Teams: BMW Sauber, Ferrari, Force India

A quick snapshot of the 12 teams in the fray.

Peter Sauber stepped up to save his former team when BMW withdrew from the sport after last year's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. They have impressed in pre-season testing and could be this year's surprise package if that translates into speed in the race. After seven years as a test driver with McLaren, the Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa gets his chance to shine alongside Japan's Kamui Kobayashi, who scored his first points in Abu Dhabi in November.

The Italian team will be eager to prove that last year's poor showing was just a blip. Fernando Alonso has been recruited and the Spaniard will be gunning for a third world title; and, after his acrimonious year with McLaren in 2007, he will be aware that he needs to be on his best behaviour. The Brazilian Felipe Massa returns from his spell out with a fractured skull and his raw pace and qualifying speed will make him a handful for Alonso.

The undeniable winner of most improved team last year. Technical upgrades during the season transformed the team and the past strugglers picked up their first points and took pole position and a podium in Belgium. They will aim to continue that progress in 2010 and do look to have genuine pace from testing. Adrian Sutil and Vitantonio Liuzzi continue as the driving pairing and both will have ambitions of fighting for podiums. ...continued