8 replies to this topic

[TheThirdTenor1]

So let's imagine there were no major changes to the technical and sporting regulations in 2009, and thereafter, how do you think the F1 landscape would have looked during the period 2009 - present ?

- Would it continue to be a fight between Ferrari and Mclaren at the front ?
- Would Renault continue their late 2008 form return to being championship contenders?
- Would BMW have become championship contenders, and would they still be in the sport?
- Would Red Bull have found their way to the top?
- Would Mercedes have entered the sport as an independent team?

I know it's a very speculative thread, but i'm bored during this 3 week break.

[SpaMaster]

F1 has always had regular regulation changes. It's been five years since the regulation changes in 2009. So if the regulations did not change then, they would have changed in 2011 or 2012. It is just too long a gap to contemplate. One thing to speculate could be what exactly would have happened in the year 2009 itself.

[Absulute]

We'd probably be looking at a couple more championships for Hamilton. Maybe. Who knows?

[sopa]

Red Bull in the Toro Rosso colors was certainly coming good in late 2008. Red Bull may not have been that strong in 2009 as they were, but they would have continued their steady progress and eventually made it to the top. If not in 2009, then 2010 or 2011. Like Lotus has been improving every year recently.

Others are hard to determine except Ferrari and McLaren would not have had such slow start as they had and would have been at least as good as they were in the later phases of 2009.

[Jimisgod]

Assuming the landscape tended in the same direction it did in 2008...\

RBR takes Vettel, might get a win or two.

BMW becomes what Lotus or Mercedes is now, able to take a number of wins maybe launch a better WDC bid.

Renault is also able to take a number of wins.

Anyway, those three teams take 4-7 wins off McLaren and Ferrari who share the rest. Lewis or one of the Ferrari drivers become WDC. I think Lewis would have momentum, so Lewis WDC in 2009.

Lets say Alonso goes to Ferrari in 2010. I guess he'd be WDC in a close fight against Hamilton.

By then they'd definitely have a big regulation change given Bridgestone was out for 2011.

Either way, I think Lewis and Alonso would be beneficiaries and Button/Brawn not a WDC.

[V8 Fireworks]

- Would it continue to be a fight between Ferrari and Mclaren at the front ?

Ferrari and McLaren were so mediocre and made so many mistakes in 2007 & 2008 they were *lucky* to not have decent competition TBH. Most money, most highly developed cars BUT ... blunders galore. No swiss watch type precision at all!! Very poor peformance from both teams really.

[stanga]

Given how well Hamilton drove in 2009 and 2010, it's hard not to think that he would have had a good shot at those titles if the MP4-23 had just evolved.

[wingwalker]

Most fun would come out of BMW, I think - it's not a question whether they would be a WDC challenger, Kubica was already leading the standings after 7 (or so?) races, so without a major change there would be no reason for them to focus on the 2009 mid season, so second half of the season would be even better than it was in 2008. As for 2009, I guess that ex-Honda wouldn't be anywhere as competitive as Brawn cars were, they really hit the jack spot with designing the 2009 car, so Red Bull would start their walk to glory a year earlier.

[DutchQuicksilver]

If there hadn't been regulation changes in 2009 I doubt Ross Brawn would have bought the Honda remains in the first place. Meaning there would have been 9 teams in 2009. I also doubt the new teams Lotus, Virgin and HRT would have entered the sport.

Also, BMW partly pulled out of F1 because of the world financial crisis, but perhaps if they won the title in 2008 in a scenario like wingwalker is saying they would have stayed in F1. Have my doubts about Toyota though, I'd say they would have pulled out of F1 even with old regulations.

And with no Honda or Brawn GP, I don't think Mercedes would have entered the sport as a manufacturer, but they would have stayed as a McLaren partner, especially if Hamilton would have won the 2009 title.