Pre Season Testing- Jerez

This week testing began in Jerez, and although no-one can read too much into what these times mean the final few tests should give a decent idea of who will be in the shake up for the title. There have been many changes in F1 since last year

* 8 of the 12 teams have new cars out this year
* Pirelli are now making the tyres
* There are many new drivers this season (One of whom might me Nick Heidfeld after Kubica's accident)
* The F-Duct, moveable splitters and double-diffuser are all banned and rear wings are now adjustable


There are 4 teams in with a real shout of winning the constructors championship this year (Red Bull, Ferrari, Mclaren and Mercedes)
 I would be amazed if anyone can say who will win this season yet but Mercedes seem to have a great car this year after taking a building year last season and with 2 top quality drivers like Rosberg and Schumacher, they are definitely the dark horses in the title race this year and are a bit of value as well if your a betting man.

Mercedes W02
F1 2011

Ferrari are much improved from last year and Alonso proved that he can still compete even with a slower car, I think Massa could be a bit too much off the pace for Ferrari to be considered for a constructors title though.

Ferrari F150
F1 2011

 Mclaren  need too improve tenfold on last year to be even considered for title, with a new car out this year this is a possibility but I think they have too much to do to catch up on Red Bull.

Mclaren MP4-26
F1 2011

And finally of course Red Bull, they were miles ahead of any other team last year (literally at some stages) and should have won the drivers title by a lot more had it not been for their policy of letting their driver race (and crashing into each other) They certainly have the pace but do they have the leadership and common sense to stop shooting themselves in the foot? All will be revealed in under a month when the F1 circus rolls into Bahrain, I don't think anyone minds who wins so long as it isn't as lacklustre an affair as it was last year.

Red Bull RB7
F1 2011