2010 Formula 1 Season Preview

[camaroz1985]

As the 2010 Formula 1 season approaches I thought I would put together a guide for everyone to get up to speed on the changes for this year. There has been a lot that has happened in the off season, and this year looks to be a very exciting year.

Rule Changes
After last years multitude of changes this year there are relatively few.

The biggest change is the banning of refueling. This means that the cars must have a larger fuel tank in order to carry fuel for the entire race.

The minimum weight of the cars has been increased from 605kg to 620kg.

KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) while still legal, has been agreed upon by FOTA not to be used.

Front tire width has been reduced from 270mm to 245mm.

The maximum number of cars per event has increased from 24 to 26.

Qualifying will be changed to accommodate the extra cars with 8 dropping from Q1, 8 from Q2, and the remaining 10 will participate in Q3 in a low fuel conditions. Also the drivers in Q3 will have to start the race on the tires they use in that session.

The point system has been revised to 25, 18, 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2, and 1 for places 1 through 10 respectively. (The old system was 10, 8, 6, 4, 2, and 1 for places 1 through 6.)

Wheel covers (the cause of pit stop errors and safety hazards) have been banned.

There are others, but those are the big ones.

Teams and Drivers

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes (GBR)

McLaren returns with Vodafone sponsorship, but is no longer the “factory” Mercedes team, though they continue to use Mercedes engines. After acquiring Jenson Button from Brawn, this marks the first time since Senna-Prost in 1989 that two world champions have been on the same team.
Constructor: McLaren
Chassis: MP4-25
Engine: Mercedes FO 108X
Team Principal – Martin Whitmarsh

Drivers
#1 – Jenson Button (GBR)
#2 – Lewis Hamilton (GBR)

Launch: 1/29/2010 – Pictures and News

Mercedes GP Petronas (GER)

Formerly Brawn GP, Mercedes bought a 75% stake of the team and renamed it Mercedes GP. This marks the first time since 1955 there will be factory Mercedes “Silver Arrows” on the grid. Michael Schumacher returns to the seat of an F1 car after his attempt to fill in for injured Felipe Massa in 2009 failed due to a neck injury from a motorcycle accident.

Constructor: Mercedes
Chassis: MGP W01
Engine: Mercedes FO 108X
Team Principal – Ross Brawn

Drivers
#3 – Michael Schumacher (GER)
#4 – Nico Rosberg (GER)

Launch: 2/1/2010 – Pictures

Red Bull Racing (AUT)

After their break out season, and second place in the constructor’s championship, many viewed Red Bull as “the” car to have. As would be expected many of their competitors will probably be borrowing design cues from their car. Red Bull should be poised to repeat, or better its results from 2009, as it retains both of its drivers, and the key players that led to its success last year.

Constructor: Red Bull
Chassis: RB6
Engine: Renault RS27-2010
Team Principal – Christian Horner

Drivers
#5 – Sebastian Vettel (GER)
#6 – Mark Weber (AUS)

Launch: 2/10/2010

Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro (ITA)

2009 was a rough year for Ferrari. They struggled with pace and to top it off Felipe Massa sustained life threatening injuries during qualifying for the Hungarian GP when a spring that fell off of Rubens Barichello’s Brawn struck him in the head. A succession of lack luster test drivers failed to produce results. The one shining moment was delivered by Kimi Raikonen with a win at the Belgium GP. Kimi has since moved on to World Rally. Massa returns healthy for 2010, and the worst kept secret in F1, Alonso moving to Ferrari, comes to fruition.

Constructor: Ferrari
Chassis: F10
Engine: Ferrari 056
Team Principal – Stefano Domenicali

Drivers
#7 – Felipe Massa (BRA)
#8 – Fernando Alonso (ESP)

Launch: 1/28/2010 – Pictures and News

AT&T Williams (GBR)

Nico Rosberg had a strong showing in 2009 to help the Williams team to 7th in the constructor’s championship. With an all new lineup this year Williams looks to repeat that performance. They have combined youth and experience for 2010 with the signing Rubens Barrichello, and GP2 champion Nico Hulkenberg.

