2009 F1 Season – It Is Going To Be Tremendous!
The 2009 F1 season is only a month away. All indications are it is going to be an exciting season with a ton of developments that should see a host of changes in the driver and manufacturer’s championships.
So, what’s the big deal this year compared to previous years? Change is in the wind. One look at the cars for 2009 will tell you that. The regulations in Formula One have undergone a massive change. This has effectively created a blank slate for a good chunk of the design for each of the cars. It is the first time in a very long time where all the teams have started with more or less a blank sheet of paper. That raises a host of issues of which the following are some of the key ones.
Ferrari Demise?
Ferrari always had momentum because the car it developed each year was an evolution of the cars used by Schumacher during his dominant run. For the first time, the “new” Ferrari racing team management and designers have to come up with a significantly new design. How will they do? Many are predicting their demise. Given the money Ferrari has, it is hard to bet against them, but the team definitely showed some cracks last year with some particularly atrocious track strategies. This year will tell us much about Ferrari’s future.
Lewis Hamilton – The King Wears No Clothes?
The Lewis Hamilton-Ron Dennis-Fernando Alonso soap opera was so over the top that it masqueraded a key issue. Before Alonso came to McLaren, the team was not particularly competitive. Ferrari clearly dominated the team and Renault had also moved ahead. In fact, Renault had won both titles, which was why signing Alonso was considered such a coup. Alonso is obviously gone. With a new design, the question is whether Hamilton can develop a car or not? The answer is going to be very interesting and is something not everyone is talking about.
Fernando Alonso – Return of the King?
The start of last season saw a Renault that was Hondaesque in its pathetic pace and performance. By the end of the year, the team was winning races. Much of the credit went to Fernando Alonso’s ability to develop the car. The pick up in time of between three and five seconds a lap is a staggering figure for a Formula One car. With all the teams facing major design issues, many see Renault and Alonso as being major players this year. I admit that I am one of them although the recent loss of ING and unsettlement at Renault, the manufacturer, may scuttle things.
BMW – Still Here With Us?
BMW has made steady progress since coming back into F1 in a total team capacity. Last year saw the first win for the team and things are looking up. The problem? BMW is highly reliant on the market in the United States for revenues. As you know, that market is dead and BMW is feeling the pain. If things don’t turn around soon, the end could be near for BMW.
Poor Ross Brawn
The Ferrari man must be wondering what he did to deserve this. He is brought into a Honda team that is miserable, starts fixing it and then finds out the home office is calling it quits. To his credit, he has not uttered a word of discontent or sought sympathy. There are even rumors that the “Honda” team has funding for the first four races. That’s fairly amazing.
So, how is the year going to play out? I have no idea nor does anyone else. That’s the point! It is going to be a season of surprises, controversy and hopefully some damn good racing!
Lemmy