It's time for an early look at the strengths and weaknesses of the leading contenders for 2010's F1 world title
Maurice Hamilton www.guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 23 December 2009 22.20 GMT
Lewis Hamilton, 24
McLaren, world champion 2008
Pedigree Won title in every junior category. Firmly established after three seasons in F1.
Temperament Relentless. Thinks of nothing but winning. In the Schumacher mould.
Raw speed Arguably the fastest, even quicker than Schumacher. Will want to beat him at all costs.
Car quality The McLaren should be a winner after hard lessons and frustrating season in 2009.
Title odds 9-4
Fernando Alonso, 28
Ferrari, world champion 2005, 2006
Pedigree 139 grands prix, 21 wins and two titles add up to vast, productive experience.
Temperament Suspect if Ferrari team-mate Massa proves to be as fast. Toys left McLaren pram in 2007 when Hamilton quicker.
Raw speed Best all-rounder by a long way. Tenacious. Will relish chance to take on and beat Schumacher again.
Car quality Ferrari, like McLaren, will lick wounds after difficult year and come out fighting.
Title odds 7-2
Sebastian Vettel, 22
Red Bull, best championship finish 2nd, 2009
Pedigree One of the youngest but mature for his age and a mere 42 grands prix.
Temperament Calm, but happy-go-lucky nature cracked at times this year when team-mate Mark Webber was quicker. Webber will play on the weakness.
Raw speed Loads of natural ability, demonstrated by two of five F1 wins being in the wet.
Car quality Red Bull ran Brawn close in 2009. Ready to be a world-beater.
Title odds 11-2
Jenson Button, 29
McLaren, world champion 2009
Pedigree Been through every emotion in 10 seasons of F1. Reaching his peak.
Temperament Perfect to deal with the precocious Hamilton as team-mate.
Raw speed Fluid, easy style matches natural ability. May be ideally suited to deal with regulation change bringing heavier car through no refuelling and need to look after tyres in 2010.
Car quality As for Hamilton, but new to the team and make take longer to adapt.
Title odds 6-1
Michael Schumacher, 40
Mercedes, world champion 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
Pedigree None better after 249 grands prix and 91 victories.
Temperament Cool, calm and collected. Will he stay that way if the going is rougher than ever experienced before?
Raw speed Was consistently the fastest at point of retirement. And now? Probably no change. But racing wheel-to-wheel with youngsters may be a tough test.
Car quality Good question. Mercedes (Brawn) may pay the price for effort put in to 2009 car at expense of new one.
Title odds 6-1
Felipe Massa, 28
Ferrari, best championship finish 2nd, 2008
Pedigree Least impressive of the six but has matured into a very fast and consistent driver.
Temperament Was prone to allowing heart to rule head but that has changed in recent years thanks to feeling part of Ferrari family.
Raw speed Now very fast and may surprise Alonso. Unaffected by head injury this year.
Car quality As for Alonso, but the Brazilian, like Hamilton, is comfortable in the team and knows how they and the car work.
Title odds 8-1
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