Get set for the best F1 season in years
When Patrick Head talks, you listen.
"Everybody keeps coming up and asking who's quickest, as if we should all know the answer," said Williams's director of engineering during a break in the final pre-season test session in Barcelona.
"But I don't know the answer. Nobody knows the answer, and isn't that the whole point? We're all waiting to see what's going to happen, who's going to be fastest at the first race and the rest of the year."
Analysing testing times ahead of a new Formula 1 campaign is a well established ritual which never fails to turn up the level of anticipation.
But there look to be as many as seven teams on a competitive curve for the opening races.
Ferrari and McLaren appear to have their noses in front of Red Bull and Mercedes, with Williams, Force India and the reborn Sauber team on their tails.
So the 2010 season, the start of Head's fifth decade in F1, promises to be one of the most compelling contests he's ever been involved in, stirring memories of the great days of Mansell, Prost, Piquet and Senna in the late 1980s.
The depth of talent in F1 in 2010 finally brings back memories of the glorious mid-1980s. Photo: Getty
Why so? Well, there's the ban on race refuelling which has ramped up the pre-season guessing game over performance, but let's start with the return of grand prix racing's most successful driver, Michael Schumacher.
His name, reputation and achievements transcend the sport. He divides opinion as quickly as he used to win races. Whatever your view on him, you always watch him.
His comeback, after three years in retirement, was headline news around the world. Can he still be a contender like Lance Armstrong, back in the saddle to finish third in last year's Tour de France? Will he still be as fast, and ruthless?
Or will he be made to look an ageing has-been by new A-listers like Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel who have never had to contend with him looming large in their mirrors in a race?
Schumacher will be one of four world champions on the grid who'll expect to be fighting at the front in competitive cars.
His reunion with Ross Brawn under the Mercedes takeover of last year's constructors' champions has galvanised a grid already highly charged by rivalries.
The honeymoon accord at McLaren between Hamilton and Jenson Button, and Fernando Alonso's bonhomie at Ferrari alongside Felipe Massa are about to be challenged for real. How significant is Red Bull's continuity with Vettel and Mark Webber?
Here are battles we thought we'd never see but always wished we could.
The remarkable numbers following testing on the web and the thousands who came to the tracks during the four weeks in Spain underlined the magnetism of the leading personalities and their new pairings.
In contrast to Brawn's fairytale success in 2009, with only Red Bull for championship competition, there's the prospect of Ferrari and McLaren striking back. Business as usual between the two heavyweights or battle joined in a four way scrap for the title? We're about to find out.
Simply having the fastest car, however, may not be a guarantee of success in 2010.
The changes to qualifying and the ban on refuelling during a race will force the teams out of their comfort zone where previously they could readily predict tyres and pitstops.
Now strategy will be more spontaneous, more reactive. Teams will need to cover their rivals in the chase for a clear track on fresh tyres. You can't afford to be caught up in a tailback of slow coaches.
For the first time in seven years, Saturday sessions will be a series of three thrilling sprints. No more fuel-adjusted grids.
But top 10 qualifiers must continue to use the same tyres for the start of the race. Do you gamble on pole for an early advantage but risk needing to pit too early, or do you play a longer, safer game, preparing for a tyre change when the car is lighter and faster?
Around circuits such as Monaco and Hungary, for example, where overtaking is so limited, the decision-makers on the pit wall will certainly earn their money.
With pit stops targeted at a super-fast three seconds, never has a quick-fit wheel change been so critical.
Starting with around 170 kg of fuel - double last year's heaviest load - will demand an elusive consistency of performance. Drivers will be performing a high-speed balancing act, managing tyre wear, brakes, fuel economy and ever-changing handling characteristics.
Those with the ability to find a strong baseline balance quickest will be the ones to take an early advantage in the championship.
For the first time ever in F1, that means scoring 25 points for victory under a new system that's been extended to include the top 10. It works out as a percentage gain over the old system, awarding 18 for second place then respectively 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 and 1 for 10th.
With three new teams entering the sport, that covers almost half the field and looks to be a clear incentive to encourage overtaking, tyre wear permitting.
