Continuing our season preview, part two takes a look at the five teams set to battle in the midfield in F1 in 2010.
AT&T Williams
Williams made an improvement last year, and will aim to continue this into 2010, with a new engine partner and driver lineup. They should score podium finishes and could challenge for wins later in the year.
9. Rubens Barrichello
Rubens showed last year that he can still drive at this level, having been on the brink of leaving the sport. Provides Williams with some experience to help them move forward. Prediction: 9th
10. Nico Hulkenberg
The German gets his break in F1, and no rookie has had as much potential as Hulkenberg since Lewis Hamilton in 2007. He will begin the season learning, but could be outpacing Barrichello near the end. Prediction: 11th
Renault F1
It's all change at Renault with a new ownership structure, team principal and driver lineup, as they attempt to climb back to their former glory after a terrible 2009. There will be no ambitous targets for 2010, as they look to build for the future.
11. Robert Kubica
Kubica moves from BMW to step into the gap vacated by Alonso's departure. He was hot property until BMW lost their way last year, but will struggle to get podium finishes, certainly to begin with. Prediction: 10th
12. Vitaly Petrov
Russian steps up from GP2, where he was runner-up. He must show that he has talent as well as money, particularly having beaten drivers like Nick Heidfeld to the seat. Prediction: 17th
Force India
The team made huge improvements last year, taking pole position at Spa. They must become more consistent in 2010, and testing has shown promise that they can mix it with the likes of Renault on a regular basis.
14. Adrian Sutil
Sutil moves into his fourth season with the Silverstone-based team, and should score regular points in 2010. He needs to be more consistent, as he is prone to getting caught up in more than his fair share of incidents. Prediction: 12th
15. Vitantonio Liuzzi
Liuzzi was given the chance to return to F1 during 2009. He must show in 2010 that he can match Sutil for speed, with young Scot Paul di Resta snapping at his heels as reserve driver. Prediction: 16th
Toro Rosso
The team must build its own car this year rather than relying on Red Bull. Its young drivers still need to build up some experience before it can challenge. Expect them to beat the new teams, but nobody else.
16. Sebastien Buemi
Buemi showed promise on occasions in 2009, and will hope to perform more regularly in 2010 and become more of a force in the midfield, although much will depend on the car. Prediction: 15th
17. Jaime Alguersuari
Thrown in at the deep end mid-season, Alguersuari proved he can keep up with the rest of the field. With more mileage under his belt he will be expected to up his game in 2010. Prediction: 18th
BMW Sauber
Despite the name, BMW has sold up, leaving Sauber to run as an independent, using BMW's money. Testing has showed that they have a fast car, but a lack of funds could see them lose the development race during the season.
22. Pedro de la Rosa
A surprise signing considering drivers like Heidfeld were available, but de la Rosa will put the team first and use his experience to help them to develop during 2010. He is getting on now though, so it will be interesting to see how quick he is. Prediction: 13th
23. Kamui Kobayashi
Kobayashi burst onto the scene at the end of 2009, showing you can be quick in F1 even if you don't crack GP2. Some of the previous Japanese drivers have been very erratic in the rookie seasons, expect the same from Kobayashi. Prediction: 14th
The third and final part of the season preview looks at the new teams.
Photo Credit: Slitz
AT&T Williams
Williams made an improvement last year, and will aim to continue this into 2010, with a new engine partner and driver lineup. They should score podium finishes and could challenge for wins later in the year.
9. Rubens Barrichello
Rubens showed last year that he can still drive at this level, having been on the brink of leaving the sport. Provides Williams with some experience to help them move forward. Prediction: 9th
10. Nico Hulkenberg
The German gets his break in F1, and no rookie has had as much potential as Hulkenberg since Lewis Hamilton in 2007. He will begin the season learning, but could be outpacing Barrichello near the end. Prediction: 11th
Renault F1
It's all change at Renault with a new ownership structure, team principal and driver lineup, as they attempt to climb back to their former glory after a terrible 2009. There will be no ambitous targets for 2010, as they look to build for the future.
11. Robert Kubica
Kubica moves from BMW to step into the gap vacated by Alonso's departure. He was hot property until BMW lost their way last year, but will struggle to get podium finishes, certainly to begin with. Prediction: 10th
12. Vitaly Petrov
Russian steps up from GP2, where he was runner-up. He must show that he has talent as well as money, particularly having beaten drivers like Nick Heidfeld to the seat. Prediction: 17th
Force India
The team made huge improvements last year, taking pole position at Spa. They must become more consistent in 2010, and testing has shown promise that they can mix it with the likes of Renault on a regular basis.
14. Adrian Sutil
Sutil moves into his fourth season with the Silverstone-based team, and should score regular points in 2010. He needs to be more consistent, as he is prone to getting caught up in more than his fair share of incidents. Prediction: 12th
15. Vitantonio Liuzzi
Liuzzi was given the chance to return to F1 during 2009. He must show in 2010 that he can match Sutil for speed, with young Scot Paul di Resta snapping at his heels as reserve driver. Prediction: 16th
Toro Rosso
The team must build its own car this year rather than relying on Red Bull. Its young drivers still need to build up some experience before it can challenge. Expect them to beat the new teams, but nobody else.
16. Sebastien Buemi
Buemi showed promise on occasions in 2009, and will hope to perform more regularly in 2010 and become more of a force in the midfield, although much will depend on the car. Prediction: 15th
17. Jaime Alguersuari
Thrown in at the deep end mid-season, Alguersuari proved he can keep up with the rest of the field. With more mileage under his belt he will be expected to up his game in 2010. Prediction: 18th
BMW Sauber
Despite the name, BMW has sold up, leaving Sauber to run as an independent, using BMW's money. Testing has showed that they have a fast car, but a lack of funds could see them lose the development race during the season.
22. Pedro de la Rosa
A surprise signing considering drivers like Heidfeld were available, but de la Rosa will put the team first and use his experience to help them to develop during 2010. He is getting on now though, so it will be interesting to see how quick he is. Prediction: 13th
23. Kamui Kobayashi
Kobayashi burst onto the scene at the end of 2009, showing you can be quick in F1 even if you don't crack GP2. Some of the previous Japanese drivers have been very erratic in the rookie seasons, expect the same from Kobayashi. Prediction: 14th
The third and final part of the season preview looks at the new teams.
Photo Credit: Slitz
RSS Feed