F1: 10 things to look for at the season opening 2015 Australian Grand Prix

Everyone is looking forward to the first race of the seasonFormula 1 is back with the Australian Grand Prix this weekend and there are many talking points to ponder about, along withcomplex situations to comprehend after the race beginsat Albert Park. It can all be confusing and sometimes you might miss out on thekey aspects, during the race.Also, since theAustralian round isthe first of the season, it sets the tone for the year.This is why, we have created a comprehensive list of 10 things which you should look-out, and look forward to,during the race at Melbourne.

#1 The Pace of the Mercedes Cars

The undertone heading into this season is that theSilver Arrows are going to dominate F1 again, andnow the question is; by how much?

Pre-season testing has indicated that the team haveconjured up extra pace and reliability since last year. But, that is testing and the actual race is this weekend. The Mercedes pace, if reliable and far from the reach of others; then brace your F1-self again for a German team invasion at the top. And, maybe this time, they will claim a perfect 20 out of 20 racescorecard.

However, this might be a blessing in disguise, as a super charged Nico Rosberg will surely try to dethrone Lewis Hamiltons supremacy in the intra-team battle. That is good news for us, and hence Mercedes at Australia becomes a must watch.

#2 The fight between Ferrari, Red Bull and Williams

Ferrari taking the fight for the second golden spoon

Williams has had a very quiet, but a productive winter. And, Red Bull has been a ‘mixed bag’ in pre-season testing with decent times and not so encouraging reliability. However, the surprise of the year might be Ferrari.

The team looks confident under new hierarchy and going by test-times, the Scuderia has once again produced a quick car. So, now there are actually three teams that can easily challenge and pack a punch for the “best of the rest” trophy.

Certainly, it is a proposition which one can anticipate for.Also, another thing which we all should look forward to in Australia is how Sebastian Vettel will gel in with a Ferrari.

#3 The situation at McLaren-Honda

The team will miss Alonso in these desperate times

Losing Fernando Alonso for a race is certainly a heart-break for any team and it couldn’t have come at a much more difficult time for McLaren. The team is struggling, and their car has barely featured in pre-season testing. Most of the blame has to be taken by Honda though, as it is their engine (and the electrical-electronic sections of it), which is creating most of the ruckus.

The team remains upbeat about the package; and believes that the car has pace. However, this we’ll only find out about during this weekend. But, constant engine failures can hamper everything for us.

Sadly, we’ll also miss Alonso’s comeback race for McLaren at the season opener, but interestingly all eyes will still be on the team because of the reliability concerns and the mystery with pace.

#4 The Kids at Toro Rosso

Putting in youngsters is what Toro Rosso stays in F1 for, and this year they have gone a mile ahead in this notion.

They have appointed a 17-year old as a driver. And yes, we are talking about the new-kid (literally) on the block; Max Verstappen. Now, partnering him will be another young rookie, the Spaniard (20-year-old) Carlos Sainz Junior, the son of famous WRC champion Carlos Sainz.

The team is not at all about sons emulating their famous fathers, and in fact, we are actually looking forward to both the drivers’ individual race-craft, and how they get on in F1. Besides, butterflies will be flying in the stomach of both these kids. But interestingly, both of them, especially young Vesrtappen, had a pretty decent outing at the pre-season tests.

#5 Force India\'s Progress

Force India: Hoping the smiles will last

The word is that they are running out of cash very quickly and they have just about made it to Australia, thanks to the early money injunction promise from Bernie Ecclestone. The team also missed most of the testing sessions in Spain, because of the late delivery of their new car.

The chips are looking down and some sharp eyes will be on them during the Australian race. However, in whatever time they managed at pre-season testing, the car looked reliable and decent.

So, the race will answer some big questions about the team. And, remember, sometimes the hopes of thousands of people can actually carry you through. But, Force India should also be aware that Lotus and Sauber have also upped their game.

#6 The Battle between teammates

Beating your teammate is a must in Formula 1

The winter has mixed all the intra-team driver rivalries up, but fortunately for us, some of them have placed themselves in different squads very beautifully. Australia will be all about looking for teammate wars, because in F1, your teammate is the first person you want to beat.

Starting from the top, the Rosberg and Hamilton rivalry will resume again, and also the Valtteri Bottas-Felipe Massa pair can produce some sparks. At Ferrari, we have two good friends at the helm fighting each other out. And, finally it will be interesting to see which kid gets the upper hand at Toro Rosso.

Sadly, we will miss the Button and Alonso match up this round around, but even Kevin Magnuessen will have a point to prove to McLaren.

#7 Understand the pecking order

The first race of the season all about understanding a few prominent things; and in Formula 1, deciphering the pecking order is the paramount of them all. Pre-Season testing has given us a good glimpse of all the teams’ pace. But, some may have been sandbagging or over showing, and Australia will tell us the truth.

And, in order find the early signs, it is very vital that we must follow and comprehend the time-sheets at Albert Park. So, for all you petrol-heads, this is a huge homework. Besides, if we have a dry qualifying, and a not so uneventful race, we can easily assume the pros and cons of all the teams. And, easily estimate where they actually stand.

#8 What happens to Manor-Marussia?

Surprisingly, even after missing the final few races last year, Marussia are still trying their best to make a comeback in F1. The team has the approval of the FIA, and from the whole paddock (apart from Force India), to compete at Albert Park, albeit with a modified 2014 car and engine.

The team has worked extra-hard to secure funding and investments over the winter. So, with no new vehicle, and no pre-season testing for the two new drivers (Roberto Merhi and Will Stevens) to understand the car, it might be painful to watch them in Australia. However, we are always inquisitive about every team in F1 and supporting underdogs is a must.

#9 Story of Sauber and Giedo van der Garde

Van der Garde is suting up for the courts these days

Gideo van der Garde is fighting in the courtrooms to literally land a seat at Sauber. The circus started when the Dutch driver alleged earlier this month that he has a valid contract to drive at Sauber for the 2015 season. And, despite that, the team handed both the seats out to Marcus Ericsson and Felipe Nasr.

Now, van der Garde was unhappy, and had filed a legal arbitration case against Sauber for the drive. And, ironically, the Supreme Court of Victoria granted van der Garde’s request and has accepted that he should be racing for Sauber.

And, the things took a huge twist today, when the court rejected Sauber’s appeal on the verdict. This means, Sauber can be now be obliged to run van der Garde this weekend, but with two drivers already signed up, it can get pretty tricky there. And, of course they cannot compete with 3 race-drivers!

Whatever it may be, this story will be followed by every newspaper and grapevine news getter on the paddock.

#10 Finally, welcome Back F1!

Now, there are many things you will be checking out when the Grand Prix beings in Australia. In fact, some people might have some specific things to look forward to. But, one common factor and denominator every single Formula 1 fan will be looking forward to is the racing.

It has been five months since we have been deprived of Formula 1, and seeing our stars race.

Hence, this weekend, everyone is looking forward at going back to following the live-timing software whilst enjoying the race.

Besides, watching Daniel Ricciardo and Kimi Raikkonen banging wheels with the Mercedes boys is the dream of every Formula 1 fan. Plus, we get the see all the new cars (minus one if Marussia-Manor race) in action for the first time together.