Red Bull Racing
Team principal: Christian Horner
Drivers: Sebastian Vettel - The bookmakers have taken vast sums on Vettel winning the championship and he is once again the odds-on favourite, not surprising considering his dominance last season; Mark Webber - Having won a grand prix at the end of last season, Webber will have something to say about that and will be determined for another stab at the two-time world champion in what could be his last year in F1.
Last season: 1st (Sebastian Vettel drivers' champion)
Season's prediction: It's hard to bet against Red Bull and Vettel doing the double once more. It all depends on how much their rivals have closed the gap over the winter.
McLaren
Team principal: Martin Whitmarsh
Drivers: Jenson Button - Aside from Vettel, Button was arguably the most impressive driver last season and regularly eclipsed Lewis Hamilton with his mature and consistent racing approach; Lewis Hamilton - Saying that, Hamilton is the quicker of the pair if he can stop his on-track howlers, and sort out his life off the track. Expect a new-look Hamilton in 2012.
Last season: 2nd
Season's prediction: That could depend on how the FIA interpret the regulations regarding McLaren's car. It looks like it should be competitive but they've struggled to build a car capable of winning the constructors' championship now for some time.
Ferrari
Team principal: Stefano Domenicali
Drivers: Fernando Alonso - The Spaniard did his reputation no harm in the manner in which he seemed to drive his Ferrari beyond its capabilities last season, most notably en route to victory at the British Grand Prix; Felipe Massa - The Brazilian is driving for his future, his Ferrari bosses have told him as much. He improved last year but still more is required.
Last season: 3rd
Season's prediction: After a tough year in 2011, things are looking rosier at the Maranello despite what has been described as an ugly car. Another season of underperformance would be unacceptable and, with their budget and hence capacity to develop, they should win races even if they're poor at the season start.
Mercedes
Team principal: Ross Brawn
Drivers: Michael Schumacher - This would appear to be the seven-time world champion's last season and he managed to silence the doubters with some more improved racing last year. Expect a podium finish, maybe even a win; Nico Rosberg - He may not have top billing at the team despite being the better of Mercedes' two drivers but he should pick up some consistent points this year.
Last season: 4th
Season's prediction: The suggestion is that Mercedes, who started working on their 2012 challenger earlier than most, can once again be properly competitive this season. Can they break up the top three's hegemony? Only time will tell.
Lotus
Team principal: Eric Boullier
Drivers: Kimi Raikkonen - The Iceman is back and will be the great unknown ahead of the start of the season. Will it be the Finn that won the world title in 2007, or the grumpy one who bowed out tamely in his last season in 2009? It'll be fun finding out; Romain Grosjean - The Frenchman has been given a second chance at the team after dominating GP2 last season.
Last season: 5th
Season's prediction: Some key staff have left Lotus, formerly Renault, and their coffers aren't quite as bright as they used to be. A slip down the pecking order seems inevitable unless Raikkonen and Boullier, an impressive boss, can work their magic.
Force India
Team principal: Vijay Mallya
Drivers: Paul di Resta - The No.1 rookie driver of last season, the Scot proved an assured presence all season long and another campaign like that ought to guarantee his proposed move to Mercedes; Nico Hulkenberg - The Hulk was too good a driver to be left on the sidelines last year and has been given the chance of a race drive at the expense of Adrian Sutil. The German's head-to-head with Di Resta should be fascinating.
Last season: 6th
Season's prediction: Force India could yet take another step forward in 2012 and surpass Lotus in the championship standings, and appear to have some solid new backers in Sahara.
Sauber
Team principal: Peter Sauber
Drivers: Kamui Kobayashi - The Japanese driver has moments of sheer brilliance behind the wheel and is one of the most exciting overtakers on the grid, but he just doesn't have the car to prove it consistenly; Sergio Perez - The Mexican was steady enough in 2011, and at times outclassed his more experienced teammate. He is reportedly being groomed for Ferrari but it remains to be seen if he is good enough.
Last season: 7th
Season's prediction: In technical director James Key, Sauber have one of the brightest talents behind the scenes in F1 but the problem is they don't have the development money to back him. So expect a bright start and then the Swiss outfit tailing off.
Toro Rosso
Team principal: Franz Tost
Drivers: Daniel Ricciardo - The Australian is being groomed as the next Sebastian Vettel and there are suggestions he might just be that good, although he was unable to prove it with HRT last season; Jean-Eric Vergne - The F1 new boy's not quite in the same calibre as Ricciardo but Toro Rosso are willing to take a punt on the 21-year-old Frenchman after he was second in Formula Renault last year
Last season: 8th
Season's prediction: The Italian outfit should enjoy a scrap with the other midfield teams but their decision to axe a more experienced driver line-up of Jaime Alguersuari and Sebastien Bourdais means that might be a struggle.
Williams
Team principal: Frank Williams
Drivers: Pastor Maldonado - The Venezuelan might bring pots of cash with him through South American sponsorship but he showed glimpses of his ability behind the wheel, most notably at Monaco; Bruno Senna - The bigger news is the reunion of the Williams and Senna names after Bruno, nephew of the late Ayrton who died driving a Williams in 1994, was snapped up by the British team.
Last season: 9th
Season's prediction: Who knows? For too long, Williams have been in decline. They still have an excellent workforce and might finally have a bit more money behind them. Regular points finishes must be the goal but it could be a year of rebuilding after the worst season in their history.
Caterham
Team principal: Tony Fernandes
Drivers: Heikki Kovalainen - The Finn was written off at McLaren where he was overshadowed by Lewis Hamilton but he has restored his reputation with some impressive drives with Team Lotus, now Caterham; Jarno Trulli - His Italian teammate though, has been lucky to hold on to his seat after allowing his performances to slip.
Last season: 10th
Season's prediction: The best of the new boys last season, that looks likely to be their lot again this year although, rebranded as Caterham, they are confident of sneaking their first championship points.
HRT
Team principal: Luis Perez-Sala
Drivers: Pedro de la Rosa - The Spaniard is one of the most likeable drivers in F1 but he lacks the pace required to match the best - as shown in the manner in which he was dumped mid-season by Sauber but his experience as a test driver allied to his sponsorship backing make him invaluable. As for his fellow driver, that remains undecided.
Last season: 11th
Season's prediction: Previous team boss Colin Kolles has left and taken some of his best people with him so it's hard to see how HRT can make much of a step forward. Another season awaits of them insisting their future in the sport is secure.
Marussia
Team principal: John Booth
Drivers: Timo Glock - A well-respected driver who deserves a better car than what he's been given so far, the German insists he still believes in the team that Marussia are trying to build; Charles Pic - the F1 rookie has shown reasonable promise in GP2 but he's unlikely to come close to matching Glock's lap times.
Last season: 12th
Season's prediction: A name change from Virgin to Marussia is unlikely to bring great changes for F1's backmarkers, who will be vying with HRT to avoid being bottom of the pile.
