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
Evans on the talking points of WRC 2021 He came close to the title last year, and now Toyota's Elfyn Evans gives his verdict on what to expect from 2021 as the World Rally Championship prepares to reconvene for the Monte Carlo season opener WRC
The enigmatic legacy of a misunderstood Indy stalwart Flashes of brilliance amid spells of obscurity have been too common for Marco Andretti. While the third-generation racer has opted to bring his full-time IndyCar career to a close, his peaks and troughs have never been for want of trying IndyCar
The "balls out" battle between MotoGP's true greats Senna vs Prost is regularly cited as motorsport's greatest rivalry. But it can easily be argued Rainey vs Schwantz can stake that claim. That rivalry was in full swing during the 1991 500cc season, remembered fondly by both stars 30 years on... MotoGP
The mistakes Mercedes cannot afford to make in F1 2021 OPINION: After clinching the last seven Formula 1 world title doubles, Mercedes of course heads into the 2021 season as the overwhelming favourite. But there are still distinct hurdles it must clear to keep that streak alive F1
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