2009 Formula 1 season Preview

Minor changes in rules each year are common in Formula-1. But this year though, the magnitude of the change is quite large. FIA had a challenge of maintaining a delicate balance between cutting cost and increasing the competitive nature of the sport. They faced an immediate challenge of garrisoning 20 cars on the starting grid. The dilemma posed by exit of Team Honda was later resolved with Team Brawn GP under the same chief Ross Brawn. The chief maintained the same loyal driving crew (damn, no Sato!) Inspite of very very late start, Brawn GP has shown astounding pace on the track at testing in Jerez. This came as a huge surprise for Ferrari and BMW, the previous time chart leaders and were forced into recalculating the strategies.

Ferrari looks well preped with its new F60. In the earlier stage of testing, they faced few problems with cooling of KERS but looks like they are all set to use it in Melbourne. Both the drivers are happy about the progress. It is being said that though KERS will provide a huge boost in power  (85 hp for 6.6 sec), it has put forward a major problem of balancing the weight of vehicle which is a very delicate matter.

I believe that the real match for Ferrari’s pace this season is going to be BMW. They had an excellent run last season. Mid-season, they declared that their target for 2008 season was achived and that they will concentrate on development for season 2009. They started working on KERS way earlier than any other team and it worked. BMW is the only team that is confident about its KERS.

Mclaren is struggling. They are struggling at a very bad time of the season and the worst part is that its not the KERS, but the aerodynamics. The lack of pace is causing troubles for the new chief Martin Whitmarsh. They are working hard for Melbourne and I hope they catch up soon. The season needs to be competitive. Another potential front runner is Renault. Though R29 is slower than most of the cars, its Alonso’s skill that has been putting its name on top. So, for a more solid result, they need a better engineered car. Toyota and Williams desperately need more podium finishes this season with the caliber of their lead drivers, Trulli and Rosberg.

Toro Rosso and Red Bull are all set to rule the middle order. And now the big question- Force India. VJM02 is radically different than VJM01, primarily because it has a Mercedez-Benz engine instead of Ferrari. I hope it works as good as it has been working for Team Brawn. No need to stress on the need of scoring points!

FIA took a bold decision about the new scoring system. New medal system is need of F1 after what happened last year. Hamilton aiming at 5th place in a neck to neck fight for title was really disturbing. These Olympic style rules will make sure that drivers will aim at winning more than scoring. Somewhere, that will be a stimulus that the drivers require. But after protests from many teams, the decision was changed.

The season kick starts on 29th March and what better place to do it than the most dangerous circuit! I am planning to put Google Earth Images of all the tracks this season. Lets see how it goes. They all look beautiful from above. 2 for starters. Here is Albert Park for you with a beautiful lake in the middle (not distinctive being a street circuit)-

And now Sepang, Malaysia (This 1 looks awesome)-

Hope for a great season folks!

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On a different note I would like to mention Gadre’s this post here about loyalty towards your favourite teams. Its a really amazing article and it has given me a chance to answer my critics. I have always been accused of ‘Blindly jumping the Bandwagon’ in supporting ManU and Ferrari. I have to agree that I started supporting them during their glorious days. But both of these red giants faced major troubles during 2005-06 and I never stopped supporting them. Thats what supporting your team is all about. I don’t think I am quite there yet with football or ManU, but I will definitely walk anywhere to see Ferrari even if they start 20th and finish 20th. I stand by them no matter what. Even if they hire Fernando Alonso. (I believe Gadre will do the same if Ferguson hires Drogba!)