OK, keep clam and breathe – just one week left until the F1 season starts again. I know, it’s bene a long, hard winter, but are finally within touching distance.

Now, many think FIA’s F1 is really boring – of course, they are wrong. And this year, there are many reasons why I believe F1 will be more fun, more entertaining, more dazzling and maybe, just maybe, more competitive.

1. Haas F1: I can hear the groans… “They’re American, they can go fast in a straight line or an oval, but nothing else.” A bit unfair, I’d say, and maybe there might be some truth. I have a feeling that the new outfit may have some surprises up their sleeve. For a start, they have secured the services of Romain Grojean and Gutierrez. And despite some initial glitches, their car is based on Ferrari (they have a Ferrari power unit and have bought as many Ferrari parts as is legally allowed), and Ferrari is now becoming more competitive, which brings me to my second point…
2. Ferrari is becoming more competitive and they may possible challenge Mercedes, which brings me to my third point…
3. I support Lewis Hamilton and am of course very happy that he has won the last two championships (and he also has two amazing dongs, but that’s irrelevant). Go HAM, make it three in a row
4. I’m not sure what the new qualifying will bring. It possibly will be more exciting, but you do need to have a degree in rocket science to understand what’s going on. The new rules aim to keep drivers out more (I believe). If you want to know what the new rules are, read this
5. Any slightly older person will remember the successes Renault had in F1 – it’s therefore great to have them back in the fold as a team
6. It’s F1 for heaven’s sake – of course it fun
7. The pit lane girls (actually, I wanted to include this for WTCC and forgot, so I thought I’d include it here)
8. Manor could win their first points. I don’t know why, but I have a soft spot for them. Hopefully, the Mercedes engine (yeah, yeah, I know we’re not supposed to call it engine) and development programme will help they get off the mark. C’mon Manor.
9. Williams are another of those fun teams and their Mass / Bottas line-up can achieve much more. I guess they may even challenge for second in a head-to-head with Ferrari
10. McLaren anyone? According to reports, Honda have pulled their socks up and will provide the team with a far-improved, erm, power unit. And with two (albeit ageing) world champions on board, they may even sneak in a podium, possibly, maybe…
11. Of course, Sauber. The Swiss outfit may be having some financial issues, but they are always a force to be reckoned with. I guess they will remain mid-table. I will surely be waving and cheering when they go by. Hop Schwiiiz
12. There are 21 races this season that’ll take us all the way to end November. Fantastic!
13. Max Verstappen, simply because he is Max Verstappen. Greta driver who’ll be around for a long time. He is definitely a World Champion in the making. And he’s still a teenager…

But there are also some negatives…

1. Red Bull are still not competitive, and that’s a big pity. Come on Red Bull, buckle up…
2. Mercedes domination – for the same reason as point 1, the Mercedes domination makes the sport somewhat boring at time. It’s a good thing I support Hamilton. Otherwise, it’d be very frustrating
3. Still no female F1 driver, and now Susie has retired. She has, however, launched the #DareToBeDifferent campaign that seeks to get more women drivers into the sport. Read about it here
4. Less time with the children on Sundays (sorry kiddos!)
5. Overtaking, or the lack of it. Let’s hope we get more this year

The engines come to life on 20 March in Australia. It’ll be an early start of the day, but well worth it as the first race sets the tone for the rest of the season.