Four crucial things F1 fans must be told during races in 2009
Following Formula 1 is going to get a lot more complicated in 2009.
The nature of F1 inevitably makes it harder to cover on television than other sports such as football. But Formula One Management and the television compaines that broadcast its feed will have to be seriously on the ball this year. Here’s why.
How the F1 rules changes for 2009 are meant to improve racing (part 3/3)
F1 Fanatic guest writer John Beamer concludes his review of changes in the 2009 F1 rules designed to allow cars to follow each other more closely and encourage overtaking.
How the F1 rules changes for 2009 are meant to improve racing (part 2/3)
Guest writer John Beamer continues his look at how the F1 rules have been changed for 2009 in a bid to encourage closer racing and more overtaking.
How the F1 rules changes for 2009 are meant to improve racing (part 1/3)
Over the last three years the rules that govern F1 have remained remarkably stable. In recent times the slowest car on the track (usually a Force India) has often been within 1.5s of the fastest. Ten years ago such a slim margin was unheard of.
However, that will all change as the FIA has overhauled [...]
Drivers will not get penalties for pitting during a safety car period in 2009
Alianora la Canta’s rigorous analysis of the 2009 sporting rules turned up a surprising and un-announced change. The ‘pit lane closure’ rule has been dropped.
The controversial rule required the pit lane to be declared closed at the beginning of a safety car period, and any driver who pitted during that time received a penalty. This [...]
How new engine rules will affect strategy
Ferrari’s Stefano Domenicali has been talking about the changes to the F1 engine rules for 2009.
Gone are the days of teams using one engine for each two consecutive rounds. The 2009 system is more complex: it could face some teams with challenging questions – especially at the end of the season – and it could [...]
Ferrari and BMW’s clash over KERS could signal a threat to FOTA unity
The first fault line has opened in what so far has been the impressively solid unity of the Formula 1 Teams’ Association.
Speaking at Ferrari’s annual press skiing event, Stefano Domenicali complained that BMW had vetoed the efforts of the other teams to postpone the introduction of Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (KERS) for 2009 due to [...]
Max Mosley’s U-turns for 2009 and 2010
You can accuse Max Mosley of many things, but you can’t accuse him of being consistent. The next two years will see at least three reversals of major policy decisions taken by Mosley during his 17-year presidency of the FIA.
Why the U-turns? Is Mosley being forced to take decisions he doesn’t agree with? Is it [...]
The cost-cutting plans: development
Perhaps the most significant aspect of the cost-cutting plan for F1 approved by the World Motor Sports Council today is the restrictions on development.
Not only are dramatic changes planned for 2009, but even tighter controls are envisioned for the future to keep costs down. Is it enough to prevent more teams leaving Formula 1?
F1 teams lobby for equal engines (Poll)
Honda and Renault are leading the push for F1 engines to have equal power outputs in 2009.
Renault’s Flavio Briatore is said to have demanded the equalisation because Renault, unlike many other teams, did not get around the ‘engine freeze’ rules to enhance its power output in 2008.
Should the FIA equalise engine power in 2009? How [...]