Formula 1 2014 – a whole new ball game

This weekend the city of Melbourne will host the first race of the 2014 calendar: the Australian Grand Prix.

With the most radical changes to the regulations that the sport has witnessed in more than a generation, this year promises to be one of the most unpredictable and probably one of the most exciting seasons for many years.

After the winter testing sessions Mercedes-powered cars were looking very strong – as were Ferrari, although lacking the pace of the Mercedes – but it was the performance of the current champions Red Bull and all the other Renault engined teams that are cause for serious concern as all are struggling to find reliability and performance.

It has been one of the most harrowing winter testing experiences ever, with major changes to engines and aerodynamics, coupled with a very short period of time to take theory into practice.

The new power unit with the 1.6 litre turbocharged V6 engine, plus the sophisticated hybrid systems, have proved to be troublesome for some teams – particularly Renault, who have experienced a limited number of laps.

The new engine has a regulated crankshaft revolution limit, of 15 000r/min and with unrestricted manifold pressure produces around 450kW (600hp).

This can be enhanced by the hybrid systems, which can add a regulated 120kW to the total – so now we’re up to 570kW (764hp).

Fuel delivery rates are tight and could play a role in the team strategy turning certain races into economy runs.

Aerodynamic changes – featuring narrower front wings, droop noses and rear wing mountings back to vertical mounting struts – will also be a major factor.

Added to all these changes to cars and regulations we also have the spectre of double points for the final race: this year in Abu Dhabi.

This is the idea of Bernie Ecclestone.

He believes this will ensure fans stay tuned to the end of the season.

In fact he wanted the last three races to all be double points. Thank goodness this was rejected by the teams.

This weekend will be one of the most critical in the history of F1.

Will we witness the birth of a new era in the sport or a complete debacle?

One has to hope it will be the former.

Melbourne will be the first opportunity to see whether the new cars are actually up to the job.

There are so many variables that the idea of a pre-season prediction is almost impossible.

I believe reliability, rather than sheer pace, will be the victor on Sunday.

But despite these issues, it could result in the resurgence of teams such as Williams, who during testing have shown the form that has been missing for some time.

With the announcement of the Martini sponsorship for the team one can hope the former multiple world champions will be on the podium on a regular basis this season.

It is always impressive to watch drivers such as Sebastian Vettel take the title, but it does become a little tedious when it is a predictable annual event.

With no disrespect to the brilliance of either of these two champions, a change in the order would introduce a rejuvenated audience, far more effective than double points.

Perhaps my predictions for the season are completely off beam, but following testing it looks as though we are going to be in for an absolute cracker of a season.