Given the newcomers' chequered build-up to the season, their share of points may be a long time coming.
But the return of Lotus, under new ownership, and the full-scale entry of such a global brand as Virgin have to be positive signs.
Nico Hulkenberg's debut at Williams, with a dazzling junior track record like Hamilton, will be worth watching.
Kamui Kobayashi's panache should be entertaining at Sauber. And after a series of false starts, Bruno Senna, gets his chance to measure himself in the sport where his late uncle, Ayrton, left such champion mark.
The potential is there for a classic season, with drama up and down the grid. We can only hope that F1 impresario Bernie Ecclestone's fears of an anticlimax are as misplaced as his aborted plans for winners' medals.
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~14~RS~)
Jonathan Legard commentated on Formula 1 for the BBC in 2009 and 2010. He wrote regular blogs during that period, giving a behind-the-scenes insight into the grand prix weekends. Jonathan, previously 5 live's football correspondent and before that the radio station's F1 correspondent, is no longer part of the BBC's F1 team.
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Great analysis Jonathan.
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Great article, I have not been looking forward to a F1 season fo a long time.
So many sub plots and so many drivers with a point to prove, I hope its as close as predicted with a host of drivers in with a chance of winning races.
If I had to I would put my money on Lewis, he seems happier and does not have the off track distractions of last year, I would have each-wayer on Alonso though..
(I know the photo is in black and white but 1908???)
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A lot to look forward to in terms of who is in what team. But the only real driver change this year is Schmacher is back and Raikkonen has gone! So 1 world champion comes and another goes, ok its more exciting but not massive on the driver front.
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I agree, mr_aleman, only have FOUR World Champions and two runners up in very good cars, makes no difference!!!!!!!
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I see your point mr_aleman but I've got to say that having the most successful driver to ever race in F1 is big news on the driver front. Coupled with Alonso switching to Ferrari and Button joining McLaren the driver line-up has changed a fair bit. OK so the personnel is roughly the same but the fact that a couple have switched teams and the man who's won more World Championships than anyone else is back I'd say is pretty massive.
I don't feel losing Raikkonen is going to be detrimental to F1. Even for someone who has always come across incredibly laid back, last year he reached new levels. It was as if as soon as he knew the car wasn't going to be competitive he wasn't going to be too interested. I may well be wrong but that's the way it came across to me.
One thing's for sure though, I think this is turning out to be one of the most eagerly anticipated seasons for some time. So many questions are being asked by everyone and I can't wait for the answers to start coming out at the weekend. I just hope we get a few teams and a few drivers all in contention by the middle of the season instead of one runaway leader like last year.
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Bring it on guys. Let's hope it is exciting. New teams, Return of the Greatest, Hope it goes down to the final round instead of a runaway leader. At least we got Lotus and Virgin Racing. Let's hope Hispania do well.
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This has all been set up to be the most memorable season yet.
We've got an expansion on the number of circuits to 19, an expansion of the teams to 12, the return of Michael Schumacher, the best drivers now at the best teams, more competition, new design specifications giving the team another challenge, the list goes on..
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Good article Jonathan - now i'm well up for it.
Good riddance to re-fuelling too. I was never a fan. Now, hopefully, different cars will find a sweet spot with the balance of the car at different times as the race progresses, meaning that people will be faster at different times. It may not lead to more overtaking opportunities (though i hope it does), but it should make it more interesting.
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FAN-tastic!
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You say the same every year!
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Is anyone else looking forward to Schumacher vs Alonso again. That's where the real action is going to be. It certainly won't be at McClaren where everyone seems to be working really hard not to uspet anybody recently. Watch out for Rosberg too he's always been one of the quickest, if he can learn how to race (not just qualify) while he's with MS he could be a real force.
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Good article, i have been building up to this race for so long i can only hope its half as good as i think it will be. All i ask is can we have some overtaking!!! and end the saga of boring races, with JB winning early last year it was great but there still was no overtaking. i really hope we improve on last year,
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Can someone explain the points system to me please? Jonathon says it includes the top 10 places, but gives 11 numbers (25,18,15,12,10,8,6,4,3,2,1)......who gets what?
