tenths to Hamilton is now not so bad. The basic speed that is true, but it was missing something in the race for the constancy of the long runs. Kovalainen will remain secure more than one season at Lotus, also because it lacks the alternatives

# 20 Karun Chandhok
The Indian knows almost no one, so I ask him once briefly. He is 26 years old and has a career in the classic European motor sport behind. From 2002 to 2004 he drove in the British F3 championship came, but do not have a 14th Place in the championship out. It was followed by a trip to the 2005 whbn and A1, both not very successful. In 2006 he won the Asian Formula Renault V6, however, series. In 2007 he joined the GP2 was to see but little. After all, he scored two wins in sprint races (Spa and Hockenheim in 2007, 2008) and last year a third place at Silverstone. About his driving skills we can say little. Presumably he will be lucky if he goes to the races end.

# 21 Bruno Senna
Times said, because of his performance in the cockpit is not Senna in Formula One. Me he has not yet convinced the British F3 in GP2. In 2008 he drove for iSport, also connected to Chandhok, he was also under control. Senna finished second in the championship, but it was not necessarily so that they would have liked him in F1, since 2008 anyway Maues year in the GP2 (Pantano Champion). I do not think Senna will achieve much, because HRT also not just about good looks.

# 22 Pedro de la Rosa
A little surprising is the duty of de la Rosa at Sauber yes Been to times when the right candidate Fisichella looked. But Peter Sauber was probably the knowledge of de la Rosa, and one must not forget that he was in his playing days as well as GP rider faster pilot. Its last use, however, he had in 2006 when he replaced the sacked Montoya. Then he managed a very useful introduction, and he was able to collect points. Exactly what will be expected of him this year. His experience should be good for it, but the question is just as if he has in years, not as a test driver lost his bite. He would not be the first person that happens.

# 23 Kamui Kobayashi
Have you even seen the Japanese yet, but the two races from last year were very impressive. After all, he also managed the feat in the last race to snatch a point. Peter Sauber said to be that he has a knack for rookies and probably he is right again with Kobayashi. But of course he must now prove that he was not a "one-hit wonder", as so many Japanese who have been in Formula One. But I have a good feeling about him and the tests showed that he is beastly fast. Only he must now take over a race distance.

# 24 Timo Glock
I had long expected that Glock goes to Renault, but as is so often the German surprise with his career decisions. Maybe it was the matter with Renault also wobbly and the Virgin option is not at least interesting. Glock is clearly the team leader and he will try his experiences at Toyota bring in much. Glock, Toyota did not make me completely convinced. His race pace is phenomenal, but his problems are known in the qualification. That will not fall in Virgin into so much weight because you will anyway not come in Q2.

# 25 Luca di Grassi
Another Brazilian, I think it better for one class than Bruno Senna. I would have indulged di Grassi took second place at Renault because it would have been interesting to see how he performs in comparison to Kubica. As mentioned here and there, sometimes I think that you have not seen much of di Grassi. I'm curious how he will stand up to Glock. If he has under control, then you could see him next year at one of the established teams.

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There has been some movement in the driver's field and a comeback. So this year, probably the strongest field of riders get together for years. The team I had already analyzed yesterday, ...