The months of waiting are over

The months of waiting are over. The 2006 FIA Formula One World Championship gets underway in Bahrain this weekend with new drivers, new regulations and even a new team. And winter testing suggests that champions Renault have plenty of rivals ready and able to steal their crown

The 2006 rookies - Rosberg, Speed & Ide

The start of any Formula One season brings with it a crop of new faces and this year three ‘rookie’ drivers are set to make their race debuts when they line up on the grid in Bahrain this weekend.

The 2006 Season Preview

Formula One racing is set for one of the most open seasons in years. There is no other conclusion that you can draw when you study the teams' winter testing form from the Barcelona, Jerez, Valencia, Bahrain, Imola and Vallelunga circuits.

2006 has all the hallmarks thus far of a brilliant season, with world champions Renault battling it out again with McLaren, and Honda moving forward to challenge both of them. Ferrari and Toyota should also be close, while Williams, BMW Sauber and Red Bull - with their Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso (formerly Minardi) teams - are definite underdogs.