Constructor: Williams
Chassis: FW32
Engine: Cosworth CA2010
Team Principal – Frank Williams/Patrick Head

Drivers
#9 – Rubens Barrichello (BRA)
#10 – Nico Hulkenberg (GER)

Launch: 2/1/2010 – Pictures

Renault F1 Team (FRA)

Renault’s 2009 campaign was rocked with scandal. Following “crash-gate” they lost their title sponsor, and their team principal, Flavio Briatore, and technical director Pat Symonds. Flav was issued a lifetime ban from FIA motorsports (which he has appealed and won), and Symonds was issued a five year suspension, while the team was placed on probation. The off season was ripe with rumors that Renault would follow Toyota and withdraw from F1. Enter Genii Capital. The investment firm has bought a controlling stake in the Renault F1 team and will takeover management keeping the Renault F1 name. With an all new driver lineup, Renault looks to move past the dark year that was 2009.

Constructor: Renault
Chassis: R30
Engine: Renault RS27-2010
Team Principal – Eric Boullier

Drivers
#11 – Robert Kubica (POL)
#12 – Vitaly Petrov (RUS)

Launch: 1/31/2010 – Pictures and News

Force India F1 Team (IND)

2009 was a coming out year for Force India. The highlight of the year was surely Belgium, with a pole position, and second place finish for Giancarlo Fisichella. Adrian Sutil showed he had the skills, but was a little hit or miss with his consistency. Fisichella moved on to fill in for Felipe Massa, and Vitantonio Liuzzi stepped in to fill the vacancy. Though they struggled with their aero package, they did show that they have what it takes to run at the front of the pack. Both drivers return for 2010.

Constructor: Force India
Chassis: VJM03
Engine: Mercedes FO 108X
Team Principal – Vijay Mallya

Drivers
#14 – Adrian Sutil (GER)
#15 – Vitantonio Liuzzi (ITA)

Launch: 2/9/2010 - Pictures and News

Scuderia Toro Rosso (ITA)

2009 was not very good to Toro Rosso. After Sebastian Bourdais failed to deliver, he was replaced by Jamie Alguersuari, who also struggled. Sebastian Buemi provided a glimmer of hope toward the end of the season with several top 10 finishes. Both Alguersuari, and Buemi return in 2010. 2010 marks the first year that Toro Rosso will develop and build its own car, with the enforcement of the no customer car policy.

Constructor: Toro Rosso
Chassis: STR5
Engine: Ferrari 056
Team Principal – Franz Tost

Drivers
#16 – Sebastian Buemi (SUI)
#17 – Jamie Alguersuari (ESP)

Launch: 2/1/2010 – Pictures

Lotus F1 Racing (MAS)

Lotus is a Malaysian team funded by the Malaysian government, and a consortium of Malaysian businesses. Litespeed F3 team had its bid to enter F1 denied and contacted Tony Fernandes. Lotus F1 was granted entry after BMW withdrew at the end of 2010. Links to the Lotus F1 team of old are in name, and Proton (the Malaysian owner of Lotus Cars) is an investor. They are currently located in the UK, but will be moving to a new facility at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia.

Constructor: Lotus
Chassis: TBA
Engine: Cosworth CA2010
Team Principal – Tony Fernandes

Drivers
#18 – Jarno Trulli (ITA)
#19 – Heikki Kovalainen (FIN)

Launch: 2/12/2010 - Pictures and News

Hispania Racing F1 Team (ESP)

Hispania began as Campos Racing which currently runs a team in the European F3 championship, and used to run a team in GP2. They were granted entry to F1, and had partnered with Meta Image. After signing Bruno Senna (nephew of the great Ayrton Senna) things looks promising, but the team met financial difficulties, and there was speculation that they would not be on the grid for the first race. Campos had confirmed that it will not participate in any preseason testing, and was seeking financial assistance. On February 19, José Ramón Carabante took full control from Adrian Campos and insured its future. Campos was also replaced by Colin Kolles as team principal. The team was renamed Hispania Racing F1 Team (HRT F1).

