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.
MERCEDES
Car: Mercedes W09
Engine: Mercedes
The Mercedes W09 Source: AP
No. 44 — Lewis Hamilton (GBR)
No. 77 — Valtteri Bottas (FIN)
Bottas and Hamilton pair together for the second straight year. Source: Getty Images
FERRARI
Car: Ferrari SF71H
Engine: Ferrari
The new Ferrari was fastest overall in pre-season testing. Source: AFP
No. 5 — Sebastian Vettel (GER)
No. 7 — Kimi Raikkonen (FIN)
Raikkonen and Vettel lead Ferrari’s fortunes for the fourth straight season. Source: AFP
RED BULL
Car: Red Bull RB14
Engine: TAG Heuer (Renault)
Red Bull had their best run through pre-season testing in recent memory. Source: Getty Images
No. 3 — Daniel Ricciardo (AUS)
No. 33 — Max Verstappen (NED)
Team boss Christian Horner believes he has the best driver line-up in F1. Source: Getty Images
FORCE INDIA
Car: Force India VJM11
Engine: Mercedes
It is suspected Force India may reveal a name change prior to the 2018 season. Source: Getty Images
No. 11 — Sergio Perez (MEX)
No. 31 — Esteban Ocon (FRA)
The burgeoning rivalry between Ocon (L) and Perez flared several times in 2017. Source: Getty Images
WILLIAMS
Car: Williams FW41
Engine: Mercedes
Robert Kubica is the team’s test/reserve driver for 2018. Source: Getty Images
No. 18 — Lance Stroll (CDN)
No. 35 — Sergey Sirotkin (RUS)
Williams has the most inexperienced driver line-up in F1, with Stroll entering his second season and Sirotkin a rookie. Source: Getty Images
RENAULT
Car: Renault RS18
Engine: Renault
The new Renault has been highly impressive in pre-season testing. Source: Getty Images
No. 27 — Nico Hulkenberg (GER)
No. 55 — Carlos Sainz (ESP)
Sainz joined Hulkenberg at Renault with four races left in the 2017 season. Source: Getty Images
SCUDERIA TORO ROSSO
Car: Scuderia Toro Rosso STR13
Engine: Honda
STR enjoyed a reliable beginning to their partnership with Honda in testing. Source: Getty Images
No. 10 — Pierre Gasly (FRA)
No. 28 — Brendon Hartley (NZL)
Gasly (L) and Hartley received their F1 debuts with STR late last year. Source: Getty Images
HAAS F1
Car: Haas VF-18
Engine: Ferrari
Haas is another team whose 2018 car has logged impressive performance in testing. Source: Getty Images
No. 8 — Romain Grosjean (FRA)
No. 20 — Kevin Magnussen (DAN)
Magnussen (L) and Grosjean pair up for the second season in a row. Source: Getty Images
MCLAREN
Car: McLaren MCL33
Engine: Renault
McLaren is running traditional Papaya Orange and blue in 2018. Source: Getty Images
No. 2 — Stoffel Vandoorne (BEL)
No. 14 — Fernando Alonso (ESP)
Vandoorne (L) and Alonso will be powered by Renault engines this year. Source: AFP
ALFA ROMEO SAUBER
Car: Sauber C37
Engine: Ferrari
2018 marks the first year of Alfa Romeo’s partnership with the Swiss team. Source: Getty Images
No. 9 — Marcus Ericsson (SWE)
No. 16 — Charles Leclerc (FRA)