FORMULA ONE - F1: 2010 Driver Guide

Formula 1

F1: 2010 Driver Guide

Here's a look at the 24 drivers who will contest this years F1 season...

Adam Cooper | http://www.speedtv.com | Posted March 09, 2010 Balen (BEL)

Jenson Button signed with McLaren shortly after winning his world driving title. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Earlier this week we rated the chances of the 12 teams on the final 2010 F1 entry list. So with first practice in Bahrain fast approaching let’s take a closer look at the 24 drivers who will feature on the grid this year. It’s a list that includes four World Champions and at the other extreme five rookies who will be starting their first race in Bahrain.

Lewis Hamilton is the 2008 Formula One World Champion. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

1. Jenson Button

Jenson Button has the honor of carrying number one this year, having taken it with him when he made his dramatic move from Brawn to McLaren. Last season the Englishman put a decade of frustration behind him and grabbed the opportunity presented to him with both hands, building up a big lead with a run of early wins and then defending it by bringing home precious points. Having won the title he dropped out of ongoing contract negotiations with Brawn to take the McLaren seat. Was taking on Lewis Hamilton in the same car a brave or foolhardy choice? Only time will tell. But in some ways he’s in a good situation because he’s now the underdog and has little to lose. The pressure could be on his team mate...

Michael Schumacher will make his return to Formula One this season with Mercedes GP. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

2. Lewis Hamilton

Having won the 2008 title in such brilliant style Lewis Hamilton stumbled badly at the start of last season as he struggled with what was clearly an uncompetitive machine. But to his great credit he remained motivated. When the car got a little better, he was able to take a pair of opportunistic wins, reminding everyone of his real talent. Lewis insists that both he and the team learned a lot through the difficult times, and says that he is now stronger than ever. If the car is as good as it looks, then he will be challenging for the title again. If it has an edge, then Button could be his main rival. And then things could get interesting...

3. Michael Schumacher

After the frustration of his aborted comeback last year Michael Schumacher is back on a fulltime basis. Those who thought he would never drive for anyone else after leaving Ferrari did not expect the ‘perfect storm’ of a rejuvenated driver, and a team owned by Mercedes and run by Ross Brawn. Against the odds everything has come together to create an incredible opportunity for Michael to return to what he does best, and possibly extend his astonishing record of seven World Championships. At 41 he’s the oldest driver in the field, but it will be hard to name anybody more motivated to get the job done. Expectations have deliberately been dampened by driver and team – are they really a step behind, or is there some gamesmanship going on?

4. Nico Rosberg

When Nico Rosberg originally signed for Brawn/Mercedes he did not know that his team mate was going to be Michael Schumacher. The only thing he can do is learn as much as he can from his countryman, and do his best to beat him on the track. After a four-year apprenticeship with Williams Rosberg is ready to win races, but his biggest problem will obviously be dealing with the fact that the focus will inevitably be on his countryman. However, like World Champion father Keke he is a quick driver and extremely shrewd operator, so he should not be underestimated.

Page 1 of 6

12 3 4 5 6

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Adam Cooper

MORE BY THIS AUTHOR

F1: Alonso Gives Ferrari A Boost In Jerez
Double World Champion Fernando Alonso paced the final day of Jerez…
F1: Trulli Buoyant After First Caterham Run
Jarno Trulli made his first laps in the Caterham CT01 on Friday in…
F1: Schumacher Happy To Wait For 2012 Mercedes
Michael Schumacher spent a day-and-a-half driving the 2011 Mercedes…