My Favourite Moments of 2009 - By Paul_Murtagh

2009 - Arguably the best season in Formula 1 for years. Since 1984 only four teams had won a Formula 1 title - Ferrari, McLaren, Williams or Benetton/Renault. But it was all to change this year, when two new forces emerged in Brawn and Red Bull. These teams breathed fresh air into F1, with new regular winners in Button, Vettel and Webber. F1's elder statesman Rubens Barrichello showed that he could still do it, while Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Raikkonen showed that both McLaren and Ferrari were more than capable of challenging the new regime. Here I look back at my highlights of 2009

The Emergence of Brawn and Red Bull

After years of dominance by 4 teams, the domination of the season by Brawn and Red Bull was a very refreshing and welcome change. Brawn especially, considering that 4 weeks before the start of the season they didn't even exist. They arrived at Australia, dominated the weekend and never looked back. Not even a drop-off in pace towards the latter end of the season could stop their charge, and both Button and the team fully deserved their title

As for Red Bull, they were the only team who went into the season with a high sense of optimism and managed to match it. They were consistently fast all season, and it was hard to believe that their win at China was only their first. Six wins for the team - 4 for Vettel and two for Webber - showed just how strong their season was, and after winning the final three races they will go into next year fancying their chanes of further success

The Force of India at Spa

After what was a very average season, Force India's season hit an almighty high when the teams arrived at Spa. Having shown good pace in practice, they followed it up with pole for Fisichella on what is regarded as the best circuit currently in F1. And to prove this was no fluke, Fisichella finished an amazing second in the race behind Kimi Raikkonen in the Ferrari, who may not have won had he made a KERS-assisted pass after a safety car period.

After Fisichella left the team, Adrian Sutil showed that the team had pace in both it's car with a strong drive at the following race in Monza, finishing fourth after qualifying second and being in contention for a podium all race long - beaten once again by Kimi Raikkonen.

A United Front

After years of bickering over money, TV rights, cost cutting, etc it looked like the teams had finally had enough when on the 18th of June the FOTA teams announced that they were to form their own breakaway championship for 2010, unhappy with the proposed budget cap and technical regulations for 2010. The situation futher deepened when Williams and Force India submitted unconditional entries for 2010, resulting in their suspension from FOTA. A tense few weeks emerged with nobody quite sure how it would pan out, before it was announced on the 24th of June that peace had broke out, and that all the current teams would join USF1, Manor and Campos (and later Lotus F1 and Sauber) in the 2010 World Championship after all.

The Success of Abu Dhabi

With F1 having introduced many new circuits over the years (Malaysia, Bahrain, China, Turkey, Fuji, Indianapolis, Valencia, etc), many assumed that Abu Dhabi would join the list of yet another Tilkedrome with no atmosphere and processional races - how wrong they were! While most circuits look good on paper yet not in real life, Abu Dhabi raised standards beyond belief. While it was a modern circuit withthe highest safety standards, it's unique layout, with a run-off area running underneath a grandstand and a pit lane exit running below the race track, made the circuit unique, and the majority of drivers found the track both challenging and enjoyable. The great facilies and unique day-night time means that it could well be one of F1's jewells in the crown alongside Monaco in years to come

The Old Man Strikes Back

Throughout the winter it was believed that Rubens Barrichello's F1 career had come to an end. Honda had tested Bruno Senna for his seat before announcing their withdrawl from F1, and it looked like whoever took over the team would also take young Senna on as well. When the team was bought over by Ross Brawn, he named Barrichello as his second driver, and what a repayment the Brazilian gave back to the team

Barrichello drove all season as good as he has driven in his career, including his heyday at Ferrari. He kept team-mate Button honest all season, and arguably only lost the title because a few decision didn't go his way. His two wins at Valencia and Monza were out of the top drawer, and Rubens goes into next year, his 17th in F1, with Williams knowing that he can still do it at the top level

So there you are - my favourite moments of the 2009 Formula 1 season. But do mine match yours, or do you have your own favourite moments?

Comments

[sportsman]

An excellent article.One to which I have very little to add. Your favourite moments are very similair to my own.
One other favourite, not quite a monment but spread over the season, was McLarens fightback in developing their car from the dog that it was, to being competitive.
The other was that the the British GP endless saga has finally been resolved

[flood1]

I have just now had a chance to read what you have written Paul (holidays away!). You captured the essence of this season, and it was a great season indeed.

Brawn, Red Bull, and Force India all were big surprises. Ferrari, McLaren, and BMW were as well, but for all the wrong reasons.

FOTA fought back, Max has retired, and a new era with few manufacturers and new independent teams faces F1 for the new decade.

I am excited and looking forward to the future. As of today, December 30th, it is only 73 days away!