Formula One: Eight Weeks To Bahrain, Eight Things To Look Out For in Preseason

There is only 8 weeks to go until the start of the new season! If your like me then it can't come soon enough.

After the amazing year that was 2010 could the new year be even better? Well it has the potential. But if you can't wait until then there is plenty to keep you interested.

Here are some of the things to look our for in the run up to Bahrain.

Final Driver Lineups Revealed

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SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 06: Christian Klien of Austria and Hispania Racing Team drives during qualifying for the Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix at the Interlagos Circuit on November 6, 2010 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images

Although most of the spots on the grid are already taken there are still some spots left on the grid. Force India are yet to confirm their driver pairing and there is still one spot left at Hispania.

With Nico Hulkenberg, Adrian Sutil, Paul Di Resta and Vitantonio Liuzzi all hoping to get a first team drive, two people will end up disappointed.

The final spot at Hispania could go to any driver given the teams hiring tendency. It was a surprise that they signed Narain Karthikeyan so it’s difficult to see who they might hire to partner him.

Car Launches!

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BARCELONA, SPAIN - MARCH 09: Drivers Sebastien Bourdais (2nd R) and Sebastien Buemi (R) of team Toro Rosso pose with the team principle Franz Tost (3rd R), technical director Giorgio Ascanelli (2nd L) and Ferrari representative Ernest Knoors (L) as they

Many of the teams have already announced their launch dates and this is the chance to see the new cars for the first time.

Ferrari will be the first to reveal their new car when they take the covers off on the 28^th of January in Maranello. Prepare for many arguments on who’s got the best and worst looking cars.

Launch Dates Announced So Far

Ferrari 28^th January

Renault 31^st January

Sauber 31^st January

Lotus 1^st February

Toro Rosso 1^st February

McLaren 4^th February

Force India 10^th February

Preseason Testing

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BUDAPEST, HUNGARY - AUGUST 01: Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Red Bull Racing drives during the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix at the Hungaroring on August 1, 2010 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)

Perhaps the best thing about pre season. This is where the speculation starts about who’s made the quickest car and who’s underperforming.

Will it be all about Red Bull, Ferrari and McLaren again or will Renault or Mercedes be the joker in the pack. It’s the first time to see the new cars in action and the first indicator of what is come.

 Pre Season dates

Valencia 1^st-3^rd Feb

Jerez 10^th-13^th Feb

Catalunya 18^th-21^st Feb

Bahrain 3^rd-6^th March

The Hype!

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BUDAPEST, HUNGARY - JULY 24: BBC Sport presenters Jake Humphrey (L) and Martin Brundle (R) record an interview in the paddock following practice for the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix at the Hungaroring on July 24, 2009 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by

The closer it gets to the start of the season the more hype there will be.

Between now and Bahrain the tension will continue to rise.

The media, fans and those in F1 will be gearing up for the new season and won’t be satisfied until the lights go out in the desert

Controversy

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SAKIR, BAHRAIN - MARCH 14: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and McLaren Mercedes comes in for a pitstop during the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on March 14, 2010 in Sakir, Bahrain. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images

It wouldn’t be Formula 1 without a little pre season controversy.

Whether it’s a controversial car or comment you know something is going to crop up. Last year it was McLarens F-Duct so what will it be this year?

First Look at the New Cars

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VALENCIA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 01: Felipe Massa of Brazil and Ferrari exits his garage for the first time to drive during winter testing at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit on February 1, 2010 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by Ker Robertson/Getty Images)

 In the next 8 weeks we will get to see all the new additions to the cars.

The moveable rear wing and KERS will be on the car and we will see them in action for the first time.

Also the teams will be testing out the new Pirelli tyres so it will be interesting to see if they match up to last years Bridgestones.

Rookie Drivers!

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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - NOVEMBER 17: Pastor Maldonado of Venezuala and Williams F1 Team prepares to go out on track during the Young Driver Testing at the Yas Marina Circuit on November 17, 2010 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by An

Aside from the young drivers test in Abu Dhabi this will be the first chance for the rookies to get some mileage.

2011 will see some new exciting drivers enter the field and we will be able to find out if they’ve got what it takes to succeed in Formula 1.

Sergio Perez and Pastor Maldonado are the key rookies hoping to impress whilst Jerome D’Ambrosio will be looking to do well in his Virgin racing.

Last year saw Kamui Kobayashi impress and the school of 2011 will be hoping to keep their place on the grid.

Rivalries to Be Born... Or Reborn

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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - NOVEMBER 13: Jarno Trulli of Italy and Lotus drives during qualifying for the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit on November 13, 2010 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Mark Thompson/G

Will we see another Vettel-Webber like rivalry?

All of this could flare up again pre season. Team mates can fall out, team bosses can argue over opponent’s cars. As the new season gets closer the more interviews occur and there is more chance for the rivalries to start again.

Also expect to see a lot of heat between the two Lotus camps as Lotus Renault and Team Lotus fight over the legacy of the historic team.

Conclusion

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SAKIR, BAHRAIN - MARCH 14: Fernando Alonso of Spain and Ferrari drives during the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit on March 14, 2010 in Sakir, Bahrain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

Obviously nothing can compare to the real thing starting in March. But between now and then there is plenty going on. Thanks for reading :D