The expectation and excitement surrounding the build-up to the start of the 2009 Formula 1 season was clearly palpable among motorsport fanatics. The anticipation of the start of the first race in Melbourne, Australia was higher than ever, with everyone keen to see what influence all the new technical regulations introduced would have on the race itself. But the one thing that dominated all the fervency was the introduction of a new team that took all the testing and pre-race practice sessions by storm : Brawn GP.
The story of the evolution of Brawn GP is the stuff dreams are made of. After Honda pulled out of F1 in December 2008, thanks to the global economic crisis, drivers Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello sat at home without a job and staring at a bleak future. All the remaining teams had confirmed their rosters for the 2009 season, and times could not have been tougher for the Englishman and the Brazilian. With less than a month to go for the start of the new season, ex-team boss Ross Brawn decided to revive the Honda team, thus buying the team and starting afresh. With a new name, a new Mercedes engine and new technical regulations to comply with, Brawn GP were faced with an enormous task. While all the other teams had extensive testing on their cars for months together, Brawn GP had just about 20 days to put together a competent, efficient package with emphasis on reliability. They had one advantage though - a genius at the helm named Ross Brawn.
Being one of the architects of the run of success and dominance that Ferrari have achieved over the past decade, Ross Brawn is one of the most brilliant and technically gifted team bosses there is in the sport. With some fine tweaks in aerodynamics and clever thinking (including an innovative yet controversial interpretation of the new diffuser rule), Brawn GP set Albert Park on fire. They dominated qualifying, with Button and Barrichello finishing 1-2 and sitting proudly on top of the pack.
The race started perfectly for Button as he sped away, but not so well for Barrichello, as a slow start bumped him down to 7th place. The Australian GP though lived up to its reputation of having innumerable twists and turns, and the Brawn GP team finished the race as they started it: a class above the rest. Ferrari had a disastrous race, with both drivers retiring. Lewis Hamilton saved the day for Mclaren, finishing an impressive 3rd after starting 15th on the grid. Toyota and Williams looked very impressive as well.
Perhaps the title should actually have been "The Brawn Supremacy"!! All in all, this promises to be as open a season as ever in F1, with the big question being: Can Brawn GP continue to live the dream, and remain consistent throughout the season? And more importantly: Can the trailing pack keep up with them and step it up a notch?? Well, there's only one way to find out...
Until the next..
P.S: I actually wanted to list out all the new, innovative changes introduced this season in F1: the much-applauded return to slick tyres, the new KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) electronic boost system similar to the one used in A1 GP, modified aerodynamics etc. It'll take up a whole new post, but instead I'll just provide the link, it's a must read for all F1 lovers:
http://www.formula1.com/inside_f1/rules_and_regulations/sporting_regulations/8692/
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