What will be different about F1 in 2010?

New season, new rules

In the 2009 Formula One season we saw the biggest changes to F1 in a very long time. Slick tyres returned; aerodynamic regulations were changed dramatically leading to lower and wider front wings and higher and narrower rear wings; driver adjustable bodywork was used for the first time; the introduction of the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS); an in-season testing ban; and a limit of eight engines for each driver over the course of the whole season. Some of these changes worked better than others, with the likes of KERS only being used regularly by two teams (McLaren and Ferrari).

So, what will be different about 2010?

No Refuelling

The major change of course is the banning of refuelling during races. This is the first time this has happened since 1993. FOTA (Formula One Teams' Association) have also collectively agreed to drop KERS for 2010, although it is not specifically banned by the FIA in the regulations. The minimum weights of cars will be raised from 605kg to 620kg. Due to the increase in teams and therefore cars in 2010, qualifying has been adapted to accommodate for this, with 8 cars being dropped in both Q1 and Q2, with the pole-position shoot-out continuing to be between 10 cars. Wheel covers will also be banned.

Cost Cutting

A number of cost-cutting measurements have been proposed by the teams which include homologation of front and rear wings; a limit on the number of aerodynamic upgrades allowed during the season; a continuation of the in-season test ban; restrictions of the number of team members who can attend Grand Prix and that all factories will completely shut down during the mid-season summer break.

Substitute Drivers

With regards to the in-season test ban, if a team brings in a substitute driver during the season (like Jaime Alguersuari or Romain Grosjean in 2009) and they have not driven a F1 car in the past two years, they will be allowed one day of testing. This testing, however, must be carried out on a circuit that is not on the Formula One calendar for 2010.

Points Change

There will also be a new points system introduced in 2010:

25-20-15-10-8-6-5-3-2-1

Which will see 10 drivers awarded points, instead of the 8 (which makes sense especially as there are more drivers).

Driver Swaps

There are a number of driver changes this season, with still not all seats filled. The main moves for 2010 see Fernando Alonso leave Renault for Ferrari; Kimi Raikkonen taking a sabbatical from Formula One; Jenson Button joining Lewis Hamilton at McLaren and Nico Rosberg leaving Williams for Mercedes GP.

Toyota and BMW have pulled out of Formula One; while Brawn GP have been bought by Mercedes and will become Mercedes GP. The existing teams are also joined by 4 new teams: Campos Meta, USF1, Virgin Racing (previously Manor GP) and Lotus F1 Racing (who take the spot left by BMW). Sauber have also been granted a position on the grid, after Peter Sauber bought the team and they will take the spot vacated by Toyota.

2010 will also see a 19 race calendar. While the British GP was due to move to Donington it will now remain at Silverstone, while Suzuka will continue to host the Japanese GP. Subject to completion South Korea is due to host the Korean GP.

With there still being 3 months until the start of the 2010 season, things can still change, including a number of seats which still need filled. However, these are the major changes Formula One will see in 2010.

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Last Comment Posted »

• Great article Hannah, I think 2010 is going to be an interesting one 'for sure' - can't wait for March!
  by Samantha Wilcox
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