As we get into the start of another season of racing, I find it interesting to look at other series as you can always find lots to talk about....

F1 is the ultimate, the pinnacle in the minds of people involved in this amazing sport, but talk to a person on the street who doesn't know much about racing and their view can be very different.

Perception is a wonderful thing and this is what guides us through our life. All the talk about Lewis and the spectators at Barcelona have made big headlines, but I would be interested to know what this crowd of loud Spaniards were trying to say. Was it racial abuse? Was it a bit of fun that went wrong? Did it represent the exposure it got? I am not so sure. I think Lewis handled it well by saying it was sad and saying very little more about it. Perhaps F1 drivers should go to the cities they visit and see the young children in the schools promoting, not F1, but how best we can live together as people...

The year ahead in F1 looks to be an exciting one as the teams have hit the road testing. It is always difficult to judge who is showing their true form but, from what I have heard, Ferrari are the team they are trying to catch and might be throughout the year.

Naturally, I am hoping that my fellow Aussie Mark Webber has a better year, as he hasn't had the best of runs in the last few seasons and the car last year wasn't up to it. McLaren will be strong, as well as Renault with Alonso at the wheel. I will be keen to see how young 'PK' will get on, as we raced together in the Team Modena Aston Martin at Le Mans. I wonder if Alonso will show him how to do it - or not how to do it...

It doesn't look like the Japanese teams have made much progress in the tests, but you never know what updates teams have got coming before the first race. It is rare for a team to catch up dramatically during the season. If it rolls out a dog, it will stay one... I should know, I have driven a few!

The world of Champ Car and IRL seems to be going around in circles again, trying to settle their differences and come to a sensible solution to the unhealthy state of open-wheelers in the US. You have to ask yourself why it has taken so long... Ego, power, control and money I guess.

I am not really fussed if they get it together or not as it has made sportscars a more attractive series for manufacturers, sponsors and tracks. You can see with the news that has come out of the American Le Mans Series lately that this year will be even bigger than last year. The series has had a growth like no other series in America in the last few years, and that's good to see.

The WRC is always good value and I am hoping it will be a good contest. It would be nice to see a different world champion, but Seb and Citroen are still on fire.

The BTCC in the UK looks likes being a bumper year, which is great. The BTCC has had a low period and now all the hard work is now paying dividends. My mate Darren [Turner] is up for a better year and I do hope he gets a good start to the season so he can battle through the year for the championship.

Whatever racing you enjoy, I hope it is a good one for you.

DB