F1: whose bandwagon to jump on and why

As mentioned b4 here is a listing of top drivers/teams to watch this season.

Mercedes GP Petronas [formerly Brawn]
Drivers: Nico Rosberg [guy on the left] Michael Schumacher [guy with the big chin]

Last year this team [then called Brawn] came out of nowhere against nearly impossible odds to knock down the big teams and drivers. Ross Brawn bought Honda after they dropped out of F1 after back to back to back to back poor performances. Brawn took the remainder of the 2010 Honda chassis and shoehorned a Mercedes engine in the back. This formula brought Brawn both the constructors and drivers championship [Jenson Button] the first time for a privateer* in nearly 2 decades. For this season Brawn was turned into Mercedes GP as Mercedes jumped off of the McLaren bandwagon to turn Brawn into a full manufacturer. The winning team of Jenson Button and Rubens Barichello has been replaced by 7 time world champion and owner of almost every single F1 record, Michael Schumacher and son of former world champion Keke Rosberg, Nico. Mercedes GP has now turned into a full German lineup [Nico Rosberg is half German imho].

*Privateer a racing team not associated to any large automotive manufacturers. Usually owned by one really rich and bored guy.

What they have going for them: The reunion of Michael Schumacher and Ross Brawn, on paper the most successful combination in F1 history.

What may bring them down: Michael Schumacher is getting old still.....

Current standings: Schumi is 9th, Nico is 6th and the team is 4th

Scuderia Ferrari

Drivers: Fernando Alonso [the gay looking one on the left] Felipe Massa [the other gay looking one]

Ferrari is the most successful constructor and is still turning results without the super duo of Ross Brawn and Michael Schumacher. The current team consists of long time strong man and former runner up for the title, Felipe Massa and 2 time drivers champion Fernando Alonso, who has been jumping from team to team ever since his last championship title. Ferrari has been on and off but started out this season with a bang with Alonso winning the first race of the season.

What they got going for them: Two really good and experienced drivers and really reliable/consistent vehicles.

What they don't got going for them: not as fast as the rest

Current positions: Alonso 5th, Massa 8th and Ferrari as a team 3rd.

McLaren-Mercedes

Drivers: Jenson Button [the white one] Lewis Hamilton

McLaren has always hired the best of the best drivers and has a track record rivaling Ferrari's. Their current line up is of defending world champion Jenson Button and the youngest world champion [and McLaren die hard] Lewis Hamilton. This season they're looking a lot stronger than last year, so far they have dominated the last two races and look more reliable [but slower] than their chief rivals Red Bull. To add to their chances it is a known fact that Britain produces the most successful F1 drivers.... this all British team should do well in the upcoming British GP [update* Hamilton finished second while Button finished 4th]

What they have going for them: 2 world champions at the wheel [one of whom is motivated to get a McLaren F1] and the magical F duct

What they don't have going for them: always lookin one step behind Red Bull technologically wise

Current position: Lewis is 1st, Button 2nd and McLaren is 1st

Red Bull-Renault

Drivers: Sebastian Vettel [the one with the funny hat that sorta resembles that McLovin guy] and Mark Webber

Red Bull started as a PR stunt and has quickly transformed into title contenders. In the last half of last year's season they took the fight to Brawn and finished 2nd in both the driver's and constructor's championship. Their line-up remains the same as last year with Australian old man Mark Webber and super young German Sebastian Vettel. If Vettel wins the championship this year he could take the title of youngest world champion, but recent accidents in the past 2 races have put those dreams on hold. They're still sharp on the tail of McLaren and could cause a close finish to the end of the season [if they don't kill each other first].

What they have going for them: Without a doubt the fastest car in the field, thanks much to their magical "blown diffuser"

What they don't have going for them: reliability problems and a bit of sour teammate rivalry

current positions: both of them tied for 3rd and Red Bull holding down 2nd spot