Countdown to F1 begins

Countdown to F1 begins

Ferrari's reign is set to continue

All the contenders in pictures

Formula One's new rules will kick straight into gear when the 2003 season gets under way in Melbourne on Friday.

World champion Michael Schumacher will be first on to the Albert Park track at 0300 GMT as each of the drivers takes part in the new one-lap preliminary qualifying session.

The results of Friday's session will set the order in which cars go out when grid positions are determined on Saturday.

Formula One bosses are hoping a raft of rule changes will rekindle interest in the sport after a season of complete Ferrari domination.

But Schumacher is still expected to begin his quest for a sixth drivers crown by taking the chequered flag at Albert Park for the fourth time in a row on Sunday.

Analysis: How new rules could shake up F1

The German will start the season in a modified version of last year's F2002 car which has set the standard in testing.

McLaren pair David Coulthard and Kimi Raikkonen and Juan Pablo Montoya and Ralf Schumacher of Williams are once again set to provide the main challenge.

But McLaren have yet to launch their new car and Williams have been trying to correct aerodynamic problems with their new FW25 car.

MELBOURNE CIRCUIT GUIDE

Drive Albert Park with Jarno Trulli

Toyota, who give an F1 debut to Cart champion Cristiano Da Matta, are believed to have made big improvements after finishing joint last in the standings last year.

Friday's session will give the first real indication of just how much each team has progressed.

The ban on refuelling between qualifying and the race, however, could create added suspense as teams weigh up whether to run light for grid position or heavier for longer-term gains.

"Whatever each team has done over the winter, nothing really tells you where you are until the first GP weekend, and this season the new rules will add some more uncertainty," said Montoya.

Schumi rubbishes 'collusion' claims

Minardi boss Paul Stoddart will be glad to have got his financially-troubled team to Melbourne this year.

But there is little chance of the Australian's drivers, Jos Verstappen and British newcomer Justin Wilson, staging a repeat of last year's fifth place which followed a huge first-corner accident.

F1's quartet of debutants is completed by Jordan new boy Ralf Firman and Jaguar's Brazilian rookie Antonio Pizzonia.