Vettel Hat Trick Looms for F1 in 2012

W300

Six world champions on the grid for the opening Grand Prix of the season represents an unprecedented array of talent for Formula One, yet few would count on anything other than another Sebastian Vettel title this season.

Kimi Raikkonen's return from a year away in rally racing has added one more former champion to F1 ranks this season, joining Vettel, Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton, and Jenson Button.

The Finn's return will add interest, yet F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone is worried that may quickly ebb away if 2012 turns into another Vettel procession.

Ecclestone said: “We don't want what happened last year, which was not too good."