Constructor: Hispania
Chassis: HRT
Engine: Cosworth CA2010
Team Principal – Colin Kolles

Drivers
#21 – Karun Chandhok (IND)
#21 – Bruno Senna (BRA)

Launch: 3/4/2010 - Pictures and News

US F1 Team (USA)

Founded by Ken Anderson, and Peter Windsor US F1 was granted entry to the 2010 F1. Located in Charlotte, NC (with a secondary location in Motorland Aragon in Spain), the team built set up shop and began construction immediately following the signing of the Concorde agreement in late July 2009. They pledged to bring American drivers to the pinnacle of motorsports, and have a car designed and built in the United States. There has been a lot of speculation that US F1 will not make the grid of the first race, but Anderson and Windsor insist they will. US F1 was the last team to name at least one of their drivers, when they named Jose Maria Lopez to drive for them. Lopez is a pay driver and brought $8 million in sponsorship with him including money from the Argentinean government. US F1 has been approved to test its car at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama before moving to Europe.

Constructor: US F1
Chassis: Type 1
Engine: Cosworth CA2010
Team Principal – Ken Anderson/Peter Windsor

Drivers
#22 – Jose Maria Lopez (ARG)
#23 – TBA

Launch: TBA

Virgin Racing (GBR)

Virgin began as Manor Grand Prix, which campaigns in the Euro F3 series. Richard Branson’s Virgin Group purchased 20 percent of the team, became the title sponsor, and changed the name of the team. Virgin is believed to be in the best position of the new teams to make the grid for 2010. With the signing of Toyota’s Timo Glock, and GP2 stand out Lucas di Grassi, their driver lineup is certainly not lacking in the talent department.

Constructor: Virgin
Chassis: VR-01
Engine: Cosworth CA2010
Team Principal – John Booth

Drivers
#24 – Timo Glock (GER)
#25 – Lucas di Grassi (BRA)

Launch: 2/3/2010 – Pictures and News

BMW Sauber (SUI)

2009 was a dismal year for BMW Sauber, culminating in the withdraw of BMW, and subsequent failed fraudulent sale of the team. Peter Sauber bought back BMW’s stake in the team, and began to rebuild. After loosing both of its drivers they signed Toyota’s sensational Kamui Kobayashi, and long-time McLaren test driver Pedro de la Rosa. No word on why BMW remains in the name of the team, as the cars will have Ferrari power for 2010.

Constructor: BMW Sauber
Chassis: C29
Engine: Ferrari 056
Team Principal – Peter Sauber

Drivers
#26 – Kamui Kobayashi (JPN)
#27 – Pedro de la Rosa (ESP)

Launch: 1/31/2010 – Pictures and News

Testing

Valencia – 2/1-2/3
Day One
1. Massa, Ferrari, 1:12.574, 102 laps
2. de la Rosa, BMW Sauber-Ferrari, 1:12.784, 74 laps
3. Schumacher, Mercedes GP, 1:12.947, 40 laps
4. Rosberg, Mercedes GP, 1:13.543, 39 laps
5. Paffett, McLaren-Mercedes, 1:13.846, 86 laps
6. Barrichello, Williams-Cosworth, 1:14.449, 75 laps
7. Buemi, Toro Rosso-Ferrari, 1:14.762, 18 laps
8. Kubica, Renault, 1:15.000, 69 laps

Day Two
1. Massa, Ferrari, 1:11.722, 124 laps
2. Kobayashi, BMW Sauber-Ferrari, 1:12.056, 96 laps
3. Hamilton, McLaren-Mercedes, 1:12.256, 108 laps
4. Kubica, Renault, 1:12.426, 119 laps
5. Rosberg, Mercedes GP, 1:12.899, 119 laps
6. Barrichello, Williams-Cosworth, 1:13.377, 102 laps
7. Buemi, Toro Rosso-Ferrari, 1:13.823, 107 laps

Day Three
1. Alonso, Ferrari, 1:11.470, 127 laps
2. de la Rosa, BMW Sauber-Ferrari, 1:12.094, 80 laps
3. Schumacher, Mercedes GP, 1:12.438, 82 laps
4. Alguersuari, Toro Rosso-Ferrari, 1:12.576, 97 laps
5. Button, McLaren-Mercedes, 1:12.951, 82 laps
6. Petrov, Renault, 1:13.097, 75 laps
7. Hulkenberg, Williams-Cosworth, 1:13.669, 126 laps


