[Zoot]

Well it's nearly that time again.
The 2009 season brings us the most rule changes at one time than any other season in the history of the sport.
I've found this brilliant little animation that explains the rule changes -


Here is the event calendar-
Rnd Date Event Circuit
1 27-29 March 2009 Australian Grand Prix Albert Park, Mebourne
2 3-5 April 2009 Malaysian Grand Prix Sepang International Circuit
3 17-19 April 2009 Chinese Grand Prix Shanghai International Circuit
4 24-26 April 2009 Bahrain Grand Prix Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir
5 8-10 May 2009 Spanish Grand Prix Montmelo, Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona
6 21-24 May 2009 Monaco Grand Prix Monte-Carlo
7 5-7 June 2009 Turkish Grand Prix Istanbul Park
8 19-21 June 2009 British Grand Prix Silverstone
9 10-12 July 2009 German Grand Prix Nürburgring
10 24-26 July 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix Hungaroring
11 21-23 August 2009 European Grand Prix Valencia Street Circuit
12 28-30 August 2009 Belgian Grand Prix Spa-Francorchamps
13 11-13 Sept 2009 Italian Grand Prix Autodromo Nazionale Monza
14 25-27 Sept 2009 Singapore Grand Prix Singapore Street Circuit (night race)
15 2-4 October 2009 Japanese Grand Prix Suzuka


and the Team line ups -
1 Lewis HAMILTON (GB) VODAFONE McLAREN MERCEDES McLAREN MERCEDES
2 Heikki KOVALAINEN (FIN) VODAFONE McLAREN MERCEDES McLAREN MERCEDES
3 Kimi RÄIKKÖNEN (FIN) SCUDERIA FERRARI MARLBORO FERRARI
4 Felipe MASSA (BR) SCUDERIA FERRARI MARLBORO FERRARI
5 Robert KUBICA (PL) BMW SAUBER F1 TEAM BMW SAUBER
6 Nick HEIDFELD (D) BMW SAUBER F1 TEAM BMW SAUBER
7 Fernando ALONSO (E) ING RENAULT F1 TEAM RENAULT
8 Nelson PIQUET (BR) ING RENAULT F1 TEAM RENAULT
9 Jarno TRULLI (I) PANASONIC TOYOTA RACING TOYOTA
10 Timo GLOCK (D) PANASONIC TOYOTA RACING TOYOTA
11 Sébastien BUEMI (CH) SCUDERIA TORO ROSSO STR FERRARI
12 TBA SCUDERIA TORO ROSSO STR FERRARI
14 Mark WEBBER (AUS) RED BULL RACING RBR RENAULT
15 Sebastian VETTEL (D) RED BULL RACING RBR RENAULT
16 Nico ROSBERG (D) AT&T WILLIAMS WILLIAMS TOYOTA
17 Kazuki NAKAJIMA (J) AT&T WILLIAMS WILLIAMS TOYOTA
18 TBA TBA HONDA RACING F1 TEAM *
19 TBA TBA HONDA RACING F1 TEAM *
20 Adrian SUTIL (D) FORCE INDIA F1 TEAM FORCE INDIA MERCEDES
21 Giancarlo FISICHELLA (I) FORCE INDIA F1 TEAM FORCE INDIA MERCEDES

[Munki Bhoy]

Assuming Honda actually take part, do you know if Button will be driving for them? I'd rather assumed he would be.

Actually, maybe I should say parking for them, rather than driving. It's not like he finished many races last year.

[Zoot]

Assuming Honda actually take part, do you know if Button will be driving for them? I'd rather assumed he would be.

Actually, maybe I should say parking for them, rather than driving. It's not like he finished many races last year.

Of what I've read, if the-team-formally-known-as-Honda to continue, which they are hoping to do, they have no plans to change the drivers from last year.

[MK Chris]

I can see there being more genuine challengers for the title this season. I think Kubica will be up there again, probably improving on last season's fourth. Obviously I hope Lewis does it, but it was difficult not to feel for Massa last season, so I hope he does well as well.

Actually, maybe I should say parking for them, rather than driving. It's not like he finished many races last year.

Ross Brawn (twat that he is, he's still a clever bastard) and Nick Fry have both said that 2008 was pretty much a compromise while they got the 2009 car sorted, which is why they were so gutted that Honda had pulled out. If they do carry on under a different name (and I hope they do) then they may well be quite a bit more competitive.

[Munki Bhoy]

I can see there being more genuine challengers for the title this season. I think Kubica will be up there again, probably improving on last season's fourth. Obviously I hope Lewis does it, but it was difficult not to feel for Massa last season, so I hope he does well as well.

Actually, maybe I should say parking for them, rather than driving. It's not like he finished many races last year.

Ross Brawn (twat that he is, he's still a clever bastard) and Nick Fry have both said that 2008 was pretty much a compromise while they got the 2009 car sorted, which is why they were so gutted that Honda had pulled out. If they do carry on under a different name (and I hope they do) then they may well be quite a bit more competitive.

I think we all agree Ross Brawn is a tactical genius. And a twat. But I can't help think even if they do make it this season they'll be no more effective than they were last year because of all this disruption. There'll have been major cut backs, and very probably they'll use last year's car instead of this year's. Which will probably still be a heap, still pull out a lot, and probably finish Honda off completely.

