The F1 Buzz Factor: Who's Got It?

Thinking for a while about the F1 drivers of 2009 - for it does a man no good to keep daydreaming about Jessica Alba - it occurred to me that some of them are more interesting than others.

Much more interesting.

So who will be the guys we watch and talk about this year, the ones bringing excitement to the circus, the drivers there'll be a buzz about?

Here is my list of the top five drivers with the buzz factor, feel free to disagree.

1. Sebastian Vettel. Seb has just got to be king of the buzz boys right now. Already marked out as a precocious talent, he impressed everyone in 2008, and we all want to see what he can do on the supposedly more level playing field of F1 2009.

His toothsome grin carved into the face of a 12 year old makes him a media favourite, while his obvious ability to out-drive his car hints at great feats to come. Yes Herr Vettel, I'm looking to you for a real buzz this year.

2. Fernando Alonso. Fiery Fernando has been around for a while, and we've already seen him score two world championships. By rights we ought to be thoroughly bored with him, but his unexpected wins in 2008 were like surprise rapier thrusts, and reminded us that he is always a storm on the F1 horizon.

C'mon Fernando, let's see some Spanish surprises in 2009. We'll probably hate you for it, but we'll love you too.

3. Robert Kubica. With his dour personality Robert is a media man's nightmare, but every F1 fan seems to feel that he carries a special promise. His rather cantankerous attitude towards his team is buzz-worthy in itself, but it is the way he drove that BMW-Sauber to chase for the 2008 F1 title almost to the end that puts him on this list.

Bobby Cube, B is for Beema, B is for Buzz. Put the pedal down please, we expect good things from you.

4. Mark Webber. This choice may surprise some, but for me the partnership of the laconic Aussie with the talented Vettel is the most interesting prospect for 2009.

Webber has courage and aggression; with Seb singeing his butt I am looking to Red Bull for more buzz than a bee-hive this year.

Fair dinkum, Mark? Good on yer, cobber.

5. Lewis Hamilton. Given that this will only be his third F1 season, and that he (just about) won the title last year, perhaps all eyes should be on Ron's protege, and he should be oozing the buzz factor. But for me he has slightly faded to grey, his lustre dimmed and his buzz quietened by a less than scintillating 2008.

Does Lewis need a serious rival driver in the team to light his fire? Could be.

Lewis, I know you are reading this, and I want you to take some advice from the old man. When you're not on the way up, you tend to be on the way down. That's when buzz turns to groan, my good man, so step up to the plate this year or there's no way you'll make the buzz factor list for 2010.

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They also serve...

... but don't really buzz.

Kimi Raikkonen. By all accounts a wild man off the track, in the F1 arena he wears a personality masking cloak from which no buzz can escape.

Felipe Massa. Yes, yes, he may well be the best driver in F1. But being as bland as porridge as ruled him out of a buzz factor award.

Heikki Kovalainen. Oh please! An inflatable woman would have more life, and might make a buzzing sound if punctured.

Nick Heidfeld. He seethes, he snarls, he glares resentfully. Buzz he does not.

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