The Formula 1 Season Is Back

Alright, Formula 1 is back again for a brand new season. However, instead of the usual curtain raiser at Albert Park, Melbourne, this season kicks off at Sakhir, Bahrain because Melbourne is hosting the Commonwealth Games beginning March 15th. I'm really looking forward to this season because i lost interest last season due to the dismal performance of Michael Schumacher and Ferrari. The signs are good this season because Schumi just qualified on pole for today's race and in doing so he equals the late Ayrton Senna's record of 65 career poles. Let's hope he'll claim more poles and wins this season.

There are also a few changes to the regulations for this season. Firstly, the single-lap is replaced by a new knockout system where the qualifying session is divided into 3 parts. The slowest 6 cars for the first and second part will qualify 17-22 and 11-16 respectively. The final part will feature a shootout between the top 10 cars to determine pole position and the top ten grid places. Secondly, the engines are reduced in size to 2.4-litre V8s from 3.0-litres V10s. This is done to reduce cost and improve safety. Lastly, teams are allowed to change their tyres during pit stops. This is a superb move because pit stops without tyre changes is just not as exciting. Seeing the crew change 4 tyres under 10 seconds is just breathtaking.

Hopefully with all these changes, we can see more overtaking manoeuvres and a more open and competitive season with multiple drivers challenging for the title. This is going to be a great Sunday because Formula 1 starts at 8pm which is then followed by Man Utd v Newcastle Utd at 9:30pm and proceeded by Arsenal v Liverpool at 12am. What a way to end the weekend.