Formula One gets a new look

Heikki Kovalainen: The Finnish driver placed only seventh in the standings in his first year as Hamilton's teammate in 2008, but Kovalainen is poised to break into F1's upper ranks. He won his first grand prix (in Hungary) and earned his first pole position (in England). Kovalainen, 27, is likely to be more competitive all season in his second full year with McLaren.

Felipe Massa: The Brazilian wants to erase the anguish of the final race of 2008, when he won his home country's grand prix but lost the championship by one point to Hamilton. Massa is coming off a series-high six victories and, with his stout Ferrari team behind him, could become the first Brazilian champ since Ayrton Senna in 1991.

Fernando Alonso: This could be the year that determines whether the Spaniard returns to championship form or remains in the shadows of the McLaren and Ferrari drivers. Alonso, the title winner of 2005 and 2006, is back with Renault and has some momentum from late-season victories in Singapore and Japan.

Robert Kubica: The BMW Sauber driver is intent on showing that his win last year in Canada -- his first, and the first for his team -- was not a fluke. The Polish driver finished fourth in points last year, ahead of Alonso, but there are some doubts whether Kubica can stay with the McLarens and Ferraris all season long.

-- Jim Peltz

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THE SCHEDULE

*--* Date Race Site March 29 Australian Grand Prix Melbourne April 5 Malaysian Grand Prix Sepang April 19 Chinese Grand Prix Shanghai April 26 Bahrain Grand Prix Sakhir May 10 Spanish Grand Prix Barcelona May 24 Monaco Grand Prix Monte Carlo June 7 Turkish Grand Prix Istanbul June 21 British Grand Prix Silverstone July 12 German Grand Prix Nurburgring July 26 Hungarian Grand Prix Hungaroring Aug. 23 European Grand Prix Valencia, Spain Aug. 30 Belgian Grand Prix Spa Francorchamps Sept. 13 Italian Grand Prix Monza Sept. 27 Singapore Grand Prix Singapore Oct. 4 Japanese Grand Prix Suzuka Oct. 18 Brazilian Grand Prix Interlagos Nov. 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Yas Island *--*