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Specification Changes:
The most startling change in the 2014-2015 season will be the change in engine specification. First time since 1988, turbo charged engines are all set to make a comeback. The engine will now be a perpendicularly mounted 1.6 L V6 as opposed to the 2.4 L V8. The engine will now be restricted to rev up to 15000 rpm. This is by far the biggest change in engine regulation in over a decade.
Engine stability has raised some serious issues with all the Formula 1 franchise owners. The engines are expected to last at least 4,000 km before replacement. This figure was a mere 2,000 km last season.
Ferrari spent 50 million dollars on the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) in 2009. This season a new heat based ERS system will be implemented. The new system is bound to give an extra 160 horse power as compared to 80 given by the KERS system.
Teams are now testing a new electronic braking for breaking the rear wheels to contend with the additional power supplied by the new ERS systems. Drivers will enjoy the liberty of using it for 33 seconds as compared to a mere 6 seconds per lap previously.
Other notable changes in the car specification include lower noses, restricted fuel flow and exhaust outlet position. The minimum weight of the car will now be increased to 690 kgs.
Driver Changes:
Kimi Raikkonen to Ferrari:
The Finn put Lotus’s financial problems behind him to string together a sequence of eye-catching performances as he reproduced his often stunning comeback form of 2012. The financial issues finally caught up with Kimi and he signed a deal which will see him return to Ferrari after the 2009 ousting.
Wins: 1
Podiums: 8
Points: 183
Filipe Massa to Williams:
Massa seemed to find hind his touch back after the news of his termination from the Italian giants. The Brazilian will join Williams and will enjoy playing the leading role. Massa has played second fiddle to Alonso for a long time and will relish the opportunity to lead a team.
This leaves Pastor Maldonado in No Man’s land.
Wins: 0
Podiums: 1
Points: 112
Daniel Ricciardo to Red Bull Racing:
Mark Webber has decided to part ways with F1 after 12 long seasons. The Aussie has vacated the seat at Red Bull and Daniel Ricciardo has taken up the coveted hot seat besides the reigning World Champion, Sebastian Vettal.
Wins: 0
Podiums: 0
Points: 20
New drivers on the block are Kevin Magnussen to McLaren (2013 Formula Renault 3.5 Series), Daniil Kvyat to Scuderia Toro Rosso (2013 GP3 series) and Sergey Sirotkin to Sauber.
New Tracks:
The 2014 – 2015 season will comprise of a record 22 Grand Prix. The Russian and the new American Grand Prix are all set to make a debut. The cold Sochi International Street circuit will be a daunting task for drivers to overcome. The Grand Prix of America will now be held at the Port Imperial Street Circuit in the buffalo town of New Jersey.
The Austrian and the Mexican Grand Prix are all set to dazzle again on the biggest stage of motor racing. The Red Bull Ring in Spielberg and Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City make it 22 races.
Only a change in specifications can dethrone the high flying German, Vettel and the 2014 season might just have that on the platter.
