THE line-up of drivers who will take to the grid for the 2018 season is locked in as the teams prepare for this weekend’s Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix.
There has been remarkable stability during the off-season with just two changes from the line-up at Abu Dhabi last November, although the flurry of mid-season driver changes last season means the grid has a very different complexion to the one we saw in Australia last March.
Two rookies, Sergey Sirotkin and reigning F2 champion Charles Leclerc, join the grid, headlined by four-time world champions — and likely title combatants — Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel.
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Here is the rundown of who is where ahead of the opening of hostilities at Albert Park.
MERCEDESCar: Mercedes W09Engine: Mercedes
Camera Icon The Mercedes W09 Picture: AP
No. 44 — Lewis Hamilton (GBR)No. 77 — Valtteri Bottas (FIN)
Camera Icon Bottas and Hamilton pair together for the second straight year. Picture: Getty Images
FERRARICar: Ferrari SF71HEngine: Ferrari
Camera Icon The new Ferrari was fastest overall in pre-season testing. Picture: AFP
No. 5 — Sebastian Vettel (GER)No. 7 — Kimi Raikkonen (FIN)
Camera Icon Raikkonen and Vettel lead Ferrari’s fortunes for the fourth straight season. Picture: AFP
RED BULLCar: Red Bull RB14Engine: TAG Heuer (Renault)
Camera Icon Red Bull had their best run through pre-season testing in recent memory. Picture: Getty Images
No. 3 — Daniel Ricciardo (AUS)No. 33 — Max Verstappen (NED)
Camera Icon Team boss Christian Horner believes he has the best driver line-up in F1. Picture: Getty Images
FORCE INDIACar: Force India VJM11Engine: Mercedes
Camera Icon It is suspected Force India may reveal a name change prior to the 2018 season. Picture: Getty Images
No. 11 — Sergio Perez (MEX)No. 31 — Esteban Ocon (FRA)
Camera Icon The burgeoning rivalry between Ocon (L) and Perez flared several times in 2017. Picture: Getty Images
WILLIAMSCar: Williams FW41Engine: Mercedes
Camera Icon Robert Kubica is the team’s test/reserve driver for 2018. Picture: Getty Images
No. 18 — Lance Stroll (CDN)No. 35 — Sergey Sirotkin (RUS)
Camera Icon Williams has the most inexperienced driver line-up in F1, with Stroll entering his second season and Sirotkin a rookie. Picture: Getty Images
RENAULTCar: Renault RS18Engine: Renault
Camera Icon The new Renault has been highly impressive in pre-season testing. Picture: Getty Images
No. 27 — Nico Hulkenberg (GER)No. 55 — Carlos Sainz (ESP)
Camera Icon Sainz joined Hulkenberg at Renault with four races left in the 2017 season. Picture: Getty Images
SCUDERIA TORO ROSSOCar: Scuderia Toro Rosso STR13Engine: Honda
Camera Icon STR enjoyed a reliable beginning to their partnership with Honda in testing. Picture: Getty Images
No. 10 — Pierre Gasly (FRA)No. 28 — Brendon Hartley (NZL)
Camera Icon Gasly (L) and Hartley received their F1 debuts with STR late last year. Picture: Getty Images
HAAS F1Car: Haas VF-18Engine: Ferrari
Camera Icon Haas is another team whose 2018 car has logged impressive performance in testing. Picture: Getty Images
No. 8 — Romain Grosjean (FRA)No. 20 — Kevin Magnussen (DAN)
Camera Icon Magnussen (L) and Grosjean pair up for the second season in a row. Picture: Getty Images
MCLARENCar: McLaren MCL33Engine: Renault
Camera Icon McLaren is running traditional Papaya Orange and blue in 2018. Picture: Getty Images
No. 2 — Stoffel Vandoorne (BEL)No. 14 — Fernando Alonso (ESP)
Camera Icon Vandoorne (L) and Alonso will be powered by Renault engines this year. Picture: AFP
ALFA ROMEO SAUBERCar: Sauber C37Engine: Ferrari
Camera Icon 2018 marks the first year of Alfa Romeo’s partnership with the Swiss team. Picture: Getty Images
No. 9 — Marcus Ericsson (SWE)No. 16 — Charles Leclerc (FRA)