The biggest change in rules in formula one history, as it is being tipped is about to be seen in 2009. We, unfortunately or fortunately, are going to witness it even if we like it or not. But are these rule changes going to make the sport more viewer friendly? More exciting? More spectacular? – Your guess is as good as mine.
Formula one has seen major developments in technological terms in all areas of the sport during the years 1998 to 2006. If one compares the cars prior to that period to those that were designed during the period, they can see many visible changes in the cars. In a sport, where changes to the car that can never be perceived until you take a closer look, strikingly distinguishable changes in the appearance of the cars is indeed a big change. The cars were getting quicker and quicker, the tyres getting enough grip despite the fact that they were now grooved and the engines getting better and better all the time. One team that truly took advantage in this era was Ferrari. The team was unbeatable during that phase. Though it lost out in 2005 and 2006, one would agree that they were untouchable in that era and everybody was trying to catch Ferrari. No matter what the rule change, they still managed to stay ahead of everyone. By the end of 2004, when it had won another constructors trophy and Micheal Schumacher had dominated the season in ways never heard before, there was no reason to believe that the same team would struggle in 2005. But it was not to be. The radical rule changes including two race engines and a ban on tyre changes together with changes in the formats to qualifying had finally taken their toll on Ferrari. The team struggled to match the pace of Mclaren and Renault and were forced to battle it out in the midfield. But with the new rule changes drawing flak from most quarters and the resulting change to rules that were similar to those before 2005, Ferrari were back in 2006. Though it was not enough to win them the championships, Ferrari has once again proved that they should not be written off.
But an even bigger challenge came to the team in 2007. With no Ross Brawn or Micheal Schumacher, the team had only Jean Todt (staying to avoid another ig change) and an amateur Felipe Massa. Kimi Raikkonen was the MAN to replace Micheal (or rather the reason for Micheal’s departure). Even though considered the fastest driver on the grid even today, Kimi had a daunting task ahead of him with a team that he was new to, a team that was coping with change and a car that had very different charecteristics from that of his Mclaren, which was suited to him in all ways except for its reliability and a underperforming engine. But he came out on top and helped his team secure both the championships, after 2 long years. The team won the constructors trophy in 2008 but they were never at their potential. They underperformed but won only because the others had underperformed even more badly.
The point is, is this the stage in formula 1, is this the point where we are about to see a change in the balance of power. We have seen it happen all the time – a team dominates proceedings, reaches its peak and then falls away. It is something unavoidable. Is Ferrari getting there? Are they falling away? Is Mclaren making a comeback after a decade and almost 2 decades bar 98 and 99? Only time will tell. But the indications are there. Ferrari are yet to test their 2009 spec wings and the KERS. With a rule change of this magnitude coming up and the ban on in season testing, a winning team would not waste test mileage on endurance and set up work. While most of its competitors are out on track testing KERS and the new aerodynamic regulations, Ferrari are doing endurance runs in a car fitted with slicks and simulated 2009 aero levels, which is hardly what you’d expect. So is KERS the answer to the question that has been bowling out the best of the experts from a long long time “When are Ferrari going to fall away?”. There’s only one way to know……gentlemen start your engines!!!!
Formula one has seen major developments in technological terms in all areas of the sport during the years 1998 to 2006. If one compares the cars prior to that period to those that were designed during the period, they can see many visible changes in the cars. In a sport, where changes to the car that can never be perceived until you take a closer look, strikingly distinguishable changes in the appearance of the cars is indeed a big change. The cars were getting quicker and quicker, the tyres getting enough grip despite the fact that they were now grooved and the engines getting better and better all the time. One team that truly took advantage in this era was Ferrari. The team was unbeatable during that phase. Though it lost out in 2005 and 2006, one would agree that they were untouchable in that era and everybody was trying to catch Ferrari. No matter what the rule change, they still managed to stay ahead of everyone. By the end of 2004, when it had won another constructors trophy and Micheal Schumacher had dominated the season in ways never heard before, there was no reason to believe that the same team would struggle in 2005. But it was not to be. The radical rule changes including two race engines and a ban on tyre changes together with changes in the formats to qualifying had finally taken their toll on Ferrari. The team struggled to match the pace of Mclaren and Renault and were forced to battle it out in the midfield. But with the new rule changes drawing flak from most quarters and the resulting change to rules that were similar to those before 2005, Ferrari were back in 2006. Though it was not enough to win them the championships, Ferrari has once again proved that they should not be written off.
But an even bigger challenge came to the team in 2007. With no Ross Brawn or Micheal Schumacher, the team had only Jean Todt (staying to avoid another ig change) and an amateur Felipe Massa. Kimi Raikkonen was the MAN to replace Micheal (or rather the reason for Micheal’s departure). Even though considered the fastest driver on the grid even today, Kimi had a daunting task ahead of him with a team that he was new to, a team that was coping with change and a car that had very different charecteristics from that of his Mclaren, which was suited to him in all ways except for its reliability and a underperforming engine. But he came out on top and helped his team secure both the championships, after 2 long years. The team won the constructors trophy in 2008 but they were never at their potential. They underperformed but won only because the others had underperformed even more badly.
The point is, is this the stage in formula 1, is this the point where we are about to see a change in the balance of power. We have seen it happen all the time – a team dominates proceedings, reaches its peak and then falls away. It is something unavoidable. Is Ferrari getting there? Are they falling away? Is Mclaren making a comeback after a decade and almost 2 decades bar 98 and 99? Only time will tell. But the indications are there. Ferrari are yet to test their 2009 spec wings and the KERS. With a rule change of this magnitude coming up and the ban on in season testing, a winning team would not waste test mileage on endurance and set up work. While most of its competitors are out on track testing KERS and the new aerodynamic regulations, Ferrari are doing endurance runs in a car fitted with slicks and simulated 2009 aero levels, which is hardly what you’d expect. So is KERS the answer to the question that has been bowling out the best of the experts from a long long time “When are Ferrari going to fall away?”. There’s only one way to know……gentlemen start your engines!!!!
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