The top teams are armed

Looking at the composition of the crews for the next season, we almost forget that a world champion, in the person of Kimi Räikkönen, deserted F1 to join Citroën in WRC. One Michael Schumacher actually agrees with Mercedes GP, there will be four world champions of Formula 1 which will be the starting grids in 2010. Of the thirteen teams set to compete in the next world championship, four naturally stand out. And, without a doubt, the eight drivers presented below will be fighting for the first places.

McLaren
The stable dedicated to Lewis Hamilton, world champion in 2008, recruited his successor, Jenson Button. The two Britons, who will not lack motivation to win a new world crown, are already expected around the corner. In the opposing camp, we even hope that Button and Hamilton will lose feathers in an internecine battle. But, with the two most recent world champions in its ranks, McLaren, third in the last constructors' championship, hopes for only one thing: to return to first place.

Ferrari
The most legendary team on the field, the only one to have never left Formula 1, has come out of its rut. It was not a given, because 2009 was almost nightmarish for the Scuderia. Kimi Räikkönen let go by his management, Felipe Massa seriously injured in Hungary, replacements (Badoer, Fisichella) who do not rise to the occasion, a car reluctant, a fourth place in the constructors' championship: such is Ferrari's record. But Felipe Massa is on the comeback, and has proven his good form in Brazil in recent weeks (see elsewhere). The Brazilian is also joined by Fernando Alonso, double world champion and whose destiny was inevitably linked to the Scuderia after his years Renault. Both had a difficult 2009 season and will want to return to success in 2010.

Red Bull
The world vice-champion team is banking on stability. If the Renault engine has not been officially confirmed, the drivers have been confirmed since last summer. Sebastian Vettel, four victories, and Mark Webber, two victories, showed their advantage in 2009 thanks, in particular, to a very competitive car. Both drivers can hope to win in 2010 but will have to face tenfold competition.

Mercedes GP
The financial situation of the Brawn GP team was a question mark throughout the 2009 season. Ultimately world champion, the team was then bought 75% by Mercedes and, now, the future of the Brackley team is perpetuated. The foundations are therefore solid, with Ross Brawn more determined than ever to continue on the path to success. To cope with the departures of Rubens Barrichello and that, more surprisingly, of Jenson Button, Mercedes wanted something heavy. Nico Rosberg has already been made official. One of the greatest hopes of German motorsport, seen by Brawn as a driver who has never had the chance to drive a car capable of winning, should be able to fight to win, finally, his first Grand Prix. But he will have to team up with a charismatic driver as it increasingly looks like Michael Schumacher is joining Mercedes GP for 2010. A Rosberg-Schumacher duo at Mercedes in 2010 would be a fantastic gift for the German public. If the seven-time world champion does not fit the bill, Nick Heidfeld should join the team.