Formula 1 – Change For Good

Formula 1, after having gone through a decade of profligate spending, a general lack of eco-consciousness, and manufacturer domination, is currently experiencing a small renaissance.  The introduction of eco-innovation, various cost control measures, and the early season dominance of a “privateer” team, has set the tone for a season that is set to be one of the most exciting to date.

The global recession has hit F1 quite hard with ING, RBS, and Honda all withdrawing from the sport, albeit in various capacities and on various schedules.  The harsh economic realities have enabled the FIA (Formula One governing body) to push through cost-cutting measures – some of which are enhanced with incentives – in a similar fashion to governments and businesses around the world.  These changes have breathed life into privateer teams (those teams that are not primarily funded by a large automotive manufacturer) such as Brawn GP and the 2010 entrant, USGPE (the recently announced American Formula One team).  This is just one of the unforseen benefits of the current economic turmoil.

Honda has been the only large manufacturer to completely pull out of the sport for the 2009 season, and their move could not have been more poorly timed.  The team’s assets were purchased by a group led by Ross Brawn, the architect of several Michael Schumacher championships.  The team, named Brawn GP, has managed to claim the first two victories and is the current darling of the Formula One scene.

Of course, no team would be complete without a lead sponsor.  In characteristic fashion, Richard Branson’s Virgin Group has managed to step in at just the right time, sponsoring a team that is at once the underdog and favorite for the 2009 Formula One title.

The 2009 season has also seen the introduction of KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems), a first for F1.  Simply put, teams are now allowed to use technology that recaptures spent energy while under braking.  The energy is then recycled and introduces an additional boost of power at the push of a button.  This is nothing ground breaking, as similar technologies can already be found on several road cars, but F1 applications always focus on being light and efficient – two issues that still pose a problem for automotive manufacturers.  Formula 1 has always been a showcase for technological innovation, and the introduction of KERS could not be more timely.

With all these changes taking place, this season has all the makings of a great one.

Formula 1