Ahead of the start of the Formula One season in Australia on Sunday, here is a look at five of the drivers on the grid to watch out for over the coming 20 races.
Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)
Verstappen may be only 19, but this is his third full season in F1. The Dutch teenager had a great 2016 when he was promoted to Red Bull Racing mid-season and won his first race in Spain. The frightening thing for the rest of the grid is that he should be even quicker this year, being more experienced and having had a full pre-season with Red Bull, which he did not have last year. His inter-team duel with Daniel Ricciardo will be one of the highlights of the season.
Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)
You did not have to be a body language expert to see the German was not happy with life last season as Ferrari struggled. But the Italian team have looked strong in testing, and if that speed is genuine, then the four-time world champion should be in the mix for a tilt at a fifth title, and Ferrari’s first drivers’ title since 2007.
Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes-GP)
The Finn has big shoes to fill at Mercedes-GP as he replaces the retired world champion Nico Rosberg. Botta impressed during four years at Williams without ever having a real standout result, but now he has his first realistic chance to win races. He will, however, have the daunting prospect of triple world champion Lewis Hamilton as his teammate to deal with.
Nico Hulkenberg (Renault)
It was November 2010 when the German wowed F1 by taking pole in Brazil in his rookie season with Williams. Wind the clock forward to now and 115 races later, and Hulkenberg is still to finish on the podium or live up to his considerable potential. After three years at Force India, the move to a manufacturer team in Renault could give him a new lease of life and allow him to finally get a top-three result.
Lance Stroll (Williams)
The second teenager on the grid, the Canadian, 18, races for Williams after dominating European Formula 3. He had a rough time in testing in Barcelona as he had a number of spins. Stroll, who partners Felipe Massa, will need to adapt quickly to the challenges and demands of F1, and will need a good early result to settle his nerves.
gcaygill@thenational.ae
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