The grid for the opening Grand Prix of the 2010 F1 season looked significantly different to the one which had lined up at the close of 2009. In addition to driver changes there were also three new teams in Formula 1.
2010 Formula 1 Teams and Drivers
The pre-season headlines mainly focused on the much heralded return of seven times F1 world champion Michael Schumacher. The legendary German had originally retired from Grand Prix racing at the end of the 2006 season. Schumacher was paired with countryman Nico Rosberg at Mercedes, making an all German team. Mercedes had entered as a manufacturer after taking over title holders Brawn GP.
Defending F1 champion Jenson Button took the bold step of joining fellow Briton Lewis Hamilton at McLaren. Button had won the title with Brawn GP in 2009. The Brawn team was only in existence for one season, but left with a perfect record having taken drivers and constructors honours. Red Bull were hoping to finally secure a title and boasted the strong pairing of Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel.
Ferrari had a potent line-up, with double F1 world champion Fernando Alonso partnering Felipe Massa, who had recovered from his near fatal crash at the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix. Williams opted for a mix of youth and experience, with F1 rookie Nico Hulkenburg alongside the most experienced driver in Formula 1 history, Rubens Barrichello.
Renault entered 2010 with great hopes, having secured the services of race winner Robert Kubica. The Pole’s team-mate was Vitaly Petrov, the first ever Russian Formula 1 driver. Force India were also expecting major points with Adrian Sutil and Vitantonio Liuzzi.
Sauber surprised many by signing F1 veteran Pedro de la Rosa and the impressive rookie Kamui Kobayashi, who impressed greatly in his appearances at the end of the 2009 Formula 1 season. Toro Rosso kept the same line-up of Sebastien Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari.
New F1 Teams for 2010
There were two brand new names on the Formula 1 grid in 2010, and one steeped in racing history. The Lotus name returned to Grand Prix racing, with Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen entrusted with the Cosworth powered cars.
Campos Meta (who soon changed name to Hispania) and Virgin were also granted entry. Both were also powered by Cosworth. Virgin signed the experienced Timo Glock to partner Formula 1 new boy Lucas di Grassi. Hispania started the year with Bruno Senna and Karun Chandhok, although Sakon Yamamoto and Christian Klein also made appearances during the year.
Two teams who did not make it into Formula 1 were Stefan GP and USF1. The latter, all American effort never came close to making the grid and went as far as asking for special disposition to miss the first four races. The 2010 Formula 1 season got underway in Bahrain in March.
Kevin Guthrie - Kevin is based in Fife, Scotland, where he works as a music teacher, professional drummer and freelance writer. At an early age he ...
