Top talking points ahead of the new F1 season

LONDON, March 2 : The new 24-round Formula One season starts in Melbourne this week with 11 teams on the grid and the biggest technical changes in decades. The following looks at some of the big talking points.

WHAT WILL THE RACING BE LIKE IN THE NEW ERA?

A big question, one that has caused some concern with drivers having to coast to gather energy and then manage deployment in the new engine era. That could see differences in speed and more overtakes as a result of strategy.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen has compared the new way of racing to "Formula E on steroids" but what will fans make of it? Will it excite or be a turn-off?

Testing can be misleading also. How much have the top teams been "sandbagging", hiding their real performance in testing?   

MERCEDES AND FERRARI THE FAVOURITES?

McLaren are chasing a third consecutive constructors' championship but the vibe from testing was that Mercedes and Ferrari look a step ahead of the rest.

Mercedes' George Russell is the British bookmakers' title favourite at this stage and it certainly looks the best chance yet for the Briton.

Could Charles Leclerc or Lewis Hamilton end Ferrari's 19-year wait for a drivers' title? Can Hamilton fight for a record eighth world championship or, at the age of 41 and after a 2025 season without even a podium finish, has that prospect gone for good?

WILL PIASTRI TURN THE TABLES ON NORRIS?

Unflappable Australian Oscar Piastri looked like he was heading for the title last year after an early run of success only to suffer a sudden loss of form and end up third overall, with teammate Lando Norris getting his act together.  

Will he get another shot at the crown this time around or will Lando Norris move to another level after taking his first championship? How