| The world of Formula 1 is still trying to | | | | drivers in the world, they will be able to |
| acclimatise to the loss of the traction | | | | cope with these changes and still provide |
| control systems. While sponsors and | | | | entertaining races and exciting racing |
| merchandise producers are happy with the | | | | moments. |
| prospect of more exciting races and an | | | | |
| increase in spin offs and accidents, drivers | | | | These two changes have already had a huge |
| and teams are slightly more apprehensive. The | | | | impact and the season is still in its |
| next race in Bahrain will be the ultimate | | | | infancy. Drivers have to take far more care |
| test of the new regulations as historically | | | | of their tyres in order to finish races and |
| this GP is one of the most heavily TC reliant | | | | remain competitive. Merchandise companies and |
| in the Formula 1 calendar. | | | | sponsors will not be thrilled with this |
| | | | development as it may mean that races will |
| The Bahrain GP will give sponsors and | | | | become less exciting as every driver on the |
| merchandise producers the chance to promote a | | | | circuit is purely trying to maintain his |
| race that will offer high octane excitement | | | | position and the performance of his tyres. |
| and entertainment. Due to the layout of this | | | | Hopefully this will not be the case; from the |
| Formula 1 circuit, containing many tight | | | | first two races it is clear that some drivers |
| corners and short straights, the drivers will | | | | will still push their cars to the limit no |
| be put under added pressure to perform and | | | | matter what. |
| bring the cars home. Whether they can do this | | | | |
| will either please sponsors and merchandise | | | | Another rule change that has come to light |
| companies or make them question their | | | | since the Malaysian GP is that Formula 1 |
| dealings. | | | | authorities have decided to yet again change |
| | | | the rules for qualifying. Sponsors, |
| Tyre supplier Bridgestone has raised concerns | | | | merchandise suppliers and fans alike will be |
| over the TC regulations. It stated that | | | | dreading yet another change but seemingly |
| rather than aid the drivers at all times, the | | | | this one is at least logical. Following the |
| majority of the time it purely kept the tyre | | | | chaotic situation in the last GP when drivers |
| temperatures to a decent level for handling. | | | | who were returning to the pit extremely slow |
| As of yet however we have not seen a race in | | | | to save fuel for the race held up other |
| wet conditions. This will be a true test of | | | | drivers bosses have made a change. The change |
| all the drivers as a Formula 1 car is next to | | | | sees a maximum lap time that cars will be |
| impossible to control once the heavens open. | | | | able to put in when returning to the pits, it |
| Sponsors and merchandise producers will be | | | | is hoped this will make qualifying safer for |
| keenly watching the first wet race to see | | | | those on flying laps. |
| which drivers have the skill level to control | | | | |
| their cars. | | | | With rule changes happening nearly every week |
| | | | in Formula 1 it is unsurprising that so many |
| The other major change to the Formula 1 rule | | | | fans seem somewhat lost when it comes to race |
| this year was that engine breaking systems | | | | weekends. As a motor sport fan, it is of |
| would also be removed from the cars. These | | | | course preferable to ensure the safety of |
| systems had helped with the slowing of the | | | | drivers, but the constant rule changing can |
| cars and as a result of their removal, a | | | | be annoying. As long as the excitement of |
| number of lock ups and drivers overshooting | | | | races is increased and the overtaking |
| corners has been evident in the preliminary | | | | manoeuvres and pit lane dramas continue, the |
| races of the season. Sponsors and merchandise | | | | vast majority will stay loyal to the sport. |
| suppliers will be hoping that as the best | | | | |