1 Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari
Standings: 1st/19 points
Last three races: 8th/1st/2nd
The world champion, and he looks the part. With lots of confidence, cool commitment and a surprising ability to ease off when the situation requires, he has to be a favourite for a second title.
2 Nick Heidfeld, BMW Sauber
Standings: 2nd/16 points
Last three races: 2nd/6th/4th
Cool and quick, the German has raised his game to match teammate Robert Kubica. After a creditable finish behind the Big Four last season, he has been one of the real surprises this term.
3 Robert Kubica, BMW Sauber
Standings: 4th/14 points
Last three races: Accident/2nd/3rd
Brilliantly fast, aggressive and still just 23. As BMW improve, the Pole will mature alongside them. A race winner this year, maybe. A future title contender? Absolutely.
4 Heikki Kovalainen, McLaren
Standings: 5th/14 points
Last three races: 5th/3rd/3rd
Has proved the perfect foil: The Finn keeps Lewis Hamilton on his toes, but he is also a team player who will not let it descend into in-fighting. A first win soon.
5 Lewis Hamilton, McLaren
Standings: 3rd/14 points
Last three races: 1st/5th/13th
He still has everything that took him to the brink of the world title. His start-line error in Bahrain, compounded by his collision with Fernando Alonso, was a blip.
6 Felipe Massa, Ferrari
Standings: 6th/10 points
Last three races: Engine/Spin/1st
Little has changed since his debut in 2004: Spectacularly fast on his day, but equally prone to unforced errors, that is why the Brazilian is not world champion material.
7 Jarno Trulli, Toyota
Standings: 7th/8 points
Last three races: Electronics/4th/6th
The veteran, who made his debut back in 1997, is at last reaping the benefit of a more consistent car. His qualifying performance is particularly impressive, trouncing teammate Timo Glock.
8 Nico Rosberg, Williams
Standings: 8th/7 points
Last three races: 3rd/14th/8th
Third place in Australia is testament to a racer, whom I rate as highly as Hamilton and Raikkonen. But the smaller budgets of the non-factory independent teams will make his ascent a struggle.
9 Mark Webber, Red Bull Racing
Standings: 10th/4 points
Last three races: Accident/7th/7th
A fearsome competitor. A 'mature' driver in a youth-oriented team, but Webber continually delivers impressive performances in both qualifying and races.
10 Fernando Alonso, Renault
Standings: 9th/6 points
Last three races: 4th/8th/10th
He flattered a lacklustre car in Australia but, since then, has been unable to hide the flaws. But, if he can work with - not speak against the team - they will both come out stronger.