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The 2018 F1 cars have debuted in the winter testing in Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya with the halo in tow.
Although the new cars are looking meaner and have become considerably faster than when the V6 Turbo engine era began in 2014, the latest safety device has not met with the most enthusiastic response; be that in the paddock or with the fans.
It's a toss-up between aesthetics and safety and the latter has won this round. Be that as it may, the grid is looking extremely lively with bold liveries from Renault, Ferrari, Toro Rosso, Force India and McLaren to go with the new F1 logo and branding.
There are a lot of drivers who are entering their make or break season. It can be safely assumed that either way the cookie crumbles, it will open a lot of coveted seats for the 2019 season.
The ingredients are there for a humdinger of a season. Let's run through the drivers of each constructor and see what promise and challenges these 21 Grands Prix holds for them.
#1 Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton:
A rarefied air of greatness beckons if he can match Argentine Juan Manuel Fangio's five F1 titles.
He has the momentum behind him and is the de facto number 1 at Mercedes, and that makes it a bit easier for him.
However, he craves a tougher battle with a closer field. Ideally, he'd like to win it after an intense battle, preferably with new threat Max Verstappen or old foe and ex-McLaren garage mate Fernando Alonso.
Valtteri Bottas:
Half the grid wants his seat and essentially he's defending his chance to continue being in a race-winning car.
The best way to do that is to win the championship with it. Trickier than it sounds though. He has to beat Hamilton, if not anyone else for that. Can he do it? Jury's still out on that as Bottas was underwhelming if not just about par in his first season with Mercedes.
#2 Ferrari
Sebastian Vettel:
Tied at four Formula One driver's titles with Hamilton and Alain Prost, and within touching distance of 100 podiums, motivation is not an issue.
If Ferrari are there or thereabouts of Mercedes, another battle with Hamilton is in the offing. Yet, if he doesn't win the title this year with such an effective machinery at his disposal, Vettel's stock will come down.
Kimi Raikkonen:
Needs to start strongly to push his second driver status out of the equation and mount a title challenge. His Ferrari was rapid in the winter testing.
The Iceman's win drought stretches back to the 2013 Australian Grand Prix, that too with Lotus! Nothing will delight his legion of fans more than him winning and promptly hanging his helmet.
#3 Renault
Nico Hulkenberg:
It's agreed that Renault as an engine supplier has to step up the horsepower, but so too does Hulkenberg, desperately.
He has to finally break his podium jinx and not get out-paced by Carlos Sainz as Renault look to be in the mix to lead the midfield.
Hulkenberg has been unlucky many times in his career and now needs to make his own luck and build a works team around him.
Carlos Sainz Jr.:
Renault signed him mid-season last year with high expectations and Sainz has to repose the faith by stepping on the podium regularly.
Sainz has the race craft, all he needs is a good machine. This year, both Red Bull and Renault have a stake in his success.
Renault does not have a clear lead driver and Sainz will relish that having lost out to Verstappen in their first season together at Toro Rosso.
#4 Williams
Lance Stroll:
Everything he does will be viewed through the prism of the dad's cash reserves, until he wows with talent and performances on Sundays.
It's up to him to show that Baku podium last year was not fortuitous. Expect a tough year for him as Williams was not that quick in the winter testing.
He has had a privileged entry and so harsher yardstick will be used to judge his progress and prowess.
Sergey Sirotkin:
The general rant goes that Williams has sold their soul to the devil with a second 'pay driver' and not picking the sentimental favourite Robert Kubica.
Well, those circumstances make the focus on the Russian rookie a tad bit fiercer, with knives ready to be out at the first crash. Besides, they have a very capable reserve driver in Kubica to take over in case of any eventuality.
#5 Alfa Romeo Sauber
Charles Leclerc:
Ferrari's blue-eyed boy and odds-on favourite to be the rookie of the year.
He became the first driver since Hulkenberg in 2009 to win the coveted title in his first season, a feat achieved by both Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.
After setting alight the F2 circuit with his fearless, audacious driving to be crowned the champion last year, he now has the chance to drive a back-marker - an improved Sauber.
Marcus Ericsson:
The most under the radar driver on the grid, with all the conversation around his rookie teammate.
It can lead to F1 oblivion if Leclerc delivers on his prodigious promise and Ericsson, the experienced one with the team falters.
He was genuinely concerned about his race seat last season and only consistency and points will help him make a mark.
#6 Force India
Esteban Ocon:
Mercedes will come calling soon if Esteban out-races teammate Sergio Perez after matching him closely last year.
With what he's displayed in his maiden campaign, the potential to do so is not in doubt.
Force India's pace though is tough to call from the winter runs in Barcelona, but a strong car is expected, given the history of them consistently punching above their budget in two previous seasons.
Sergio Perez:
He was caught by surprise at the competitiveness of Ocon last season and just about finished ahead of him.
After being a solid midfield competitor for half a decade now, if there was ever a time for him to make a push for the big league, it is now.
If he produces a demolishing campaign defeating Ocon comprehensively, the stars may align.
#7 Red Bull
Daniel Ricciardo:
Red Bull will be in the mix for wins right from round one in Melbourne.
Ricciardo has a big fight ahead of him, but he has the nous and pace to be up for it. He has beaten Vettel before, and he can beat Verstappen now.
Additionally, the first piece of the silly season will begin with the move that he makes for 2019. For a potential call from Mercedes or Ferrari, he has to beat the talent of the generation in Max Verstappen.
Max Verstappen:
Don't discount a title bid. Without putting out names, let's get this on record that Verstappen has got into the head of a few drivers without even trying psychological games with them.
It happens when a driver is that great, this early. Wise beyond years, brave every drive. This could be his year and even Hamilton is aware of the possibility of a duel with Verstappen in the immediate future.
#8 Haas
Romain Grosjean:
It is looking like a promising season awaits after the rapid pace shown while testing. However, the light at the end of the wind tunnel is certainly not from Ferrari.
Grosjean has had a good comeback since his Renault days but higher peaks are very unlikely to come by for him, even in a quick Haas. On his day, he can be a match for anyone.
Kevin Magnussen:
The bad boy is sure to have some confrontations on track and in the paddock. It's easy to forget that he drove his McLaren to the podium in his first race back in 2014 and had a full season with Renault in 2016.
He needs a string of good results in 2018 to change the conversation around him.
#9 Toro Rosso - Honda
Pierre Gasly:
A product of the cut-throat world of Red Bull driver development program and with the 2016 F2 title on his resume, he has made a confident start to his F1 career.
The Honda partnership inexplicably seems to be working for the team. The first full season with Toro Rosso will be the real baptism by fire. He will be eager, will he be quicker?
Brendon Hartley:
The comeback kid whom Red Bull had left in the wilderness is now back as World Endurance Champion 2017.
It's an encouraging story, but F1 is a different world with terrifying sub-plots and the tall Kiwi will discover it soon.
In his own words, it's a massive opportunity to prove himself in Formula One. Hopefully, he's here to stay.
#10 McLaren
Fernando Alonso:
Dragging undeserving engines and wheelbarrow of a car to positions only a magician can, Alonso is due. Big time.
If McLaren-Renault has more than a decent car, there will be tooth and nail battles from the Samurai.
He'll be making headlines, either with his impressive drives or with his quips over the radio. He has vowed to win this year, in McLaren or in WEC with Toyota, possibly both. Stranger things have happened, you never know.
Stoffel Vandoorne:
McLaren had a tough winter test, but is in a better position than before.
It is a such a challenge to race Fernando as a teammate and the sophomore season for Vandoorne is the season that he can expect to be competitive.
That, however, ain't ever enough because your first adversary is your teammate.
