HOW THE F1 TEAMS LINE UP

TEN teams will start the 2009 Formula One season, determined to ride out the economic recession and put on a fantastic spectacle for the fans.
Here is your complete guide to all the drivers and their cars:

1 Lewis Hamilton (GB, Age 24)
BRITISH ace’s hopes of defending his title have been hit by winter woes in testing, but F1‘s new scoring system could see an all-out charge in second half of season once his MP4-24 car is sorted out.
Races: 35; Wins: 9; Poles: 13; Podiums: 22; Fastest Laps: 3; Pts: 207
2 Heikki Kovalainen (Fin, 27)
SHOULD have done more to help Hamilton in his title fight last season and missed out on several race-winning chances so can expect to play second fiddle at the team again this year.
Races: 35; Wins: 1; Poles: 1; Podiums: 4; Fastest Laps: 2; Pts: 83
3 Kimi Raikkonen (Fin, 29)
NEVER looked capable of retaining the title he won in 2007 and was out-performed by his team-mate. Needs a strong season to see off rumours that Alonso is ready to take his place.
Races: 138; Wins: 17; Poles: 16; Podiums: 57; Fastest Laps: 35; Pts: 531
4 Felipe Massa (Bra, 27)
CAME so close to title glory after proving he had the mental mettle for a season long title battle. And showed he was a true sportsman way he handled heartbreaking defeat in Sao Paulo.
Races: 105; Wins: 11; Poles: 15; Podiums: 27; Fastest Laps: 11; Pts: 298

Robert Kubica (Pol, 24)
BLASTED his team for not developing the car after leading championship at half-way stage last season. One of the quickest drivers on the grid but his height could be a problem with new regulations.
Races: 40; Wins: 1; Poles: 2; Podiums: 8; Fastest Laps: 0; Pts: 120
6 Nick Heidfeld (Ger, 31)
STRUGGLED to get to grips with his BMW in qualifying last year and his place seemed under threat. But looked stronger than his team-mate in testing and the new rules could boost his chances.
Races: 150; Wins: 0; Poles: 1; Podiums: 11; Fastest Laps: 2; Pts: 200

7 Fernando Alonso (Sp, 27)
ADDED two wins to his tally last season despite Renault’s early lack of pace. Still many pundit’s top all-round driver but will surely look to Ferrari if team cannot match his ambitions.
Races: 121; Wins: 21; Poles: 17; Podiums: 52; Fastest Laps: 11; Pts: 551
8 Nelson Piquet (Bra, 23)
FOUND move up to F1 tough having said former GP2 rival Hamilton was lucky to get winning car straight off. Renault surprised many in paddock when they signed him for second season.
Races: 17; Wins: 0; Poles: 0; Podiums: 1; Fastest Laps: 0; Pts: 19

9 Jarno Trulli (It, 34)
GOES into new season with high hopes that Toyota are finally about to reap some reward from the billions they have invested in F1. Expects to add to his maiden grand prix victory.
Races: 199; Wins: 1; Poles: 3; Podiums: 8; Fastest Laps: 0; Pts: 214
10 Timo Glock (Ger, 27)
CAME back strongly after a horrifying crash in Germany to get on the podium in Hungary. With a full year now under his belt will expect to challenge Trulli for team leader’s role.
Races: 22; Wins: 0; Poles: 0; Podiums: 1; Fastest Laps: 0; Pts: 27

11 Sebastien Buemi (Swi, 20)
WILL be the youngest and least experienced driver on the grid and that could tell against him as he copes with all the new regs. Did not always look F1 material when in GP2 last season.
Races: 0; Wins: 0; Poles: 0; Podiums: 0; Fastest Laps: 0; Pts: 0
12 Sebastien Bourdais (Fr, 29)
JOINED the ranks of Champ Car winners who have struggled to adapt to F1 after finally getting his opening. Spent most of winter sweating on whether he’d get another chance.
Races: 18; Wins: 0; Poles: 0; Podiums: 0; Fastest Laps: 0; Pts: 4
RED BULL RACING

14 Mark Webber (Aus, 32)
LUCKY to survive horrific collision with a SUV while cycling in Tasmania. Battled back from broken leg but will race with titanium pin and faces success-hungry and younger team-mate.
Races: 121; Wins: 0; Poles: 0; Podiums: 2; Fastest Laps: 0; Pts: 100
15 Sebastian Vettel (Ger, 21)
BECAME the youngest winner in F1 history with his stunning success in Italy. Hamilton has already earmarked him as a major future rival while GP chief Bernie Ecclestone also sings his praises.
Races: 26; Wins: 1; Poles: 1; Podiums: 1; Fastest Laps: 0; Pts: 41

16 Nico Rosberg (Ger, 23)
WILL surely be looking for a new team that can match his talents if Williams are unable to reclaim their former glories. Could well be at McLaren alongside Hamilton in 2010.
Races: 53; Wins: 0; Poles: 0; Podiums: 2; Fastest Laps: 1; Pts: 41
17 Kazuki Nakajima (Jap, 24)
SURPRISED Rosberg with his pace after being handed chance as part of engine deal with Toyota. But can he end Williams’ 72-races without victory, the longest run in their history?
Races: 19; Wins: 0; Poles: 0; Podiums: 0; Fastest Laps: 0; Pts: 9

18 Jenson Button (GB, 29)
COULD be on course for one of the biggest sporting shocks in history if he can challenge for title under the leadership of genius Ross Brawn when he must have thought he was heading for F1 scrapheap.
Races: 153; Wins: 1; Poles: 3; Podiums: 15; Fastest Laps: 0; Pts: 232
19 Rubens Barrichello (Bra, 36)
VAST experience proved decisive in seeing off challenge of Bruno Senna for the second seat and his years with Brawn at Ferrari also surely helped. Could be a contender if testing pace is maintained.
Races: 267; Wins: 9; Poles: 13; Podiums: 62; Fastest Laps: 15; Pts: 530

20 Adrian Sutil (Ger, 26)
STILL the guy Hamilton goes to on those pre-race drivers' parades. But needs to show he can be more than the Brit’s best buddy. And they share the same engine partner now in Mercedes.
Races: 35; Wins: 0; Poles: 0; Podiums: 0; Fastest Laps: 0; Pts: 1
21 Giancarlo Fisichella (It, 36)
DAVID COULTHARD'S tip as the surprise package of F1. Veteran Italian man likely to lead their challenge, but lack of winter testing could prove costly.
Races: 212; Wins: 3; Poles: 3; Podiums: 18; Fastest Laps: 2; Pts: 267