Jerez – 2/10-2/13
Day One
1. Rosberg, Mercedes GP, 1:20.927, 57 laps
2. Buemi, Toro Rosso-Ferrari, 1m:21.03, 84 laps
3. Hulkenberg, Williams-Cosworth, 1:22.243, 118 laps
4. Alonso, Ferrari, 1:22.895, 88 laps
5. Kobayashi, BMW Sauber-Ferrari, 1:23.287, 55laps
6. Button, McLaren-Mercedes, 1:24.947, 68 laps
7. Liuzzi, Force India-Mercedes, 1:24.968, 71 laps
8. Petrov, Renault, 1:25.440, 27 laps
9. Webber, Red Bull-Renault, 1:26.502, 50 laps
10. Glock, Virgin-Cosworth, 1:38.734, 5 laps

Day Two
1. Kobayashi, BMW Sauber-Ferrari 1:19.950, 103 laps
2. Buemi, Toro Rosso-Ferrari, 1:20.026, 121 laps
3. Button, McLaren-Mercedes, 1:20.618, 83 laps
4. Hulkenberg, Williams-Cosworth, 1:20.629, 67 laps
5. Liuzzi, Force India-Mercedes, 1:20.754, 80 laps
6. Schumacher, Mercedes GP, 1:21.083, 124 laps
7. Alonso, Ferrari, 1:21.424, 129 laps
8. Kubica, Renault, 1:22.003, 103 laps
9. Webber, Red Bull-Renault, 1:22.043, 99 laps
10. Glock, Virgin-Cosworth, 1:29.964, 11 laps

Day Three
1. Alguersuari, Toro Rosso-Ferrari, 1:19.919, 76 laps
2. de la Rosa, Sauber-Ferrari, 1:20.736, 58 laps
3. Sutil Force, Force India-Mercedes, 1:21.428, 48 laps
4. Massa, Ferrari, 1:21.603, 72 laps
5. Vettel, Red Bull-Renault, 1:21.783, 59 laps
6. Petrov, Renault 1:22.000, 68 laps
7. Rosberg, Mercedes GP, 1:22.820, 53 laps
8. Barrichello, Williams-Cosworth, 1:23.217, 120 laps
9. Hamilton, McLaren-Mercedes, 1:23.985, 68 laps
10. di Grassi, Virgin-Cosworth, 1:37.107, 8 laps

Day Four
1. Hamilton, McLaren-Mercedes, 1:19.538, 113 laps
2. Sutil, Force India-Mercedes, 1:20.180, 83 laps
3. Barrichello, Williams-Cosworth, 1:20.341, 90 laps
4. Kubica, Renault, 1:20.358, 85 laps
5. Schumacher, Mercedes GP, 1:20.613, 83 laps
6. Vettel, Red Bull-Renault, 1:21.203, 89 laps
7. Massa, Ferrari, 1:21.485, 160 laps
8. de la Rosa, BMW Sauber-Ferrari, 1:22.134, 105 laps
9. di Grassi, Virgin-Cosworth, 1:22.912, 63 laps
10. Alguersuari, Toro Rosso-Ferrari, 1:24.072, 98 laps


Jerez – 2/17-2/20
Day One
1. Vettel, Red Bull-Renault, 1:22.593, 103 laps
2. Hamilton, McLaren-Mercedes 1:23.017, 72 laps
3. Massa, Ferrari 1:23.204, 72 laps
4. Buemi, Toro Rosso-Ferrari, 1:23.322, 79 laps
5. de la Rosa, BMW Sauber-Ferrari, 1:23.367, 77 laps
6. Schumacher, Mercedes GP, 1:23.803, 111 laps
7. Sutil, Force India-Mercedes, 1:24.272, 28 laps
8. di Resta, Force India-Mercedes, 1:25.088, 76 laps
9. Petrov, Renault, 1:26.237, 59 laps
10. Barrichello, Williams-Cosworth 1:27.320, 109 laps
11. Fauzy, Lotus-Cosworth, 1:31.848, 76 laps
12. Glock, Virgin-Cosworth 1:32.417, 10 laps

