Curtain on the F1 version 2009

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the last event of the season, offered the first race to witness a sunset. But the event was also contested in a format that we will no longer see in 2010. Indeed, certain things will change next season, starting with the pit stops.

In 2010, refueling will no longer be permitted. All cars will therefore leave with a full tank of fuel and the risks of tearing off a fuel hose and spraying Kimi Räikkönen with fuel will disappear. The strategies of lightness at the start will therefore have come to an end and qualifying will therefore be contested with cars with 'empty' tanks.

The possibility of seeing Lewis Hamilton outrunning your opponents with SREC will no longer be permitted. The imbalance caused by the presence of the kinetic energy recovery system in certain single-seaters will therefore disappear and return, no doubt, in 2011. The teams should agree so that all cars are equipped with a system allowing lower fuel consumption.

As for the teams, everyone should return in 2010 even if there are some uncertainties, particularly around Renault et Toyota. Quant à l?écurie appelée aujourd?hui BMW-Sauber, si elle revient en 2010, ce sera sans le soutien du constructeur allemand, qui se désengage de l?écurie et se retire de la Formula 1. But, for the moment, the presence of the teamHinwil is only hypothetical. In addition, four teams are due to enter F1 next season: Campos, Manor, USF1 and Lotus.

At the pilot level, a large number of questions still arise but some pilots have already changed structure. Robert Kubica (BMW Sauber) arrives at Renault, where he will replace Fernando Alonso, left for Ferrari. Kimi Räikkönen who Team, without knowing its destination. Just like Nico Rosberg, who leaves Williams and should head to Brawn GP, ​​in place of Rubens Barrichello, who could take over the German's seat.

Another Nico was to arrive at Williams, Kazuki Nakajima having to leave the team after the termination of the contract with the engine manufacturer Toyota. Nico Hulkenberg, GP2 Series champion and Williams test driver, should move to the next level. GP2 vice-champion in 2008, Bruno Senna will make his debut in F1 in 2010, Campos having formalized his choice concerning the nephew of the triple world champion.

Some drivers from the current field have been confirmed. At the house of Red Bull, Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber received the confidence of their team in the summer, just like Felipe Massa at Ferrari. Despite his accident and his absence from competition since the Hungarian Grand Prix, the Brazilian will start again in 2010 with the Scuderia. McLaren should continue with Lewis Hamilton, Brawn GP with Jenson Button, Toro Rosso with Sébastien Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari.

On the other hand, uncertainties reign at Toyota, which could establish Kamui Kobayashi. The Japanese seems to have proven himself to his management during the two Grands Prix that he was able to discuss. In Abu Dhabi, Kobayashi even scored his first points. At Renault, the name of Robert Kubica's teammate is still unknown, even if Romain Grosjean would like to have a second chance behind the wheel of a more competitive car. But other drivers are expected, such as Timo Glock or Franck Montagny, the latter having admitted this Sunday that he was in contact with Renault.

There therefore remain a lot of unknowns at the end of this 2009 season, concerning the composition of the crews for next season. The arrival of four new teams has particularly whetted the appetite of former drivers, such as Jacques Villeneuve, but young drivers are also waiting for an available seat, for example Bertrand Baguette (FR 3.5 Series champion) or Andy Soucek (champion F2). Winter testing should allow certain teams to refine their selection.