The future of F1

Well, less than 2 weeks separate us from the final race of the season at Interlagos, Brazil, which is just outside Sao Paulo. Anyhow, after reading all these rule changes that there will be an engine freeze in terms of development, this got me thinking of the future.

It used to be that there would be no tire changes in a race, and that was cool. It was because less rubber would be used per race, and we all remember what happened in the 2005 US Grand Prix!

Now, I'm starting to think that the FIA, the world governing on motorsport, might one day impose that no engine be changed no matter what the circumstances may be. Even if you blow up, you gotta keep that engine for the rest of the season! I can only imagine this rule coming into effect in 2010 and the Grand Prix of Monaco would go something like this (With commentary courtesy of James Allen and Martin Brundle of ITV):

James Allen: Hello and welcome to the Monaco Grand Prix. It is a beautiful May afternoon here in Monte Carlo and the competitors, all of them with blown up engines from the various races of the season, are gathering on the starting grid with their respective pushing crews to push the cars in the race.

Martin Brundle: That's right. So even though all teams may have blown up engines, that doesn't mean that they can't go fast, with the push crews helping out with the pushing.

JA: The parade lap has begun! Fernando Alonso in the McLaren is getting plenty of pushing from the push crew, and they're pushing him very well through the hairpin.

MB: Amazingly enough, this is Team McLaren Mercedes' first pole position in 4 years, after 3 time world champion Kimi Raikkonen, who now drives for Ferrari, took pole position at Monza in 2006 and lost the race to now Ferrari team owner Michael Schumacher.

JA: There's Kimi Raikkonen in the chrome red Ferrari trying so desperately to warm up his tyres and the push crew already look emaciated from pushing his car around the hairpin.

MB: Fernando Alonso and the push crew did an amazing job to qualify him for pole position yesterday in 17min. 32.444 sec. That was a stellar job from Fernando and the push crews for Team McLaren Mercedes.

15 minutes later at the starting grid

JA: Finally, we're at the starting line. As is now custom, the pushing crews will take a 5 minute break to rejuvinate themselves deeming the tire warming useless.

5 minutes later

JA: Now, the lights go out, (lights go out) Let's race!!!!

MB: Look at that! Tiago Monteiro in the Spyker Midland Toyota Minardi Cosworth has jumped up 4 places from 24th to 20th, and he is now right behind Takuma Sato in the Super Aguri Honda, whose pushing crews are doing an amazing job pushing that car!

JA: Look at the front, there's Raikkonen in the Ferrari against Alonso's McLaren and what did that push crew member of Ferrari do the McLaren push crew member? I think he shouted an obscenity!

MB: That's right James, there is ferocious battling at 8 Miles per hour here in Monaco. Great racing from these two drivers, but should Alonso win this battle, he takes first place in the Constructors Championship.

2 Hours later: The pitstops

JA: Here's the first round of pitstops, there's Jenson Button being pushed into the box by his push crew, they look exhausted. Push crews will change along with the tires. There is no fuel to be put in the car in order to keep it light, and off he goes in 17.3 seconds.

MB: The two championship contenders have come into the pit lane...

4 hours later: race ending

JA: Fernando Alonso has crossed the finish line in Monaco, the push crews are exhausted, and he exits the car a triumphant man! The first win for McLaren in almost 5 years, since Kimi Raikkonen's amazing overtake on now Honda driver Giancarlo Fisichella in Suzuka.

MB: Yes!! Amazing win to Alonso, and Raikkonen takes second, his fourth podium at Monaco. Just look at those push crews! They're exhausted beyond all means! It's now 8 PM here in Monaco, Alonso sprays the champagne into Raikkonen's helmet, Raikkonen is reacting with another drunken fit by knocking Alonso in the face.

JA: Yes, as you all know, Kimi Raikkonen is now getting drunk easier and easier these days and now it's a simple sip of champagne that does the job! While these two men get separated, we're calling it a day from here in Monte Carlo, have a good day!

And that's how F1 will be in 2010, with all these rule changes!