F1 Watcher

One of the many elements that is making the run up to this season’s opening race so exciting is the prospect of seeing Button and Hamilton driving the same car.

Hopefully McLaren has got their act together after a disastrous first half of the 2009 season. If they do, then we are in for one hell of a ride, but I suspect who ever comes out on top, people will still find reasons to argue and by the end of the season it will still be inconclusive.

For me, even though he is the World Champion, Jenson has still yet to prove himself.  Last season’s dominance in the first 7 races by Brawn was extraordinary.  But not extraordinary in the sense that one team has put together an unbeatable package, Williams, McLaren and Ferrari have all done that in the past.  It was extraordinary in that one team’s interpretation of one aspect of the new rules has meant that they were basically operating a different kind of car.  It was very much an abnormal situation.

I suspect it is partly the reason why he has made the move, to be able to pitch himself against a hungry young gun in the same machinery.

Lewis, on the other hand, has the experience of coming up against the then two times world champion Alonso, and, outside of all the controversy,  at the very least proved his equal in both qualifying and race.  Alonso, at the time, was thought of potentially becoming one of the sport’s true greats, and some say the man who retired Schumacher.

The BBC’s Mark Hughes has a good entry about how high the stakes are for the two.  I agree that it will be explosive (and look forward to it) but I can’t agree a negative outcome will be damaging to either of their careers.  For this to happen, one will have to fall way short of the other, and I doubt either will.

I predict that their times will be closely matched and there won’t be much in it.  If I’m pushed for a name, then I’d say Lewis, because he seems to be just that little bit hungrier.

The 2010 F1 season is one of the most eagerly awaited seasons in recent history, if not ever.  Why?  Well…

1. We see the return of Michael Schumacher.  After 3 years away, “he” is back, the 7 times world champion.  Love him or loath him, his return alone would have made this season a special season.
2. Schumacher is reunited with his old pal Ross Brawn, the technical lead behind all his 7 F1 championships, for both Benetton and Ferrari. The magical pairing will be spear heading last year’s championship winning team, but now with full Mercedes backing and the resources that this brings.
3. Last year’s Driver Champion, Jenson Button, takes the number one sticker to a resurgent McLaren-Mercedes team.  After a poor performing and turbulent start to 2009, McLaren managed to pull together some excellent runs in the second half of the season to show that they are back in business.
4. Not doing so well last year, has probably done Lewis Hamilton more good than harm.  With Button taking the limelight, results wise, last season and with Liargate seemingly not doing too much harm to his brand, he has had a relatively hype free lead up to the first race.  He finished the final day of Barcelona testing fastest, showing much better form than this time last year.
5. Sebastian Vittel and Red Bull almost pipped Button to the post last year.  Vittel proving he is a tremendous young talent and Adrian Newey, yet again, designing a Grand Prix winning car.  Winning the last 3 races last year and finishing 1 and 2 in the final race.   With an unchanged driver line up, the Barcelona testing has shown that they are ready for another good season this year.
6. Fernando Alonso in a Ferrari.  The 2 times World Champion hasn’t had the equipment he deserves in the past two years with Renault, a move that was more to do with getting away from McLaren than moving ahead with his career.  Now with Ferrari, who didn’t have a bad season last year and obviously nearly beat Hamilton the year before, he will once again have the backing that will maximise his talents.

The return of Schumacher. A Mercedes backed Brawn team. Button and Hamilton both driving McLarens. Vittel in a Newey designed Red Bull.  Alonso in a Ferrari.  Not to mention Webber (Red Bull) and Massa (Ferrari) will not see themselves as number 2s.  All makes the 2010 F1 season a truly mouthwatering prospect.

What do you think? Do you share my excitement? Or is it no different to any other year?

Welcome to F1 Watcher. New Season, New Blog!

Yep, F1 Watcher starts today, 3 days before the start of practice for the 2010 season’s opening race, the Bahrain Grand Prix.

On paper, 2010 has one of the most exciting driver/team line ups in recent history.  Hopefully it will give me plenty to write about during the course of the season.