Michael Schumacher�s and Rubens Barrichello�s pre-season have not been so good and they will race the first four GP�s with the F2004 adapted to the new rules. This may mean that their potential with respect to their most important rivals is lower, although they will the reliability card. It is hoped, in any case, that this season is not `so pleasant for the Kaiser' as last year�s. It will be difficult for him to get a victory as comfortable as the one he got at the circuit of Albert Park in 2004, flanked on the podium by his team mate.

Alonso and Fisichella, both at the wheel of the brand new R25, are clear candidates for the victory. After some logical teething problems, the car has been as competitive as it is reliable and the Spaniard is dreaming about winning in Australia and to be the first leader of a World Championship where he has a lot of hopes invested. In order to do so he will have to shake off the explosive McLaren couple made up of Juan Pablo Montoya and Kimi R�ikk�nen, pure spectacle on the track. The �Silver Arrows� are going to be a lot faster than last year.

The performance of BAR Honda and BMW Williams is the biggest incognito to clear up. These are the other two big teams and good things are expected of them, but it seems that they have not done their homework in the pre-season and arrive at Melbourne with a disadvantage compared to Renault and McLaren. Red Bull Racing�s debut in the competition, Ralf Schumacher�s first race with Toyota and the presence of Narain Karthikeyan (the first Indian in the history of F1) are some of the many attractions that the Australian GP will bring.

Those who may lose it are Christijan Albers and Patrick Friesacher, the Minardi drivers. Paul Stoddart�s team wants to compete with last year�s car (without being adapted to the new rules) and Ferrari refuses to let them do so. In order to race this GP, Minardi needs the approval of all the teams. It is probable that an agreement is reached in the end.