Day Two
1. Barrichello, Williams-Cosworth, 1:27.145, 70 laps
2. Petrov, Renault, 1:27.828, 57 laps
3. Vettel, Red Bull-Renault, 1:28.162, 92 laps
4. Rosberg, Mercedes GP, 1:28.515, 57 laps
5. Massa, Ferrari, 1:28.879, 8 laps
6. de la Rosa, BMW Sauber-Ferrari, 1:29.691, 33 laps
7. di Resta, Force India-Mercedes, 1:30.344, 56 laps
8. Glock, Virgin-Cosworth, 1:30.476, 98 laps
9. Liuzzi, Force India-Mercedes, 1:30.666, 71 laps
10. Hamilton, McLaren-Mercedes, 1:31.633, 72 laps
11. Buemi, Toro Rosso-Ferrari, 1:32.678, 24 laps
12. Kovalainen, Lotus-Cosworth, 1:33.554, 30 laps

Day Three
1. Webber, Red Bull-Renault, 1:19.299, 115 laps
2. Alonso, Ferrari, 1:20.115, 132 laps
3. Button, McLaren-Mercedes, 1:20.394, 101 laps
4. Hulkenberg, Williams-Cosworth, 1:21.432, 138 laps
5. Schumacher, Mercedes GP, 1:21.437, 79 laps
6. Kubica, Renault, 1:21.916, 100 laps
7. Sutil, Force India-Mercedes, 1:21.939, 69 laps
8. Kobayashi, BMW Sauber-Ferrari, 1:22.228, 28 laps
9. Alguersuari, Toro Rosso-Ferrari, 1:22.564, 120 laps
10. di Grassi, Virgin-Cosworth, 1:23.504, 34 laps
11. Kovalainen, Lotus-Cosworth, 1:23.521, 68 laps

Day Four
1. Button, McLaren-Mercedes, 1:18.871, 108
2. Kubica, Renault, 1:19.114, 117
3. Kobayashi, BMW Sauber-Ferrari, 1:19.188, 117
4. Liuzzi, Force India-Mercedes, 1:19.650, 80
5. Rosberg, Mercedes GP, 1:20.061, 130
6. Alonso, Ferrari, 1:20.436, 137
7. Alguersuari, Toro Rosso-Ferrari, 1:21.053, 139
8. Webber, Red Bull-Renault, 1:21.194, 87
9. Hulkenberg, Williams-Cosworth, 1:21.919, 137
10. Glock, Virgin-Cosworth, 1:22.433, 28
11. Trulli, Lotus-Cosworth, 1:23.470, 141

Barcelona – 2/25-28

Day One
1. Webber, Red Bull-Renault, 1:21.487, 109 laps
2. Hulkenberg, Williams-Cosworth, 1:22.407, 81 laps
3. Rosberg, Mercedes GP, 1:22.514, 107 laps
4. de la Rosa, BMW Sauber-Ferrari, 1:23.144, 73 laps
5. Button, McLaren-Mercedes, 1:23.452, 100 laps
6. Liuzzi, Force India-Mercedes, 1:24.064, 64 laps
7. Alonso, Ferrari, 1:24.170, 74 laps
8. Petrov, Renault, 1:24.173, 73 laps
9. Alguersuari, Toro Rosso-Ferrari, 1:24.869, 111 laps
10. di Grassi, Virgin-Cosworth, 1:27.057, 31 laps
11. Fauzy, Lotus-Cosworth, 1:28.002, 76 laps

Day Two
1. Alonso, Ferrari, 1:20.637, 60 laps
2. de la Rosa, BMW Sauber-Ferrrari, 1:20.973, 46 laps
3. Liuzzi, Force India-Mercedes, 1:21.056, 23 laps
4. Vettel, Red Bull-Renault, 1:21.258, 55 laps
5. Alguersuari, Toro Rosso-Ferrari, 1:21.571, 36 laps
6. Schumacher, Mercedes GP, 1:21.689, 45 laps
7. Hamilton, McLaren-Mercedes, 1:22.152, 39 laps
8. Hulkenberg, Williams-Cosworth, 1:23.513, 82 laps
9. Kubica, Renault, 1:24.912, 44 laps
10. Glock, Virgin-Cosworth, 1:26.622, 18 laps
11. Trulli, Lotus-Cosworth, 1:26.677, 40 laps

