Drivers line-up set for world championship

Manama : F1’s 22-man roster of superstar drivers is finally complete, as the days continue to count down to the start of the 2016 world championship next month.

The last pair of slots still available for the new campaign were filled over the last fortnight, giving all 11 Formula 1 teams their season’s pairings who will be vying for race wins and podiums.

The last two signings were German Pascal Wehrlein and Indonesian Rio Haryanto for Manor Racing. Manor were last season entered as Marussia after previously being known as Virgin Racing. Both Wehrlein and Haryanto are rookies in the top flight but they will each be looking to make a strong debut. 

Elsewhere on the grid, two-time defending world champions Mercedes will be aiming for an impressive third successive constructors’ title. Leading the charge will be the talented pairing of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. Hamilton himself will be aiming for a third straight divers’ championship, but teammate Rosberg has some other plans and will be hoping to mount a serious challenge on his fellow Silver Arrow.

Also hoping to test Mercedes’ mettle will be the quartet of Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen of Ferrari and Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button from McLaren, all of whom are former world champions. It remains to be seen, however, if their teams can deliver a car that is worthy of their talents.

Others expected to make a push for the front are the returning Williams partnership of Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas, Red Bull Racing’s Daniel Ricciardo and Daniil Kvyat, Force India’s Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenberg, Toro Rosso’s Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz Jr., and Sauber pairing Marcus Ericsson and Felipe Nasr.

Romain Grosjean and Esteban Gutierrez are also back for this season, but this time with a different team in F1 debutants Haas. Renault are making a much-anticipated return to F1 after taking over Lotus. They will see Kevin Magnussen and rookie Jolyon Palmer team up to race.