Here’s the truth – I’ve tried to write this post 4 times to date and each time I’ve failed. Every time I’m happy with it something else changes, I can not remember a closed season in Formula 1 that has had so much drama. It’s funny though, because with all the talk of change, the world falling apart, we are basically left with the same teams racing for the same points and the same championship. For all the talk Formula 1 in 2009 has changed naff all.

So what has happened? Honda pulled out due to the world’s economy going tits up, only to be brought back in the guise of Brawn Racing (top man Ross Brawn!). Formula 1 tried to change the way the championship was decided so that the driver who won the most races would be crowned champion. The teams rebelled, the governing body gave in and now we’re back to the same old points system. A points system that helped Lewis Hamilton to his first Formula 1 crown.

Talking of Lewis Hamilton he’s not a happy bunny at all. The McLaren team with all its funding have seemingly created a car that is incapable of producing anything like enough down force unless literally lowered to the ground. Race 1, Day 1 and already Lewis is practically righting of the championship because he’s got a car that bottoms out so bad he can barely see where he’s going! Not the ideal way to start your title defence. Smart ass comments about being flattered by approaches from other teams would do anything to settle McLarens nerves either.

So what sort of a Formula 1 season are we in for. Well I hate to say it but I expect it to be similar to last year. There will be 2 (possibly 3) teams challenging at the top, a large mid field and then 1 team crawling around at the back. If I had to put money on any team to stand out in 2009 it will be Ferrari, I can see them doing a clean sweep. Perhaps the only thing that may stop a Ferrari driver from winning the Formula 1 championship this year is if Alonso continues his form from the end of the 2008 season.

One big plus for this year will be the coverage, the BBC now have Formula 1 back where it belongs. No more advert breaks at vital times, just continous race coverage supplemented of course by the BBC’s desire to embrace the online and HD world. Formula 1 may not have changed that much in 2009, but I truly believe that the coverage will be 100% better than in 2008!

For now I’m going to sit back and enjoy all the action from Melbourne, if early practice is anything to go by the first race of the 2009 Formula 1 season could be one of the most exciting and unpredictable.