Force India

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The former Jordan team has gone through its fourth name change in as many years and is now Force India after a takeover by Indian billionaire Vijay Mallya.

The ambition is to be podium contenders in time for the planned first Indian Grand Prix in 2010.

There have been encouraging signs in 2008, particularly a brilliant drive by Adrian Sutil in Monaco.

But there is a lot of work still to do, even if this year's car suggests they are going in the right direction.

Nationality: India/UK
Drivers:
Giancarlo Fisichella (Ita)
Adrian Sutil (Ger)
Engine: Ferrari V8
Tyres: Bridgestone
Team principal: Colin Kolles
F1 history: 2006-
2007 position: 10th
Drivers' titles: 0
Constructors' titles: 0

Toro Rosso

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Red Bull's junior team Toro Rosso face an uncertain future following owner Dietrich Mateschitz's decision to put them up for sale.

That move was prompted by a change in the rules on customer cars, which will be banned from 2010.

Toro Rosso get their cars from senior squad Red Bull, the only difference being that the junior squad have Ferrari engines and the senior Renault.

Sebastien Bourdais and Sebastian Vettel are promising but inexperienced pilots.

Nationality: Austro-Italian
Drivers:
Sebastien Bourdais (Fra)
Sebastian Vettel (Ger)
Engine: Ferrari V8
Tyres: Bridgestone
Team principal: Gerhard Berger
F1 history: 2006-
2007 position: 7th
Drivers' titles: 0
Constructors' titles: 0

Honda

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The appointment of former Ferrari technical chief Ross Brawn as team boss augurs a brighter future for Honda after several poor years.

But Brawn still has a lot of work to do get his new team back to where they believe they belong.

The ambition this year was to return Honda to the position they were in two years ago - regular points scorers.

But the car is another disappointment, and the team admit that their main focus is on righting things for 2009

Nationality: Japanese
Drivers:
Rubens Barrichello (Brz)
Jenson Button (GB)
Engine: Honda V8
Tyres: Bridgestone
Team principal: Ross Brawn
F1 history: 1963-8; 2006-
2007 position: 8th
Drivers' titles: 0
Constructors' titles: 0

Toyota

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Toyota is now the world's biggest car marker and for the first time it appears it might be edging closer to realising its ambition in Formula One.

Years of underachievement since Toyota made its debut in 2002 have left the impression that Japanese management principles did not fit with F1.

But there have been signs this year that Toyota might be finally getting to grips with the sport.

A couple of strong podiums through the summer have hinted at progress at last.


Nationality: Japanese
Drivers:
Jarno Trulli (Ita)
Timo Glock (Ger)
Engine: Toyota V8
Tyres:Bridgestone
F1 history: 2002-
2007 position: 6th
Drivers' titles: 0
Constructors' titles: 0
Team principal: Tadashi Yamashina

Red Bull Racing

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Red Bull are eventually expected to emerge as a major force, but it is taking longer than some thought.

When a team recruit star designer Adrian Newey on a multi-million pound retainer, great things are expected.

After taking too many risks with last year's car, this year's has been far more reliable at the same time as being another step forward in pace.

And thanks to Mark Webber's impressive consistency this season, they are in the battle to be F1's fourth best team.


Nationality: UK/Austria
Drivers:
David Coulthard (GB)
Mark Webber (Aus)
Engine: Renault V8
Tyres: Bridgestone
Team principal: Dietrich Mateschitz
F1 history: 2005-
2007 position: 5th

Williams

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Williams appear to be realising their aim of finding a way out of the slump they suffered in recent years.

The team are still a long way from recapturing their glory days of the 1980s and 1990s.

But this year's car is another steady step on the road to recovery after some particularly trying years.

In Nico Rosberg, they have a highly regarded young talent. Team-mate Kazuki Nakajima - quick but wild - is there at the behest of engine supplier Toyota.

Nationality: British
Drivers:
Nico Rosberg (Ger)
Kazuki Nakajima (Jpn)
Engine: Toyota V8
Tyres: Bridgestone
Team principal: Frank Williams
Years in F1: 1969-
2007 position: 4th
Drivers' titles: 7
Constructors' titles: 9

Renault

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Renault fell from a great height in 2007, and though they have made up some of their lost ground they are still some way from their mid-decade height.

The return of Fernando Alonso, the man with whom they won titles in 2005-06, has led to a major step forward.

