WE should be in for an exciting year with many changes in the technical regulations. This will mean that four times world champion Sebastian Vettel is unlikely to dominate as he has done in the past few years.
I am going to list the main rule changes and then take you through the 11 team mix of drivers.
This year is the beginning of a totally new formula, with only 1.6-litre V6 turbo charged engines allowed. We can expect the cars to develop about 560kW (750 hp) to start with.
I expect the new cars to soon be breaking the lap records of previous years, despite a reduction in aerodynamic downforce this year.
KERS in future will be simply known as ERS or energy recovery system and it will be twice as powerful as last year at 160bhp instead of 80bhp.
The energy converted will be absorbed from both the brakes and from heat transferred out of the exhaust system.
There is also a completely new restriction on fuel whereby only 100kg of fuel can be used per race whereas in the past up too 150kg was being utilised.
The cars therefore will have to be much more economical and driver strategies will be paramount. A driver who goes particularly fast at the beginning of the race will have to slow up towards the end and vice-versa.
Only five engines will be allowed for the whole season and gearboxes must last for six races, otherwise penalties will be imposed.
Following requests from fans there is now a new numbering system whereby each driver except the world champion, who gets number 1, chooses his favourite number from 2 to 99, which will be posted on the car and helmet to give easy recognition.
* The South Coast Motorcycle and Car Club quiz and grand prix talk will take place at Classic Cars and Motorcycles in Margate this Saturday, March 15 at 2pm. All are welcome.