Day Three
1. Nico Rosberg, Mercedes GP, 1:20.686, 128 laps
2. Sebastien Buemi, Toro Rosso-Ferrari, 1m 21.413, 106 laps
3. Jenson Button, McLaren-Mercedes, 1:21.450, 105 laps
4. Rubens Barrichello, Williams-Cosworth, 1:21.975, 101 laps
5. Felipe Massa, Ferrari, 1:22.344, 115 laps
6. Vitaly, Petrov Renault, 1:22.523, 68 laps
7. Adrian Sutil, Force India-Mercedes, 1:22.606, 61 laps
8. Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull-Renault, 1:23.123, 51 laps
9. Jarno Trulli, Lotus-Cosworth, 1:25.059, 102 laps
10. Kamui Kobayashi, BMW Sauber-Ferrari, 1:26.216, 105 laps
11. Timo Glock, Virgin-Cosworth, 1:26.305, 31 laps

Day Four
1. Hamilton, McLaren-Mercedes, 1:20.472, 134 laps
2. Webber, Red Bull-Renault, 1:20.496, 59 laps
3. Massa, Ferrari, 1:20.539, 113 laps
4. Sutil, Force India-Mercedes, 1:20.611, 99 laps
5. Vettel, Red Bull-Renault, 1:20.667, 76 laps
6. Schumacher, Mercedes GP, 1:20.745, 122 laps
7. Barrichello, Williams-Cosworth, 1:20.870, 83 laps
8. Kobayashi, BMW Sauber-Ferrari, 1:20.911, 67 laps
9. Buemi, Toro Rosso-Ferrari, 1:22.135, 87 laps
10. Kubica, Renault, 1:23.175, 106 laps
11. Kovalainen, Lotus-Cosworth, 1:25.251, 65 laps
12. di Grassi, Virgin-Cosworth, 1:26.160, 47 laps

Schedule

1. Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix – March 14
2. Australian Grand Prix – March 28
3. Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix – April 4
4. Chinese Grand Prix – April 18
5. Telefonica Spanish Grand Prix – May 9
6. Grand Prix of Monaco – May 16
7. Turkish Grand Prix – May 30
8. Grand Prix of Canada – June 13
9. Telefonica Grand Prix of Europe – June 27
10. Santander British Grand Prix – July 11
11. Sandtander German Grand Prix – July 25
12. Hungarian Grand Prix – August 1
13. Belgian Grand Prix – August 29
14. Santander Grand Prix of Italy – September 12
15. SingTel Singapore Grand Prix – September 26
16. Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix – October 10
17. Korean Grand Prix – October 24 (Subject to circuit completion)
18. Petrobras Brazilian Grand Prix – November 7
19. Ethiad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – November 14

[camaroz1985]

I will add more, like the schedule and any other information I have in a little bit.

[2WheelGuy]

Originally Posted by camaroz1985

The maximum number of cars per event has increased from 24 to 26.

Nice review. I'm looking forward to the new season.

Interesting to see that the most expensive motorsport has an increasing grid size while most other grids are shrinking.

[austexjg]

Formula 1 is the best - the cars are awesome and the money spent to race is unreal. I have followed the series for a long time - good to know others are anticipating the first green flag.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by 2WheelGuy

Interesting to see that the most expensive motorsport has an increasing grid size while most other grids are shrinking.

I agree, but the maximum number of cars in the rules may not mean much if a number of teams end up not making it to the grid anyway. Should be a fun year! All of the rule changes make sense to me, I especially like the points paying down to 10th place instead of just 6th. For the past few years, it seemed like if cars weren't running in the top 5, there was zero incentive to drive aggressively to improve places, as it wouldn't matter in the point standings anyway.

[greg737]

Nice work!

I started watching F1 when I was about 6 years old. We lived near Nazareth PA, home of Mario Andretti, so it was easy to get excited about it.

