Current Season 2009 Review

The climate of Formula 1 has greatly changed this season as compared to previous seasons. A look back to 2008 Lewis Hamilton, Felipe Massa, and Robert Kubica were all in the running for the Driver's Championship with McLaren and Ferrari in the fight for the Constructor's Championship. This season has seen a few new faces on the podium. Nico Rosberg is at his best standing at 5th in the Driver's Championship. Rubens Barrichello just won the European Grand Prix, and Schumi almost made a return. Instead of a close race to points for the Massa and Hamilton, Jenson Button dominates in driver's standing only to be competing with his teammate. 

I personally blame the newly implemented FIA regulations that includes the use of new technologies (such as KERS) and a limit on a teams' aerodynamics program. The limit on aerodynamics and use of downforce aids greatly increase the competitiveness of teams that may have only been mid-grid runners due to lack of R&D or talent. 

In Formula One the slightest of mistakes can be costly to driver and team. It's obvious all the driver's are hugely talented but, as seen last year, there are driver's that are the frontrunner's and those that take up the tail-end of the grid.

The 2009 Season has seen many changes. Such as the near death accident Massa was involved in as well as Renault's decision to let go of Nelson Piquet Jr. Many new faces are on the grid as of now. With young bucks Romain Grosjean taking the place of Nelson Piquet Jr. on Renault and Jaime Alguesuari on STR-Ferrari in addition to not-so-young buck Luca Badoer who is currently driving for Felipe Massa, sadly, instead of Schumi. In addition to new currents in Formula 1, BMW Sauber recently announced the end of their Formula 1 campaign and a threat from McLaren that if Heikki does producing better results they will consider replacement. 

The 2008 Season was to be the season Felipe Massa's dreams finally come to fruition. Leading all the way to the World Championship in Brazil with a few points standing between him and Lewis. When Massa crossed the finish line the Ferrari pit when crazy in celebration only to be sorrowed as news broke that Hamilton had finished 4th, just within enough points to clinch the title. Now Jenson Button is in line for an easy march to the Driver's Championship.

This season began with an unexpected contender, Brawn GP with driver Jenson Button taking the inaugural win of the 2009 Season. It's quite a change-up to see a newly formed team to dominate in point standings for both the Driver's and Constructor's titles. Teams that were good mid-grid contenders such as Williams-Toyota and Red Bull Racing have now become the frontrunners leaving behind the big wigs of Mclaren-Mercedes, Ferrari, and BMW Sauber. 

In an interview Lewis Hamilton stated, "When my team gives me a winning car, I will win." In previous interviews this season Lewis had said that he is proud of himself and of his team for their accomplishments this season despite less than grand finishes. The introduction of KERS into the sport and the implementation of limited aerodynamics regulations have plagued McLaren-Mercedes, in addition to Ferrari. Formula 1 has become 

The controversy of course that Brawn in addition to other teams have read into the new FIA regulations differently than the majority of teams on the grid. Due to the grey areas of the new regulation it was up to interpretation and so the diffuser systems of these cars had a much more intricate rear section as compared to that of McLaren-Mercedes, Ferrari, BMW, etc. The increased downforce catapulted the teams that had opted to interpret the regulations differently to the forefront.

In the FIA court ruling the teams were redeemed and the majority of other teams were left to fight time and begin to produce alternative diffusers despite the lack of R&D.

The entire season has been a catch-up period for Ferrari and McLaren. Until recently Lewis had won his first race and familiar faces again crowded the podium.

As it stands Jenson Button leads the Driver's Championship by 18 points to teammate Rubens Barrichello. As of today's qualifying, Giancarlo Fisichella has given Force India their first Pole Position with an amazing lap time of 1.46.308s as opposed to Jarno Trulli's 1.46.395s. The smallest mistake, whether it be in the pits or on the track is costly to both driver and team.