SAKHIR, Bahrain (AP) -Former champions Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton and current champion Jenson Button were all smiles ahead of the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.

But things are likely to heat up once the racing gets underway Sunday with one of the most intriguing starting grids in the history of the sport.

Button said in the news conference Thursday that he believes it will be an ``electric'' season and, if it isn't, ``then we're doing something wrong.''

Two-time champion Alonso, the preseason favorite with Ferrari, is a contender. He added a championship that includes seven-time champion Schumacher ``has more value.''Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.