I was especially attracted to the engines as a little boy, and the early seventies (before the turbo era started) really delivered the noise with Alfa Romeo V-12s, Matra V-12s, Cosworth DFVs, Ferrari flat 12s, etc.

The only American racing that even came close to that type of noise was the Can-Am challenge series.

[2WheelGuy]

Originally Posted by Alex

All of the rule changes make sense to me, I especially like the points paying down to 10th place instead of just 6th.

I agree with the points paying down to 10th. There will be more cars racing.

I'm not sure about the ban on refueling. Fuel strategy was one of the fun parts of the race. They will still have to pit for tires but there will be much less drama without fuel involved. Now everything will be about fuel conservation. I'm afraid the races will start to look like those bicycle races where no one hardly moves until the last lap sprint.

[edbro]

Should be a great season, I can't wait for it to start.

[lockie]

been following F1 for decades. Anyone Remember Jim Clark, Graham Hill and the first F1 Lotus cars? Sounds like a good season coming up, esp with the return of the Canadian GP in Montreal. Can't wait for the start.

[Ryosen11]

Nice report!

I do miss "The Iceman" but looks like it's going to be a great season.

[camaroz1985]

Originally Posted by ducducgooseit

I am most interested in the possible return of M. Schumacher. 1) just how much are they paying him? 2) will he win or was the ferrari machine really responsible? 3) I disagree with the point spread change in places. The previous scheme rewarded consistency over place.

The last few seasons there was a great deal of scrambling to fill the grids. 26 may be too many. But Bernie probably wants to make it so he doesn't have to pay out tv revenues (don't like him or his machinations very much)

They are paying him 7 million euros (about $9.66 million). I do believe he will succeed in the Mercedes, but I don't think he will win the championship. He is a great driver, and if anyone can make the Mercedes look good its him. He is also an excellent development driver so that will help the team out as well.

[Sailariel]

Ryan, I have been out of the loop for quite a few years. I noticed that there is no U S Grand Prix. Have they stopped F 1 at Watkins Glen? Wasn`t there also a road race through Long Beach CA? I got heavily into bicycle racing and let the F1 racing slip away.

[camaroz1985]

Alex, there hasn't been a US GP at the Glen since 1980. In between then and now there has been the US GP West in Long Beach from '76-'83, Ceasar's Palace GP in Vegas from '81-84, Detroit GP from '82-'88, Dallas GP in '84, and Phoenix GP from '89-'91. The most recent US GP was Indy from 2000-2007. The only one currently on our continent is Canada, and that is returning this year after a hiatus last year. There is talk of a return to the US, but for right now it is just that.

[camaroz1985]

Force India launched their car today. Information and pictures were added to the original post.

[camaroz1985]

Spy Shot of Lotus F1 Car.



Exclusive: First image of Lotus F1 car

I think it looks great. Love the green and yellow. I would have also liked to see the John Player Special colors return.

[HKr1]

Originally Posted by camaroz1985

The most recent US GP was Indy from 2000-2007.

Except 2005

[camaroz1985]

Well it was a race for 6 cars anyway haha.

[Banzai]

Originally Posted by 2WheelGuy

I agree with the points paying down to 10th. There will be more cars racing.

I'm not sure about the ban on refueling. Fuel strategy was one of the fun parts of the race. They will still have to pit for tires but there will be much less drama without fuel involved. Now everything will be about fuel conservation. I'm afraid the races will start to look like those bicycle races where no one hardly moves until the last lap sprint.

Agreed there.

I think they dealt correctly with the points incentive, but missed the boat completely with the elemination of fuel stops. Thankfully, the points fix they handled with a scalpel. For whatever rationaliazation they came up with on eleminating refueling, I think it's truly another problem that needed a scalpel but they chose the nuclear bomb instead.

Pit strategy based on FUEL and TIRES made for interesting races in the top 5-6 spots. With the changes in points pay out, it would have extended that necessity for strategy down to the top 12-14 cars on the grid, or roughly the top half of the field.

Now strategy will be based solely on tires and starting grid position alone. If we see more runs of bad tires, though, as we've seen at random in the past, it all goes to hell in a handbasket.

