F1: Who will win Round 1 in Australia?

When good things come to an end, we should anticipate the arrival of better. The 2011 F1 season kept fans wrapped in its magnetism, like a lovingly, carefully selected gift, as the purpose-built V8s delivered their gratifying theatre of pleasure.

Vettel

At the end of the marathon test of science- defying metals and revolutionary aerodynamic concepts, the 2010 defending World Champion, Red Bull Racing’s Sebastian Vettel, confirmed his arrival on the world stage and proved with unforgiving tenacity, that he was a young, but potent force to reckon with. Sebastian Vettel stood as a champion and when he sat in the RBR machine, he hammered out his dominance and like a productive fisherman, he hauled in his bounty at the various Rounds. Sebastain Vettel, aided and abetted by the RBR machinery, was crowned F1 World Champion 2011.

That was then, F1 went into hibernation and the titanium connecting rods went silent. But being slaves of speed, their slumber was brief. Fast forward to February 2012 – the models graced the runway. Teams emerged from their dens and the unveiling of victory-promising machines cluttered the internet like discarded toys after a kindergarten birthday party! Successive tests facilitated preparation for the road ahead, but reliability can only be confirmed after a genuine green flag kisses the air!

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McLaren’s 2012 machine!

The 2012 season, like the 2011 season, seeks to answer numerous questions as the drivers on the grid search for a successful niche for themselves. Several things are different however and one which races to the fore is the fact that blown diffusers are a thing of the past, thus rear downforce or the lack of it, assumes major prominence.

Raikkonen

The machines have a new, stepped front-end appearance – so designed to improve driver safety, but arguably, the most exciting feature of the 2012 season, is the presence of 6 World Champions on the grid! Kimi Raikkonen’s return to the 18000 rpm way of life has intensified the expectations to an innumerable degree. I was never a betting man, but, are you willing to bet that the status quo (RBR dominance) will be altered in 2012?  Who will win Round 1? The Australian Grand Prix begins in a few hours!

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer