Nico Hulkenberg of Germany and Sauber F1 poses for a photograph during day one of Formula One winter test at the Circuit de Catalunya on February 28, 2013 in Montmelo, Spain. (Photo: Getty Images)

#11 Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber F1 Team)
Nico Hulkenberg won everything in sight as he rose through the ranks, but he has experienced an unusual F1 career, encompassing three teams in three seasons. He was dropped by Williams at the end of 2010 – after taking pole in Brazil – and spent a year as Force India’s reserve before landing a race seat for 2012. He got the better of team mate Paul Di Resta in the second half of the season, and even led in the wet in Brazil. However by then he had already decided to move on to Sauber. Still overlooked by the top teams, he’s potential star if he gets his hands on a winning car.

#12 Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber F1 Team)
Sergio Perez may have moved on to McLaren but Sauber maintains its Mexican connections as Esteban Gutierrez has slipped neatly into the shoes of his friend and countryman. Gutierrez showed brilliant form on his way up the ladder of the junior categories and was at times regarded as a better prospect than Perez. He had mixed fortunes on the final step in GP2 but still did enough to earn his graduation to a race seat. He’s done very little test mileage over the time of his relationship with Sauber and will clearly have a lot of learning to do in the early races of 2013, and it won’t be easy alongside Hulkenberg.

#13 Paul Di Resta (Sahara Force India F1 Team)
Paul Di Resta took an unusual route to the top, starring in F3 before spending four years in the DTM. Not many drivers make it to F1 from touring cars, but the Scot was able to graduate with Force India in 2011. He soon made a strong impression, and has been a regular top 10 finisher over the past two seasons. He qualified as high as fourth in Monza last year, before a penalty dropped him back. Although a little frustrated at not moving on to a top team, he should continue to be a strong threat for points, and it will be interesting to see how the contest with Sutil unfolds.

#14 Adrian Sutil (Sahara Force India F1 Team)
Adrian Sutil drove for Spyker and Force India for five years from 2007 to 2011 before being dropped in favor of Nico Hulkenberg last season. He spent a frustrating year on the sidelines, but he’s now been given a second chance by his former team. He might not have been driving in 2012 but he insists that after the enforced break he has returned as a stronger person. His experience will certainly prove valuable as the team fights for priceless points in its battle with the other midfield runners, and if it rains he could spring a surprise.

Pastor Maldonado of Venezuela and Williams poses for a photograph during day three of Formula One winter testing at the Circuit de Catalunya on March 2, 2013 in Montmelo, Spain. (Photo: Getty Images)

#15 Pastor Maldonado (Williams F1 Team)
Pastor Maldonado was unfairly dismissed by many as a pay driver when his Venezuelan sponsorship helped ease him into Williams in 2011. In fact he had an impressive record in the lower divisions. After a difficult first season with an uncompetitive car he made huge strides last year. Not only did he win the Spanish GP in fine style from pole position, he showed his pace by qualifying in the top four on several other occasions. However the downside was an unfortunate series of controversial incidents and penalties. If he can show that he’s grown up a bit and put that behind him, and the FW35 lives up to expectations, he could be a significant player this season.