Like last year and the year before that (when the Bahrain race was cancelled), the imminent arrival of hi-tech racing cars, celebrity drivers, harassed team crews (and doubtless several crates of soon-to-be-wasted Moët) on the tiny island state of Bahrain has now become an annual occasion for examining the country's human rights record. That record, like the famous Formula One finishing flag, is ... well, extremely chequered.
This weekend the 2013 season starts in Melbourne, Australia and we get to see whether any great strides have been made during the off season. I'm only going to make one prediction in this preview and that is who will win the title: Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull Racing. I am NEVER correct at making predictions so... go Vettel!