| With all testing now complete, the Formula 1 | | | | the season? The question however remains, do |
| racing teams head to Australia for the season | | | | they have a driver capable of winning a |
| opener on 18 March at Albert Park. Who will be | | | | championship. |
| ready to fight for the top honor? Who will wear | | | | So let us turn to the drivers for the 2007 |
| the crown at the end of the 2007 Formula 1 | | | | Formula 1 racing season. Let us start with the |
| season? | | | | current world champion, Fernando Alonso. Will he |
| Let us start by looking at the Formula 1 racing | | | | be able to outgun his renowned, but much less |
| teams that performed well during winter testing. | | | | experienced team mate Lewis Hamilton? During |
| The last week of testing certainly belonged to the | | | | winter testing Alonso seemed to have an edge, |
| scarlet Ferrari at the hands of Felipe Massa and | | | | when he was at a session that is. |
| Kimi Raikkonen. Ferrari topped the time sheets in | | | | At the Ferrari camp it was Felipe Masse who |
| most sessions in the last week of testing in | | | | dominated the testing sessions. Massa has been a |
| Bahrain where most teams were in action and | | | | part of the Ferrari team a few years now and is |
| some comparisons can be made. Mclaren was a | | | | ready to step up and make the most of his |
| close second with both Fernando Alonso and | | | | opportunities. Never underestimate the Flying Fin |
| Lewis Hamilton doing well. Other teams showing | | | | though. He is always faster at qualifying sessions |
| promise was Renault and BMW. Is this an | | | | and during the race, saving the best when it is |
| accurate reflection of the strength of the teams? | | | | needed. |
| Winter testing in the past has very seldom been | | | | Renault probably has one of the best cars for the |
| a very good barometer to establish the leaders | | | | season, but their driver line up will have to prove |
| of the field. This year however we have | | | | themselves. Giancarlo Fisichella has not been able |
| something more to help us. Since the engines | | | | to keep up with Alonso in the last few seasons, |
| used for the last two races of last year, are the | | | | and starting his twelfth season in Formula 1, has |
| engines that must be used for the next four | | | | not lived up to his reputation. His team mate |
| years. In the final round at Brazil the Ferrari | | | | Heikki Kovalainen will have to at least beat |
| power plant certainly had the pace to keep ahead. | | | | Fisichella to assure a future in Formula1 racing. |
| Renault on the other hand had no pressure, | | | | Now that we have covered the big three for the |
| therefore not using all the grunt available. Kimi | | | | 2007 Formula 1 racing Season, are there any |
| Raikkonen was a contender as well and finished | | | | other drivers that have a chance. Robert Kubica |
| among the front runners. And who knows what | | | | must be one of the drivers that stand an outside |
| can happen if Honda actually finishes a race. | | | | chance of getting a few points from the big guns. |
| The word in the paddock is that Ferrari should | | | | BMW has shown promise during the winter |
| have the advantage over most other teams as a | | | | program, and Kubica impressed a few team |
| result of their long-term relationship with the sole | | | | managers last season. |
| tire supplier, Bridgestone. Is there more than | | | | Jenson Button was lucky to get his first win last |
| meets the eye with this relationship? Why would | | | | year, but can the taste of victory improve his |
| Ferrari opt for a longer wheelbase in the 2007 car | | | | run. Both the Japanese car maker teams must |
| when most, if not all other teams, are opting for | | | | see this season as the make or break season. |
| a shorter wheelbase? | | | | Both Toyota and Honda need to score well this |
| Traditionally the Australian Grand Prix, or the first | | | | season to justify the backing from the East. |
| Grand Prix of the season for that matter, was | | | | From the rest of the teams I don't expect too |
| not the best outing for Ferrari. Renault has | | | | much competition. Both Red Bull teams need |
| performed much better at the season opener in | | | | another year or two to settle in. |
| the last few seasons and Mclaren frankly | | | | So who will win the 2007 Formula 1 racing |
| disappointed at the start of the last few seasons. | | | | championship? I think Massa will be the chosen |
| Will Renault continue with another good start to | | | | one, but only time will tell... only time will tell. |