[camaroz1985]

Lotus launch news and pictures added, as well as the first 3 days of test times at Jerez. All days have had very little dry running, so the numbers are even more useless than normal test times.

[camaroz1985]

Day four was finally a dry test. Times added.

[250Rocket]

Back to Montreal in 2010 . The downtown parties are insane. Lambo's and Ferrari's line the clubs, Big stars are seen everywhere, and don't forget the race itself . The race happens just off island but the engine noise carries well into the city.

We had a tradition among my friend to go drinking Saturday night before the race while the city was in party mode. Missed that last year.

[camaroz1985]

I'm hoping to make it this year, but I have a race myself that weekend. Will have to decide which I'm going to do.

[Ryosen11]

I look forward to seeing Schu against other young drivers. Faster pit stops and dealing with tire wear more than before will hopefully improve the competition and increase the overtaking maneuvers.

[camaroz1985]

Added test times from the first 3 days at the second Jerez test (that's a lot of numbers in one sentence ). More wet running, though today was dry for the most part.

Only 3 weeks away from the first GP weekend!!!

[camaroz1985]

Barcelona Test wrapped up yesterday. I have added those times as well. Less than 2 weeks to go!!!

Things aren't looking good for USF1 though. They have asked to miss the first 4 races of this year or possibly defer their entry until 2011.

[edbro]

I'm disgusted with USF1's efforts. They are just pathetic. They don't deserve to race this year (if possible) or ever have another chance for a grid spot in the future. They were talking about 2010 before any of the other newcomers, but yet still have not done anything.

[camaroz1985]

Team US F1 shuts down operation

Team US F1 still looking for 2011 entry

[camaroz1985]

Updated entry list to show Campos changed to Hispania Racing (I have not removed US F1 yet, as it is not official).

Hispania is rumored to be signing Indian driver Karun Chandhok as its second driver, and pending release from US F1, Jose Maria Lopez as its reserve driver.

Also the week before each race I will add a post for the race with track information, and update that post throughout the weekend as practice, qualifying, and the race are completed. There will also be a post with Driver and Constructors Points.

[fastmark63]

IM a longtime formula one fan , and can not wait for this season to start( week away!!) with the return of Michael Schumacher ( is he really the stig?) i really want to see if Lewis hamilton will have a car this year to challenge for this year's title and if his team mate world champ Jenson button will cope with a new car and teammate who will not be number two. the same for the ferrari camp being that Massa is percevied number one given his speed and time with Scuderia,,,meaning ALONSO will want to be the top dog there( I SEE A FIGHT WITHIN THE TEAM GIVEN ALONSO'S HISTORY!) NO REALLY CAN'T WAIT SPORT FANS!!! this may be one the best seasons ever !

[camaroz1985]

I agree. I'm hoping Lewis can show them all how its done, but Ferrari should put up a good challenge (and a fight within the team is imminent). Schumi should show his true form, but I don't think he will be able to keep up with Hamilton and Vettel (though I might be eating those words shortly). I'm super excited for things to get going.

I also watch MotoGP and WSBK, and if the WSBK race this past weekend is any indication this will be a great year.

[fastmark63]

those mercs have been turning fast times early I wound not count out Ross brawn.... there maybe something in his bag of tricks! he sounds very confident going in to melborne but the best part will be qualifying we may see what these cars and drivers will do with heavier fuel loads the times we see in the practice may mirror what we see in qualifying. I think all the fast hot laps will be in Q 1 and the fast teams will come out early

[camaroz1985]

I think Q1 and Q2 will be fast. As far as I know you don't need to run full fuel for qualifying, but drivers in Q3 will have to start the race on the same tires.

Everything is speculation as of now. Testing shows nothing toward what will happen during a race weekend, there are just too many variables. A week and a few days and we might have some answers.

[camaroz1985]

HRT has launched. Info and links added to the first post.

I will be adding the post for the first race shortly.

[HKr1]

Originally Posted by camaroz1985

Team US F1 shuts down operation

Team US F1 still looking for 2011 entry

Bummer!

[camaroz1985]

Season updates will be on this thread

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=39233