F1 Technical's 2007 preview

With less than a month to go before the season-opener at Melbourne, the teams are gearing up for a test session at Bahrain this week. F1Technical gives you a preview of the upcoming 2007 Formula One season.

The new F1 season will kick-off without some of the leading drivers of the pinnacle of motorsport: Michael Schumacher, Jacques Villeneuve and Juan Pablo Montoya. But even though we had to say goodbye to the old stars, there will be a lot of new talented faces on the grid next season who will spice up the Championship.

Renault

After the departure of double World Champion Fernando Alonso to McLaren, Giancarlo Fisichella and Heikki Kovalainen are the ones that have to fetch Renault a new title. Fisico, one of the most experienced drivers in F1, will have to prove himself this year at Renault as Nelson Piquet Jr., the new test-and reserve driver of the team, is already eying the Italian's seat next season. Fisichella is teamed-up with Heikki Kovalainen. A lot is expected from the young Finnish driver as he will be replacing Fernando Alonso and already showed his pace during the numerous tests he conducted for the team in 2006. The Renault team doesn't only have a new driver line-up for the upcoming season but also a new title sponsor, what resulted in a totally new livery.

Ferrari

The Scuderia Ferrari has the tough challenge to win the Championship without Michael Schumacher and Ross Brawn. Kimi Raikkonen, who will be replacing Schumi, has proven to be a top driver, but never won the title. Will he succeed with Ferrari? Not if it depends on Felipe Massa. The Brazilian driver proved his worth to the Italian team in 2006 and is burned on his first title. Both drivers won't only compete with their rivals, but also with each other in 2007.

McLaren

After the disappointing 2006 season, where the team didn't win a single race, McLaren seems to be ready to battle for the Championship title again as they have a promising driver line-up. Double World Champion, Fernando Alonso, will team up with rookie Lewis Hamilton, who is considered as one of the big F1 stars of the future. McLaren has been on top many times during the last weeks of winter-testing, but we'll have to wait till Melbourne to see if they can confirm their form.

Honda

Honda, who still has to unveil their new 2007 livery, is seen as one of the outsiders that has to be considered the most for the 2007 season. Jenson Button will drive delivered after collecting his first Grand Prix victory last season at Hungary and team mate Rubens Barrichello, who will start his second season with Honda, will try to outpace his team mate to prove he still has what it takes to be an F1 driver.

BMW Sauberf1

The BMW Sauber F1 Team has been the surprise of the 2006 season and it appears that the team will keep on surprising in 2007 as they have showed great pace during the last weeks of testing. 'Quick' Nick Heidfeld, who is one of the most experienced drivers in F1, gets not much attention from the media, but is a driver to keep an eye on. Team mate, Robert Kubica, who impressed everybody last season by finishing on the podium in his third Grand Prix, will have to confirm his pace this season. How can you do that better than with a victory?
BMW Sauber will definitely be one of the teams to keep an eye on in 2007.

Red Bull

The first Adrian Newey-designed car gives Red Bull wings. The RB3, who will be powered by Renault engines, gives the team hope to join the top teams. David Coulthard, after the departure of Michael Schumacher the oldest driver in F1, will team up with Mark Webber, who left the Williams Team.

Toyota

After a disappointing 2006 season, Toyota finally wants to collect their first Grand Prix victory. The Japanese team again puts its trust in Jarno Trulli and Ralf Schumacher to do so. During winter testing, the team hasn't done badly, but they haven't convinced either.

Williams

Williams was seen as one of the biggest outsiders during winter testing in 2006, but once the season kicked-off, the team only disappointed. With the new FW29, the team hopes to turn the tide. After the departure of Mark Webber to Red Bull, Alexander Wurz, the 2006 test-and reserve driver of the team, will team up with Nico Rosberg.

Toro Rosso

The new STR2 is the speaking image of the RB3. After a lot of discussion about the use of customer cars this season, there hasn't been taken any action towards Toro Rosso by other teams so far. Vitatonio Liuzzi was the only race driver present at the low-key launch at Barcelona last week as there are still some contractual difficulties with Scott Speed, but it's believed that the American will be announced soon.

SpykerF1

It will be the first season of the Spyker F1 Team in Formula One and the team immediately was able to bring in Mike Gascoyne. James Key was able to design a renewing car in comparison to the 2006 car, but in August, the team will unveil the first car designed by Gascoyne.
Christijan Albers and Adrian Sutil, the two talented drivers of the Dutch team hope to be able to collect points this season, but know that this won't be an easy task.

Super Aguri

Super Aguri has also been mingled in the discussion about customer cars as they have been testing with Honda's 2006 chassis. The team still needs to unveil their 2007 challenger. Takuma Sato and Anthony Davidson, Honda's 2006 test- and reserve driver, will be the ones that need to collect the Japanese team's first point.