Cheers
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Jonathan,
I know in the video clips of the BBC team you tipped Hamilton as WDC this year. But who do you think his closest challengers will be?
Great piece by the way, cant wait!
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I just can't see why they have to keep changing the rules all the time.
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Im blown away by this sesson depth already and we haven't start, I cant wait for the first race! Its going to be good this sesson-FACT!
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at post 14, there is no 3 points awarded like JL suggested. it goes:
25, 18, 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2, 1.
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Looking forward to it, and hopefully it will remain competitive. Last season started out very exciting, with Brawn blowing away the field, but it became pretty obvious early on that they were the only ones who were going to win it.
I fancy Ferrari and Red Bull to be scrapping it out this year, but McLaren and Mercedes should make it interesting by being pretty close behind them.
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For the first time in seven years, Saturday sessions will be a series of three thrilling sprints. No more fuel-adjusted grids.
But top 10 qualifiers must continue to use the same tyres for the start of the race. Do you gamble on pole for an early advantage but risk needing to pit too early, or do you play a longer, safer game, preparing for a tyre change when the car is lighter and faster?
I was so disappointed when I heard about that new rule. Instead of the grid being adjusted by published fuel loads, it will now need to be adjusted by unpublished tyre wear. So we'll know less about the cars when they start the race, and they still won't be able to go flat out for pole position in Q3, which is what everyone really wants to see. They've just replaced one obfuscating rule with another.
Jonathan, will you be continuing your predictions column from last year? I ask because, well, you didn't do particularly well (only two or three correct winners in the whole season, if I remember rightly), and this season could be just as unpredictable if not more so.
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Thanks Gavelaa.
I think this will be better than the old system, with the podium finish places having more of an advantage.
Can't wait until next weekend!
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First corner is always of interest, but with 24/6 cars arriving at speed with upto 3 times the normal fuel-load.... I hope the fire engines are well equipped, and that all drivers are capable of tip-toe-ing around the first few bends!
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Oh the anticipation of this coming weekend is killing me! What Jonathan you have written here is like a preview to a blockbuster summer movie! Well this season is certain to be a crowd puller with the talent on show and the changes to the pit stops will certainly be interesting. I can't wait till Friday!
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Stop suggesting this will be 'the best season in years'! There have been so many seasons in the past which have been overhyped and ended up being pretty boring. F1 will never be as good as it was in the mid 80s, it's just become far to sanitised.
The only thing you can say for certain is FINALLY the regulations of F1 are being changed to a bit more like they ought to be. Scrap the silly tyre rules and that might well be the final piece of the jigsaw. Also, it would be nice to see some racing at some 'proper' circuits with a bit of history, rather than these soulless circuits in the Middle East and awful circuits like Melbourne (surely the worst, dullest circuit on the calendar?)
Let's just wait and see, eh? If this turns out to be another dull season in F1, all of this hype is going to seem a bit silly.
On a final note about the Schumacher come back, it would not surprise me one bit if he left halfway through the season if the car just isn't competitive. Remember the Mansell comeback at McLaren??
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Its gonna be an awesome season in terms of the way things are shaping up. I suspect Ferrari will be the team to beat with their racing pedigree and experience in the guise of the outstanding Alonso. Massa could well be the new Rubens unless he matches Alonso`s pace early season. Hamilton will im sure mature as a driver this season and its up to Button to try to match his pure speed, good luck JB. Vettel is another driver to watch this season as we saw last season with a competitive car he is as good as any.
I think the shumenator has his work cut out as this now appears to be a young mans game. But the publicty he generates can only be good for the sport and if Mercedes do have a quick car he will be in the mix. Looking forward to watching the Hulk so much promise. Think this season will be a real scrap as I think the days of 0.6 to + 1 sec a lap diff between the top teams is over, I hope. On a more sobering note I do worry about the long term future of the newer less experienced teams. Finally thank good the fuel strats are history and the pesky wheel fairings have been abandoned. Look for a Ferrari and Mclaren to lock out the top 4 spots at Bahrain this weekend. Just salivating with anticipation now!
