I have previously talked about the changing restrictions and rules in Formula 1 this season. This part of the preview will deal with changes within the driver and team line ups and finish with a prediction for the Drivers and Constructors championships.

News this week emerged that Ecclestone wants to get rid of 3 teams from 2013 only last year he brought into the sport. This is Madness as it takes more than 4 years to become a competitive team. Once they have a few more seasons to develop the grid will be much more competitive. The 107% rule should help reduce really slow cars from being on the track and the newer teams, even the dreadful HRT need to be given time to develop, they need help not threats of expulsion.

New Drivers
Paul Di Resta increases the number of British drivers to three for this season although he is unlikely to be challenging at the front of the grid too often although Force India should give him a chance to pick up regular points this season. Pastor Maldonado has replaced Nico Hulkenburg at Williams in what can only be a pay driver role. This is a bit disappointing  as Hulkenburg had a good season, took a pole and is now back being a third driver. He was GP2 champion l;ast year though so Maldonado should have something about him

Sergio Perez has looked decent in testing for Sauber and was second in last seasons GP2 championship. Virgin have added Jerome d'Ambrosio to their line up this season for the Sheffield based outfit. He replaces Lucas Di Grassi and is the first Belgian to race in F1 since Thierry Boutsen in 1993, not that it matters.

Driver Movement
The biggest 5 teams all had kept the same line up this season, McLaren, Ferrari, Red Bull, Renault and Mercedes. However with Kubica's injry Nick Heidfeld comes in to replace him for however long Kubica is injured for. If I was to hazard a guess it would be Kubica would be out for the season and if he does return and Heidfeld is doing well then Petrov maybe asked to take a back seat for the rest of the season.

Antonio Liuzzi has moved from Force India to Hispania which is a martginally better role than being a test driver for the worst team to have been in F1 that I can remember, and I remember the days of pre-qualifying. Liuzzi is joined by Narain Karthikeyan who lets be honest isn't a very good driver and he's in a bad car. I foresee him at the back much this season

Mystic Jarv's Predictions
Drivers Title Winner
While I really would like a British world champion I don't think any of this season's three British drivers, Button, Hamilton or Di Resta will have the car under them to power them to a world title. It looks like a straight fight between Alonso, Vettel and Webber as the other cars don't seem fast enough and Massa is now nothing more than a 2nd driver, what ever the press releases say he won't be allowed to actually beat Alonso. I will go for Vettel to be champion again this year as although Webber wont be a second driver I just see Vettel getting a bit more support from Red bull.

Constructors championship
For the same reason above that Massa wont be allowed to race Alonso I can't see him being as motivated and will score less points as a result which means Red Bull will take the Constructors title from Ferrari with Mclaren third. Mclaren will have a tough time as Renault look quick and will push them and may have over taken them (no pun intended) had Kubica been fit. Mercedes also look to be quick at the last test and won't be far away in some races this season too. I personally believe (or is it hope) Mclaren pull it together and are at least competitive this season.

Full constructors list predictions

1. Red Bull
2. Ferrari
3. Mclaren
4. Mercedes
5. Renault
6. Williams
7. Force India
8. Sauber
9. Toro Rosso
10. Lotus
11. Virgin
12. HRT

By Steve Jarvis