RING THE BELL; Kimi Raikkonen and Lewis Hamilton prepare to square off in round two.(Fan Guide)

Byline: NIGEL ROEBUCK

As the first race of the season beckons, most Formula One insiders anticipate a resumption of the Ferrari-McLaren battle that dominated the sport in 2007. Winter testing thus far has suggested that Ferrari's F2008 and McLaren-Mercedes' MP4-23 are the class of the field.

But it might be a little less cut-and-dried this year. After his falling-out with McLaren, two-time world champion Fernando Alonso returned to Renault. Despite any character flaws that became apparent last season, Alonso remains a great driver, and we expect him to be a threat, whatever his car. Certainly, his return will rejuvenate a team that made little impression in his absence.

As Alonso moves from McLaren to Renault, Heikki Kovalainen travels in the opposite direction, and if Alonso is clearly more at ease in the laid-back court of Flavio Briatore (who has managed him since his Minardi days), Kovalainen should thrive in the more ordered environment created long ago by Ron Dennis.

Kovalainen has excelled in testing so far and could be much closer to teammate Lewis Hamilton's pace than many expect. Karting rivals of old, the two drivers are on good terms, and a repeat of problems like those between Alonso and Hamilton last year is not anticipated.

Although the new McLaren has tested impressively, doubts remain about the team's structure and stability. Rumors abound that Mercedes is on the point of buying up the remaining shares owned by Dennis and Mansour Ojjeh. If Dennis ceases to be a shareholder, will he continue to play an active role?

The turbulent events of last year-most notably the spying affair, which resulted in a $100 million fine from the FIA and a measure of public disgrace-have taken their toll on Dennis, and the suggestion is that CEO Martin Whitmarsh will be the man essentially in charge.