And its go go go........

........the new formula one season has revved its engines and the starting grid has already been decided. The season, the first without the presence of seven time world champion Michael Schumacher promises to be an intriguing one. Will Fernando pull off a hat trick despite changing teams? He has a good chance of winning tomorrows race IF Mclaren dont have their so far perennial early season gremlins as he starts on the front row.
Talking of gremlins Ferrari seem to have found some which has put one of my would be title contenders in a difficult position for tomorrow. Felipe Massa as the incumbent driver for the Scuderia must start from 16th after gearbox problems. This leaves the way open for the title race most people were expecting- not exactly dousing the criticism the sport is boring-with Kimi Raikkonen on pole.So Kimi Vs Alonso then.......

...........I hope not. Well not just those two anyway else the battle for third place will have to captivate the unknown factor. And there is lots to lock your eyes on. Britain's Lewis Hamilton starts fourth in a Mclaren and has been on a par with his more illustrious teammate all winter. Unlike Ferrari past, Mclaren has always allowed its drivers to race each other which could leave the door open for Lewis Hamilton to achieve something not even Michael Schumacher recorded: a debut victory. The only person to collect this result to date was Giancarlo Baghetti - 46 years ago.

Heikki Kovaleinen was up for the same feat but his grid position of thirteenth leaves him with it all to do with a Renault which looks likely to be less dominant than previous seasons. A car issue or did Alonso push the previous versions beyond the limit a la Schumacher?

Sneaking up the inside line are BMW Sauber with arguably the rookie of last season Robert Kubica in the team. The speed has been evident in winter testing but like Mclaren question marks abound about reliability. However I do expect to hear the Pole is on pole at some point this season!

As for Honda, they have gone "green" but are relying on the power of dreams once more as the early season shakedown of the car leaves them a disappointing 14th (Jenson) and 17th on the grid. Indeed the team from Brackley have egg on their faces this morning as their customer team Super Aguri out qualified them-Britain's Anthony Davidson lining up 11th on the grid and recording a time at one stage nine tenths off pole! A solid race with some retirements possible could see Davidson earn points on his debut too.

The only consolation for Jenson Button, Britain's once great hope to be world champion after Damon Hill, is he is not the last of the Brits! That dubious honour falls to former Aussie GP winner David Coulthard in the Adrian newey designed RB3. To be fair to DC he encountered some dirt on the track on the final corner of the first session ruining his weekend. Mark Webber in the sister car lines up seventh and will be hoping for a podium in his own backyard.

As for the Championship? One race, particularly the opener with teams still unsure of one or two aspects of their cars, does not a title win -although the winner often becomes champion. A more rounded view is likely to come at the end of the fly away part of the season in May.

I am still routing for the man from Sao Paulo-if Ross Brawn had been around I'd have even more confidence as he would have created some off the cuff strategy to bring him into contention in the latter stages.

The season is currently on five lights...........................