Formula 1 is back on Sunday in Bahrain

Let us review the news, the drivers and the teams ahead of an atypical season due to the pandemic, with the shortest pre-season in the history of racing.

Formula 1 itself has made a ranking after the pre-season tests. Despite being very short, the teams have made the most of it and have done more laps than ever on the circuit. The ranking is headed by Red Bull and Mercedes, with Williams and Haas at the bottom. No surprises.

The favourites are Mercedes with Lewis Hamilton, the champion of the last four years. Among the drivers, Fernando Alonso will be back with the team that made him champion. It is called Alpine for publicity reasons, but it is the Renault structure. Carlos Sainz is making his debut with Ferrari, what a team!

As far as the teams are concerned, Aston Martin's appearance adds a little more glamour to Formula 1.

They had reliability problems in pre-season, but the feeling was that whenever they wanted to, the pace was quicker and they were among the best.

Hamilton is probably facing his last season and will be looking to bow out in style, and remains the overwhelming favourite.

His team-mate Bottas also has his last chance to be champion. His credit is running out and so is his contract.

A priori, they are the strongest competition to challenge Mercedes for the world championship. They already were last season and have been the best in testing. They will leave Formula 1 in December and, like Hamilton, will want to do so with the best taste in their mouths.

Verstappen has had the misfortune to be in the same position as an unbeatable Hamilton and had no chance to become world champion. He has been in Formula 1 for seven years now and has been a driver of the highest level, but never came close to a title. This year we will see if he is able to spoil his farewell to the Briton.

Checo Perez, who for the first time will have a race-winning car, will be at his side. Maybe the alliance of the two will translate into benefits for the team. The Mexican driver did a great job in pre-season, set excellent lap times and could be the revelation of the championship. He has only signed a one-year contract and the pressure will be maximum. Let's hope that his relationship with Max is the right one for the team's sake.

They completed the podium last season. Their Mercedes engine is a guarantee. Ricciardo will replace Sainz and Lando Norris will be back in the team.

Despite arriving later, Daniel Ricciardo will be the team leader due to his experience of winning races and regular podium finishes, but this will not give him unlimited credit. It may be his last chance, the Australian will give the best of his talents and the team could very well benefit from it.

As for Lando Norris, he is racing at home. He is British, from a British team and has the full confidence of the team. Very good in qualifying, but needs to improve in the race. He can learn a lot from his team-mate and both of them can aim for higher goals.

New team, but based on Racing Point. As expected, they have achieved an aesthetically very nice car.

They have adapted to the new regulations in a very reliable way, especially with regard to the floor and seem to be a serious bet to give battle to the mid-table teams.

The drivers, despite their great experience in recent years, have not performed as expected. In particular, Sebastian Vettel was disappointing last year. But he may be the driver Aston Martin needs and Sebastian may find the necessary affection in the British team. It will be his last chance to feel he is again important in Formula 1; we will see if he makes the most of it.

The other seat goes to the boss's son, Lance Stroll. He will have the full support of the team and a teammate from whom he can learn a lot, which he really needs

New team with Renault engine and structure. Alonso will feel at home. In the tests they did not perform as expected, although the times were not bad. There is a lot of expectation with Alpine. The big question is whether they will be able to make the leap to the top or stay in the middle of the field, as seems to be the most logical thing to do.

Fernando Alonso's small amount of testing is a disadvantage due to his absence from Formula 1 in recent years. But Fernando with his hard work and dedication can make a quick adaptation. The pre-season left a great taste in his mouth with consistent pace and great driving skills. Some people are predicting a podium this season. We are looking forward to recovering the best Alonso. Hopefully the car will go with him this time.

French teammate Estaban Ocon is used to sharing a team with a great driver. Last year it was Ricciardo. His contract expires by the end of the year, so he will have extra pressure. He is racing at home, at Renault, and he must take advantage of the opportunity, because if he does, Mercedes could be waiting for him.

The Italian team has not been as reliable as expected in the pre-season. Maranello will have to work hard to improve their test results. They may not have shown all their cards and, from Friday onwards, the feeling will be different. A great team is always at the top. They don't seem to lack power. Mercedes didn't show much in the test either.

Leclerc will start as the team's leader. Last year he alternated great performances with not so good ones. He is a talented driver, but he lacks consistency and calmness.

This year, together with Carlos Sainz, he will have it. If he gets relaxed, the Spaniard can overtake him little by little. At the moment Ferrari trusts more in the Monegasque driver who has a contract until 2024. Sainz has a unique opportunity to confirm his talent. He should not be rushed, even if he has a one-year contract. Rumours are swirling that the team will bring in Mick Schumacher next year, but that should not make Carlos anxious to overtake Leclerc.

The Red Bull subsidiary had a very acceptable test, although they are accused of using strategies that are not allowed with DRS. This year, they are expected to move into the midfield, but there are many teams who seem to be in contention.

Gasly will be the team leader. He has not managed to move up to Team 1 of the energy brand. He won one Grand Prix, but it was not enough. This year will only be a transition for him, but he will have to show something important to be eligible for a Formula 1 car next year. For his part, the young Tsunoda is coming from a very good performance in Formula 2 and his future is at Honda if he keeps up the same progression.

Powered by Ferrari and based on Sauber, this is another of the teams that is expected to be in the middle or lower part of the table. The tests have been good.

The drivers have a lot of experience, especially Kimi Raikkonen with his more than 18 years in Formula 1. Together with Alonso they are the most experienced drivers. Italy's Giovinazzi almost missed out on a place on the grid. This is his last chance. He has to give his best and if he does not get better results despite being Italian, he will be dropped.

With Russian sponsorship, the only American team, they were the worst in the Sakhir test. Very tight on budget, they are not going to invest anything more than just enough until the new regulations arrive in 2022.

In these circumstances, we also add two very young drivers. One with a big name, Mick Schumacher, but with one of the worst cars on the grid. An almost impossible challenge. Aim to gain experience and learn. From his teammate he can absorb little. Mazepin is there because he brought the sponsors and has the reputation of an unskilled and rather reckless driver. They will need a miracle to get something positive this year.

After some disastrous years, the pre-season tests have been very good. It seems that this year they will get the most out of their Mercedes engine.

Russell will be the leader of the team. He has the confidence of the team's management and is on an upward trend. They think he could score points in most races this year. If he continues on this trajectory, he will continue next year. His teammate Latifi is another Mazepin case (driver who comes from the sponsor's hand), but last year he was close to score some points. 

In short, an exciting season begins:

• Hamilton can say goodbye to his career by winning another championship.
• Alonso can either impress us again or say goodbye for good.
• Sainz will have the challenge of either moving up to the elite or being just another driver on the grid.
• Vettel may wake up
• Verstappen can finally win a championship with his team as he bids farewell to Formula 1
• Checo Pérez, Ricciardo or Leclerc could spring a surprise
• Even the son of the legend could be a worthy successor to his father: Michael Schumacher.