So, with 2 weeks to go until the start of the new F1 season, what thoughts are on everyone's minds?
Pre-season testing has proven to be very interesting, with Renault showing some pretty disappointing performances so far, the McLarens and Ferraris still showing their stuff, and the Williams team seemingly the most promising with some impressive testing results.
I wonder if Fernando Alonso will see this season as a "work in progress" rather than as a credible title challenge year. It is also Lewis Hamilton's "make or break" season, as he'll have to justify the hype and expectation built up over the last 12 months if he is to be "the next Schumacher" as everyone seems to insist he is. We can't rule out Jenson Button, though, especially now that Ross Brawn, the Brit who helped Michael Schumacher to glory at Ferrari, is the new Honda team boss. Heikki Kovalainen will probably get his first win this year, although it's too early to say if he'll be a championship contender if McLaren's season both on the track and off it (see below) is decidedly rocky. Plus we can't dismiss the Williams team with Nico Rosberg and Kazuki Nakajima (two sons of former F1 drivers) who might well fight it out with the BMW Sauber drivers for the prize of "best of the rest". Still, Kimi Raikonnen is still the man to beat, having had the psychological boost of starting as World Champion and the relative stability of the Scuderia Ferrari line-up (yes, they managed to cope without Schumacher and Brawn for a year) alongside plucky Brazilian driver Felipe Massa. Speaking of plucky Brazilians, none other than Nelson Piquet Jr (son of 3-times world champion Nelson Piquet) makes his debut this year at Renault. Will he be a Damon Hill or a Michael Andretti? Who knows.
Unfortunately there's no escaping the off-track shenanigans again.
The latest news is that the Italian police are pursuing Ron Dennis and the McLaren team over the so-called "spying row" from last season. Rumours are rife that this will be Dennis's last season as team principal due to the strain and controversy, and of course the humiliation of making a grovelling public apology. I wonder how badly the US$100m fine will hit the Woking-based team this year. On a lighter note, Super Aguri will probably be with us for one more season, having been so close to financial ruin during winter testing, also giving Anthony Davidson one more year in the cockpit.
And what of Formula One as a whole? Has its credibility gone for good in the light of the spying row, the alleged "racist" taunts at Hamilton during Spanish testing, and the machinations of Max Mosley and Bernie Ecclestone in keeping the whole show going? What now for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone? Are the likes of Lewis Hamilton good for the sport? Does anyone want Michael Schumacher back?
Pre-season testing has proven to be very interesting, with Renault showing some pretty disappointing performances so far, the McLarens and Ferraris still showing their stuff, and the Williams team seemingly the most promising with some impressive testing results.
I wonder if Fernando Alonso will see this season as a "work in progress" rather than as a credible title challenge year. It is also Lewis Hamilton's "make or break" season, as he'll have to justify the hype and expectation built up over the last 12 months if he is to be "the next Schumacher" as everyone seems to insist he is. We can't rule out Jenson Button, though, especially now that Ross Brawn, the Brit who helped Michael Schumacher to glory at Ferrari, is the new Honda team boss. Heikki Kovalainen will probably get his first win this year, although it's too early to say if he'll be a championship contender if McLaren's season both on the track and off it (see below) is decidedly rocky. Plus we can't dismiss the Williams team with Nico Rosberg and Kazuki Nakajima (two sons of former F1 drivers) who might well fight it out with the BMW Sauber drivers for the prize of "best of the rest". Still, Kimi Raikonnen is still the man to beat, having had the psychological boost of starting as World Champion and the relative stability of the Scuderia Ferrari line-up (yes, they managed to cope without Schumacher and Brawn for a year) alongside plucky Brazilian driver Felipe Massa. Speaking of plucky Brazilians, none other than Nelson Piquet Jr (son of 3-times world champion Nelson Piquet) makes his debut this year at Renault. Will he be a Damon Hill or a Michael Andretti? Who knows.
Unfortunately there's no escaping the off-track shenanigans again.
The latest news is that the Italian police are pursuing Ron Dennis and the McLaren team over the so-called "spying row" from last season. Rumours are rife that this will be Dennis's last season as team principal due to the strain and controversy, and of course the humiliation of making a grovelling public apology. I wonder how badly the US$100m fine will hit the Woking-based team this year. On a lighter note, Super Aguri will probably be with us for one more season, having been so close to financial ruin during winter testing, also giving Anthony Davidson one more year in the cockpit.And what of Formula One as a whole? Has its credibility gone for good in the light of the spying row, the alleged "racist" taunts at Hamilton during Spanish testing, and the machinations of Max Mosley and Bernie Ecclestone in keeping the whole show going? What now for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone? Are the likes of Lewis Hamilton good for the sport? Does anyone want Michael Schumacher back?
They are apparently on the verge of collapse once more, but I predict another fine season, with Sato & Davidson maybe sneeking an odd point.
Hopefully it will be repeated one ot the ITV channels. However, I suspect it will be yet another Lewis Hamilton love-in, with an odd mention of the other Brits, WDC Kimi Raikkonen, and the Evil Spanish Bastard.
), meaning no slow trundles around the shops like in Monaco. 
Although worringly both circuits feature a segment over a narrow bridge over a water area. Singapore's 1/5 of pure racetrack (4/5's is street) still seemed incomplete from Martin's coverage, I hope it's built in time...
However, like most F1 fans, I instantly took to this plucky wee team, and I'm delighted Sato & Davidson will be on the grid in Melbourne. But I'm afraid the character of this great wee team could be lost as happened to the colourful Jordan team a few years ago when the souless Midland group took over.
). 
