Formula One: The 2013 team by team snapshots of F1 cars and the drivers

A look at the 22 cars on the grid and the drivers representing the marques for this season.

RED BULL RACING

The Austrian team have been the dominant force of F1 for the last four seasons thanks to the creative mind of chief technical officer Adrian Newey. Favourites to win a fourth successive constructors' title.

1. Sebastian Vettel, Germany

Wrote his way into Formula One history last year by becoming the youngest driver to win three championships in a row. The triple world champion will start as favourite to make it four with Red Bull Racing's RB9 certain to be among the pace-setters at the front.

2. Mark Webber, Australia

On his day the 37 year old is unbeatable. Unfortunately those days come too infrequently for the Australian, hence he has taken a backseat to teammate Vettel for the past three years. Needs to be more consistent if he is to muster a challenge for the title this year.

FERRARI

The good news is the F2013 has looked considerably better in testing than the F2012 that hamstrung Fernando Alonso's title bid last season. The question is will it be enough to beat Red Bull in a straight fight?

3. Fernando Alonso, Spain

Was considered the people's champion last year for an astonishing campaign last season where he missed out on the title by three points despite the considerable limitations of his machinery. Will be one of Vettel's major challengers again this year.

4. Felipe Massa, Brazil

Raised his game in second half of the season after a poor start to keep his seat at Ferrari. In the process reminded everyone that he had been good enough to miss out on the title by just a point in 2008. Needs to keep his form up to be a good foil for Alonso.

MCLAREN-MERCEDES

Arguably should have challenged Red Bull harder last season as they threw away a number of victories through mistakes both from team and drivers, as well as unreliability. Will miss Lewis Hamilton's raw pace.

5. Jenson Button, Great Britain

Departure of Hamilton has set him up as team leader but needs a good start to put a marker down to his younger teammate. Cannot afford a repeat of the problems with understanding the Pirelli tyres that wrecked his campaign last year.

6. Sergio Perez, Mexico

Three podiums for Sauber earned him a move to McLaren, but a poor, error-ridden, end to the season, means there are still questions hanging over the Mexican's ability to handle pressure going into the biggest season of his career.

LOTUS

Were the biggest improvers of last season, with their ability to look after the fast-wearing Pirellis a big asset. One win in Abu Dhabi was their sole reward and they will want more this season.

7. Kimi Raikkonen, Finland

The enigmatic Finn was one of the success stories of 2012 as he finished third in the championship after a two-year hiatus as he tried out rallying. Poor qualifying let him down too often last year, leaving him too much to do in the races, and that is his area for improvement.

8. Romain Grosjean, France

His many crashes were well publicised in 2012, but when the Frenchman stayed out of trouble he was fast and a match for Raikkonen, particularly in qualifying. If he can keep his nose clean in the opening laps of races then good results should come his way.

MERCEDES-GP

Tailed off badly after a good start last year that saw them win their first grand prix since 1955 in China. Unlikely to be consistent race winners this year but the arrival of Hamilton should help their cause.

9. Nico Rosberg, Germany

Despite beating Michael Schumacher consistently for three years in the same car, the jury is still out on just how quick Rosberg actually is. If he can hold up well to Hamilton's raw speed then the German's reputation will grow in the F1 paddock.

10. Lewis Hamilton, Great Britain

Arguably last season was his best in F1, better than his 2008 title win even, as he was fast and consistent, winning four races, and losing three more through no fault of his own. Move to Mercedes is a risk, but the rewards in long term could be great.

SAUBER

Best of the midfield runners in 2012, thanks to their knack for being able to use one-stop strategies thanks to the smoothness of the car on their tyres. More of the same will be their request for the season ahead.

11. Nico Hulkenberg, Germany

Drove well in the second half of the season for Force India to be consistently the best of the rest, with his stint leading in the final race in Brazil particularly impressive. Move to Sauber should allow the German to consolidate his good reputation.

12. Esteban Gutierrez, Mexico

The 21 year old graduates to F1 from GP2, where he won three races in 2012 on his way to third place in the championship. Will need to settle and establish himself quickly if he is to hold his own against the impressive Hulkenberg.

FORCE INDIA-MERCEDES

The reported financial problems of team principal Vijay Mallya led to speculation over the team's future over the winter, but those proved unfounded and the team are still on the grid.

14. Paul di Resta, Great Britain

A big year for the Briton. Has shown glimpses of brilliance in first two years in the series, but both years he has been ultimately overshadowed and beaten by his teammates. He must dominate the team and Sutil this season if he is to be seen as a future world champion.

15. Adrian Sutil, Germany

Legal problems conspired to force the German to sit out 2012 after spending the previous five years with the team. He is back on the grid, and having got the better of Di Resta in 2011 he will be confident of repeating the feat again over the 19 races ahead this year.

WILLIAMS-RENAULT

The glory years of the 1990s seem along time ago now, but last year was promising with a race win in Barcelona. Will look to push on and establish themselves as the best of the midfield.

16. Pastor Maldonado, Venezuela

His maiden victory in Barcelona was superb but let himself down with too many silly mistakes as he only finished in the top 10 five times. Consistency is the watchword this year and ensuring he banks the points with race finishes that Williams deserve.

17. Valtteri Bottas, Finland

Highly regarded by Williams thanks to his simulator work and good feedback from Friday test sessions. High expectations mean he must match and beat Maldonado quickly if he is to become the latest Finnish driver to impress in F1.

TORO ROSSO-FERRARI

Last year's STR7 lacked speed and they never finished higher than eighth in a race. Both drivers have spoken of the STR8 being an improvement, which for their respective sakes, it needs to be.

18. Jean-Eric Vergne, France

Was a good match for his teammate Ricciardo last season, but if he is to progress to a bigger team than needs to consistently beat him. Good wet weather pace, particularly in Malaysia and Brazil, hints at a talent deserving of better machinery.

19. Daniel Ricciardo, Australia

Same story as Vergne in needs to really lift his level to be regularly the leading Toro Rosso, with a potential opening at sister team Red Bull for 2014 if Webber retires. More performances like the one in Bahrain that saw him qualify sixth are needed.

CATERHAM-RENAULT

A weaker driver line-up, with Heikki Kovalainen and Vitaly Petrov both gone, and it is unlikely they will trouble the midfield runners unless conditions become wet at a race.

20. Charles Pic, France

Did a reasonable job in his debut season at Marussia in 2012, though was overshadowed by the more experienced Timo Glock. Limitations of the machinery he will drive mean chances to impress will be few and far between.

21. Giedo van der Garde, Holland

The Dutchman finally gets his chance after being reserve driver for the team in 2012, having previously done the role with Spyker in 2007. Two wins in GP2 last season shows he has speed to justify his spot on the grid. First target will be to match Pic.

MARUSSIA-COSWORTH

Will hope to build on 2012 progress that saw them become more of a match for Caterham as the season wore on. Two rookie drivers means they will lack in experience initially.

22. Jules Bianchi, France

Got the seat late in the day at the expense of the deposed Luiz Razia after he had also been considered by Force India. Highly regarded after impressing in GP2 and will want to use this as a stepping stone to bigger and better things for 2014.

23. Max Chilton, Great Britain

Was reserve driver for the team in 2012 and steps up to get his chance after impressing in a Friday test in Abu Dhabi. Main goal has to be to out-do Bianchi as that will be only fair judge of his speed, given the slowness of the Marussia.