As part of MotorSportsTalk’s preview of the new Formula 1 season, we have put together a run-down of the drivers that will be racing in the sport this season. With three rookies joining the fray and nine of the teams making a change to their line-up, the grid is looking incredibly different to where we left off in Brazil last November.
RED BULL RACING
#1 – Sebastian Vettel – four-time world champion chasing an unprecedented tenth straight win in Australia, but may be denied by problems with the RB10 car.
#3 – Daniel Ricciardo – promoted to Red Bull from Toro Rosso as Mark Webber’s replacement; yet to truly prove himself as a front-runner, but a strong qualifier.
MERCEDES
#44 – Lewis Hamilton – 2008 world champion looking for a second title; 2014 could be his best chance in years.
#6 – Nico Rosberg – three-time race winner, and an intelligent and astute driver. He may be a dark horse for the title.
SCUDERIA FERRARI
#14 – Fernando Alonso – two-time champion, but yet to claim a title with Ferrari. Could be a case of fifth time lucky, but rumors of a move to McLaren in 2015 persist.
#7 – Kimi Raikkonen – 2007 champion returns to Ferrari, the team with whom he won the title. Known for his blunt personality, but possesses great ability.
LOTUS F1 TEAM
#8 – Romain Grosjean – likeable Frenchman who came of age in the second half of 2013, losing his crash-kid label. Due his first grand prix victory in 2014.
#13 – Pastor Maldonado – one-time GP winner but very inconsistent, scoring just one point in 2013. Yet to prove himself in Formula 1.
MCLAREN MERCEDES
#22 – Jenson Button – 2009 champion and the second oldest driver on the grid. Known for smooth and calm driving style.
#20 – Kevin Magnussen – one of three rookies, but impressed McLaren enough to warrant Sergio Perez’s departure. Could be one to watch this year.
FORCE INDIA F1 TEAM
#11 – Sergio Perez – failed to impress at McLaren, although his efforts were hindered by the MP4-28. Could revive his career with Force India.
#27 – Nico Hulkenberg – one of the top drivers yet to win a grand prix; tipped as a possible successor to Alonso or Raikkonen at Ferrari.
SAUBER F1 TEAM
#99 – Adrian Sutil – after seven seasons with Force India, Sauber is only Sutil’s second team. Yet to reach the podium, occasional points scorer.
#21 – Esteban Gutierrez – ‘Rookie of the Year’ in 2013, albeit with only six points. Yet to truly show what he can do, and under pressure in 2014.
SCUDERIA TORO ROSSO
#25 – Jean-Eric Vergne – entering his third season, and has shown glimpses of potential, but missed out on the Red Bull seat. Hard to envisage a long-term future with Toro Rosso.
#26 – Daniil Kvyat – 2013 GP3 champion and surprise choice as Ricciardo’s replacement; has impressed during practice run-outs and in testing.
WILLIAMS MARTINI RACING
#19 – Felipe Massa – joins Williams after eight years at Ferrari; could flourish out of Alonso’s shadow and without the pressures of Maranello.
#77 – Valtteri Bottas – debut season was hampered by troublesome FW36, but certainly has the makings of a capable driver.
MARUSSIA F1 TEAM
#17 – Jules Bianchi – Ferrari protege who single-handedly won Marussia P10 in the constructors’ last year; a star in the making.
#4 – Max Chilton – only person in F1 history to ever finish every single race during his debut season, but rarely came outside of the bottom two classified drivers.
CATERHAM F1 TEAM
#10 – Kamui Kobayashi – returns to F1 after one year away, a real fan favorite with a huge following in Japan. Known for his aggressive driving style.
#9 – Marcus Ericsson – the third and final rookie, stepping up after four years in GP2. First Swedish driver since Stefan Johansson in 1991.
