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