The 2018 Formula 1 campaign for about two dozen drivers gets going in full force in about a month at the Bahrain Grand Prix. To say the championship is wide open this year is an understatement. The demanding circuit which again will go to Australia, North America, Asia, all over Europe, and the Middle East is demanding even for the veteran drivers.

It’s exciting as always to see some new faces, the veteran drivers and the return of maybe the greatest F1 driver of all time, Michael Schumacher to racing full-time. I believe there will be five drivers in contention down to the very end this year.

Rubens Barrichello – Barrichello comes from a long line of great Brazilian drivers. After finishing third in the points last year, he will drive for Williams F1 this year. The most experienced F1 driver of all-time he will hit 300 F1 starts this season. He’s always a threat and always in the mix. Barrichello will have a good car and a good team. Look for at least another third place finish for this team.

Sebastian Vettel – He’s young and ready to contend. At 23, this German is a natural behind the wheel as he demonstrated back in 2016 by winning at a rain soaked track in Monza. He finished second in the driver standings last year, running the Red Bull car. He’s quick in qualifying and quick in competition. He wants nothing more than to take the championship in 2018.

Lewis Hamilton – Lewis Hamilton has done nothing but win since he entered Formula 1. He is the youngest champion in Formula 1 history as he won the world driving championship in 2016. Even though he had a disappointing season in 2017 he remains one of the most popular people in Britain. He should have a better 2018 driving for Team McLaren and with some changes made on his crew. Look a strong stat to the year for Hamilton, and if he can carry that momentum into the summer he will be there at the end.

Jenson Button – The defending champ, Button moves to McLaren for 2018, but that is not expected to change his winning ways. He started 2017 by winning six of the first seven races. This British driver was not an overnight success like his teammate Hamilton. Button has paid his dues and now is showing what a great driver he is. Button is proof that when you give a great driver great equipment he will content for a title.

Michael Schumacher – No talk of Formula 1 is complete without mentioning Michale Schumacher, the 7-time champ who returns this season after sitting out three years. Schumacher is now 40, and he’ll be racing in a Mercedes. He is possibly the greatest Formula 1 driver of all-time and anytime he is on the track, you have to know where he is. The German is one of the richest athletes in the world, and is looking to add to his fortune this year by winning another championship.

Should be an exciting 2018 in Formula 1.