What with the rule changes regarding traction control I think it will prove to be a very difficult season to predict.
Chassis balance, mechanical grip and aerodynamic efficiency will be thrown to the forefront more than ever. Along with that and the driver`s ability to control it all at any given time, in any conditions and on any track.
I think each Grand Prix will throw up a few surprises, with all but a small handfull of teams showing well somewhere.
Ferrari`s political clout and seemingly limitless budget will ensure it will be up there or thereabouts for the full season.
McLaren`s somewhat depleted budget, far end of the pitlane position and `The Men in Red` along with their political allies forever standing guard over them waiting to pull the rug from under their feet at any time that they dare to show even the slightest sign of dominance,will ensure that they play a very strategic, season long, game.
Renault, I am really not sure about their machine this year. I doubt that their Spanish driver has the temperament any more to maintain a season long effort, the psychological damage last season must have inflicted upon him, although seemingly well hidden, will, unmistakeably be there and will eventually become apparent and his team mate, the young lad of Piquet seems to me to be a product of financial privilege and famous name over racing substance. If I am wrong, so be it.
As for Honda, undoubtably they will have a profficient machine and in Jenson Button a driver who would appear to be perfectly suited to this new formula, but, who is to say that `The Men in Red` will not be sniffing around Brackley and it`s environs at any given time, ready to cry `SPY !` the moment they look to be doing rather too well under the watchfull eye of the newly incumbent Mr. Brawn, fresh over from Ferrari ?
BMW will do well, it will be a good little car and they have two good drivers in Heidfeld and Kubica to guide it.
Williams too, if they can mate the powerful Toyota engine to a sweetly controllable chassis, I expect Nico Rosberg to delight us all this year with some great overtaking and stylish driving and maybe Webber and Coulthard too in the R.B.R.
Toyota, well I am sure that they might try hard, Jarno Trulli could do well now and then , but Glock ? I am not so sure.
Torro Rosso, maybe, just maybe, they will definitely be better than the F.O.R.C.E. India team though !
Dark horses ? How about the stars of Sutil, Bourdais, Davidson or Sato to shine a couple of times this season ? Which rather begs the question about the SuperAguri, will it be last years Honda with a lick of paint and a few new decals ? If so, ignore the last part of that prediction !
The biggest `let downs`, I reckon Piquet, Barrichello and maybe Fisi in the F.O.R.C.E. India, a most unlikely name for a Grand Prix team, somewhat braggardly don`t you think ? It will lead to their downfall eventually I am sure.
For the championship, a toss up between Hamilton, Kimi and Kovalainen. Massa will look good occassionaly, but he cannot get out of that spectacular crashing habit can he ?
Put Rosberg and Button into the mix for the lower places and I think it will be :-
1: Hamilton
2: Raikkonen
3: Kovalainen
4: Button
5: Massa
6: Rosberg.
Maybe it will get decided in a software laboratory one way or the other.
Anyway, soon the fun will begin and I will probably be proved completely wrong !