Can it be that time already? The F1 series is about to start as Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel prepares to defend his title in the 62nd World Championship season, starting at the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park, Melbourne from 25-27 March [GALLO/GETTY]
Published On 21 Mar 201121 Mar 2011
The season then moves to Kuala Lumpur for the Malaysian Grand Prix on 8-10 April where Vettel first won last year. With five World Champions on the grid; Vettel, Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso, Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton, the season is shaping up to be a classic [GALLO/GETTY]
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Shanghai is the next destination on 15-17 April, subject to circuit approval. Last year Vettel captured the 2010 title by winning more races (five) and claiming more pole positions (10) than any of his rivals [GALLO/GETTY]
Next on the race calendar is the Turkish Grand Prix on 6-8 May, and the Spanish Grand Prix at the Circuit de Catalunya on 20-22 May. In pre-season testing in Barcelona, Mercedes driver and seven-time world champion Schumacher posted the fastest lap suggesting his car will be more competitive than it was in 2010 [GALLO/GETTY]
Monaco (27-29 May) and the Canadian GP (10-12 June) follow. Technical changes to appear this season include the introduction of electronically adjustable rear wings to reduce drag and increase overtaking opportunities and the reintroduction of KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems)[GALLO/GETTY]
F1 hits Valencia for the European GP on 24-26 June. The other main change to hit the sport is the arrival of Pirelli as tyre supplier, replacing Bridgestone. The tyres have been designed to be less durable, especially to prompt more mid-race pit stops and encourage more tactical play [GALLO/GETTY]
Next up is the Silverstone British Grand Prix on 8-10 July where home fans will be hoping either Lewis Hamilton or Jenson Button, World Champions respectively in 2008 and 2009 can impress. Last year however it was Australian Red Bull driver Mark Webber who took the UK honours [GALLO/GETTY]
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The drivers shift to Nurburgring on 22-24 July for the German Grand Prix, and then Hungary on 29-31 July. One driver likely to miss the entire season is talented Polish driver Robert Kubica of Lotus Renault, who suffered a horrendous crash in the Ronde di Andora rally. Kubica has been replaced by Nick Heildfeld [GALLO/GETTY]
Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium, between 26-28 August marks the mid-season. Can anyone challenge the top five? Step up Mexican Sergio Perez at Sauber who is backed by Mexican tycoon Carlos Slim, recently named by Forbes magazine as the richest person in the world. Slim has the Midas touch in business, but can he turn his luck to F1? [GALLO/GETTY]
The Italian Grand Prix at Monza, 9-11 September, has been labelled as a jinx to the winning driver, as 2010 winner Fernando Alonso can testify. In twenty years only Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher have won the Italian GP and gone on to win the World Championship in the same year [GALLO/GETTY]
September and October marks the business end of the F1 season. The drivers head to Singapore (23-25 September), Japan (7-9 October) and South Korea (14-16 October). But where are the Asian drivers? Kamui Kobayashi from Japan performed well for Sauber in 2010 despite retiring from six of the first 12 races. One to watch this year [GALLO/GETTY]
And Indian GP fans (28-30 October) will welcome the return of Narain Karthikeyan, the first ever Indian F1 driver, who is driving for the Hispania Racing team in 2011 following five years away from the championship [GALLP/GETTY]
The season goes down to the wire at the Yas Marina circuit at Abu Dhabi (11-13 November). Last season this circuit hosted the season-ender with favourite Fernando Alonso losing out to Sebastian Vettel who sealed his world championship [GALLO/GETTY]
But the 2011 season-ender is the Interlagos circuit at the Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo (25-27 November). Will we have a repeat World Champion or will a new F1 driver finally make their mark on the sport? [GALLO/GETTY]
