Round up of 2009
So last year was eventful in F1, from scandal off track to fairytale on track. Brawn GP went from nearly closing to winning the World Championship in their first year, with some amazing victories along the way to prove that anything is indeed possible in F1.
What happened
Jenson Button took the world title, Brawn clinched the constructors title (I wonder if Honda still think they made the best call…), Ferrari lost all their form and we found out that they’re really hard to drive, McLaren made some big mistakes and Lewis Hamilton learnt some humility, we found out that Michael Schumacher might not be gone for good, that Japanese drivers do make for exciting racing and that Fernando Alonso can climb above any scandal.
Jenson Button started the season with a clean sweep which ultimately was the reason that he clinched the title, Rubens Barrichello followed Jenson home to start the season in the best possible way for the team too. This meant that everyone else was playing catchup for the whole season. The Red Bull drivers gave the closest chase but something has to be said for the recovery that McLaren made during the season.
Racing
On track it was business as usual really, with slick tyres and some new aero the drivers should have had more ability to overtake but it wasn’t obvious to the untrained eye – and here I mean untrained in advanced aero-dynamics.
Controversy
Apart from the Race fixing scandal we had the double diffuser row, this dominated the first part of the season as the teams that hadn’t thought of it whinged in court to try and stop the other using it. Ultimately all the teams ended the year with a similar design to ensure maximum downforce.
Tracks
The was a new track on the calendar for 2009, Abu Dhabi which saw the race take place around some stunning architecture and through dusk, it all looks nice but I’m not sure it added to the racing.
So all in all 2009 was an exciting year for F1, but 2010 seems to hold many more changes with no fuel stops, six more cars on the grid and countless changes to the teams. Not to mention the return of the almighty Michael Schumacher and the face off between JB and Lewis Hamilton at McLaren who are famed for their smooth handling of driver partnerships. Let the countdown begin!
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