This week we continue our series of occasional columns by Wirral-born F1 TV presenter Tony Jardine.

"The Grand Prix genius turned villain Michael Schumacher is still the best driver in the world. Following his below-the-belt last ditch attempt to prevent Jacques Villeneuve from taking the crown in the thrilling Championship decider in Jerez last October, the German has lost world-wide popularity but not his skill. He will drive out of his skin to help restore his respect, but I doubt if he will try any rough stuff. On paper Ferrari must be favourites, because they have everything and everybody in place and the biggest Formula One budget. Yet it will be a make or break year for them. Ferrari has in designer Rory Bryne, and Technical Director Ross Brawn, a winning partnership, which brought glory years to Benetton when they won two World Championships with Michael Schumacher. The car is a beautiful Red 'Bennethouised' Ferrari. Sharp, sleek, but nervous, just as Michael loves it. However I suspect if Ferrari don't win the Championship this year you can see Sporting Director, Jean Todt being forced to roll over clutching his P45. But I still don't see a close title bid battle with the man who can make a difference, Michael Schumacher, just edging to his third World Championship Crown. Along the way he will hope to rebuild his tarnished image among the motorsport fans around the world that once adored him. Just to put that in perspective, in Germany's own National Sports Personality of the Year Awards, Schumacher ended in double figures behind shot putters and champion sausage eaters!

"One man cringes when he hears the mention of the name Schumacher, Jacques Villeneuve, he has nerves of steel in the heat of battle. He is one of the best at pushing the car to its limits and will relish the task of retaining his World Championship title and earn the right to be looked upon as the best driver in the world. For the first time we have heard Frank Williams and Patrick Head publicly supporting their World Championship driver. One factor on William's downside will be that they are without the support from Renault. They are using a Mecca Chrome engine, being built and serviced by a subsidiary company of Renault. The engines are costing both Williams and Bennetton a reputed 11 million dollars for the year but development could be limited whilst Ferrari and Mercedes will continually tweak their engines, extracting the max power at all times.

"My outside bet is David Coulthard in the McLaren Mercedes. A significant factor will be Adrian Newey, the very successful designer who joined McLaren at the beginning of August last year, having made a major contribution to the success of the Williams team over the last six years. The major factors will be be the changes he made to the chassis, but most importantly the aerodynamics. Mercedes worked hard on their engine's reliability and it has now got more power. The manufacturers will be in fear of the mighty German three pointed star. Another factor in their favour was a very clever move by Ron Dennis who switched from Goodyear Tyres to Bridgestone Tyres, who are committed to the future of the sport.

"We can look forward to seeing Damon Hill in a competitive car again. We should expect to see him lining up at the right end of the grid in Gary Anderson's efficient looking Jordan. Gary who acted as our Crew Chief on last year's RAC Rally with the RAC Insurance Direct team, has been delighted with Damon's testing performance to date. Every win for the team will be a bonus this year but what the Jordan team are really building for is the second year when the new chassis and the Mugen Honda engine has a year's development behind it.

"Mr Popularity, Johnny Herbert, should be a more regular point scorer in '98 with Sauber, but his team didn't fare well in the annual winter testing Grand Prix series. Still, all drivers are about to leave their winter homes and fly south for the first crucial action, when testing has to turn into the colours of a chequered flag. The ITV team on the other hand will look for Winter Rally success in Bournemouth first, with the RAC Insurance Direct backed Ford Escort, then beat the drum for British drivers in the Melbourne sun (hopefully) on March 8."

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.