BMW Sauber F1 - The Sauber team was bought by the German car company BMW in 2005. The BMW engine was used in the Williams F1 car during the 2005 season. The two companies decided to go their separate ways after the season due to management differences, and BMW announced it would buy the Swiss team. The team competed in its first season last year and managed to score two podium positions and finish fifth in the constructors championship.
Drivers - Nick Heidfeld (Germany, 0 Wins) and Robert Kubica (Polish, 0 Wins)
Prediction - The BMW company has put a lot of resources into their F1 team, and will be a stronger, more prominent front runner this season. They have invested in a huge supercomputer for use in Computational Fluid Dynamics. They have also invested in the team’s wind tunnel, and as such should have a good aero package on the car. That combined with a powerful and reliable BMW P86/7 engine should prove to be a fast package. Of the two drivers, Nick Heidfeld needs to prove his worth this season. Robert Kubica has shown he’s not only quick, but also able to dice with the best. The team could annoy the front runners by mixing it at the front on a regular basis.
Red Bull Racing - The Red Bull Racing team is the first of two teams that are owned by Dietrich Mateschitz (owner of Red Bull drinks). The team was started when Dietrich Mateschitz purchased the Jaguar Race team from Ford motor company in 2005. Up until this season, the team has run using adapted Jaguar racing chassis and setup - using a Cosworth engine in 2005 and a Ferrari customer engine through 2006. This year is the first year that the team will truly have their own car - they hired Adrian Newey in 2006 to design the RB03 chassis. The team has also signed a contract with Renault to supply their engine and have given their Ferrari engines to sister team Scuderia Toro Rosso.
Drivers - David Coulthard (English, 13 Wins) and Mark Webber (Australia, 0 Wins)
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