It’s back! After six races and three months the column that separates all things F1 has returned. It has been a hiatus in which alot in the sport has gone by, but hopefully I can get back into the swing of things like I haven’t been away!

For those who haven’t read the blog before, it’s a very simple concept. All the news stories for Formula One I split into three categories; The Good, The Bad (pretty self explanitory) and The Backmarkers, about all things to do with the new teams this year.

If anyone is also interested, I also contribute to The 3-Stop Strategy, a blog where all Formula1FanCast’s staff have their say on a whole host of topics. The lastest edition can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/2uvfrd8

And now, on with the column!

The Good

2010 is a Classic: What a season this is turning out to be. With five races to go, it’s going to be one of five drivers which will walk away with the title, and these five are separated by less points they would get for a win. There lies the key component to such a close and exciting battle; the new points system. Although I have been critical in the past of how it glorifies otherwise poor drivers (RE: Jaime Alguersauri) but it has made for great viewing and made each place in the top ten more crucial. Only in the last race did we see how important, with Mark Webber dicing for sixth and seven precious points, while in the past it would be only three, or even one. It makes finishing regularly that more important, that point only being exemplified on how dispondant both McLaren drivers were after Belgium and Italy respectively when they didn’t finish, and how Fernando Alonso knows that podiums mean big points. The influence of NASCAR and IndyCar have meant this change and it it working out for the better for the drivers, and the fans.

The Iceman (may) Return-eth: Kimi Raikkonen may not be setting the world on fire in WRC this season, but this week the news broke that his management team were looking to get him back into F1, and specifically alongside Robert Kubica at Renault for 2011. While this may be rumour to either get other driver’s managers interested, or to stoke up Vitaly Petrov before the end of the year, it’s still an intriguing change of heart from the 2007 World Champion. The other interesting thing was that the Finn was also linked away from the Red Bull team he’s currently with and to a new team run by Monster energy drink instead. There’s too much rumour at the moment, with the second Renault seat being the only hot property in the market since May or June, but seeing the Iceman back in F1 is too good to ignore.

The Future is Bright: Speaking of drivers, with all the “silly season” possibilities gone so early this year it’s down to the other teams to annouce any changes they want to make, if any at all. Sauber and Williams have signed up young drivers for either the Young Drivers test after Abu Dhabi or for 2011, and the calibre of the new faces is very impressive indeed. Esteban Gutierrez has signed for Sauber as reserve and Friday driver for 2011 after winning the GP3 title with five wins, which is very impressive indeed. The young Mexican is non stranger to the Swiis outfit after spending most of the season on their pitwall learning all the technical aspects. Williams will gift a test to new F2 Champion Dean Stoneman in Abu Dhabi after the current season, which was one of the prizes on offer for winning the re-vamped junior class. The big shock is that new GP2 Champion, Pastor Maldano, hasn’t even been linked with any team for 2011, and GP2 is meant to be the “feeder” series for F1. Hopefully he’ll end up somewhere a little better than HRT or Virgin, but that just aren’t that many seats left. Still, three new and exciting names for the future none-the-less.

F1 2010 is a Go!: Just a quick notice that the new F1 game is released on the 24th September. Codemasters have spent nearly two years developing this game and it looks like it won’t disappoint in the slightest! I’ll be reviewing the game as soon as I get my hands on it, and posting my thoughts in a special blog later next week.

The Bad

What’s eating Mark Webber?: After the dust settled at Monza, Mark Webber was not a happy chappy. Yes, Nico Hulkenberg had jumped a few chicanes, and his team-mate had jumped him in the race to finish ahead, but what was with the deal with his attitude after the race? With races like Singapore and Suzuka up next, races that suit the Red Bull package more than anyone else, I just don’t see how the Aussie could be so downbeat.

In retrospect, if you had offered him 3rd and 6th before Belgium and Italy AND that he’d be in the lead of the championship, he would’ve bitten your hand off. The only reason I can think of is that his team-mate Sebastian Vettel finished two places down the road from him even though the young German had a mid-race engine scare. The jury is still out on who should be number one driver at Red Bull, but Webber should let his driving force the team to make that decision.

Aussie GP at a Loss: Recent financial reports have indicated that Australian taxpayers shelled out a whopping $50m to stage the Melbourne round of the calender. The report also stated that costs were up 20% up while sales revenue was down 30%, meanign the event ran at a loss. Before all the critics campaign to axe the race, the opportunities for both tourism and business for a country are phenomenal. If the saying “You’ve got to spend money to make money” was ever relevant…

Roman Grosjean Back in the Frame?: With Nick Heildfeld back in a Sauber race seat, Pirelli’s choice of driver to continue their tyre tests is…Roman Grosjean. Heidfeld’s involvement with Pirelli meant that he was in higher demand than other for 2011, and Sauber have besten others to get his signature. Will anyone do the same for Grosjean? I seriously hope not.

Flavio Braitore Speaks:….and fingers crossed, no-one listened.

The Backmarkers

Lotus: Monza may not have been a great weekend on the track, but in regards to 2011 for Lotus it was pretty momentus. The two big announcements make Lotus a fixture for many years to come. Firstly, the debate over whether the team really is Lotus is over after Tony Fernandes confirmed the rights to the original team’s name had been aquired. Secondly, after negotiating an exit from Cosworth, the team will be using Renault engines and gearboxes for the coming season. Both are great decisions, as it brings the famous name of Lotus firmly back into F1 properly, and they now have an extremely competitive engine/gearbox combination to build on. Fernandes also promised more announcements for Singapore, which can only be more good news for the fledgling team.

Virgin: Another team to be looking at young drivers is Virgin, who have given GP2 racer Jerome D’Ambrosio a chance to prove himself. For four of the remaining five races he will join the team for Friday practice, with the Belgian youngster having to sit out Abu Dhabi due to a GP2 event taking place the same weekend. Virgin, or more importantly Manor motorsport, have gone back to their roots to promote young drivers. If they can’t get a tie-up with a manufacturer or big sponsor, then becoming a platform for drivers to move up the grid is just as profitable.

Hispania: We as fans all know how tough it is to gain sponsorship and keep a team afloat. But, is it really worth bringing in a pay driver the likes of Sakon Yamamoto? The mechanic who took the brunt of an F1 car taking off from a pit-stop has only just been released from hospital. No matter how much money he brings to the team, is it worth the risk to the team, as well as other drivers? I don’t think so, The only thing Yamamoto is going to get out of this run in the Hispania car is an empty bank account.

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