I don’t know if anyone cares, but these are a few things going on pre racing season that I am quite excited about.
Due to recent Super GT rules changes, Honda will be deleting the NSX from their GT500 class and instead be piloting their new/old/scrapped HSV-010, a 3.4 Litre V8, reportedly capable of producing 500hp and 289lb/ft torque. This is going to be an exciting season to see how well Honda fares against the rivals that will be running equipment they’ve been able to test in the past!
One short note, McLaren unveiled its new mp4-25 F1 contender for the 2010 series. It is basically a complete redesign from last year to accommodate new rules changes, which I will discuss below. I’m hearing very positive words coming from the McLaren camp about both their new driver, Jenson Button, and the new Mercedes powered race car. This will be the first time in F1 history that a team with have both of the most recent world champions on the same team. I am very excited to see Jenson finally get the respect I’ve said for years he deserves, he will be piloting the No. 1 car, ahead of teammate Lewis Hamilton.
2010 Formula 1 Major Rules Changes
1. In-Race refueling will be banned, requiring teams to use larger fuel tanks
2. Use of KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems) was agreed upon by all teams to be removed for the 2010 season
3. Aerodynamic hubcaps banned
4. Wheel rim heaters banned
5. Front tire size reduced to a 245/55/r13 from last years 270/55/r13
6. Minimum vehicle weight increased from 605 kg (1,333 lbs) to 620 kg (1,366 lbs)
7. 13 teams and 26 cars will be on grid, which changes qualifying by knocking out 8 drivers (as opposed to 5) between Q1 and Q2, leaving 10 for Q3
8. Using second additional engine during a race weekend carries a 10 grid position penalty
Some of you may be thinking that the front tire size is a huge issue, but the 2009 season saw the reintroduction of slick tires, but they did not change any tire sizes. So the change to a 245 width tire is simply to offset the difference in front grip with the change from grooved tires to slick tires. Also, the new Charlotte, NC based USF1 team will be debuting in Bahrain for the first race of the season and have already confirmed one driver, Argentinian, Jose Maria Lopez.
Honda picture from automobilemag.com and McLaren picture from telegraph.co.uk
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