timmy94
Associate Cricketer
A new season of Formula One is back,and as ever,ITV will be bringing you all the action in what is expected to be an exciting season.
A new single lap qualifying has been introduced.Drivers are allowed to go out any time in the 1 hour qualifying session,but only have the one flying lap,so it needs to be without mistakes.Also,the scoring system has been changed.Now,the top 8 drivers will score points.The scoring will be as follows:10,8,6,5,4,3,2,1.
So,lets look at the teams and drivers:
Ferrari's F2003-GA is said to be over half a second quicker than everyone else over pre-season,leaving people asking questions weather the new rules will halt another season of Ferrari domination.The team retain 5 times World Champion Michael Schumacher,and Rubens Barrichello,who both won a total of 15 races last season.
The Williams FW25 really has been changed from its predecessor.Apart from a few understeer problems,it is a very good car,and they will be trying everything to get ahead of the red cars with Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya.
Despite having a poor 2002 season,Mclaren are tipped to be the team that can beat Ferrari.Using a development of last years car,the Mclaren MP4-17D has looked very quick.They retain drivers David Coulthard and Kimi Raikkonen.
Renault have made a big step forward over the winter,and should be able to score even more points than last year,and maybe a few podium positions according to the team boss.They have replaced both drivers with their test drivers from last year,with Spaniard Fernando Alonso returning to the sport,and Englishman Mark Stewart,given another chance in F1,after his departure from Jaguar in 2001.He will be our main focus this year.
Sauber retain Nick Heidfeld,but release Felipe Massa who is now test driver for Ferrari,and bring in former Arrows driver Heinz-Harold Frentzen.
Jordan have been slowly falling back since 1999,and they were hampered even further with Honda's departure from the team,so they have to make do with Ford Cosworth engines.They keep Giancarlo Fisichella and they bring in Irishman Ralf Firman.
Jaguar have a totally re-designed car for this year,and despite reliability problems,its pretty quick.Two new drivers this year,in Mark Webber and Antonio Pizzonia.
The BAR 005 is a faster and lighter car than last year,and with Honda now focusing all their attention on the team,great things are expected from this car with Jacques Villeneuve and Jenson Button.
The winter has not been good to the small Italian team.They had no sponsers,no engines or even tyres.Luckily,Bridgestone agreed to make the tyres,they used Ford engines,and a few sponsers came to the team to allow them to compete this season.Jos Verstappen and Englishman Justin Wilson are the drivers.
Toyota's first year in F1 didn't go to plan last year,scoring just 2 points.However,their new car has more downforce and their engine a lot more power.Olivier Panis stays at the team and reigning CART Champion Cristiano Da Matta is drafted in.
So they are the teams for this year.Join us soon for the opening round of the 2003 FIA Formula One World Championship in Melbourne,Australia.I hope you can join us then.Goodbye!
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