The 2009 FIA Formula One World Championship
A New Season with New Cars New Tracks and New Drivers
Feb 9, 2009
2009 FIA Formula One World Championship
In 2009, two more tracks disappear from the regular calendar: the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve (host of the Canadian Grand Prix) and Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours (host of the French Grand Prix). Both tracks claim financial reasons for not holding a Grand Prix in 2009.
New Track
Although two countries will not hold Grand Prix in 2009, one new track (and country) will join the FIA championship, as the Yas Marina Circuit will host the inaugural Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi. The Japanese race will be back at Suzuka (the race alternates with Fuji) and the German round will be at the Nurburgring. The German race also alternates between two tracks, the Hockenheimring and the Nurburgring.
Missing from the 2009 championship will be long time GP driver, David Coulthard. Coulthard retired from Grand Prix racing after the 2008 Brazilian GP. However, joining the ranks of regular Grand Prix drivers is 20 year old Swiss sensation Sebastien Buemi. Although Buemi only finished sixth in the 2008 GP2 championship, his testing times over the winter have been very impressive. He joins Scuderia Toro Rosso for 2009.
No Honda
Also missing from the current driver line-up are both Honda drivers: Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello. In fact, the entire Honda team are doubtful starters after the parent company – Honda Motor Company Ltd - decided to withdraw from the championship. A number of buyers have shown interest in acquiring the team, but it remains to be seen if they will be on the grid in Melbourne.
Perhaps the biggest changes in 2009 will be to the cars themselves. Gone are the grooved tires, and out go many of the aero devices familiar to race fans. In an attempt to encourage overtaking, the FIA has changed the rules covering aero down-force generating bodywork – primarily the front and rear wings. These aero changes should make it easier to get closer to the car in front.
Back to Slicks
Sole tire supplier Bridgestone will revert back to the more traditional race tires – full slicks. And with an anticipated aero down-force reduction around 50%, mechanical grip and tire grip will be very important.
The 2009 Full Race Schedule
- Australia - ING Australia Grand Prix (Melbourne) March 26th ~ 29th www.grandprix.com.au
- Malaysia - Petronas Malaysia Grand Prix (Sepang) Apr 3rd ~ 5th
- China - Chinese Grand Prix (shanghai) Apr 17th ~ 19th
- Bahrain - Gulf Air Bahrain grand Prix (Sakhir) Apr 24th ~ 26th
- Spain - Gran Premio De Espana Telefonica (Catalunya) May 8th ~ 10th
- Monaco - Grand Prix De Monaco (Monte Carlo) May 21st ~ 24th
- Turkey - ING Turkish Grand Prix (Istanbul) June 5th ~ 7th
- Great Britain - Santander British grand Prix (Silverstone) June 19th ~ 21st
- Germany - Grosser Preis Santander Von Deutschland (Nurburgring) July 10th ~ 12th
- Hungary - ING Magyar Nagydij (Budapest) July 24th ~ 26th
- European -Telefonica Grand Prix of Europe (Valencia) Aug 21st ~ 23rd
- Belgium - ING Belgium Grand Prix (Spa-Francorchamps) Aug 28th ~ 30th
- Italy - Gran Premio Santander D’Italia (Monza) Sept 11th ~ 13th
- Singapore - Singapore Grand Prix (Singapore) Sept 25th ~ 27th
- Japan - Fuji Television Japanese Grand Prix (Suzuka) Oct 2nd ~ 4th
- Brazil -Grande Premio Do Brazil (Interlagos, Sao Paulo) Oct 16th ~ 18th
- United Arab Emirates - Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Yas Marina Circuit) Oct 30th ~ Nov 1st
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