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Fantastic Blog Jonathan. I'm glad refuelling has gone and Schumacher is back! I hope we have a fantastic season.
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hoping for some schumi magic this season ....
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@ endofcity
what do you mean soulless circuits is the middle east?? .. F1 is a worldwide sport with fans all over the world .. even ppl of middle east hav the right to see their fav drivers and team .. and f1 attracts so much audience in the middle east , they make so much money from the middle east . why should they not come and race in the middle east ?? its not just for the europeans ...
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Hey, Jonathan
Top notch article, im very excited at the prospect of Kobiyashi having a perminent drive for sauber, he looks very promising after brazil last season! Not sure about schumacher though im pleased he's back,
hoping for a fantastic season on the beeb.
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Hi
I edit the F1 blogs, as you may know. To those who have pointed out the error on the new scoring system, sorry and thank you - it has now been amended.
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Great blog,
I can't wait for Sunday, it's going to be a fantastic season!
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Well the article states some basic facts ,but it is mostly pure conjecture so any plausible analysis is pretty much impossible. The true picture will only become clearer this coming weekend - as they say, 'when the flag drops the bullshit stops'!
Winter testing has shown that the status quo is pretty much in place - Ferrari, Mclaren, Red Bull, Mercedes all appear to have produced quick cars and they also have the ability to bring aggresive future development programmes to bear throughout the year - the best of the rest - Sauber, Williams,Renault,Force India and Torro Rosso all look to have made movement towards the top teams and possibly Williams will be the pick of this bunch thanks to the development skills of Barrichello and the raw pace of new boy Hulkenberg.
The new teams will fight for the reliability stakes in the first few races and with the points now going down to tenth place, it may see them grasp some of the prize money for 2011 to propel themselves further up the grid?
Different driving pairings will make an interesting backdrop to the season and one Michael Schumacher will undoubtedly make his mark.
All in all it looks like an exciting season in front of us .....thankfully the speculation of the winter season is nearly at an end.
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I look forward to every F1 season! The new rules make the difference! Just like last year you change the variables and things become uncertain! I'm tipping Jenson! I think his smooth style will suit the newest adaptation! I can't stop using exclamation marks sorry!
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This should be a fantastic season with great racing and I imagine it will get better as the races go on and the drivers become more used to their cars and driving with full fuel loads.
If only it was broadcast in HD...
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imagine f1 in 3d
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If everyone gets more or less equally competitive cars this season, F1 2010 will be ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!
Picture it:
We have hot title prospects Seb Vettel & Felipe Massa, PLUS World ChampionS Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso AND the great Michael Schumacher, ALL ON THE SAME GRID???.....
I'm practically salivating...!!! :D
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As gutted as I have been to see Raikkonen leave F1, I have to say Schumi returning more than makes up for it! I have never been so excited about an F1 season as this one! Great blog Jonathan! Hope the BBC coverage is as excellent as last years!
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I am really looking forward to the start of the new season (as always), this year sounds like it could be a season to remember.
I cannot see why Schumacher would be any quicker than he was when he retired, when he was second best to Alonso. Its Judgement Day for Nico Rosberg, if he gets thrashed by a geriatric Schumacher he will never cut it at the top.
It will be nice to see Felipe back on track.
Cmon Lewis and Jenson!!! Woo.
***Living in hope that F1 will make an appearance in HD at some point this season***
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@magnificentseven, if you aren't going to contribute something worthwhile, please don't bother.
I think this will be an epic season...with 6-8 drivers fighting it out.
Hopefully Schuey can show the young guns a thing or two and let's hope that the new teams can compete, and not be mobile chicanes like the old Fortis and Pacifics...
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Great Blog. I would like to share my 2 cents.
Watch out for Kobayashi. I think he will light this season up.
