With the 9th race of the season now finished we have reached the half way mark of the 2007 F1 season and things have not gone as planned for most teams and drivers.

At the end of the previous season and during winter testing and before the start of this year’s season, Formula 1 teams, journalists and the public all had their different views of the upcoming season and whom they expected to excel.

Ferrari was believed to be the clear favorites, and along with Renault, the current double World Champions, and the ever-improving McLaren team, there seemed to be an easy 3 way battle ahead. The season has turned out very different though.

Renault

Renault was supposed to have a very strong team this year, even with the departure of Fernando Alonso. But a poor start to the season has ruined any hopes of a hat trick of championships this year. Current standing: 4th

Ferrari

The favorite team for this year’s title started off with 3 wins and 4 poles in the first 5 races. However since Monaco, McLaren seemed to have taken over that role and won 3 races from 3 pole position, but again the pendulum swung and Ferrari took wins at the last two Grand Prix. Current standing: 2nd

McLaren - Mercedes

As stated above McLaren has not only taken 3 wins from 3 poles but also lead both championships easily and have had podiums in every single race, thanks to the incredible Lewis Hamilton. After a dismal 2006 season where they won no races, they are now the favorites for both the drivers and constructors world championships. Current standing: 1st

Honda

After a great ending to their 2006 season, much was expected from Honda. They have however had a horrible start to 2007 with no light at the end of the tunnel. So much so that they have now gone back to their 2006 chassis. Current standing: 9th

BMW

A nice surprise this year was the strong showings from the BMW team. Currently in a very strong and safe 3rd position in the championship they seem to grow from race to race. Hopefully they can carry this momentum throughout the rest of the season and into 2008. Current standing: 3rd

Toyota

As always Toyota promises much with their huge budget and every year disappoint. A point here or there is not what the management in Japan had in mind. Current standing: 6th

Red Bull - Renault

Red Bull has had a few decent finishes but nothing to get excited about. A fifth place and a 7th place is all they have to show so far. Current standing: 7th

Williams - Toyota

How the mighty have fallen. Thirteen points from the first 9 races is not what the 9 time constructor champions are used to. Only a lucky few podiums, which seems highly unlikely, would prevent an embarrassing finish in the standings. Current standing: 5th

STR - Ferrari

No points so far this season and nothing inspirational about the drivers leaves this team in a combined last place. Even the Ferrari engine in the back has not helped them get a lucky point or two. Current standing: equal 10th

Spyker - Ferrari

The true back markers of 2007 have nothing to show for their efforts. The only highlights so far being the obvious talents of Sutil being wasted in this car and Albers dragging his fuel hose down the pit straight with him in France. Current standing: equal 10th

Super Aguri - Honda

The surprise of the season is definitely Super Aguri. They were expected to take their rightful place at the back of the grid but have been a strong mid placed team the whole season, have scored 4 points and are hungry for more. Current standing: 8th