Formula One form guide

FORMULA ONE CONTENDERS' FORM GUIDE:

* LEWIS HAMILTON (Mercedes). Last year: champion. Career starts: 167. Wins: 43 Pole positions: 49. TAB Sportsbet Odds: $1.45. Red-hot favourite to win a third consecutive championship

* NICO ROSBERG (Mercedes). Last year: runner-up. Career starts: 185. Wins 14. Poles: 22. Odds: $3.75. Finished last season with three wins, but all came after Hamilton had secured the championship

* SEBASTIAN VETTEL (Ferrari). Last year: Third. Starts: 158. Wins: 42. Poles: 46. Odds: $4.50. The man most likely of any driver to break the Mercedes dominance, if his Ferrari can hold up

* KIMI RAIKKONEN (Ferrari). Last year: Fourth. Starts: 230. Wins: 20. Poles: 16. Odds: $26.00. Vastly experienced and can produce sheer brilliance yet often erratic

* FERNANDO ALONSO (McLaren-Honda). Last year: 17th. Starts: 252. Wins: 32. Poles: 22. Odds: $26.00. Has the ability but needs a stronger performance from his car

* DANIEL RICCIARDO (Red Bull). Last year: Eighth. Starts: 26. Wins: 3. Best grid position: 2nd. Odds: 31.00. A realist forecasting some improvement from his car but more mid-field finishes