But while there is no faulting the Spaniard's effort, his no-compromise approach has led to the team scoring less points than it might have done.

Renault insist they can recover form, but must fear Alonso's departure.

Nationality: French
Drivers:
Fernando Alonso (Spa)
Nelson Piquet Jr (Brz)
Engine: Renault V8
Tyres: Bridgestone
F1 history: 1977-85; 2002-
Team principal: Flavio Briatore
2007 position: 3rd
Drivers' titles: 2
Constructors' titles: 2

BMW Sauber

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BMW Sauber are continuing the steady progress that seems destined to lead to them being title contenders soon.

This low-key, purposeful team have made tangible steps forward every year since BMW took them over in 2006.

They started this season closer to the front than ever and have split the big two on occasions, even achieving a fortuitous win in Canada.

But there is a nagging sense that they have lost some of the ground on their rivals since then.

Nationality: Swiss
Drivers:
Nick Heidfeld (Ger)
Robert Kubica (Pol)
Engine: BMW V8
Tyres: Bridgestone
Team principal: Peter Sauber
F1 history: 2006-
2007 position: 2nd
Drivers' titles: 0
Constructors' titles: 0

McLaren

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McLaren have done an impressive job of handling the fall-out from last season's spy scandal and continue to be Ferrari's only real rival for success.

The scrutiny under which McLaren found themselves might have derailed lesser teams, but they passed the test of character with flying colours.

McLaren produced a race-winning car despite knowing they were being watched in case it shared any Ferrari know-how.

And Lewis Hamilton is a team leader who is set to become an F1 great.
Nationality: UK/German
Drivers:
Lewis Hamilton (GB)
Heikki Kovalainen (Fin)
Engine: Mercedes V8
Tyres: Bridgestone
Team principal: Ron Dennis
F1 history: 1966-
2007 position: Disqualified from constructors' championship
Drivers' titles: 11
Constructors' titles: 8

Ferrari

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Base: Maranello - Italy
Team Principal: Stefano Domenicali
Drivers: K Räikkönen
F Massa
Test Drivers: L Badoer
M Gene
Chassis: F2008
Engine: Ferrari Type 056
Tyres: Bridgestone Potenza
First Season: 1950
World Championships: 15
Highest race finish: 1 (x206)
Pole Positions: 200
Fastest Laps: 212

2007

Win intense battle with McLaren, on track and in court. Kimi Raikkonen takes drivers' title after late-season surge in form. Also wrap up constructors' championship after McLaren found guilty of benefitting from possession of confidential Ferrari data.

2006

Initially play second fiddle to Renault, but Michael Schumacher leads fightback with seven victories in his final Formula One season. Team move ahead of Renault with just three rounds to go, but rare reliability issues see them beaten to title by just five points.

2005

Struggle with new regulations, in particular those requiring tyres to last through qualifying and race. Seven podiums, including one victory at Indianapolis, where Michelin withdrawal leaves six-car field. Finish third in constructors' standings.

2004

Lose just three times in 18 races to take the constructors' crown for the sixth year in a row. An incredible 13 victories for Michael Schumacher sees him take championship number seven.

2003

A much tougher season, but still ultimately unbeatable. A record fifth successive constructors' title, with Michael Schumacher the first man to take six drivers' crowns.

2000 - 2002

Ferrari enter a period of total domination, winning both drivers' and constructors' titles three years in a row.

1999

Michael Schumacher misses six rounds after breaking leg at Silverstone. Team take constructors' championship in the last race but Eddie Irvine just falls short of drivers' title.

1983

Ferrari wins their eighth constructors' championship.

1979

Jody Scheckter wins the drivers' championship - it will be the team's last drivers' title for 21 years.

1975 - 1977

Niki Lauda takes the 1975 drivers' championship and comes back from his horrific accident in 1976, going on to grab a second title for the team in 1977.

1964

John Surtees, a former world motorcycle champion, takes the drivers' crown. He remains the only man to achieve the feat on two wheels and four.

1961

Phil Hill leads Ferrari to the double of both drivers' and constructors' championships.

1958

Mike Hawthorn becomes the third Ferrari driver to win the drivers' championship.

1956

Juan Manuel Fangio wins his fourth drivers' championship with the Scuderia.

1952

Alberto Ascari wins first of two back-to-back drivers' championships in a Ferrari.

1951

Jose Froilan Gonzalez records Ferrari's first victory at the British Grand Prix.