I am prepared for a dull season. It often works like that. We have had three thrilling seasons, and we are due a dull one. The line up looks awesome, and we all desperately hope to watch a classic, but I am prepared for a dull Sunday. I think this for 2 reasons.
1. They change the rules too much, too rapidly. A points change, a fueling reversal, and a qualifying alteration can take a while to work out for many.
2. Refueling was introduced to make the racing closer.
I am going for Button. I do think Hamilton is faster, but only over 20 laps. Button is smooth, and understands that the race is won over the season, and not just the moment. He has so much experience, and in the middle of the pack, which is a much harder place to play that at the front. He has only ever had one opportunity, and he took it. Sure, he had a car advantage, but doesn't every champion. And he only had it for a few races. It is not about HAVING an advantage, but TAKING that advantage. I think Alonso will lose to Massa due to reliability - Ferrari have lost it since the departure of Brawn. I think Red Bull will drop off, and their drivers will take time to adapt to the changes. I think Mercedes will be very competitive after 5 races. But I think McLaren will have the edge, and I think the elimination of refueling will play into Button's experience, patience, and silky smooth style. Looking at the changes taking place, the driver dynamics, and the opportunities available, then I think Button is the package. Button will be so unfazed by Schumacher, as he has raced against him many times. I am not so sure about the new guys. Let us not forget how young and inexperienced Hamilton is. Amazingly talented he is. And he may be the fastest. But nothing replaces experience and maturity, and it is a long season.
Lets hope 2010
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26. MagnificentSeven
If we were to stop F1, would people stop dying? The answer is NO. All you can do is try to avoid it yourself, and to offer our help and kindness to those who are not so fortunate. But you can not blame your understandable angst on a fringe sport. Indeed, it is because of F1, to many, that makes it worth living in the first place. Everything is "Ying and Yang". I think everyone here understands the context with which you made your comment, but the solution to this has nothing to do with F1, and I am sure we would be grateful if you would not drag the board down. Kindly, this is not the forum.
It was a great blog, and the people are excited for the F1 season ahead. This is a post about the joy of life, and what makes it worth living.
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@hotheadwazza:
"If everyone gets more or less equally competitive cars this season, F1 2010 will be ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!"
That's not very likely, is it?
@ Ahad Shaukat
I think the new circuits in the Middle East are boring, soulless and have no history. I personally believe F1 should be staged at the best circuits for racing and not just for money.
F1 has been totally over glamorised over the last 15 years and is way too much about the showbiz and the money these days.
The BBC's own F1 page pretty much sums it up, it's all about gossip and not technical at all.
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there are four world champion drivers on the grid.....Schumacher..Alonso..Hamilton and Button....I wonder if there will be any surprises this season...It would nice to see the younger drivers giving these guys a run for there money.!!!!
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".... I cannot see why Schumacher would be any quicker than he was when he retired, when he was second best to Alonso. Its Judgement Day for Nico Rosberg, if he gets thrashed by a geriatric Schumacher he will never cut it at the top...."
I cannot see why Alonso wozld be any quicker then he was when he was slower then Button,Hamilton,Raikkonen,Massa,Vettel...... last year. Nice arguments from you!
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@ RubensSchumacher
Alonso was in a poorer car in 2009 and 2008 than all the drivers you quote.
The point being made was Alonso beat Schumacher in 2006 despite driving a slower Renault. Schumacher is not going to be better now than he was in 2006, he might be as good but not better.
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The most enthralling F1 season in the modern era is almost at hand and the contenders to this year's title include (in my humble opinion), the greatest (confirmed statistically at least) driver of all time. For all their talent, champion Jenson and former champion Lewis have never drawn the curtain on a season conquering a legend of the sport. To be fair, during his retirement there was no suitable character that carried that mantle. Whether Michael's return from slumber fires him back to 'purple sectors' remains to be seen and given that he is one of the select few to extract morsels of speed from an otherwise ordinary car (remember Ferrari back in 1995...), his presence alone will provide some entertaining Sunday afternoons.
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After limited research, I believe that should schumacher win this season, he'll become only the second driver to win in 3 different decades, after Jack Brabham. Is this correct?
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