F1 2011 alternate

- Only Stefan GP elected to use a 2009 spec chassis (with double diffuser).

- The Serbian team were permitted to use Toyota chassis after financial struggles, the Japanese manufacturer using this oppourtunity to use both 2009 and their new 2011 chassis on the grid

- Ford returned to Formula One, powering two teams, Prodrive and USF1

- USF1 would be all American for 2011, two American drivers, Patrick being retained and Alexander Rossi being hired and American engine

- The rookies on the grid would include Mikhail Aleshin, joining fellow Russian Petrov at the Russian team Marrusia and Sergio Perez, joining Williams.

-Schumacher's departure from Ferrari would leave an important gap in the driver market, which was to be filled by Dan Wheldon.

- New Pirelli tyres would be used in 2011, as well as Drag Reduction system.

- For the first part of the season, there wasn't a clear championship favourite, reigning champion Massa winning his first race with the number 1, Kubica winning once more fore BMW, the Red Bull's getting a win apiece and Hamilton's three wins but a lack of consistency of the others saw him as well in the title fight

- But as the second half ensued, it was clear it was going to be one of the Red Bull drivers winning, the Austrian team's 4 1-2 finishes clinching another constructors title

- Webber had the upper hand at first, but Alonso drove a fine 2nd half of the season, winning 4 race wins and a second place.

- But an engine failure in South Korea kept Webber's hopes alive

- Just like the last season, the outcome was unkown to the very end, Alonso suffering engine gremlins in Abu Dhabi while Webber was hot on Hamiltons gearbox for the P2 he needed

- But the Spaniard was not to be denied a 3rd title, limping home to P4 to claim it

- 2009 champions Brawn Honda were going to pull out at the end of 2011, a horrible season claiming just 7 points in 14 rounds

- A lack of funding meant little development and the 2011 chassis was just no where near the others

- And Toyota would be saying goodbye as well. Despite effective B-Team Stefan GP having their days in the sun with a double diffuser car, the A-Teams 2011 chassis was just not of the standard needed, failing to score a single point despite having two very capable drivers behind the wheel.

- And Lotus would be gone too, also with a lack of funding.

- But for the upcoming future, Red Bull Audi looked unstoppable, 9 poles and 6 wins throughout the season was a massive warning message for the others. If you want to win the title, beat us

- They shouldn't get too cocky though. Audi's factory team had made further progress, adding two more wins and getting an impressive 3rd in the constructors, just one point short of second. An impressive climb up the field considering that they had been at the bottom of the table 3 years prior

- And of course, the threat of Hamilton and Massa remained.