Robert Kubica started his adventure with cars at the age of four when he was presented with a small off-road vehicle to drive around at his parents' home.
Nick Heidfeld came to Formula One in 2000 with a reputation that reminded many of fellow German Michael Schumacher.
To date Jenson Button's F1 career has failed to live up to the hype created when he arrived back in 2000.
Now Formula One's most experienced driver, Rubens Barrichello has an unexpected chance to contest a 17th season in the top flight.
In spite of his publicity-shy nature, Kimi Raikkonen has been in the spotlight ever since his controversial arrival on the grid.
Giancarlo Fisichella remained with Force India for 2009, thus prolonging an F1 career which has never truly delivered.
Adrian Sutil is to stay on at Force India for a third year after performing sufficiently well during a largely difficult 2008 season.
Tonio Liuzzi will make his Formula One comeback at the 2009 Italian GP after Force India called him up to replace Giancarlo Fisichella.
Just two seasons into his F1 career and Lewis Hamilton is the reigning World Champion.
Heikki Kovalainen had his first taste of F1 success in 2008, but it remains to be seen if he can challenge team-mate Lewis Hamilton.
Entering his eighth season in Formula One, Mark Webber has yet to fulfil his potential in the top flight.
Sebastian Vettel's already glowing reputation was boosted yet further last season after he became the sport's youngest ever race winner.
Fernando Alonso's 2008 season further cemented his place as one of Formula One's greatest drivers.
Romain Grosjean has been called up by Renault to replace the axed Nelson Piquet Jr during the latter stages of the 2009 season.
Nineteen-year-old Jaime Alguersuari becomes the youngest-ever driver to compete in Formula One at the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix.
Twenty-year-old Swiss driver Sebastien Buemi hits the Formula One grid in 2009, racing for Toro Rosso.
Like many of his F1 peers, Jarno Trulli hails from a karting background, where he was regarded as a rare talent.
Timo Glock is staying at Toyota in 2009 after impressing team bosses during his first season with the Cologne outfit.
Nico Rosberg certainly has the pedigree and the talent to make it in Formula One, but the youngster has recently been overshadowed.
Kazuki Nakajima is gearing up for his second season in Formula One with Williams in the hope of a better showing than that which he produced in 2008.

Latest Sky Sports News Report
Hull v West Ham - 2nd Half
Norman designs Earth Course
Ipswich 0-0 Sheff Wed - Laws
Ipswich 0-0 Sheff Wed - Keane
Ipswich 0-0 Sheff Wed - Grant
Sunderland 1-0 Arsenal - Le Tissier
Hull 3-3 West Ham - Merson
Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello both have a big weekend ahead of them in Brazil.
Force India are looking to close the gap on BMW-Sauber in the Constructors' Championship.