Former champions Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton and current champion Jenson Button joked, teased and laughed with each other ahead of Sunday's season opening Bahrain Grand Prix. But things are likely to heat up and the smiles fade once the racing gets underway with one of the fiercest and most intriguing starting grids in the history of the sport. The title challengers led Thursday's jovial news conference as the start of the season neared. “The competition is very fierce but that's what's exciting,” Button said. “This season should be electric and, if it's not, we're doing something seriously wrong.” F1's most anticipated season opened with a photo opportunity for the four champions, as Felipe Massa was forced to watch with a faint smile from the side of the stage. Massa hasn't raced since a near death crash in Hungary in July and is a favorite for the title alongside the drivers from McLaren, Mercedes GP and Red Bull. “Yes, I think I'm ready to win,” said Ferrari teammate and two-time champion Alonso, who has two previous wins at the desert race. “I've been waiting very long to be here in Ferrari as well, many years of preparation for this moment.” While Alonso sat stone-faced, Schumacher commanded the stage just as his driving did for more than 16 years. The seven-time champion, who came out of retirement to take Button's place at Mercedes, sat front and center, exchanging conversation and smiles throughout with former teammate Massa. Although Schumacher believes a win is unlikely for Mercedes, things are going smoothly with teammate Nico Rosberg. “There's good harmony, particularly with the boss (team principal Ross Brawn), which makes things a lot easier, a lot smoother,” the 2004 champion said before turning his attention to the title fight. “It's very tough.” The championship will be well deserved after an offseason which has seen all but three of the 12 teams on the grid make driver changes. “Having Michael here is a very good thing for all of us,” Alonso said. “Winning a championship with Michael on the track has more value.” Refueling is banned this season, which means teams will only pit to change tires. All drivers agreed that strategy would be affected but that they would adapt. Points distribution will also change to award race winners, with Schumacher, who is going for record win No. 92, taking credit for the move by suggesting his five straight titles from 2000-04 spurred the change. India on 2011 calendar India is set to host a Formula One race starting in 2011. The decision was announced by governing body FIA Thursday after a World Motor Sports Council meeting in Bahrain. FIA also said a new selection process would be used to determine a “potential 13th entry and reserve entry” next year following USF1's last-minute withdrawal this year. FIA said it will take “appropriate action” against the American team.
