The 2010 Formula 1 season without a shadow of a doubt has been one of the most exhilarating, dramatic and unpredictable seasons in the history of Formula 1. There were many vital rule changes and it seems that some of them worked for the sport while others
were an epic failure.
Formula 1 is a sport that requires both technical thinking and physical skills. There were many technical changes made after the 2009 season and one of them was regarding “flexi wings.” A rule was passed after the 2009 season that the teams will not be allowed
to use flexible wings that have the ability to change the front and rear wing’s angle during the race. However, that rule failed vitally as teams like McLaren and Renault came up with a device known as the F-duct.
This device enabled the drivers to change the angle of their rear and front wings with the help of their legs by increasing or decreasing the air pressure applied on the car. Since this rule was countered by most of the teams, Formula One Teams Association
decided to ban the F-duct.
Other than that, the new points system created confusion for most of the spectators and even the teams had to math out their options in order to stay alive in the championship before going into a race. However, this new points system is more efficient and
gives most of the drivers a chance to come back from the ground and champion Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull was the perfect example of the new points system.
Due to this system, the teams are now considering consistency on another level as they are aware that if they retire out of the race for some reason, they lose a sufficient amount of points. And since the rest of the teams are being extremely careful, it
is not as easy as it seems to recover especially when you are in the run for the title.
However, the most upsetting rule that was passed for the 2010 season was that there will be no pit strategies. It was one of the most disappointing decisions the FIA has ever made as pit strategies added to a race’s excitement. It was always fun to watch
teams play around with different kind of strategies and manage the weekend with limited fuelling resources.
It seems that up until now, there are no signs of a return of fuelling strategies for 2011 and it would be quite a disappointment if they don’t introduce this rule. Pitting is a vital part of Formula 1 and in 2010, streamlined and dominant races became even
more boring since there was no hope of any driver rising from bottom. The teams took obvious tyre changing pit stops that made it quite boring and there was no variety for the pit crew.
Nevertheless, it would be interesting to see teams playing around with their cars in terms of strategies and it would make the sport even more exciting if we get to watch teams go on 2-3 pit strategies once again.
The pit strategies enabled the drivers to play with the car and control various amount of weights race after race and manage the best result out of their cars. It was just because of the pitting strategy that we got to see Michael Schumacher score podiums
after qualifying rounds.
The current pitting system makes it almost impossible to come up with a strategy to take the podium after falling behind in the starting line-up for a race.
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