Virtually every winter sees predictions that the forthcoming Formula One season will be more open than the last, and will feature a spectacular title fight between several evenly-matched teams.
And virtually every spring, this optimism is crushed when the pacesetting team leave their opposition gasping in the opening rounds of the championship.
But if the 2006 Bahrain Grand Prix is a genuine reflection of what this season has in store, then perhaps the optimists will finally get their wish.
Will Alonso's Indy failure end the age of versatility? Fernando Alonso has become something of a motorsport all-rounder in recent years. But his failure - along with McLaren - to qualifying for the 2019 Indianapolis 500 might warn current Formula 1 drivers off similar exploits. That would be a mistake F1
In the shadow of Suzuka - F1's fractious 500th race Formula 1 reached its half-millenium reeling from the ultimate demonstration of Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost's mutual disdain in the previous race. A plucky win for a veteran past champion at least provided some light relief in 1990's Adelaide race F1
Arrows' heartbreak and a wild finish - F1's 300th GP The 300th world championship race came just as the ground effect aero revolution was about to explode. Eventual champion Lotus did win the 1978 South African Grand Prix, but it's best remembered as the race Arrows should've won F1
Senna hogs the headlines, Lauda's key win - F1's 400th GP The 400th world championship race was the first with an all turbocharged field. It took place amid rising concerns about the ultra-powerful cars' speeds and Ayrton Senna began to dominate paddock talk. It also effectively decided the 1984 title F1
In his own words: The secret to Raikkonen's F1 longevity Kimi Raikkonen was predictably underwhelmed when he became F1's most experienced driver at the Eifel Grand Prix, but in an exclusive and revealing interview with Autosport, that could be part of the secret of his success F1
How real is the Honda MotoGP threat at Aragon? From a surprise struggler to victory contender, 2020 has been a rollercoaster of a campaign for Honda and its riders. With Alex Marquez and Takaaki Nakagami finding form at the right time, can they pull off the latest MotoGP shock? MotoGP
The Sochi-like Portimao feature that even has Mercedes puzzled Formula 1 got its first proper feel for the Portimao track on Friday, where Mercedes led the way despite the red flag stoppages, as the pack discovered a specific characteristic at the Portuguese GP venue that led to many mistakes F1
Why F1’s overdue Portugal return matters Portugal has been the scene of high drama across many eras in Formula 1, says BEN EDWARDS, which is why the return of the Portuguese Grand Prix is something to be savoured F1
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