However, I think you're probably right about more competition. Lewis will be in there, Kovalainen might benefit from that and be competition himself this year (he's Finnish, that's usually good enough when it comes to cars!), I can't imagine either Ferrari not being in there too, hopefully BMW will build on last year and we might even see Heidfeld competing as well as Kubica this year, and I think Renault will probably be back this year given their relatively strong finish to last year... which should see a proper return of Alonso.

I'm looking forward to this season. I haven't looked forward to an F1 season in years!

[Zoot]

I'm more excited about them bringing back slicks more than anything to be honest

[dimtimjim]

I'm looking forward to this season. I haven't looked forward to an F1 season in years!

Seconded. I hope these rule changes bring F1 back to the 'good ole days' (pre '93 really...) where grit and determination closed gaps in technology diferences. Yes slicks are back, and the aerodynamic changes now imposed should liven things right back up again.

Now if only they can recapture the days where two cars could actually touch each other, multiple times, and STILL go on to finish the race..... (1979 Arnoux/Villeneuve - You Tube it, youngsters)

[MK Chris]

I'm more excited about them bringing back slicks more than anything to be honest

It is about time. I'd like to see a return to the old sidepods.


Also, while looking for that image, I found this iconic one:

I love F1 from the golden era... Senna, Mansell (whingeing git though he was), Prost, Picquet... brilliant.

[Zoot]

I remember that - was that when Senna won then broke down and Mansell picked him up for the victory lap?
Can you even imagine that happening today?

[MK Chris]

No, I think Senna was second and quite a way behind and so took a risk with a low fuel load and ran out on the last lap, gifting Mansell the win. I think, judging from the Williams, it was 1991 or 1992, it was definitely Silverstone.

Yeah, it would never happen today - not least because they would probably be fined by some health and safety jobsworth.

[dimtimjim]

Indeed, 1991 I think. Senna ran out of go-go-juice on last lap after a nigh on race long battle, Mansell stopped to pick him up on slow down lap. Didn't go down too well with officials, even in care free 1991, but when the sports 2 most important men do something so loved by the paying public - what can they say?!!!

I truely iconic image in motor racing.

They were the days.....

**sits back in easy chair and puff heartily on his pipe**

[MK Chris]

Now if only they can recapture the days where two cars could actually touch each other, multiple times, and STILL go on to finish the race..... (1979 Arnoux/Villeneuve - You Tube it, youngsters)

Seen it before, even though it was four years before I was born.

What was the year of that mammoth fight in the last few laps at Monaco between Mansell and Senna?

I agree, the old days of F1 were fantastic.

[Munki Bhoy]

I'd ban fuel stops. When they brought them in it became a tactical battle and all the overtaking moved to the pit lane. Prior to that they were in and out of the pits for fresh boots once in a race and it took about 3 seconds. THOSE were real drivers.

*takes a drink from his man pint*

[jocky85]

Any news on who wil be commentating for the BBC when it starts??

[Munki Bhoy]

Jonathan Legard's getting a promotion from five live, and he'll have Martin Brundle along side him. David Coulthard's got a job in the studio too.

But Murray Walker's doing work on the bbc web site which is possibly the best news.

[jocky85]

He had to be involved somewhere surely!!

Hmm shoulda thought of David Coulthard really - automatic promotion to studio for any ex-sportsperson!

Martin Brundle - local boy!!

[MK Chris]

The BBC commentary team is immense. The best and most important thing they did was get rid of the arse that is James Allen - no self-respecting motorsport broadcaster should be touching him with a bargepole. The decision to bring Coulthard in was very good and frankly giving the other pundit's job to Eddie Jordan is inspired. I don't know Lee McKenzie, as she's previously been on Sky.

[Munki Bhoy]

Gentlemen, I give you Lee McKenzie.



As I said, I'm looking forward to the new season even more. Now, just to continue the praying to any deity that might be listening (or at least the BBC bosses)... The Chain! You know it's the only choice!

[Munki Bhoy]

You know what... further googling says that might not be her.

http://www.leemckenzie.tv/gallery.asp

Would indicate this.

[MK Chris]

I didn't think that looked like her from memory when I looked her up. That girl looks very young to be a journalist too.

I meant to say about The Chain - please, please, please.

[Yudster]

They wouldn't DARE have anything else.......*threatening look*.

[Munki Bhoy]

Branson's haggling to try and get more changes in F1 to make it more financially viable. If Ecclestone bends then Honda might have a saviour.

[Yudster]

Not much that Richard Branson gets involved with goes too badly wrong these days (although he's had his howlers in the past). Ecclestone might do well to listen.

[MK Chris]

Ecclestone listens to nobody except his wallet unfortunately.

It needs someone like Branson to take Honda - someone who wants a bit of an expensive toy and as a bonus can use it as a marketing exercise, clearly no car manufacturer in their right mind will touch it with a barge pole. I hope he does get it.

[Zoot]

Ecclestone listens to nobody except his wallet unfortunately.

It needs someone like Branson to take Honda - someone who wants a bit of an expensive toy and as a bonus can use it as a marketing exercise, clearly no car manufacturer in their right mind will touch it with a barge pole. I hope he does get it.

It doesn't look too good at the moment though...