Michael Schumacher has scored 154 podiums but none since returning to F1 in 2010. (Photo: AFP/Getty Images)

The form of Mercedes GP is one of the biggest question marks. Last year was hugely disappointing, but the team has added Bob Bell, Geoff Willis and Aldo Costa to the mix – past technical directors respectively of Renault, Honda/Red Bull, and Minardi/Ferrari – and now there can be no excuses.

Costa named arrived at the start of December, too late to have a direct impact on the W03, but he can spearhead its development while he works on the 2013 car. Time is running out for Michael Schumacher. Aged 43, he is heading into the final season of his three-year deal, and he has to get some results and outpace Nico Rosberg from time to time. As with Webber and Massa, Michael’s future will be a talking point from the very start of the season.

Many eyes will be on the re-badged Lotus team – we are supposed to drop the ‘Renault’ bit from the team name, although it’s confusing when the car itself is still a ‘Lotus-Renault.’ It’s all change in the camp as Raikkonen returns from his two-year hiatus and Romain Grosjean gets a second chance to prove himself.

Much has been written about Kimi’s prospects, and I’m certainly a fan of the guy. In the end it will all be down to him, and how dedicated he is to really make it work, especially if the car is not competitive. Last season was disappointing but the team knew it made a mistake with the side exhaust, and it’s much better to be in that situation than floundering around looking for answers.

Force India had a solid finish to last year, but the team will have to work hard as those around it will all be pushing to make progress. Adrian Sutil did a great job but found himself dropped in favor of underrated countryman Nico Hulkenberg. He forms a formidable team with Paul Di Resta, and the pair will spur each other on. New backing from the Sahara Group will prove invaluable.

There’s not much new at Sauber, where Kamui Kobayashi and Sergio Perez will continue to gain experience. The team didn’t really get a handle on the blown diffuser, and may gain more than most from the ban.

As mentioned at Toro Rosso there are two new faces in Ricciardo and Vergne, and it will be intriguing to see how they fare which such a valuable carrot – potentially a seat in the RB9 of 2013 – to chase. The downside is that the team has changed both drivers, and that isn’t always very convenient in terms of continuity. However, both are highly rated, and Ricciardo did at least gain some knowledge with HRT.

Williams can hardly do any worse than last year, and like Mercedes, hopes rest on how its new design team gels, as Mike Coughlan, Mark Gillan and aero man Jason Somerville settle in. The switch to Renault power can only be a boost for the team, as it comes with resources that Cosworth didn’t have. Pastor Maldonado had a so-so rookie season, but he’s paying the bills. We don’t yet know who his team mate will be.

Heikki Kovalainen could be on the move for 2013. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

The former Lotus team has a new identity as Caterham, and it seems inevitable that it will lose some of the public support it picked up. This will be the team’s third car, and it really has to be a big step – KERS will at least provide a few tenths. Heikki Kovalainen impressed with his commitment last year, in stark contrast to Jarno Trulli, whose seat may be under threat before the season ends.