The 2010 Formula1 season will see a bigger grid, and hopefully closer racing. The grid would now consist of 13 teams, and consequently 26 drivers. The Panasonic Toyota Racing has bid adieu to the sport at the end of the 2009 season, citing financial reasons. BMW have also pulled out of the sport, but the team would feature in the ’10 season as the Sauber F1. This was made possible after the team was sold to an investment company called Qadbak. However, the Qadbak sale failed and the team got sold back to Peter Sauber. FIA then awarded the team the 14th place on the grid, subject to other teams agreeing to it, or if a vacancy becomes available. As it turned out, Toyota called it quits, and Sauber F1 came into the scheme of things. Another big change for the 2010 season is the absence of the 2009 constructor’s champions Brawn GP. Mercedes-Benz has bought the team, and renamed it the Mercedes Grand Prix. However, Ross Brawn would continue to be the team principal. In addition to these changes, the coming season will also see three new teams entering the Formula1 flock – Lotus F1 Racing, US F1 Team, Virgin(Manor) Racing and Campos Meta 1.

The biggest driver transfer to take place post 2009 season was that of the 2009 champion Jenson Button. He decided to move to the McLaren Mercedes, to partner Lewis Hamilton. Whether the decision is right or wrong, only time will tell. But, it sure is a brave decision by the champion to leave his championship-winning team and move to a team where he could be given the 2nd driver’s position. Something exciting to look forward to in 2010, is the return of the greatest of them all – Michael Schumacher. He has signed a 3-year deal with the Mercedes GP, to continue his association with Ross Brawn, working with whom the German won all 7 of his Championships.

Other driver transfers are – Fernando Alonso moving to Ferrari, Rubens Barrichello signing with the Williams F1, Robert Kubica moving to Renault F1, Nico Rosberg to Mercedes GP, the exciting Kamui Kobayashi to Sauber F1, Timo Glock to Virgin Racing, and Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen joining the newly formed Lotus F1. Sadly though, at the end of all this Kimi Raikkonen is left without a drive for 2010. He has taken a sabbatical from the sport and has confirmed a WRC drive for 2010.

Here’s a look at how the grid will look like in 2010.

As we can see from the table, a few seats are still up for grabs. And some deserving drivers are left without a seat for the coming season. Nick Heidfeld has no contract for 2010, but seems like he could land-up in Sauber F1. Giancarlo Fisichella would move into the role of a test driver for the Ferrari. All in all, the grid has an exciting look, and we at three2tango can hardly wait for the next season to kick-off. The thought of Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton, Michael Schumacher, Jenson Button, and Felippe Massa fight it out on evenly-matched cars is an exciting prospect. The 2010 season countdown begins!!!

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