The Slipstream: Storm Watch For The 2009 Season

Welcome back to the cyclone of cynicism, the twister of tirades, and the swirl of sounding off—welcome back to the Slipstream. I am sorry for the lack of writing, but time ran short and as much as I wanted to write for this forum, things got out of hand.  But here we are, back at it again for another season.

After a long break, and a pretty dismal offseason, the 2009 FIA Formula One World Championship is set to begin once more. 

With several major changes taking place, the landscape of the F1 world shifted like the San Andreas fault. New rules, new cars, and (semi) new teams, have led to pretty much a new world in Formula 1. 

I am sure these topics have been discussed at length on this forum, so I will avoid the general commentary and offer up my thoughts on what may or may not happen.  

F1 stands on the cusp of making itself relevant in a world that has changed since the final race in Brazil. New cost cutting regulations strive to make the teams not only fiscally healthy and responsible, but they also attempt to show that even F1 can change for the better, and for the future.

Even though the cars look different, the level of competition looks to be even better this year. Veteran drivers like Raikkonen and Alonso feel like they can fight at their top form again, while drivers like Hamilton, Massa, Kubica, and even Glock feel that they are the true inheritors to Schumacher's throne, and not the so called "transition" champions of Alonso and Raikkonen. 

As the scarlet steeds of Ferrari, and the silver arrows of McLaren are loaded on their respective transports for the flight to Melbourne, the teams of BMW, Renault, and Toyota stand ready to pounce on the disappointing pace of the McLarens, and the questionable performance of Ferrari's answer to Hamilton's title defending McLaren.

The impossible dream of Honda became more than just reality with the genesis of Brawn F1.  A

re they just Super Aguri in a better looking and more expensive suit?  Or is their pre-Oz test pace just what the marketing team at Honda had been pushing for years...just a dream? 

Next week, I will offer my title predictions and also offer a response to NASCAR's portrayal of F1.

The winds of change are coursing swiftly across the F1 landscape, and the Slipstream will be there.  

F1 09 is GO!