The teams have been working on their new cars for months and they will start to appear at the end of January. The testing starts in the first week of February and the first race is on 17 March. The season has a lot to live up to after the thrills and spills of 2012, in which seven different drivers won the first seven races for the first time and the title went down to the final grand prix, decided by just three points between two of the finest drivers in history, with German Sebastian Vettel emerging champion and Spain's Fernando Alonso second. With the rules virtually unchanged, making it harder than ever to find an advantage, 2013 could be just as close. Let's take a look at what's in store for the year ahead. Red Bull please log in to view this image Three-time world champion Sebastian Vettel appears to have an unquenchable desire for success After three consecutive drivers' and constructors' championships with Vettel, and an unchanged driver line-up completed by Mark Webber, Red Bull remain the team to beat. Vettel was able to overturn what had been a 40-odd point advantage held by Ferrari's Fernando Alonso at mid-season because of a major step forward on the car from the Singapore Grand Prix. And while Red Bull's design chief Adrian Newey has admitted that the lack of rule changes makes it "increasingly difficult" to find an advantage, if anyone can, it will be him. Red Bull's titles have been achieved thanks to an incredible level of competitive intensity, but can they keep that up for a fourth consecutive season? The same goes for Vettel himself. He seems to have an unquenchable desire for success and his love of statistics means he almost certainly has his heart set on becoming only the second man to take five titles in a row after compatriot Michael Schumacher - which would require him to win in 2013 and 2014. But the very fact that only Schumacher has done that before proves how hard it is, not just to keep up the technical excellence but to maintain the required motivation, too. Ferrari please log in to view this image Championship runner-up Fernando Alonso is committed to Ferrari for four more years For Ferrari, the big questions heading into 2013 all surround the team. Can they finally make a car good enough to challenge for wins on pure performance, rather than relying on circumstances and the relentless talent of Alonso? Last year's F2012 car was not as bad as some made out - or at least it wasn't once it had had its update for the start of the European season - but it was never close to the McLaren or the Red Bull on outright pace. As a result, towards the end of the season, there were perhaps the first very small hints of a slight frustration creeping into Alonso's relationship with the team. The Spaniard has come very close to winning two of the last three titles, despite having an inferior car, and he has on paper committed to Ferrari until the end of 2016. But if 2013 turns into another year struggling against the odds, how much will that affect the bond between him and Ferrari? Another key feature of 2013 will be Felipe Massa's form. Will he continue at the high level he reached in the final third of last year or slump back to where he was at the start of 2012? More info. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/20700343
I presume there will be more than RB and SF? As always im looking forward to Bensons write/hype up of Hamiltons chances
In other words, Benson loves Hamilton and hates Schumacher ...and kept crashing into Massa. Funny how the death of his aunt didn't affect his form. What? Still bitter about McLaren not signing Di Resta then.
Button's qualifying position will get worse because without Hamilton he will become complacent is my favourite.
Mclaren exisisted and were successful before Lewis, they will do so after Lewis. Same thing applies to Ferrari and maybe RBR.
How can the BBC ever claim to be impartial with Benson as an F1 correspondent? Even as a Hamilton fan, his writing makes me cringe. If he thinks he is being subtle, he ain't. He does for Hamilton what Manny can do at time for Schuey
Benson's like this all year round though. After reading some of his post-race write ups I could imagine him writing them shaking with rage in a hotel room with an empty bottle of gin by his side.
Benson should sign up for not606 so we can all give him a virtual shoeing. What a nonce. There's no wonder us Hamelots get a bad name.
