So how was that for you then? As another Formula 1 season kicks off with yet another set of rules and scoring it seems that the same old problems are still very much in force. No matter how they try to disguise it whenever the powers that be try and make Formula 1 more exciting they always appear to have the opposite affect!

The Bahrain Grand Prix 2010 came together in what was an almost perfect storm of dullness. Even before qualifying had started the rumour mill was ripe that a number of the drivers were happy to the changes made to the circuit. The extra in field section transformed a fast exciting race track into 100 MPH twisty turny shitesville. The extra track did nothing more than highlight the early difference gaps between the cars and left us with as predictable a qualifying session as what I can remember in a long time.

Then there was the actual race itself. We were promised that the banning of refuelling would force the drivers into overtaking on the track rather than in the pits. What they seem to have forgot is that the aerodynamics involved with modern Formula 1 cars STILL makes it almost impossible to overtake. The moment you get with a second of the car in front your car starts to overheat and you have to drop back. Time and time again during the Bahrain Grand Prix we saw cars work there way up to the driver in front and then not be able to do anything about it. Have you ever seen suck a dull race from Michael Schumacher, I know I haven’t? There was nothing he could do except trundle around, once the first few laps were that was that.

Well it would have been that if it wasn’t for reliability problems. Vettel suffering from a spark plug issue (was it really a spark plug, reports on the day suggested it was an exhaust problem but with it being a new exhaust maybe it was more politacally correct to blame something else?) Thanks to that we did see some over taking as he slipped from 1st to 4th. The Ferrari’s were catching him anyway but whether or not they would have got past is questionable as they suffered from the over heating problem as much as anybody.

The ironic thing is that the only other real drama in the race was Hamilton getting past Rosberg, done on the one and only pitstop. I’m sure the powers that be loved that! All in all the race was little more than a parade and it will do nothing to bring new fans to Formula 1, especially the Americans for whom overtaking is everything. If this one stop, hold out till the end strategy continues to be favoured by the top teams then I can’t see how the FIA will carry on with the current rule set. Enforcing a 2 stop policy maybe?

The final thing I’d like to mention is the affect the budget restrictions have had on the racing. Do we really want to watch races where teams start turning eveything down on the car for the last 15 laps? Formula 1 is supposed to be the ultimate motor sport as drivers and cars are pushed to the limit each and every lap of a race. Or that’s what I used to think anyway.

Lets just hope that the next race in Australia is better.