need for speed

Collaborate and listen: The Iceman is back

F1 is back! The 2006 season begins this weekend with the Bahrain Grand Prix. What's there to look out for? New teams and new rules of course!

• New teams like Super Aguri, Toro Rosso and Proton.
• Engine capacity has been reduced from 3-litre V10 units to 2.4-litre V8s to cut costs and improve safety. No worries - the reduction in speed should be barely noticeable.
  
• Tyre changes are allowed again at pit stops. Last season's no tyre change rule has proven to be the silliest rule they could come up with. Good riddance!
• Also scrapped is one-lap qualifying. It is now a 3-part 15 minutes elimination system with all drivers going for broke to finish ahead.

The new rules, especially the new qualifying, should make the season a really exciting one to look forward to. Once again, I'll be rooting for Kimi Raikkonen for the Driver's Championship he so deserves.

Go, Kimi, go! Woohoo!

(Oh, by the way, I'm just kidding about the Proton part. You didn't believe that, did you?)