With the season-ending race of 2011 in Brazil still visible in the rearview mirror, it's hard to imagine the green flag has already dropped on the 2012 campaign.

Yet, the F1's silly season is already well and truly underway.

The top eight spots may already be accounted for (yet, that hasn't stopped Ferrari from applying the blowtorch to Felipe Massa) but there is plenty intrigue in the remaining seats.

Lotus F1 (formerly Renault) made the first major move of the off season, announcing that 2007 champion Kimi Raikkonen will end his rally-hiatus, to take the number one position. Meanwhile, Vitali Petrov has seen his contract come to an end with the team, with many reports suggesting that the team is leaning towards cutting ties with the Russian.

One-time teammate Romain Grosjean is being touted as the main threat to Petrov's drive. When you add in the potential return of Robert Kubica, it could get very crowded in the Lotus garage in the near future.

Petrov's management has declared that they want Lotus' announcement to take place before the 10^th of December.

Fittingly, like many of the F1 races in 2011, much of the interest comes from the middle of the field.

Between Toro Rosso, Williams and Force India, only one driver has a confirmed seat for next year (Williams Pastor Maldonado). It's widely expected that his 2011 teammate Rubens Barrichello will hang up his helmet after a storied career, making a move by Williams a forced changed.

Williams, and fellow mid-pack competitor Force India, are expected to announce their line-ups around December 15, meaning that the 2012 picture will become clearer over the next fortnight.

It's hard to see Force India making a change, given Adrian Sutil's ninth place finish in the 2011 season, and Paul Di Resta's 13^th spot. Even if Petrov was released onto the market, expect Force India to keep the status quo.

At Toro Rosso, expect Jaime Alguersuari to remain in the cockpit for another year, but the same cannot be said for his teammate, Sebastian Buemi. Buemi has been a prolific underperformer, and given Toro Rosso's tendency to promote younger talent, Jean-Eric Vergne could be in line to receive his F1 debut. Vergne took part in practice with the team in Brazil last week.

The changes at Team Caterham (formerly Team Lotus) will draw much of the Australian attention, due to the very real prospect of Daniel Ricciardo replacing veteran Jarno Trulli as a full-time driver. Rumours surrounding Trulli's desire to continue next year, combined with Caterham's deal with Red Bull, could easily lead to Ricciardo taking the next step in his career. Caterham improved steadily over the course of the year, and with the implementation of Red Bull technology next year they should continue to improve. That could be brilliant news for Ricciardo, and provide the perfect proving ground to earn a Red Bull drive in the next few years. Heikki Kovalainen will remain with Caterham in 2012.

Marrusia (former Virgin) have announced Timo Glock and Charles Pic as their tandem for next year while HRT have confirmed Pedro de la Rosa will be with the team but are still searching for their second driver. Given HRT's standing in the sport, expect the drive to go to an up-and-comer.