Class of 2012 set for great F1 world championship season

Mar.18. (PVM) Finally the time has come - when the flag drops the talking stops - and today as the lights switch from red to blank and the fields hurtles in to Turn 1 of the packed Albert Park circuit, we will have the start of the longest F1 season in history, the first of 20 races around the globe for what is set to be an epic season.

The 24 drivers assembled in Australia for the season opener posed for the traditional 'class' photo in Melbourne, some no doubt wondering how long their tenure in the sport will last. Non-performance is a sure ticket out of the sport and for sure by the time the circus arrives in Brazil for the finale the grid will have a few new faces, or at least faces that are not in this Class of 2012 photo.

For fans the hype and interest preceding the 2012 season start has been enormous, with Kimi Raikkonen making a welcome return, the pecking order debate, Ferrari crisis, the rules and bending thereof all of which have ensured non-stop column inches on websites, newspapers, magazines and of course hours of TV airtime.

It will be no different as each race will generate reams of information packed with intrigue and drama, which we at YallaF1.com remain committed to bringing to our growing legion of readers as often and as comprehensively as possible. If you want to overdose then this is the hangout for F1 junkies!

The 2012 F1 world championship drivers and teams are: